Repairing Rear Steps on Lionel F3

Unless the steps are broken, I've simply done a careful masking job of the steps alone and sprayed the frame and horizontal portion of the step piece (that attaches to the frame) when changing frame colors.

These were PW F-3 units with staked steps.

Good luck with your project.

So, I have that much thought, but many of the steps were rusted, broken or did break when bent back into position.  So, unfortunately, I am already at the point where 2/3s of 14 frames have the steps removed.  I have already ordered some 20 step frames to replace the bent / broken ones.  Some still have both rivet studs there, but most are either lacking one or both rivets.  So, now I need a "permanent" solution to this issue.  Anyone had luck drilling out and tapping a new hole for the steps?  I would think something like a #10 1/2" screw would be sufficient (primed and painted first).  I am assuming I can find a #10 tap, but to be honest I have not gotten that far!

I could still use JB Weld on it.  That stuff never comes off.  If I were to go that route should I leave an area under the frame and the steps bare metal for better adhesion or will properly cured paint hold it on?  It's not like anybody actually climbs it.

Scott

I super glued the step on my fathers turbine similar to what you're dealing with around twenty five years ago and it's still holding, but if I were going to drill and tap I would go with something smaller than a #10.

The only reason I threw out a #10, was that I wasn't real sure what Lowe's carried in a smaller tap.  I can run up there and look.  I just didn't want to snap off drill bits or taps doing this.

So, I ran down to Lowe's tonight an got a tap set that includes several sizes taps and drill bits.  After looking closely at the step assembly and the softness of the metal of the frame, I choose a #4 size tap with a #4 1/2" screw.  I will prime and paint the screw to match the black of the steps.  I am still uncertain whether to attempt to go back into the existing rivets and drill / tap those or use the other set of holes on the assembly and tap new holes.  The downside to putting in new holes is the leaving of the existing remaining remnants of some of the rivets.  Not sure what do do with those.  I am tempted to take a Dremel, cut them off and prime / paint over them.

When I replace steps with broken studs I use a #50 drill bit in a dremel and drill a hole. Then mount the step with a self tap 2x 3/16 screw. A steam engine bell bracket screw works well and it's already blackened.

Another excellent idea.  So many options to make this turn out like I wanted it to.