Aztec vs. Digiframe N Scale Comparison

I am new to the DCC world and this was my 1st ever attempt at installing a hardwired decoder.

Project: Kato SD-45

I started this project with the purchase of a Southern Digital Digiframe. I ordered it from a hobby shop that was selling them at a discounted price. It was cheaper than sending the frame to Aztec and it also seemed to me to be the best way to make sure I didn't lose any parts.

I had read somewhere that the nice thing about these frames is that they are molded out of a heavier metal than the original frames. So after the decoder is installed, you end up with a heavier locomotive than if you had the original frame milled out. I had also read that there would be some molding flash left on the digiframe that I would have to clean off.

While inspecting my Digiframe, I noticed alot of flash. I pulled out the Dremel and safety glasses and went to work on cleaning the frame halves. All went pretty well, It took me a little while to get it cleaned up.. All exept the space where the motor cradel snaps into the frame. It's a small square hole. I took my exacto blade to it and cleaned it up the best I could. I thought everything was fine.

Next step was transfering all the parts from the Kato frame to the Digiframe. The motor cradel wouldn't go in very easily, I assumed because of the job I did trying to clean up the flash. As I was trying to push the motor into place, I bent the frame. And it seemed to bend rather easily, so I bent it back into shape. I wasn't too happy about this. Now will all the parts line up the way they should? Will things now wear out faster because of misalignment?

My next decision was to finish transferring the parts and then send the original frame to Aztec.
I wasn't happy with bending the frame and I felt there was less chance of it happening again if I went the Aztec route instead of buying another Digiframe.


This was the best decision I had made. I sent out my frame and got one back in about 4 days. That is great turnaround time from New York to Nevada and back. I just wish that I sent it to Aztec in the first place, I could have saved a few bucks.

What I got back from Aztec was a very professional milling job. As I compared it to the digiframe, I noticed that the fuel tank space had far less material missing than that of the digiframe and that the milling matched perfectly on both halves of the frame. The digiframes milling on their mold pattern was very poorly done in comparison.

The decoder installation went pretty good. I used an NCE brand Z scale decoder instead of the Digitrax version that the instructions were written up for. I got a little confused on what to do with the blue wire, the digitrax version that the instructions were made for didn't have one. So I looked around online and found this site: http://mysite.mweb.co.za/residents/grela/katosd40.html and that cleared up my confusion as to what to do with my blue wire. I didn't move the resister, I cut the chase to it as the Aztec direction said. I just wish that a picture of it showed on the Aztec directions.

As I was transferring all the parts back to the Kato frame I noticed that everything seemed to fit better than they did in the Digiframe. So I am glad that I went this route.

Like I stated earlier, this was my 1st attempt at a hardwired decoder. The end results are fantastic. I have other older engines that I need to install decoders into and when I do it, the frames will all go to Aztec.

I'm not trying to bash Digiframes here. But their frames are really for experianced modelers that like to do extra work with dremels and other tools. For me, I want to do as little work as I have to, and save as much money as I can. That means installing decoders myself and sending the Frames to Aztec.

Thanks go to John Claudino for the awesome service that Aztec Manufacturing provided for this, my 1st, hardwired decoder install.



Craig

 

I always preferred the Aztec frames. Their work is outstanding and there is no problem refitting the components into the frame.

Stay cool and run steam....

 

Craig, some good info there, thanks! I too am about to embark on some Aztec framework. John is a very helpful guy, I've talked with him before.

 

AZTEC frames rule and the reason why is they are actual frames from the production Locomotives that John mills to gain space for a decoder. Usualy the turn around is fast because he just sends out a pre-milled frame that some one else has sent to him. This exchange milling service is great and really fast. So the final fit and finsh is better than a "new" casting. I have used several different frames from Aztec they are always a class job.
Steve

 

I had similar luck with Digiframes. removed them and cut the original frames instead. The digiframes got cut up and used them as car weights.
Martin Myers