I could use a set of those rings!

Have a doodlebug with the exact same problem.  Runs great but, thump, thump, thump.  Yes both drive axles are split like yours.

Collars

Nelson, PM sent.

Bernd

You need to market those.....

Many folks in the internet world have the same issue.

Been thinking about it

The thought has crossed my mind.

Ok, I'll let the cat out of the bag. I'm am working toward a cottage industry for model railroading. At present I'm just getting my big toe wet.

Bernd

Bachmann Doodlebug gears

Bernd et al:

I encountered the same split gears on one of those doodlebugs. When I asked Dave at Northwest Short Line, he said he didn't have any but if I gave him the dimensions, he'd make some! I did & he did & they sure worked nice, plus NWSL uses the right kind of plastic so they won't split in the future. I think I can find the NWSL part number of them if things don't work out with your solution. IIRC, they were about 9 or 10 bucks each but they're easy to replace.

Bob

Gear Solution

Bob,

That's great to here. Now I don't have to make those collars any more. Thanks for the info.

Bernd

Dear Bob, Bernd, NWSL ref for

Time vs. money

I don't know if it's something you want to make and/or sell, but if so, don't stop just because NWSL makes a replacement.  If I had a Doodlebug, and if it had split gears, I'd be looking for the least expensive repair option practical, and ideally I'd prefer to repair instead of replace parts.  I assume there are others who think the same way.  Replacement is easier, perhaps, but I hate spending my hard-earned money having to repair things, so I'm willing to do extra work to save a few dollars.

The bigger picture

Ken,

I believe what I'm doing here by posting my DYI methods threatens the MR industry such as NWSL. I've succeed in fixing two gear problems very cheaply. I'm sure that's not good news for the MR industry trying to make money be selling their wares. Although I did make a mention of my interests which was a wrong thing to do. It has a couple of people upset and I apologize for that. So I'm going to just lurk here and look at the pretty pictures. That way no one will get upset.

In the mean time I need to make a couple of turnout templates with my CNC Sherline.

Catch you all maybe later.

Bernd

Please don't retreat - the

Bernd - Please don't retreat - the silent majority likely has been watching your work with interest. Beside, the market should have big enough shoulders to bear alternative products.

I swear this hobby is full of

cry babies

Do what you enjoy, let NWSL cater to the masses...

Dear Bernd,

No, I don't think your techniques will be perceived as a threat to NWSL or any similar "commercial gear/mech company", for as long as a significant # of modellers are unwilling to perform low-level "mech mods", and prefer to simply install "drop-in replacements".

EG I have fixed a number of HO and On30 B'mann geared loco "split gear" issues here, but when the techniques (which are not particularly difficult, Loctite 770 + Heatwelding + tuning has worked here for years under show conditions), has been demonstrated for local modellers, the response is more-likely-than-not "I'll just buy and install the NWSL replacements".

I wouldn't stop what you're doing, it's fantastic work, and will definitely appeal to the more "mech-minded" modellers who are not afraid to get their hands dirty...
(I know I'm always very keen to hear what's on your workbench... )

And besides which, the combination of improved mechanical performance and tooling/machining work is a problem-solving challenge which I know you enjoy, I can't see you giving it up anytime soon...

For those who are not so mech-minded, they were unikely to be your "target audience" anyway,
and will keep NWSL safely in business for a while yet...

Happy Modelling,
Aim to Improve,
Prof Klyzlr

Collars and Sense.

Bernd, 

Doing your own fix on an otherwise still serviceable part is being "innovative".  It gives you an opportunity to try your hand at coming up with a better idea, or sure fix, that may not require being repaired again, ever.

Hobby shops usually carry brass, aluminum and plastic tubing.  You may even have in your collection of "I'll keep that. I might need it someday" items, old chrome plated, telescopic radio antennas.(I do)

1)  Before cutting  a collar from a tube, flair the end of the tubing a small bit, every time, for each collar. (the reason will become obvious when you attempt to press-fit the collar to the ledge on the gear)

2)  With a small pipe cutter and slow, steady, pressure adjustments on the cutting wheel, you can cut collars that will work, on nylon gears, provided they do not hinder performance. I know. I did it hundreds of times in my job.

Provided the gear only has one split, press-fitted collars make perfect sense. If it is broken in two places, replace the gear.

Remember, be innovative. It's not against the law.

Not crying

Many other web sites that people around the world read. Just decided to put more effort into another site. I'll stick around to look at the pretty pictures though. And if you want you can always visit my web site. it's free too.

Regards,

Bernd

Gears for Doodlebug HO Scale

Saw the fix, but who sells the washers or gears?

Thanks

Collers for Doodlebug Gears

Can you tell me where you got these?

I thought it was a great fix

I thought it was a great fix and a clever innovation. I hope to see continued posts of your ideas Bernd and I will wish you good luck with your business. I suspect you might compete with some model manufacturers, but as I recall there are many folks in competition for the hobby dollar anyway. Having more options is a good idea. I wonder if a similar fix could not be made from styrene by cutting small sections of tubing and then drilling the hole so it would fit over the end of the gear? Very clever idea Bernd and likely it will be very useful to folks that have bought these models with the poor quality gears.

WOW

It's been almost two years since I posted that. The Doddlebugs haven't even seen any run time since I don't have a layout yet.

Rob, @ you. Thanks for the kind words. Business, not really. I just like to find ways of doing things being a dyed in the wool DYIer.

@ Migace7.

Those are the original gears. I made the collars on my Sherline lathe. My second hobby is homeshop maching, a metal working hobby. Comes from being in the machine tool industry for over 30 years running subtractive metal working machines.

Bernd

Thanks to Bernd

Mine still runs like a champ!

You're Welcome

Hi Nealson,

Nice to know the fix has worked this long. Great to hear.

Regards,

Bernd

I'm a Little Late To The Party

Inspired by the first post, I discovered that a piece of 3/16 brass tubing from K+S #8129 had a slight press fit onto my split gears. In minutes I cut 2 slices of tubing .044 wide using a razor saw and Midwest miter box, pushed them on either side of the gear (with the gear off the shaft) then pressed the gear back on the shaft. While pressing it back on it felt right. My fix was sucessfull.

Late to the party

Jl_tall,

Better late than never. Glad it worked out for you. Great find on the tubing. Fortunately having a lathe that's the first thing I go to for fixing something the needs a round part. Glad you could add to the list. Now modelers who don't have a lathe can fix their cracked gears. Thanks for posting.

Bernd 

Mine hasn't run in several years . . .

. . . and now I bet I know why.  Thanks for this post.  I'm going to buy some of that brass tube and attempt the fix.

The whole Bachmann gear thing is sort of a disgrace.  I have a Shay with the issue (I own the NWSL replacements), and a friend has several shays and climaxes that had the issue.  I won't belabor the point, but what a shame to have such a flaw in the drive train.  The engines are beautiful, but useless if they aren't reliable runners.

Hi Michael

Wow, it's been a while. I don't remember posting that. The fix will keep the gear together, in other words it won't open up where it broke. The collar will help it stay together. Problem is that you'll get a ticking noise as the tooth goes over the the other tooth. Maybe a little anoying but it's a cheap fix. Good luck in your fix. Let use know what you think when your done and a picture of the fix. Post whether it worked or not. The more info the better. Thanks.

Bernd