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Reply to "How difficult is it to convert trucks to use roller bearings?"

I wasn't going to comment, but I agree with Joe and Jay.

I did my "Log Mallet" with roller bearings on each driver axle.  Understand, I am not a world-class machinist, but I make my own mainframes.  A ball bearing must be precisely aligned, or it will have more friction than a solid bearing.  My alignment was not good enough; the six axle Mallet runs ok, but not as good as similar solid bearing models.

A sprung or equalized truck will give you fits.  The bearing has to "rock" as the wheels go over bumps.

A famous collector wanted to commission me to put ball bearings in his PSC Pullmans.  I turned him down.  He said "you don't understand; I will pay big bucks for this!"  I still said no. (It wasn't Jim).

OGR Publishing, Inc., 1310 Eastside Centre Ct, Suite 6, Mountain Home, AR 72653
800-980-OGRR (6477)
www.ogaugerr.com

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