Does your MTH American crane look like this?
This is the third time I have had to "restring" an American crane. I bought this one "as is" on the bay.
Next photos will show the completed model.
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As a matter of fact, I do have an American Crane car from MTH that looks like that. I've been tearing out my hair trying to get all of the cables back in the right order, but to no avail. Any hints on how to even begin to re-string those things?
Originally Posted by WB Trainman:
As a matter of fact, I do have an American Crane car from MTH that looks like that. I've been tearing out my hair trying to get all of the cables back in the right order, but to no avail. Any hints on how to even begin to re-string those things?
I will provide some photos of the techniques that I use. It requires 3 hands to hold everything in place. I use clamps.
A fellow bought one from us at the hobby shop where I help out. In the time it took our salesman to take it out of the case and bring it to the checkout, it somehow managed to unravel itself.
It took three of us (and a very patient customer) a good 30 minutes to get it back together. I still don't think it was correct, but the new owner was happy! 
Jim
Its not that bad to fix if you have another one to look at.
I've done a repaint and needed a second crane to do the rigging.
Well, doesn't MTH provide a rigging diagram?
Clem, thanks for the photos. They may be a big help. Pro Hobby, if you can send me your photos (and any instructions) it will be appreciated. As to Big Jim's query on MTH's rigging instructions, I scanned two pages from the instruction manual. To me, if you have lost all the "loops", you're sunk.
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Another reason I prefer toy over prototypical trains.
After cutting the ends of the cables (strings) free from the cab anchor, I was finally able to re-do the rigging of the cables. Thanks to all who helped. Now to keep my hands off the cables! Don't know about folding up the boom yet. I'll leave it extended for now.
WB Trainman
Originally Posted by WB Trainman:
As a matter of fact, I do have an American Crane car from MTH that looks like that. I've been tearing out my hair trying to get all of the cables back in the right order, but to no avail. Any hints on how to even begin to re-string those things?
A COMPLETE "HOW TO" ARTICLE HAS JUST BEEN POSTED ON THE FORUM.
