Has any body here repaired the AC Gilbert Baldwin chassis? I have a couple of them, both have worn the axle slots deep enough that the engines move down the track like Granpa McCoy. Pretty serious wobble, looking for ideas.
Ray
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There is really no way to repair them that I know of.
I am not aware of anyone who restores those Baldwin chassis. Try swapping the rear lower half for the front truck unless the front are shot as well. They are interchangeable. The rear usually wears down the deepest first. Replacements are available from AF parts dealers. Grease the axle bearing channels with a quality modern lubricant. My favorite, after trying several over the past 20 years including LaBelle 106, is Lubriplate 630-AA. Not just any # Lubriplate as some are designed for very specific purposes such as industrial motor break-in, not continuous use. And not Vaseline or petroleum jelly -- never that. Unless in the future you want motors that have seized as I have found many PA, Geeps, etc. The stuff congeals, coagulates, and eventually practically petrifies into a nearly solid sticky substance. For example, just last week I had a customer with an otherwise perfectly fine 360 that wouldn't budge -- both motors seized from decades old Vaseline petroleum jelly. It is now happily running like the wind - with 630-AA instead. Oh, and I also wouldn't recommend WD-40 on anything. It too given enough time ends up in a nearly varnish like sticky film. CRC 2-26 is a better general purpose spray lubricant or Liquid Wrench spray lube if you need something that penetrates. WD40 is simply over marketed, but not a good long term solution. Same true for Armor-All. Too glossy and leaves a lousy film behind eventually as well. Having con-coured cars at one time (blue ribbon) no serious finisher uses the stuff -- on plastics, vinyl, and definitely not leather. Mequiar's and other better brand semi-gloss products are much better and pose no longer term issues.
PS 106 ends up dried out and sticky - I've had engines come back for regular lube 'n tune servicing after 5 or more years. 630-AA stays on the parts, smooth, creamy and slick -- also on engines back for servicing after 5 or more years.
Sgaugian, Thank you for the reply, I thought the chassis' might be interchangeable but I was not sure. I will give that a try. also will look for the Lubriplate 630-AA. Again thanks for the info.
Ray
