Suggestions for re-wheel Steam Locomotives

I have some experience in steam locomotive driver replacement. I re-gear and replace drivers on discontinued Bowser steam locomotives.

Take a look at the following for ideas and help:

Mark Schutzer has some presentations on rebuilding brass locomotives.

http://schutzer.net/index.htm

TSG Multimedia has a YouTube video showing use of the NWSL Puller to replace a driver on an axle.

Green Ways has a good selection of parts for brass Steam Locomotives, including a fair selection of drivers

If you are serious about pulling replacing locomotive drivers you should get a NorthWest Shortline Puller and Quarterer II while they are still available.

The Quarterer is what you need to eliminate drive rod binding.

If you can not find a good source of new axle bearings, new bearings can be made out of brass tubing.

That actually begs a

That actually begs a question.

I've been asked to get a quarterer for the club. we already have a puller.

Is the Quarter 2 worth the price premium?

A reasonable price....

Essential to accurately quarter drivers, American-made, and will last forever if cared for properly.,  Not a premium price for an indispensable tool. 

Peace, Bill

Actually, I didn't post the

Actually, I didn't post the entire question.

Is the quarterer 2 worth the price premium over the Original?

It's a $100 difference. The Original Quarterer is only $40. this would be for HO and MAYBE N, but most likely just HO.

Sorry...

I have a Quarterer original, can't speak to the 2.....perhaps someone on here could illuminate the difference and/or let you try one.  The original works fine by me.

Peace, Bill

Quaterer I vs Quaterer II

I have both. The I version is all plastic. The II is all metal.

They both work, but I like metal over the plastic. The Quarterer I has been in a drawer for a long time.

For those who wonder what all this is about...

There's a 30 minute video...

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwjv4vKhh6HhAhUkc98KHaHeA28QwqsBMAB6BAgJEAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DnuwjUZCSB2Y&usg=AOvVaw20E1lhWZmREzC_LF5SdtMc

Features James May (of BBC's old Top Gear reputation) and shows him spending time reconstructing his Hornby locomotive.  Yes, it glosses over a few details, but shows much of the labor (labour?) of assembling this thing.   To people familiar with this, he delivers a bit of good assembly detail in the first half, and rambles on thereafter... 

(don't miss the 'sound box', -about 20 minutes in-  not a precursor to sound DCC, but an amusing detail, for sure!)

All in all, a pretty documentary.

NWSL items

Back in the late 1970's I bought those items and the gear and motor planing items when NWSL sold them in Seattle. I built some gear boxes using the MDC intermediate gears. 45 t0 1 and 72 to 1. Great gear arraignments. Allowed the motor to be horizontal in a steamer. I did the driver gears also. 

Sagami motors at the time. 1620 and a small open frame with skewed armature and flywheel were really nice.

I know I have said this before.

A dial caliper was a great help.

The tools made it real easy. I had use of a drill press to put the parts back together when required.

i found it interesting that they sold reverse worms and reverse worm gears. I never needed them.

I really hope this company does not go away. They have an amazing selection of parts. I have bought a lot over the years.

Rich