Life Like Sw1200 question.

rpeck Nov 11, 2020

  1. rpeck

    rpeck TrainBoard Member

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    I have a older Life Like Sw1200 with the old pizza wheels that don't work on Code 55 track and was wondering if some did a wheel/axle replacement set so it goes on the Code 55.
    I thought there was but I might be thinking of the Arnold Alco S2 set.
    Thanks for your time.
    Rick
     
  2. nscalestation

    nscalestation TrainBoard Supporter

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    Hi Rick,

    I just replaced wheels on several of my Kato SD40's with Kato P/N 932090 which is a set of 6 low profile wheel sets. I also did an Atlas SD60 and they fit just fine. Improvement was quite noticeable running on my Micro Engineering code 55. Have not looked into my LL switchers yet.
     
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  3. Inkaneer

    Inkaneer TrainBoard Member

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    Just a possibility here but a LifeLike GP20 wheelsets just may fit. Those GP20's were produced before the Walthers takeover of LifeLike and there are a lot out there. If you have a GP20 you may want to try it.
     
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  4. tehachapifan

    tehachapifan TrainBoard Member

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    I have put the above-mentioned Kato wheels in a LL SW9/1200 with good results but, IIRC, the fit is a tad more loose in the axle sleeve than the stock wheels are. Also, IIRC, the axle ends on the LL wheels have been shaped to hold in the axle sleeves better and any twisting of the wheels while removing or adjusting them can end up reshaping/reaming the axle hole in the sleeve, as will not pulling the wheel straight out of the sleeve. I think I also tried replacing the entire wheelset, axle sleeve with gear and all but, also IIRC, it didn't quite fit right.
     
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  5. rpeck

    rpeck TrainBoard Member

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    Thanks for the reply's.
    Rick
     
  6. J Starbuck

    J Starbuck TrainBoard Member

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    I don’t know of a direct geared axle/ wheelset drop in replacement but I have both turned down the flanges of the stock wheels and put new Atlas wheels in the stock axles.
    Pulling the stock wheels straight out of the axle tube without twisting is very important. The stock half axles are fluted and will gall out the axle tube if twisted.
    I made a set of parallel blocks to do just that.
    913609DC-5464-4DE3-8EA4-E06A38BA021A.jpeg

    8C17CF8F-5444-4FC6-9EB8-3499A341CBAD.jpeg

    BDCA514B-40DA-4CDC-B91C-1739637D5DFC.jpeg

    Sliding the blocks together pulls the wheelset straight out very easily.

    Turning down the flanges is pretty easy. I chuckled my pin vise in a variable speed cordless drill then chucked the half axle in the pin vise.
    While running the drill SLOWLY, drag the flange across a fine file lying flat on the edge of the table. If you spin up the wheel too fast it will cause the flange to go out of round. When you’re satisfied with the flange depth, spin up the wheel and use a piece of 320 sandpaper to smooth the edge.
    It sounds complicated but it takes less time than typing this.

    I have used Atlas and Kato wheels as replacements as well. I prefer the Atlas because they fit the stock axle tube diameter better and the axle point is slightly shorter than the Kato. If you crowd the Atlas wheels slightly narrow on a wheel gauge they will still spin freely in the axle cups when the truck is reassembled. The Kato wheels won’t do this without pushing the half axle back into the wheel a bit otherwise when the wheels are in gauge the point to point length is too long and won’t turn freely in the axle cups.
     
    Last edited: Nov 13, 2020
  7. rpeck

    rpeck TrainBoard Member

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    That tool is a brilliant idea may have to make one.
    Thanks
    Rick
     
  8. MK

    MK TrainBoard Member

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    J Starbuck, excellent idea with the parallel blocks! But it looks like you need a table saw to fashion a set along with some hard wood like maple or oak.
     
  9. J Starbuck

    J Starbuck TrainBoard Member

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    I made them with my miter saw.
    I used a piece that was about 3/8” thick, 5/8” wide and about 4” long.
    I drilled a hole through the edge close to one end and put a screw through to hold it up on edge. The piece was screwed to a small scrap of plywood so I had something to hold on to. The piece was swung at an angle pointing out from the fence and the screw tightened.
    The plywood rested against the saw fence and one gentle cut making sure to miss the screw made the angle.
    Both wedges were then trimmed off for length and I used a band saw to cut the slot.
    I used walnut because here was a piece about the right size laying on the bench. Pine would work just as well.
     
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  10. Sumner

    Sumner TrainBoard Member

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    Yes, agreed, excellent idea. I took a few minutes and designed some you can 3D print.

    [​IMG]

    I had a SD45T-2 with a broken frame so pulled a truck off of it to try out the blocks.

    [​IMG]

    I couldn't believe how easy it was to separate the wheel/axle from the center gear section.

    [​IMG]

    Slide the two blocks towards each other with very little pressure and the parts come apart in a very controlled manner.

    [​IMG]

    I also found that the angle block worked great pressing the parts together. Put the center of the wheel in the slot and press.

    Thanks J Starbuck for bringing this to my attention.

    You can find the files to print this on my thingiverse account ( HERE ) and info on my web site ...

    http://1fatgmc.com/RailRoad/Locos-1/page-3.html

    You can find all the files to 3D print this object and others on my thingiverse.com account ( HERE ).

    Sumner

     
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  11. J Starbuck

    J Starbuck TrainBoard Member

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    Wow Sumner that’s going high tech!

    Very cool you could take the idea and run with it. That’s one of the things the various forums do best.
    I appreciate the credits as well. Thank you!

    Jim
     
    Last edited: Nov 14, 2020
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  12. MK

    MK TrainBoard Member

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    Thanks Sumner for posting the files on Thingiverse. I'll have a friend print me a set as I don't have a 3D printer.
     
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  13. BarstowRick

    BarstowRick TrainBoard Supporter

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    Hello Rick,

    I think I've seen you participating here before and if not Welcome to TrainBoard.

    You aren't the only one with this problem. I like the suggestions made here.
     
  14. rpeck

    rpeck TrainBoard Member

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    Thanks BarstowRick . I lurk more than post any thing but have been here for a while. More of a train hobbyist than a train fan so I had more questions than answers.
    Rick
     
  15. BarstowRick

    BarstowRick TrainBoard Supporter

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    Cool. Jump in anytime.
     
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  16. rpeck

    rpeck TrainBoard Member

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    Thank you
     
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