Lionel 57' mech reefer

Curtis1983OGR Forum Member

I'm currently doing a 2 rail conversion of Lionel's scale sized 57' Mech Reefer. I have the trucks in place. They are weathered and I used the 70 ton Lionel conversion kit for the wheels. That was the easy part.

Now I have to install the Kadee couplers. What is looming before me is the task of drilling holes in the boxcar floor for the couplers. What should I use to do this with? Also styrene shims are needed and I have those already. I just have to cut those to correctly fit the underside of the boxcar and make them the right height for the Kadee coupler height gauge.

I dying to finish this project. I'm lazy and have put this off since last July. It's time to get this finally done.

Side note: I tried to post pictures on here but downloading takes forever and a year so I hope I made myself understood well enough in the above paragraphs.

3/5/1912:57 PM

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SPSFOGR Forum Member

Pinvise http://www.advantagehobby.com/...Pinvise-with-Chucks/

3/5/191:08 PM

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Jason DickieOGR Forum Member

Yes, SPSF's pointed you at a nice pin-vise. Mark the coupler pocket fixing screw positions with something pointed and a small hammer, then drill with a #50, put a 2-56 tap bit in it, then the 2-56 screws going in smoothly will bring a smile to your face.

Hardest part is getting those two marks in the right place. Treat yourself to a 2-56 tap set with tapered and parallel taps, start with the tapered. More treats - drill set containing that #50.

Are the Lionel floors diecast or steel? Being self-taught, I usually play it safe and back the tap out occasionally on thick stuff, especially diecast, to clear the cut metal (swarf!) out. Have fun - do it on scrap first?

Jason

3/9/193:59 PM

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mwbOGR Forum Member

Mark the coupler pocket fixing screw positions with something pointed and a small hammer, then drill with a #50, put a 2-56 tap bit in it, then the 2-56 screws going in smoothly will bring a smile to your face.

Easier yet; just use the coupler box lid in position under the car to locate the holes and drill directly. I use a small battery powered hand drill and then tap away.

3/9/197:07 PM

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Curtis1983OGR Forum Member

Thank you for the advice. I just bought a spring loaded tool similar to the Pin Vise to place an indentation to where I will be drilling (General Auto Center Punch). This was found at Ace Hardware.

I'm using an electric Dremel with the required sized drill bits to drill 2-56 holes in my styrene shims and the floor of the boxcar. The floor feels like tin metal or delrin plastic.

I want a 2nd 57' mech reefer car but the thought of going through the conversion ordeal again wears me out.