Hi Jimmy. A little tip for you and your viewers: Get yourself a microfiber cloth to put over your cutting mat while you do this type of work; this will move your "carpet monster" up onto the workbench to become a "cloth monster" - much easier to deal with!
When I was heavily involved in N-Trak in the late 1980s I bought a few of the cheap dark green with gold print Like-Like Borden's milk cars. Back then I thought those were the best looking of the cars Life-Like made. I had three I had converted to Micro-Trains trucks with couplers. I expressed my approval of those cars when I was asked about those cars at one of our shows. By the next show we put on, I suddenly had 35 of the Borden's milk cars. Everyone in our club had a least one if not more and were donating those cars to me. I converted them all to Micro-Trains trucks with couplers. I never had an issue running them at our N-Trak shows. I still have those cars stashed away in a foot locker.
Drop problem fixes. Work farther over your desk, get a rubber mat and put and staple like on old Mexican blanket. That keeps things from rolling off. Get an old area rug, when they hit, minimizes the search area. Drives me crazy.
Hi Jimmy I went to the Dollar Tree today like you've done to find the items from your $5 shopping trips. I found quite a few things, the main things I wanted was the faux moss stones, reindeer moss. I also found the Apple Barrel paint in Walmart for .54cents. What a great day in there thanks to you bcuz I would've never thought to look for railroad supplies in there.
Thanks for reviewing those aftermarket trucks. While I see you changed out some trucks on several cars, what I didn't see you address was the broken steps on the bottom of several cars. Checking the weight of the cars is also a good idea before putting them on the layout. Cheers and stay safe.
When working on small parts I lay an old cloth on the bench. When I drop something it does not bounce from the bench to the floor. Instead, it gets caught in the cloth where it fell.
Jimmy an old Jewelers and gunsmith trick Have a seamstress or tailor/crafter make a custom work apron with a flat pouch that can be velcrowed to the edge of the work table. When worn between the bench and the body it will capture most of the small parts. the pouch should be about 2x the width of the top of the apron at the waist and be about 3" deep.
I have been going to train shows and picking up "cheap" rolling stock then replace the trucks with Micro-Trains trucks. I also pick up "pieces" cars that I will be practicing weathering on.
Hi Jimmy, great video. It's the sort of thing I have to do, myself, every now and again and when you get a couple of running 'cars', or wagons, )in this neck of the woods,) it's satisfying! It's also good to know I'm not the only one to use the floor as an extension to my workbench! Happy railroading. Cheers, Jim L
I use those cheap trucks on 3d printed cars with some success, I actually get them off aliexpress. Get a micro trains coupler height guage, it also has a built in guage for the wheels to verify.
Indeed! And now we are finally starting to have a few model RR shows again. Can't wait to get to one this month. Hope the turnout will be good, so we can keep bringing these shows back.
Hi Jimmy! I'm a computer tech, and my recent Ifixit toolkit purchase came with a flexible magnetic whiteboard mat. It has become invaluable at grabbing screws before they hit the floor. The kit as a ton of very very fine bits. Great salvage job!
If you loose the small screws is their anything you could use as a substitute? Asking since I have some n scale life like cars a gentleman donated to me during an internship on a short line.
Trying to find proper metal wheels at the moment is next to impossible! Jimmy, I have a challenge for you. Could you "upgrade" the Rapido style couples on a Thomas and Friends oil, fuel, or water tank car? I can send you one ready for conversion (the wife accidently pulled out the factory coupler and we lost everything but the coupler box). I am currently drinking the house brew of my local neighborhood restaurant. It's black hot and full of caffeine!
It's funny, because I had the same exact experience with those Evermodel trucks. About the only thing that they are good for is replacing missing sets on cars you might want to sell or trade. If you put them on decent enough cars- you might get some of your money back...😄 You are most correct. Just spend the extra money and get the MTL.
Re: small dropped parts. Scale modelers (the static model type) refer to what sits under the desk as "the carpet monster" due to it's habit of eating parts. Hard floors aren't any better as pieces bounce and roll further.
Isn't that the truth! I don't care what flooring you have, once you launch one of those tiny (N scale) MicroTrains springs, forget it. It is forever gone. Don't ask me how I know, LOL.
I think that most older rolling stock cars can be Dismantled and cleaned up, once that is done they usually roll pretty well. But it never hurts to go with a fresh set of micro train trucks.
I bought the largest cookie sheet Walmart had that has a lip around it to help stop loosing my N Scale parts. I took the green sheet and cut it to fit inside the cookie sheet and enjoy it, only loose maybe one part a week instead 3 to 6 per day. LOL
😄I guess the answer to your question, would be "yes" I always find your clips informative and entertaining. You would have to do a lot of editing or bleeping in my case!
Great advice and if you spent 20 and fixed 10 that was only $2 apiece and you can't buy new for that. Definitely will spend good money on good trucks for any cars I may need to fix. GOD BLESS 🚂❤🚂❤🚂❤
Those of us who model in HO scale have - I think - a much better selection of parts. The first thing I do with any car is replace the wheelsets with all-metal wheelsets from Intermountain ($1 per axle bought in bulk). If necessary, I replace the sideframes with Accurail sideframes ($1.20 per pair). So for just over $5 per car, I get top-performing trucks. I find metal wheels do not pick up as much grunge from the rails as plastic wheels (but they still need to be cleaned periodically.)
I can guarantee that you are not the only one who drops little parts and they disappear. Been there, done that more times than anyone can count.🤬 For the car that the bottom keeps falling out try putting some painter's tape or electrical tape on the inside of the car. Either full strips or just some small pieces at each end of each side. You may have to layer the tape, but normally I have found that one to two layers will take care of the problem sometimes only one piece just on one side will do it. Yes, Micro-Trains are the way to go for trucks and couplers. I have so many to change out. 😡
Have you come across good replacements like screws, washers, and wheel sets and couplers? I’m trying to replace some of the stuff on my Ho scale rolling stock
Hi Jimmy, Enjoyable episode. It's always fun to see you suffer. But I had a question? If you where to buy spare parts, have you ever considered using your 3D Printing skills to do your own box car uppers. Then you could use a MicroTrain chassis and trucks to mount your own customized rail brand??? Loving Valentine to the Lovely Lady DIY and extra chocolate to the Dynamic DIY Duo, Jim
Hi Jimmy. A little tip for you and your viewers: Get yourself a microfiber cloth to put over your cutting mat while you do this type of work; this will move your "carpet monster" up onto the workbench to become a "cloth monster" - much easier to deal with!
Waste not, want not. Thanks for the video, Jimmy. Enjoying some Folger's Black Silk while watching. (black, of course!)
good vid on fix old stock and broken stock like wot your doing jimmy looks good thanks lee
When I was heavily involved in N-Trak in the late 1980s I bought a few of the cheap dark green with gold print Like-Like Borden's milk cars. Back then I thought those were the best looking of the cars Life-Like made. I had three I had converted to Micro-Trains trucks with couplers. I expressed my approval of those cars when I was asked about those cars at one of our shows. By the next show we put on, I suddenly had 35 of the Borden's milk cars. Everyone in our club had a least one if not more and were donating those cars to me. I converted them all to Micro-Trains trucks with couplers. I never had an issue running them at our N-Trak shows. I still have those cars stashed away in a foot locker.
The BX express trucks are good for salvaging cheap head end cars.
Drop problem fixes. Work farther over your desk, get a rubber mat and put and staple like on old Mexican blanket. That keeps things from rolling off. Get an old area rug, when they hit, minimizes the search area. Drives me crazy.
All that broken rolling stock looks like the PennCentral video made to show how bad things got lol. I truly like old rolling stock
🚂🇨🇦🇺🇲
Hi Jimmy I went to the Dollar Tree today like you've done to find the items from your $5 shopping trips. I found quite a few things, the main things I wanted was the faux moss stones, reindeer moss. I also found the Apple Barrel paint in Walmart for .54cents. What a great day in there thanks to you bcuz I would've never thought to look for railroad supplies in there.
Thanks for reviewing those aftermarket trucks. While I see you changed out some trucks on several cars, what I didn't see you address was the broken steps on the bottom of several cars. Checking the weight of the cars is also a good idea before putting them on the layout. Cheers and stay safe.
When working on small parts I lay an old cloth on the bench. When I drop something it does not bounce from the bench to the floor. Instead, it gets caught in the cloth where it fell.
That was great tip about towel will do that from how on.
GOD BLESS 🚂❤🚂❤🚂❤
Great idea. I think we all want to work in a hurry and forget these sensible little things.
Where did you get the boxes of assorted screws? That looks like it comes in handy. Great video.
I have some old rolling stock I need to do something with. I generally use them to practice weathering techniques.
great video lots of tips, how about a video for correct painting of cars and good decals to put on
Great points Jimmy. Sometimes even with the Micro Trains it doesn’t work.
Jimmy an old Jewelers and gunsmith trick Have a seamstress or tailor/crafter make a custom work apron with a flat pouch that can be velcrowed to the edge of the work table. When worn between the bench and the body it will capture most of the small parts. the pouch should be about 2x the width of the top of the apron at the waist and be about 3" deep.
I have been going to train shows and picking up "cheap" rolling stock then replace the trucks with Micro-Trains trucks. I also pick up "pieces" cars that I will be practicing weathering on.
This a great video, Jimmy - That's the way I do repairs, drops and all!
Jimmy,
Thanks for the advice on aftermarket stuff-MT's are always my first go-to.
Hi Jimmy, great video. It's the sort of thing I have to do, myself, every now and again and when you get a couple of running 'cars', or wagons, )in this neck of the woods,) it's satisfying! It's also good to know I'm not the only one to use the floor as an extension to my workbench! Happy railroading. Cheers, Jim L
I use those cheap trucks on 3d printed cars with some success, I actually get them off aliexpress. Get a micro trains coupler height guage, it also has a built in guage for the wheels to verify.
Railbox car,you can use styrene tubing to fill the gap between pin and truck bolster,should be a big improvement
Train shows are a great place t0 pick up damaged rolling stock and parts on the cheap -- whole tables full of $1.00 cars each carcasses
Indeed! And now we are finally starting to have a few model RR shows again. Can't wait to get to one this month. Hope the turnout will be good, so we can keep bringing these shows back.
I have a batch of car shells that I purchased on eBay some time back. Any advise on where to get undercarriages? 🤔
Nice work, Jimmy. I have a Plano tray with wheels so I can find Bachmann metal v Trix/Atlas, etc.
Hi Jimmy! I'm a computer tech, and my recent Ifixit toolkit purchase came with a flexible magnetic whiteboard mat. It has become invaluable at grabbing screws before they hit the floor. The kit as a ton of very very fine bits. Great salvage job!
If you loose the small screws is their anything you could use as a substitute? Asking since I have some n scale life like cars a gentleman donated to me during an internship on a short line.
Hey Jimmy, not sure if anyone suggested this.... magnetic tip screwdrivers 😆. And maybe a lip on your side of the bench to prevent for drops
I may not model in "N" scale i model mostly in "HO" scale but i do find your videos informative and very useful.
You had me laughing at “don’t buy them!!” 🤣🤣 I was excited for a minute but you get what you pay for
Trying to find proper metal wheels at the moment is next to impossible! Jimmy, I have a challenge for you. Could you "upgrade" the Rapido style couples on a Thomas and Friends oil, fuel, or water tank car? I can send you one ready for conversion (the wife accidently pulled out the factory coupler and we lost everything but the coupler box).
I am currently drinking the house brew of my local neighborhood restaurant. It's black hot and full of caffeine!
On layout. Have a Xara servicing facility. And place a few of your service needing cars there, as an extra industry.
It's funny, because I had the same exact experience with those Evermodel trucks. About the only thing that they are good for is replacing missing sets on cars you might want to sell or trade. If you put them on decent enough cars- you might get some of your money back...😄
You are most correct. Just spend the extra money and get the MTL.
Lost dropped and otherwise flying nscale parts. I use a Piece of green cloth taped to my desk and tucked in to my waist works like a dream!
Another good one Jimmy. I am pleased that you take your life in your hands when you suggest not to buy a specific product! 🇧🇫
Re: small dropped parts. Scale modelers (the static model type) refer to what sits under the desk as "the carpet monster" due to it's habit of eating parts.
Hard floors aren't any better as pieces bounce and roll further.
Isn't that the truth! I don't care what flooring you have, once you launch one of those tiny (N scale) MicroTrains springs, forget it. It is forever gone. Don't ask me how I know, LOL.
Not to mention that the over 50 crowd usually have readers anyway. I usually find my lost parts when I sweep my garage ( usually once a month).
I think that most older rolling stock cars can be Dismantled and cleaned up, once that is done they usually roll pretty well. But it never hurts to go with a fresh set of micro train trucks.
I bought the largest cookie sheet Walmart had that has a lip around it to help stop loosing my N Scale parts. I took the green sheet and cut it to fit inside the cookie sheet and enjoy it, only loose maybe one part a week instead 3 to 6 per day. LOL
😄I guess the answer to your question, would be "yes" I always find your clips informative and entertaining. You would have to do a lot of editing or bleeping in my case!
Thank you
Great advice and if you spent 20 and fixed 10 that was only $2 apiece and you can't buy new for that. Definitely will spend good money on good trucks for any cars I may need to fix.
GOD BLESS 🚂❤🚂❤🚂❤
Nice video lots of detail. Thanks for sharing.
Those of us who model in HO scale have - I think - a much better selection of parts. The first thing I do with any car is replace the wheelsets with all-metal wheelsets from Intermountain ($1 per axle bought in bulk). If necessary, I replace the sideframes with Accurail sideframes ($1.20 per pair). So for just over $5 per car, I get top-performing trucks. I find metal wheels do not pick up as much grunge from the rails as plastic wheels (but they still need to be cleaned periodically.)
Hey Jimmy - great quick video!
Would also love to get your thoughts on adding/maintaining right weight on cars (if that's not done already)
I can guarantee that you are not the only one who drops little parts and they disappear. Been there, done that more times than anyone can count.🤬
For the car that the bottom keeps falling out try putting some painter's tape or electrical tape on the inside of the car. Either full strips or just some small pieces at each end of each side. You may have to layer the tape, but normally I have found that one to two layers will take care of the problem sometimes only one piece just on one side will do it.
Yes, Micro-Trains are the way to go for trucks and couplers. I have so many to change out. 😡
oh yes - Spring has Sprung (even in Winter)
Small magnetic dish works well for not dropping little bitty bits.
Have you come across good replacements like screws, washers, and wheel sets and couplers? I’m trying to replace some of the stuff on my Ho scale rolling stock
Kadee makes replacements for all of the above.
How can I get that screw box as well as all the types of screws you have? I’m also working on restoring train cars lol
Hi Jimmy,
Enjoyable episode. It's always fun to see you suffer. But I had a question?
If you where to buy spare parts, have you ever considered using your 3D Printing skills to do your own box car uppers. Then you could use a MicroTrain chassis and trucks to mount your own customized rail brand???
Loving Valentine to the Lovely Lady DIY and extra chocolate to the Dynamic DIY Duo,
Jim
So does N scale use any body mounted couplers?
Is a boghi the same as a chassis?
I'm a ho modeler do any of you have trick to replace handrails and foot steps on rolling stock
Always inspiring
Kool video 🚂😎👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
Jimmy, don't you just hated it when someone keeps untie Your shoelaces ? I do too darn cat !!!!
Ha Ha, just as funny as spilling coffee on model directions, NOT !!!!Bruce in Minnesota