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Atlas Freightcar Truck Pin replacement screw option? Locos and rolling stock
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Moderator 7,955 posts Prof_Klyzlr Moderator 7,955 posts
Prof_Klyzlr

Dear M-R-Hers,

Collective "Brains Trust" time.

Just picked up an Atlas Extended Vision Caboose for a kitbashing project, and belatedly realised it uses press-in friction-pins to mount the trucks. (No biggie, the caboose just arrived in original sealed packaging, with one truck flopping around loose in the box).

A quick check suggests that a M2.5 screw will fit thru the existing truck hole, and can be tapped into the bolster. However, the typical M2.5 pan head is too big to fit within the Atlas truck recessed hole.

SO, to the question, has anyone swapped screws for pins in such cars?
If yes, what was the screw-size/type of choice?

Many thanks in Advance,

Happy Modelling,
Aim to Improve,
Prof Klyzlr
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Ghost Train Regular poster 228 posts
Ghost Train

Is it too wide or too deep ?

If it is too wide, drill a small hole in the center end of a hardwood dowel a bit undersized so the screw can be screwed in nice and snug.  With either a moto-tool or very fine grind stone rotate the dowel, by hand, while carefully grinding down the screw head to the width required.

If the screw head is too tall (so as to interfere with the movement/rotation of the truck) mount the screw the same way as above, snug it up in a vice and file the head down.  (snugging it up in a vice with the screw in the hardwood dowel will prevent damage to the screw threads provided you do not make it too tight)

NOTE: if the head is designed for a slotted or phillips screw driver be certain that you do not file it down to shallow as you will need to adjust it.

In each case be sure to de-bur the screw head with fine emery paper to prevent sharp edges that could damage the truck.  You can do this part by hand, holding on to the dowel and rotating the screw head in a piece of #400 or #600 emery paper.

Sincerely, G.T.

 
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