Micro Trains Passenger Trucks

Inkaneer Sep 14, 2015

  1. Inkaneer

    Inkaneer TrainBoard Member

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    Okay I bit the bullet and got some of the MT four wheel passenger trucks with the adjustable coupler. The one with the really, really tiny screws that holds the coupler to the truck. I have managed to lose two of the screws and so I am now screwed myself because MT only puts one screw per truck in the package. So I go to MT's web site to order more. Can't find them listed. Next choice is to call them this afternoon (East coast/West coast thing). Having said that here is my question. How does one put in the screw without launching it into a parallel universe? Please note I do not want to body mount the couplers.
     
  2. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Are those smaller than an 00-90? I have not assembled those in a long time, so cannot recall. But even back then, when I had steady hands, they were a bit of a chore for me.
     
  3. John Moore

    John Moore TrainBoard Supporter

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    hey are smaller than the mounting screws used for body mounting their couplers. Maybe smaller than a Z scale screw. I try to hold them in place with a needle nose set of tweezers while with the other hand I try to slowly get the screw started.
     
  4. Adrian Wintle

    Adrian Wintle TrainBoard Member

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    They are 00-90 screws. I tend to tap the coupler, and then hold the two parts together so the hole is at the end of the slot. Then lay the screw in the slot and use the screwdriver to bring it up to vertical to start the screw into the thread. It usually takes a couple of tries.

    Adrian
     
  5. r_i_straw

    r_i_straw Mostly N Scale Staff Member

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    I put a booger....er I mean a tiny dab of Walther's Goo or contact cement on the tip of a small flat blade screw driver. Then stick that into the slot in the tiny screw to install it.
     
  6. Joe D'Amato

    Joe D'Amato TrainBoard Member

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    If you need more screws contact me with your shipping info. Joe@micro-trains.com
     
    rogergperkins and bremner like this.
  7. Point353

    Point353 TrainBoard Member

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    +1 for this assembly procedure - specifically, using the screw to tap the mounting hole(s) in the coupler, first, before attempting to install it onto the truck.
     
  8. nickelplate759

    nickelplate759 TrainBoard Member

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    I use an actual tap - that way the screw doesn't go flying.
     
  9. Point353

    Point353 TrainBoard Member

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    Fine if you have a set of taps.
    I seldom, if ever, encounter airborne screws when just tapping the coupler with the screw.
    It's when trying to accomplish that operation simultaneously with the attachment of the coupler to the truck that things seem to go awry.
     
  10. nlombardi

    nlombardi TrainBoard Member

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    I magnetized my jeweler's screwdriver and used an exacto knife to widen the top of the hole so the screw sits properly and then screw it in. Worked fine for me.
     
  11. SecretWeapon

    SecretWeapon Passed away January 23, 2024 In Memoriam

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    I put a drop of ca & glue them together.Sometimes I'll put the screw in to add strength.
     
  12. Inkaneer

    Inkaneer TrainBoard Member

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    I tried that also. But the screws provided are not steel. They are not attracted to a magnet.
     
  13. Thomas Davis

    Thomas Davis TrainBoard Member

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    "If you need more screws contact me...."

    You should be careful with that Joe. I bet I have about 3 pounds of MT springs in the carpets, drapery, drains and several on top of the kitchen cabinets. Most of the screws I lost were the ones from ALM core kit trucks, so I guess they are on the hook for those.

    Seriously, though, I do more delicate modeling in a cardboard box turned on its side - gives me a 75% chance of catching the flying bits. Thin foam in the box or on the workbench can also help- the little bits don't bounce as much as when they hit a smooth solid surface.
     
  14. Bob Horn

    Bob Horn TrainBoard Member

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    I bought a Micro-Mark 85109 screw starter, best $10.25 I ever spent. Bob.
     
  15. Carl Sowell

    Carl Sowell TrainBoard Supporter

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    Micro Trains sells, or used to, an 00.90 drill and tap set #1059. The price tag on my envelope is $5.55 for the set, of course I have had it several years. One of the best investments I made in the hobby.

    Carl
     
  16. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Some hobby shops will have a display of screws, such as "Hob-Bits". Those usually have taps, and I believe also drill bits?
     
  17. bremner

    bremner Staff Member

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    They still do
     

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