Hi out there: I am new to Z scale- long time N scaler I need some help in getting the tender apart. It does not look like there are any screws or snaps that hold the body to the floor. The body seams to have two pins that go through the floor. The one at the rear also hold the coupler in place. The pins look like they have been heat welded to hold the two parts together. Do you have to drill or cut the pins off at the weld to get the body off? If that is the case how and what do I use to get the two back together after I have installed the decoder? Boy these things are small! Thanks in advance
The key thing is to remove as little of the weld as you have to to get them apart. I have had some luck using a dremmel and an end mill to thin the welded area, then pry the two halves apart. Then, there is still some "snap-fit" left to hold the tender together. If it won't snap back together, then use some white glue, or a dab of rubber cement to make a "removable" connection. Dan S.
There's a trick I use when reassembleing any heat welded parts back together, even if there is no extra post sticking through to heat weld. Take a needle or straight pin in a pair a needle nose pliers. heat the pin to red hot then stick it straight down into the middle of the post of the assembled pieces, The pin displaces material from the post out over the second piece forming a nice burr. If the pin wants to take the material with it when extracted then leave it in place and let the pin cool in the post, a slight twist after it's cooled to remove the pin and leave the weld intact. Steve F
DPSTRIPE-Steve F: Thanks for the information: Very helpfull :thumbs_up: I thought that I was over looking something. Thanks again
