Guest WM183 Posted October 26, 2019 Share Posted October 26, 2019 (edited) Hi all. I enjoy building 7mm Parkside kits, even though I am primarily a 4mm modeler (for now...) and I wondered - do most folks just build the kit as is, with the axle boxes that can move up and down a bit in the W irons, or are there better ways to build in some compensation? Springing or something of the such? Wondering, wondering... Amanda Edited January 26, 2020 by Guest Clarity Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Happy Hippo Posted October 26, 2019 RMweb Gold Share Posted October 26, 2019 (edited) You could fix the axle boxes at one end of the wagon and leave the other end floating. Then bend up some brass rod and line it up so it ran along the centre line of the wagon and rested on top of the loose axle and making it a three point suspension system. Edited October 26, 2019 by Happy Hippo 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcm@gwr Posted October 26, 2019 Share Posted October 26, 2019 I've done the 'full-fat' version a few times, drilling a hole in the top of an axle-box, that corresponds to one in the bottom of the leaf spring, to suit the piece of brass wire you have. Then drilling the top of the axle-box to allow clearance for a small (Kadee knuckle) spring, glue the piece of brass wire into the axle-box making sure that it slides up and down in line with the hole in the spring, then sliding the spring onto the wire before you glue the axle-box onto the back of the bearing. It's a lot of fiddly work (and easier to understand when seeing the process, rather than trying to describe it), but it does work well if there is some weight in the wagon. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
O-Gauge-Phil Posted October 26, 2019 Share Posted October 26, 2019 Hi you can get little coil springs from slaters or Eileens can't remember which, drill holes as above to take them. Whatever you do add some weight. Something marvelous seeing an O gauge wagon majestically moving down the track. They move much differently with some weight, without it they just rattle. No ifs, once you start building in the senior scale - no turning back. Enjoy. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simond Posted October 26, 2019 Share Posted October 26, 2019 I’ve not tried springing them, but I’d concur with Hippo, 3-point is better than running them as supplied. the “loose axleboxes” arrangement acts against compensation, which is not what you want. atb Simon 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Hal Nail Posted October 26, 2019 RMweb Premium Share Posted October 26, 2019 This has come up before and I posted a photo of a paper clip used to pivot one axle. Simple but effective. If I can remember which thread it was on (possibly Dock Green?) I'll add a link. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
brossard Posted October 26, 2019 Share Posted October 26, 2019 I've tried compensating but the post that the axle bears on has a terrible squeak. Slaters sprung axleguards are very nice. Bill Bedford sprung axleguards (Eileens) work well also. Beware of rusty spring wire. John Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Hal Nail Posted October 26, 2019 RMweb Premium Share Posted October 26, 2019 Will have to test for squeaking now! 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
N15class Posted October 26, 2019 Share Posted October 26, 2019 What I tend to do is bend a z from a heavy wire, glue centrally under one axle and adjust to give about 0.5mm of movement, then fix the other axle boxes to give a level ride. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simond Posted October 26, 2019 Share Posted October 26, 2019 The wire solution is simple & effective, I have also used a bit of brass etch waste, folded into a “T” and glued to the floor. atb simon Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Happy Hippo Posted October 26, 2019 RMweb Gold Share Posted October 26, 2019 As a matter of interest, I attended the recent Dapol members open day at Chirk and assembled one of their 7 mm salt wagons. The system Dapol have adopted (From Richard Webster's Lionheart range?) is offset in that on one side of the wagon, the axles boxes are fixed whilst on the other the axles fit into an internal bearing beam which gives a limited amount of movement up and down. Again it would appear to be a derivative of the 3 point suspension system. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
brossard Posted October 26, 2019 Share Posted October 26, 2019 Agree, Dapol. ex Lionheart wagons are very good indeed. I have a few. The first gen. PO wagons were pretty dire. John 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
toplink@()1989))(( Posted October 27, 2019 Share Posted October 27, 2019 This is my method, you have to be pretty accurate with the measurements, but its cheap and it works. Hope this helps. Pete. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bbishop Posted October 27, 2019 Share Posted October 27, 2019 I just let them bounce. But there is a fair amount of lead to ensure the wagon stays on the track. But the modification I so make is to insert a filed smooth Peco washer behind the top hat, this obviates slop. Bill Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simond Posted October 27, 2019 Share Posted October 27, 2019 They certainly work “mostly” if built as PD intended. The trouble is it is “anticompensation” in that in stead of equally weighting the two ends of the axle so it pivots like a see-saw, the rocking pivot is at one end, not the middle. In extreme cases this would lead to an unloaded wheel lifting, with the likelihood of a derailment. anyway, I’m currently building one sprung on my Porth Dinllaen thread, linky-thingy below. atb Simon 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
chaz Posted October 28, 2019 Share Posted October 28, 2019 On 26/10/2019 at 17:17, Hal Nail said: This has come up before and I posted a photo of a paper clip used to pivot one axle. Simple but effective. If I can remember which thread it was on (possibly Dock Green?) I'll add a link. Weren't me guv. No, all the Parkside wagons that ran on Dock Green (note the past tense - sob) were built with the loose axle boxes as designed. Whilst I concede that it hardly constitutes compensation in practice it seemed to work (better than it should?) and the models were not prone to derail. In fact just about all the rock and roll that might stock exhibited was caused by the compromised standards of Peco crossings (frogs). Chaz 2 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Hal Nail Posted October 28, 2019 RMweb Premium Share Posted October 28, 2019 I love topics like this. A simple question leading to lots of practical and tried and tested solutions which can inspire us to try a different approach. Meanwhile over in the Hattons section they are up to 49 pages of discussion about minute details on some proposed generic coaches in 00! 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
billbedford Posted October 28, 2019 Share Posted October 28, 2019 There are always these, but they require the axleguards to be replaced. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Hal Nail Posted October 28, 2019 RMweb Premium Share Posted October 28, 2019 (edited) Another variation on a part built wagon I bought on eBay - it's Slaters but the principle would work. The springs/w irons/axle box units have been cut from the solebar at one end and fixed to a little plasticard base that pivots. In use, you can't really see the gaps between spring mounts and the solebar (it's at its maximum in the main photo). I dont think I'd choose this approach myself but its been rather cleverly done by someone! Edited October 28, 2019 by Hal Nail Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simond Posted October 30, 2019 Share Posted October 30, 2019 (edited) The modded Slater’s van has been done to emulate the compensation provided with the Peco (originally Webster’s) 7mm GW kits. It works well there, so if well-copied, I guess it’s a good solution. If anyone is interested in a sprung PD van build, please see my Porth Dinllaen thread. (Link below) My curiosity was tickled here, and has been answered there. atb Simon Edited October 30, 2019 by Simond 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
F-UnitMad Posted October 30, 2019 Share Posted October 30, 2019 On 26/10/2019 at 17:35, Hal Nail said: Will have to test for squeaking now! Like a real wagon does? 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest WM183 Posted November 13, 2019 Share Posted November 13, 2019 Hi folks. I went ahead and did a 3-wheel compensation type modification as this seemed simplest and easiest to conceal with a minimum of fuss. The pivoting axle doesnt roll quite as nicely as I believe I'd like, but some more fettling here and there can likely solve that. Now I need to figure out how to do the safety loops under all the brake bits while still permitting disassembly to work on axles and such if required, and do some more weathering. It was preshaded, painted with Vallejo model air acrylics, and then given an oil wash so far. Criticisms welcome! Amanda Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baby Deltic Posted November 13, 2019 Share Posted November 13, 2019 Claims Direct? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Hal Nail Posted November 13, 2019 RMweb Premium Share Posted November 13, 2019 47 minutes ago, WM183 said: Criticisms welcome! Amanda That's rather nice! What is it pivoting on? If painted then I wonder would bare metal create/(cause?) slightly less friction? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest WM183 Posted November 13, 2019 Share Posted November 13, 2019 Thanks guys! It's pivoting on a piece of .8mm nickel silver wire I bent up to provide a pivot. I think maybe the brake shoes are grabbing it a bit? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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