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 Posted - December 30 2011 : 10:30:29 AM
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That Athearn SW7 calf dummy repaint project is proceeding "apace" with my Sioux Lake Cabeese (there are 2 of them). I ordered a set of all-metal wheels+axle from NWSL/Oso Products, so I am not busting any budget for $13.00, but was very pleasantly surprised at the customer service quality I received when I ordered on the phone and their immediate written e- mail confirm note.
I originally planned to design a workable brass wiper, but the design of the Athearn truck tower and it's fit into the metal frame makes that difficult to enable constant contact with the axle.
I found a solution to my headlight wiring electrical pickup question online, where another modeler wrapped .010 solid copper wire around each axle of one truck, then soldered the thinner multi strand wire from the light circuit to the top arc of that piece of wire. He did the same thing on the opposing axle side of the other truck, to allow for a complete circuit to both rails.
While waiting for the NWSL wheel set to arrive, as solid wire is less forgiving, I practiced with the existing old wheels and found that too tight a wrap results in reduced wheel freedom, as you should be careful not to
"pull" both axles together or you will create more drag than anything else, aside from the squeaky noise that then results as well.
Where the upper arc of the wire will contact the frame, I plan to use some of that Plastic electrical tape "paint" on the wire and on the frame, to ensure insulation and isolation of the circuit from the frame. The frame contact points occur only with the truck turning left or right to the farthest extent of travel, perhaps only on a 15" radius curve, so this is insurance, not just precaution.
I will follow up with a photo write up of the project when I finish next week.
Hope I am not boring you guys with these mundane details.
At any rate, a wish for a happy and healthy New Year to all on these forums!
Siouxlake/Ron
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Country:  USA ~
Posts: 510 ~
Member Since: September 21 2011 ~
Last Visit: December 21 2014
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 Posted - December 30 2011 : 7:01:34 PM
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Hi siouxlake,
You are not boring me. Keep the details coming. Can't wait to see the pictures.
Mike
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Country: USA ~
Posts: 790 ~
Member Since: April 30 2006 ~
Last Visit: July 21 2015
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Posted - December 30 2011 : 7:12:42 PM
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Thanks- as a teacher, I spend my days explaining things to inattentive high schoolers  , so here, I figure I have a more sympathetic audience  than I have otherwise. Believe me, everything I present is from the standpoint of my own self-education. If I repeat what everyone else already has figured out, just bear with me. Believe it or not, I recently completed a residential architectural modeling project with my students, and, as an amateur modeler, I felt like a one-eyed man in the land of the blind, with my basic skill set. If others benefit from my "adventures", then that much the better!
Again, a happy New Year to all!
Siouxlake/Ron
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Country: USA ~
Posts: 510 ~
Member Since: September 21 2011 ~
Last Visit: December 21 2014
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