Restore Broken Copper Pickup Assembly

I generally get a repro kit in such cases, drill out the old rivets and transfer the old plate to the new copper roller assembly.  

Mitch 

Replace initially but keep the old pickup (usually 1/2 is good) then as you need to replace/repair cut the pick up under where the info plate attaches and solder overlap together and the cover joint with plate and rivet repaired p-u back in place. Now this means you will have to remove the pick up unit (fiber insert and all) but works very well

If it is a spring, It's probably phospher-bronze and not copper. If you grind or cut it, the fumes are toxic.

If your talking about the pickup on say a prewar 262 or similar, you can purchase a complete repro pickup, or just the copper piece, or fiber board, or the rollers, or of course the rivets that hold them together.  It's all available, so you should be able to complete a near perfect repair.

Does it look something like this? 

The only thing they do not make is the center stamped label, but you can reuse the original if you are careful.

Yes, actually. Who makes those?

http://ttender.com/

Jeff will fix you right up!

Dennis Holler posted:

If your talking about the pickup on say a prewar 262 or similar, you can purchase a complete repro pickup, or just the copper piece, or fiber board, or the rollers, or of course the rivets that hold them together.  It's all available, so you should be able to complete a near perfect repair.

Does it look something like this? 

The only thing they do not make is the center stamped label, but you can reuse the original if you are careful.

Use the pickups that are not assembled all the time. (I like the copper finish better/like original).
Just remember when replacing the fiber board you will have to take the wheels/axles off. This is what I sue and they work great to spread the motor frame, they are not snap ring pliers.

Also a suggestion is to make sure that the fiber tabs align to the motor frame tabs. When I first did a replacement I noticed that they were off a bit and the fiber board would of never fit properly. I also drill a small hole in the fiber board before assembly of the badge to the pickup. This hole is for the wire connection as I do not trust the electrical contact to go through the rivet to the pickup arms. That is why you see a lot of solder globes on old prewar pickups. Now after the hole is drilled, pre-tin the bottom of the roller assemble where the hole is and make sure it is flat. Once assembled I solder the wire into the hole with pre-tinning the wire and filing the hole with solder then putting the wire in when all is hot.
Just a note: Make sure that the hole for the wire and where the wire goes does not interfere with the motor frame or axles, just take your time

Question: Does anyone else use these pliers?

It is possible to remove the plate without removing the wheels using the spreader pictured. Do you only pry the plates apart and using a small screwdriver lever the fiberboard out. Make sure you solder the wire on to the pick up before reinserting or you will be frustrated

Jagrick posted:

It is possible to remove the plate without removing the wheels using the spreader pictured. Do you only pry the plates apart and using a small screwdriver lever the fiberboard out. Make sure you solder the wire on to the pick up before reinserting or you will be frustrated

I do not think so as the frame spreads easier with the wheels off and if the wheels are on, there really is no room for the frame to spread just to bend and that will take a lot of force. I looked at that when I first did this repair and saw that it would of been a problem/difficult.
Best would be to do a search on the forum for pickup replacement/frame spreading/wheel removal/etc.
I m sure other would chime in.
Now I m just talking about prewar trains and not post or the new stuff.

The Hobby Horse frame spreading tool HH-1073 is designed for spreading frames for this purpose.

It uses a bolt to keep the frames spread apart, as opposed to hand pressure.

Larry

Is hobby horse still producing tooling?

I like those pliers Ron, Will have to get me some!

Thanks everyone for all your advice! When I get the courage to start drilling and bending and so on, and get the job done, I will post a photo (if it turns out ok).