Broken Part--if out-of-stock, ... just 3D printed it.

Nice job

Alan, that’s incredible ……in the automotive world, there’s a company called Dorman that makes aftermarket service parts and solutions for parts either not available from the OE, or an improved part as a repair solution,……clearly you can fill in the void in aftermarket model railroad industry,…..😉

Pat

Excellent!👍

@AlanRail posted:

For a $2.00 part that Lionel has little incentive to stock, Lionel should just attach a 3D (.stl) print file to the parts list.  Then I could make them for any of you.

I know,  fat chance!!

It's not a bad idea. Lionel should consider hiring you to print the parts! haha

Great job as usual though! My FDM will never touch something like that. It's so impressive what the resin printers can do! Great stuff!

I've had this on my mind ever since I acquired a starter-set Black Cave Flyer 0-4-0 (6-8212) that was missing its boiler front and drawbar, plus a broken siderod guide. This was an oddball MPC-era steamer that only ever appeared in three sets, the ultra-cheapo (i.e. plastic drivers) Workin' on the Railroad, the Rock Island Line (significantly better with a Pullmor motor), and the Black Cave Flyer (cheapened again with a DC-only drive)

I considered duplicating one of my good boiler fronts from a 6-8601 (the same engine) using silicon rubber molds, but it turns out this part, 8300-40 might be available through someone on the Forum (this was from a 2016 post, so my milage may vary)

I have, however always puzzled over the siderod guide, which attaches to the front of the motor unit and also holds down the front half of the boiler, and is nowhere to be found on any parts list (I got this from an ancient Spanish Ebay listing) :

I do have digital calipers and a rudimentary knowledge of SketchUp Make, a cut-down free version of a $600-ish 3D application from which I've seen people create files exportable to 3D printer compatible formats, so maybe building a 3D model from my one good example is an option for at least that part, since its structure really does need some beefing-up in certain areas, most notably the siderod supports.

---PCJ

here is a completed print of several Bell yokes; note this was printed using mini-rafts;

didn't need the full raft as shown above.

Close up showing lever with hole from pull wire.

yoke attached to BELL

better view of lever with hole and clapper

just have to paint yoke  black

insert into bell and

place on bell support arms attached to the engine. DING_DING!

Excellent Alan. With that in the file you should be able to easily print the other two variations. Lever down and no lever.

Pete

Pete

Correct on both types.  The dimensions I need are the overall length of the yoke and the depth of the bell.  I have a model of the bell so that could be printed too.

Alan. I have both but am sure they all have the same pivot dimensions. They all fit in the same support. I used a lever down to replace a lever up when I found the latter NLA. You can use it in the magnet bells too, just cut off the clapper.

Pete

Pete

YES my next try is to add the magnet, the coil and bell circuit to have the bell swing!

Your talents are amazing.

Thanks..  can you give my wife a call?

@AlanRail posted:

Thanks..  can you give my wife a call?

We called your wife, all is good, …keep making cool parts…..we’ll let you know when it’s ok to stop, ……😝

Pat

Alan,

I believe that 3D printing can offer a potential solution for improved coupling of the new Lionel Acela cars. In the current design, an eyeglass-size screw holds the train together starting from the lead engine. As reported in this forum, some screws have either been coming loose or stripping. Seems to me a very smart 3D modeler can create a small coupling piece using a more substantial screw and hosted into a strong, metallic-like material. Just a thought.

I have the older Acela.

Unfortunately , I have never run it. So it has never had problems.

I thought the coupling was different.

If you can sketch a drawing and send it I can try to model it.