Making a disc or Boxpok Driver

Some of you know I have been modifying a Kato Mikado over the past year or so. Along the way I have been learning, and re-learning, both vintage and modern modeling skills. Here is my current challenge. Making a driver like this drawing:


The starting point is a standard Kato main driver:


I have not found an off-the-shelf solution. Kato JNR prototypes have different designs. If there is an available overlay or insert, I have not seen it.

Two questions.

1) How would you do it? Please provide as many specifics as you can.

2) What are the other appropriate forums to post this question in addition to N Scale?

Thanks in advance.

Stay safe,

 

No idea but I'm also interested is finding a way since the SP used a ton of Boxpox drivers

 

Fill the spokes with modeling putty, and use the putty to extend the ends of the counterbalance. Sand smooth, and drill four larger holes and two tiny holes (or make the tiny holes before the putty cures, and hope the sanding process doesn't fill them in). Enlarge and elongate the four holes with a round jeweler's file.

 

I have some extra drivers after installing traction-tired models so I may experiment with this idea. Do you know of any example photos on the web?

Thanks,

 

Nope. Just been considering trying it myself.

 

This may be the solution.
https://www.shapeways.com/materials/steel

 

Depends on the driver and how power pickup is done, but as I recall, this would probably work for the Mikado...is it the Mikado or the GS-4 that has the power pick up problems with having a steel piece behind the driver? Every time I go down this rabbit hole I end up with impossible (or difficult) answers that require milling the spokes back so you can put a polystyrene overlay for the Bokpox driver.

 

Here's where I admit my lack of knowledge on what it takes to make a drawing that Shapeways considers acceptable. I also would be curious about cost. I only need a single pair of drivers. Assuming I produce an acceptable drawing, anybody know what I would expect to pay for setup and production of two wheels?

I realize there might be benefits down the road for going the 3D printing route. Besides that, it would be pretty cool.

In reply to Jeff, the first generation Mikados definitely had pickup problems related to the drivers. This is, sadly, one of those. I used the conductive paint fix to improve the situation. Anybody got any second gen driver sets they want to offload? Happy to help declutter your storage space if I can.

Stay safe,

 

I HAVE YOUR PART!! Please email me at mbauman@ptd.net — Thanks Mike B

 

I have only standard Kato drive wheels. It's not anything like your top drawing . If my memory serves me it looks like the Kato FEF drive wheel — MikeB

 

Picture?