Cleaning Wheels--ABSOLUTELY THE BEST WAY: A DREMEL TOOL!

So what tool did you use in the Dremel that worked so well?

I figured that out two weeks ago as well.  Got to have the wheels and rollers on the passenger cars clean to avoid the flickering lights. (Std gauge guy).  It is a white fiber type wheel.  I was using a sanding block, rotating as you go, fingers get tired...  Not anymore.  Thing is, I've had the Dremel for years and finally decided to use for something other than cutting track.  Easy, peasy, lemon squeezy.

Anyone used dremel on track? What dremel wheel?

I make my wheel cleaners with purple ScotchBrite.  The work great for wheels and center rail pickups.  For powered wheels, I just connect power and let the motor run slowly to get the whole wheel.  Obviously, the cleaning is in the engine cradle.

I use the Dremel with a wire wheel and finish with a Q Tip with Acetone on it,works great.

Mikey

I started using a dremel tool as well for wheel cleaning, first tried it on a quad hopper's wheels. I use the wire brush that I buy at Home Depot.

Lee Fritz

I use a dreamer as well.   It is a gray polishing tip that has a little texture.  It comes in a disc and an eraser tip format.  Rips right through the gunk.  

These wheels needed more than a dremel.

willygee posted:

These wheels needed more than a dremel.

What did you do, run over a cat? That's why you need big flanges!

I've actually had some that were almost that bad. Start with a screwdriver, then finish with a Dremel.

That is why I stopped using hair clipper oil on my track.

I started cleaning wheels the old fashion way tonight.  After about an hour I looked at my girl and proclaimed life was to short for that crap.   Will break out the Dremel tomorrow.   Good info

I find you have to scrape the caked on crud if it exists, then the Dremel tool will finish the job.  I've gotten stuff in that I get a pile of black greasy scrap from the wheels, that comes off with a flat blade screwdriver.

gunrunnerjohn posted:

I find you have to scrape the caked on crud if it exists, then the Dremel tool will finish the job.  I've gotten stuff in that I get a pile of black greasy scrap from the wheels, that comes off with a flat blade screwdriver.

agree, I don't like to make the Dremel wire wheel do all the work, and thus need to replace it often. I use an x-acto knife with #11 blade to scrape the crud off, then finish with a little acetone and the Dremel. Been doing it with this method for about 10 years now. Saves lots of time.

Tim

Still have my original Dremel, the one you have to plug into an outlet.  The days of manually cleaning wheels are long gone.  So is cutting Gargraves with a hacksaw.   The micro drill bits come in very handy.  Then to the garage to sharpen the blades on the rider mower with the Dremel blade guide.  Great tool.