Axle lengths

thebrighton · February 21, 2022, 11:52:14 AM

First up, aaaargh!
I've been putting together a rake of 5 LCDR coaches which are running on bogies from Etched Pixels. The etches are supposed to take 15mm long Farish or equivalent axles which they don't. 14 to 14.25mm max is all that will fit and Alan isn't sure why this has happened.
So why aaaargh you may ask? Over the years I have converted the Microace old timer coaches to both LBSCR and LCDR but using etched underframes. As a result I have a number of spare chassis with wheel sets of 6mm diameter and 14mm axle length so perfect for the job accept the even number of wheelsets has suddenly become an odd number so I am one axle short. No amount of searching has located the little bugger and it would appear they are not a spare.
Any suggestions for sourcing a 6mm wheel on a 14mm axle? I know I could try to shorten a longer axle but the multitude of wheel sets I have are all slightly over 6mm and I'd rather not re wheel 5 coaches!
Why is nothing ever simple but hopefully by posting this the blighter will reappear!

ntpntpntp · February 21, 2022, 12:08:36 PM

The Dundas Models 6.2mm wheels maybe? Unfortunately they don't give an axle length on the web site but ping them an email? I've used their Mosskito wheels for a few things. I don't have a spare wheelset around at the moment to check the length.

https://dundasmodels.co.uk/webstore/index.php/hikashop-menu-for-module-108/category/511-dundas-models-009-wheels-bearings

PaulCheffus · February 21, 2022, 12:13:30 PM

Quote from: ntpntpntp on February 21, 2022, 12:08:36 PM
The Dundas Models 6.2mm wheels maybe? Unfortunately they don't give an axle length on the web site but ping them an email? I've used their Mosskito wheels for a few things. I don't have a spare wheelset around at the moment to check the length.

https://dundasmodels.co.uk/webstore/index.php/hikashop-menu-for-module-108/category/511-dundas-models-009-wheels-bearings

Hi

Theirs tend to be 14.8mm over the pin points. I've turned a few down to 12.25mm in the past to fit the 2mm SA etches for things like freightliner flats where there are no 5.1mm N gauge profile wheels on 12.25mm axles.

Cheers

Paul

thebrighton · February 21, 2022, 12:16:07 PM

Quote from: ntpntpntp on February 21, 2022, 12:08:36 PM
The Dundas Models 6.2mm wheels maybe? Unfortunately they don't give an axle length on the web site but ping them an email? I've used their Mosskito wheels for a few things. I don't have a spare wheelset around at the moment to check the length.

Unfortunately they are all 14.9mm axles and like the Farish spares 6.2mm is to big unless I want one coach to limp along

thebrighton · February 21, 2022, 12:22:56 PM

I know Farish has recently made bespoke axle lengths depending on the wagon so I'm guessing one must have what I'm looking for as the 2mmSA offer a 6mm wheel on a 14.2mm axle. Any idea which wagon this may be?

ps, I know the answer is to switch to 2mm as no doubt a number of my fellow area group members will remind me of

class8mikado · February 21, 2022, 01:44:25 PM

Perhaps not much help and by no means a cheap solution but i am pretty sure that the axles on EFE/ DJM Mermaids are noticeably shorter than farish... will dig one out and try to measure it up...

Portpatrick · February 21, 2022, 02:33:22 PM

Have a look at NTrain axles. When I wanted to convert all my Peco wagons to metal wheels, I found Farish axles were too long. The NTrain ones were perfect.

thebrighton · February 21, 2022, 03:20:24 PM

Quote from: Portpatrick on February 21, 2022, 02:33:22 PM
Have a look at NTrain axles. When I wanted to convert all my Peco wagons to metal wheels, I found Farish axles were too long. The NTrain ones were perfect.

They're 6.2mm diameter though

PaulCheffus · February 21, 2022, 04:06:32 PM

Quote from: thebrighton on February 21, 2022, 03:20:24 PM
Quote from: Portpatrick on February 21, 2022, 02:33:22 PM
Have a look at NTrain axles. When I wanted to convert all my Peco wagons to metal wheels, I found Farish axles were too long. The NTrain ones were perfect.
They're 6.2mm diameter though

Hi

Do you have any other 6mm diameter wheels? If so I could turn you an axle to 14mm across the pin points but only if the axle diameter is 1.5mm as I don't have any steel smaller than that.

Cheers

Paul

thebrighton · February 21, 2022, 05:27:37 PM

Quote from: PaulCheffus on February 21, 2022, 04:06:32 PM

Do you have any other 6mm diameter wheels? If so I could turn you an axle to 14mm across the pin points but only if the axle diameter is 1.5mm as I don't have any steel smaller than that.

Cheers for the offer Paul but fingers crossed I've solved it. In my gloat box I have a NGS Seacow which has sat there for at least a decade and the wheels in the kit are 6mm on a 15mm axle. I've whipped the wheels off and turned the end of the axle down by putting it in my Dremel (I've no lathe) and pressing a file against it. It actually worked!
The wheels flange was ok but at 2.2mm wide they were chunky so I skimmed the front face off in the Dremel too match the Microace wheels and all is good.
The missing wheelset will undoubtedly now turn up but if not I'll keep searching for a better alternative although you can't actually tell it's different behind the bogie side frames.

Many thanks for the suggestions and offers of help