Micro Mark Rollers, how many to get??

@PRRronbh posted:

I like you're roller stand. Did you build it ?

@feet posted:

I like you're roller stand. Did you build it ?

Yes, designed it so could test anything I own including AA units Centipede.

In the first pic the S1 is sitting on a length of RealTrax that includes an operating section.  That why can rolling stock couplers and any operating cars.  Also as pictured can set the engine(s) there and then space the rollers  and support track sections where would need them.  Then built the shorter (18-inch) test stand to make it easier to test single unit diesels and short steam engines. All in all think have 12 rollers.

Ron

For those who built stands with Micro-mark rollers on track, did you have issues with the pickup block "rocking" on the center rail due to the screw holding the pickup shoe being slightly too proud? This is the case with the set I just received (whether I mount it on O or O27 tubular, don't have nay other track to try it on).

Here's the version I built for my S-gauge locos.  Similar in concept to what others have shown, except that I don't need a center rail pick-up, so it was easier to remount the rollers on wooden stands, which makes for a much more solid operation.  Here's the link to my previous post about a year ago:

https://ogrforum.com/...c/131926382613123531

- Rich

@S Rice posted:

For those who built stands with Micro-mark rollers on track, did you have issues with the pickup block "rocking" on the center rail due to the screw holding the pickup shoe being slightly too proud? This is the case with the set I just received (whether I mount it on O or O27 tubular, don't have nay other track to try it on).

I've got that issue on tubular. Most stuff is heavy enough it doesn't matter but I'll eventually change that screw.

@Ahitpy posted:

Bachmann/Williams is listing a 3rail "Rolling Road" that includes wheel cleaners for $159.  Orders are being taken by Transworld for March 2021 delivery.  Here is the link

https://www.trainworld.com/man...ners-o-scale-3-rail/

Did I miss it or are these still on the way (going on two years late?)?

WILLIAMS #39031 ROLLERS AND DRIVE WHEEL CLEANERS (O SCALE 3-RAIL).   

WILLIAMS #39030 ROLLING ROAD W/ROLLERS AND DRIVE WHEEL CLEANERS (O SCALE 3 RAIL)

Here's a current link: Williams #39031 Rollers and Drive Wheel Cleaners (O Scale 3-Rail), but now they're only $89.99.

Reminds me of the joke... something like....

Customer says to clerk: "Your price is $100 and your competitor's price is only $90.  Unfortunately he is out of stock."

Clerk to customer: "No problem, we beat their prices all the time. When we are out of stock, our price is only $80."

@S Rice posted:

For those who built stands with Micro-mark rollers on track, did you have issues with the pickup block "rocking" on the center rail due to the screw holding the pickup shoe being slightly too proud? This is the case with the set I just received (whether I mount it on O or O27 tubular, don't have nay other track to try it on).

I'm late to this topic.  If I need to start a new one, someone let me know and I will.  I have the same question as Rich posted because I just built a test track with a sliding pilot bed from MartyE's tips on You Tube.  Has anyone come up with any modifications to the Micro Mark rollers that allows them to position their engines more evenly by replacing the screws?  Also, has anyone tried the Proses rollers and how do they compare to Micro Mark's?  I've only tried one engine on my test track and it's a lighter Railking SD60 diesel engine.  I got it to work using the 4 roller set but it did not work  until I set the roller set with the center rail bar underneath the fake wheel pair where the pick-up roller was, and then was able to use an added pair working wheels on an additional set of rollers.  But the engine doesn't sit evenly.  Seems like there's got to be some easy modifications to make the rollers work better on tubular track.

Mike

@IRON HORSE posted:

I'm late to this topic.  If I need to start a new one, someone let me know and I will.  I have the same question as Rich posted because I just build a test track with a sliding pilot bed from MartyE's tips on You Tube.  Has anyone come up with any modifications to the Micro Mark rollers that allows them to sit their engines more evenly by replacing the screws?  Also, has anyone tried the Proses rollers and how do they compare to Micro Mark's?  I've only tried one engine on my test track and it's a lighter Railking SD60 diesel engine.  I got it to work using the 4 roller set but it did not work I until set the roller set with the center rail bar underneath the fake wheel pair where the pick up roller was and another pair working wheels on a set of rollers.  But the engine then doesn't sit evenly.  Seems like there's got to be some easy modifications to make the rollers work better on tubular track.

Mike

I don't like their rollers. I added the nuts as recommended but the engine I test run wobbled to the point I was afraid it would fall off.

I had no issues with them not sitting on the track properly or powering the engine.

I think I figured this out, but welcome feedback/comments.  First, the brass contact sticks pretty far out, which will make the center contact roller set not seat flush with all 3 rails.   Second, the screw is too tall by almost 1/16 inch, which creates the same issue of not seating flush across the 3 rails.  You can see by the photo, the hotel room key card as a straight edge shows the screw head sticks up too far.  So, the solution is to bend the brass contact more even with the bottom of the roller housing and then to grind the screw head down using a dremel tool to eliminate the high spot, making the whole roller set seat flush across all 3 rails.

Mike

@IRON HORSE posted:

So, the solution is to bend the brass contact more even with the bottom of the roller housing and then to grind the screw head down using a dremel tool to eliminate the high spot, making the whole roller set seat flush across all 3 rails.

Actually, that's not an ideal solution.  The problem is that the brass contact needs to have some spring left so it makes good contact with the center rail.

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

Actually, that's not an ideal solution.  The problem is that the brass contact needs to have some spring left so it makes good contact with the center rail.

GRJ,

Yes, I misstated that.  By "more even" I meant to take some of the spring lift off, but not all of it, so that the brass still makes good contact.  So I did that and grounded the screw down and the center rail roller set is way more stable for setting engines in place.  And it works great, especially on lighter Rail King engines, as they now sit flush across the track.

Micromark sends these roller sets with the brass bent up too far, making the center rail roller set rock back and forth while the other roller sets sit nice and flush.  And the center screw holding the brass contact is too thick, but grinding it down solves the problem.

Mike

I never liked the Micromark rollers, they only have one with the center roller contact.  I bought a set of unknown origin that had roller contacts on all four pieces!  I have a couple of sets of the JAK rollers that have two sets with roller contacts, that seemed reasonable.

the section of track where the engine sits can be raised or lowered to accommodate the roller-test section.

the tender can remain attached to the engine being at the same track/roller height.

the rollers come in various heights above the track.

I am finally getting underway on this project and was wondering about any updates on the rollers.  It appears the main choices are Micro mark and bachmann.  Jak seems to be out of business.

I will probably go with micro mark- Are there any big deal recent developments I am missing?

Here are the Bachmann rollers (has anyone tried the wheel cleaning parts?): Williams #39031 Rollers and Drive Wheel Cleaners (O Scale 3-Rail)

Here is micro mark: Micro-Mark O Gauge Locomotive Rollers, Assembled (Set of 4)

Thanks to Marty E for a good video- he uses micro mark:

I think the Micro-Mark rollers have been out of stock for some time now.

Brad

I never liked the fact that the Micro-Mark rollers only had one of the set of four with the center rail pickup.

I built a test track out of the stuff I had laying around, Fastrack, some plywood, etc.

I added switches so I could turn off the elevated track section when desired, and I also have jumpering and a switch for 2-rail/3-rail testing.

I used the MMR rollers and built this test track with Fastrack so it could be shortened or expanded depending on the size of the engine being tested. Can't take credit - it's based on a design by another Forum member.

@B rad posted:

I think the Micro-Mark rollers have been out of stock for some time now.

Brad

Sad to say Brad is correct and no indication of when they might be available.  Has anyone tried the Bachmann rollers?

Ebay has a set for $99. Double the micro mark price.

I need to check my supply as I think I have a spare set.

Here is the link to the Proses/Bachmann version:

NOTE:  ebay link removed per OGR terms of service policy.  No ebay links are allowed.  Contact the OP directly.

They have several different combinations available.  I bought these, but have not yet used them.

@DMASSO posted:

Ebay has a set for $99. Double the micro mark price.

I need to check my supply as I think I have a spare set.

Luckily I bought 2 sets of the Micro-Marks at $40 each with a free shipping promotion a while back. I have a piece of powered test track but it's not elevated for a tender so I'm glad I have 2 for the powered center rail. I've used them on a Big Boy and they work great. If you can find them I recommend getting 2 sets since there is only one roller assembly for the powered center rail per set unless you have an elevated test setup like what is shown above.

Brad

I have two sets of the JAK rollers I've had for years.  I picked up one set of the Micro-Mark rollers on the cheap some time back.  I also picked up another set of no-name rollers, oddly all four of the pieces have center rail pickups

Truthfully, I'd never buy the Micro-Mark at their inflated price, the design leaves something to be desired.  They actually are counting on the anodize on the metal frame to insulate the pickup roller piece, that certainly doesn't inspire confidence!  Somehow it manages not to short to the outside rails, but I don't trust it long term.  Both others use composite material, I believe both have fiberglass.  Also, Micromark only has one pickup equipped roller, the JAK sets have two, and the Brand-x set came with all of them with pickups.

I've been using Micro Mark for years without issue.  Just wait until they go on sale.