Has anyone here ever printed Atlas truck bolsters. I have several Atlas O PRR H21a hopper cars that have the truck mounting pin broken off the bolster. Also have one car that the bolsters are missing all together. The cars are Atlas #6776-13. I talked to Atlas about them today. They do not have them and do not know when they might do another run on these. It was their suggestion to have them 3D printed. I am in Central Pennsylvania.
Thank you, Forest Zeiders
Replies sorted oldest to newest
Atlas lists 2 truck bolsters, #11880802 and 11880801, that should work, as in stock for $4.50 each. I have used these on H21 hopper cars. The other option is to cannibalize the parts from other cars.
Body bolsters or truck bolsters?
@WALMART TOM posted:Atlas lists 2 truck bolsters, #11880802 and 11880801, that should work, as in stock for $4.50 each. I have used these on H21 hopper cars. The other option is to cannibalize the parts from other cars.
I see where these should work though they are missing some of the frame detail from the H21a bolster. Since posting I have found someone who says he can have original duplicates made. Friday or Saturday I am going to give him a good one to have copied. Can't wait to see how it turns out.
Forest
I found someone to print some H21A bolsters. I am going to start out with a run of 24. I am being told most of the cost will be in the creation of the cad program to run them. Hopefully they are not cost prohibited. I need 6 for myself and a friend of mine needs at least a dozen.
@Forest posted:I found someone to print some H21A bolsters. I am going to start out with a run of 24. I am being told most of the cost will be in the creation of the cad program to run them. Hopefully they are not cost prohibited. I need 6 for myself and a friend of mine needs at least a dozen.
The actual printing costs and materials are peanuts, the vast majority of the cost is indeed creating the 3D model. I though someone had already done the Atlas bolsters?
I had a car with a broken pin. I fixed it by drilling out the stub of the pin with a 3/16" bit, inserting/gluing a piece of 3/16" wood dowel, and drilling out the truck slightly. I drove the truck screw into the dowel and it was fine.
On Shapeways, someone had 3D printed replacement Atlas bolsters.
@mwb posted:Was just curious which bolster was the problem - I still sell resin cast bolsters in 4-5 different styles for a whopping $1/pair.
How might someone get in touch with you since there is no email in your profile?
A picture of the part required would help too.
Access to this requires an OGR Forum Supporting Membership
