Half answering Kris; I did something similar with a Farish 04. Boring the wheel centres really requires a lathe to ensure the bore and tread are concentric.

Its possibly easier if starting from the raw castings used to make 2mm wheels than the finished shop items; members can get the raw components if they ask the sales officers, but you are on your own with the machining (and machining mess-ups!).

It did look as good as you described it. Did you drill out the centre pins from the wheels, then put in the plastic bush before adding the nickel rod? If so that would appear to be a solution for lots of steam locos. Was it easy?

Hi Kris

Thank you I did it exactly how you described it there. As Nigel mentions its quite important to get the hole in the wheel in the middle so fortunately I have a small lathe with a collet chuck so I can get the wheel turning very true. I cannot see any reason why anyone cant use this idea for any of the RTR engines but remember the 2mm SA are in the process of producing drop in wheels for engines and no doubt will be available soon If you have the right tools (lathe and wheel quatering jig) I cant see any reason why anyone cant do this, its not that difficult, no.

Missy

Hi Missy

Loco looking good, did you make the bushes or buy them?

Are you still entering the challenge? I've been forwarded an email about it and neither of us appear to be on the list! Got to chase that up this week.

Peter

Out of interest, what did you use to blacken the wheels? It looks very nice, top conversion

Hi Missy

 

Loco looking good, did you make the bushes or buy them?

 

Are you still entering the challenge? I've been forwarded an email about it and neither of us appear to be on the list! Got to chase that up this week.

 

Peter

Hello Peter

I pulled out of the challenge earlier this year. I decided to concentrate on Highclere isntead of starting another layout. That doesnt mean you can though! I made a drawing for the bushes with the plan on getting them manufactured but happened to stumble across some in the Oxford groups vault of spares! I think they are from the association but are years and years old. I have quite a few so if you need some let me know.

Out of interest, what did you use to blacken the wheels? It looks very nice, top conversion

Hi Bryn

Thank you. I use the Birchwood blackening fluids. See http://www.eileensemporium.com/index.php?page=shop.browse&category_id=29&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=26

Well, somehow you've made a Q1 look good Missy, quite a feat

 

Those wheels look superb! How long would you say this conversion approximately took you to do?

Hello Mikkel

Thank you. As mentioned before the Q1 is my favorite engine, I really like the functionality of them. Its surprised me how doing something as little as chaging the wheels for finer ones has changed the appearance of it. So far its taken me a weekend to get this far but as mentioned there is still quite a bit to do. I have nearly finished the engine now so its the tender next. Im going to have a go at machining the tender wheels from N Gauge to 2mm finescale myself as a bit of an experiment.

Missy

Those wheels are quite a remarkable improvement on an already very good model.

The other additions are also worthwhile just for completeness.

Great work as always

Hello Peter

 

I pulled out of the challenge earlier this year. I decided to concentrate on Highclere isntead of starting another layout. That doesnt mean you can though! I made a drawing for the bushes with the plan on getting them manufactured but happened to stumble across some in the Oxford groups vault of spares! I think they are from the association but are years and years old. I have quite a few so if you need some let me know.

 

Thanks for the offer, I'll bear that in mind.

 

Peter