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 Posted - August 15 2015 : 01:23:58 AM
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Buying a Bowser K-11 kit soon. What special tools will I need? Any advice or tips? Never built one before.
" Heck with counting 'em rivets, TRAINS ARE FOR FUN! Not called the Mad Scientist for nothing either!"
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Posted - August 15 2015 : 08:41:49 AM
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Years ago, I built a Bowser H9. Aside from the usual screwdrivers and files, the kit came with the special tools it needed, namely an Allen-head screw that serves as a socket wrench for the crank pins and a little punch for setting the rivets.
I kind of recall that the instructions had helpful tips, too, and those were well worth the read.
As with any kit, look over all of the parts, first, and remove flash and parting lines before assembly.
A couple of odd things happened with my H9 that may or may not affect your kit:
1) The frame was a bit narrow leaving too much end play on the drivers. This allowed an insulated wheel flange to touch the motor frame causing an intermittent short circuit. I glued on thin shims at either end of the axle grooves to take up the end play and stop the short.
2) The tender could rock causing the wheels on the insulated side to touch the floor causing an intermittent short circuit on curves if there was a heavy enough train to tilt the tender. I glued thin pieces of plastic to the underside of the tender to prevent that metal on metal contact.
They take a little tuning, but can be a fun build if you take your time and enjoy the process. Have fun! 
Carpe Manana!
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Posted - August 15 2015 : 1:12:17 PM
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Hi Justin,
Bowser kits build up into some very nice running locomotives, but they do require a bit of work and patience. I built the K-4 Pennsy Pacific. It ended up running smooth as silk once it got broken in. I did have a problem when I first built it. It ran like crap, stalled, went slow and very erratic. I had no clue what was wrong, but eventually guessed I had a motor problem. I examined the motor very closely and found the commutator was defective. One of the segments had a significant gap in it, so it almost worked. I sent to Bowser and they sent me a new motor and the locomotive worked flawlessly.
Bowser shipped their kits with different styles of frames, depending on era. My loco has a soldered up brass frame and is just fine. The OLDER ones and the NEWER ones came with cast frames, but I think construction is about the same. The only thing to concern yourself is with a brass frame. Make sure it is not bent or twisted and don't bend or twist it, except maybe to correct an already twisted problem.
As you work with this loco, post your progress or questions here, we can certainly help get you past rough edges.
Regards, Vic B.
Vic Bitleris
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Posted - August 15 2015 : 1:30:59 PM
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Will do guys! I even got scale drawings of the K-11! I'll have a proper tender!
" Heck with counting 'em rivets, TRAINS ARE FOR FUN! Not called the Mad Scientist for nothing either!"
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Posted - August 15 2015 : 2:33:23 PM
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| It's a later run before Bowser dropped all steamer kits. Is this a intermediate experience project? I've done a rivet repair or 2. Comes to painting the frame, is there anywhere I shouldn't get paint on?
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Posted - August 16 2015 : 10:41:32 AM
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| Keep the paint off the bearing surfaces as they conduct electricity. Don't let the riveting intimidate you, it actually isn't that bad.
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Posted - August 16 2015 : 2:35:30 PM
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Thanks for the tip Shay! I'm feeling a bit confident on the rivets.
" Heck with counting 'em rivets, TRAINS ARE FOR FUN! Not called the Mad Scientist for nothing either!"
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Posted - August 17 2015 : 06:24:02 AM
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clean and prime it before painting!
http://www.tycoforums.com/tyco/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=6417
http://www.bowser-trains.com/discontinued/hodiscontinuedtips.html - Erich
Edited by - Erich on August 17 2015 06:35:57 AM
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Posted - August 19 2015 : 12:08:10 AM
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I'd recommend a set of files, fine sandpaper, and your usual screwdrivers. You'll also want a big steel nut and a light hammer or wrench to strike it. This is used for seating the axle bearings, and having built one myself, I can say it really does make a difference!
http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/88/t/92434.aspx
Darth Santa Fe, doing weird and challenging projects for the fun of it!
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