TrainLarry posted:My philosophy as a technician has always been 'The Proper Tool For The Job'. Costs money, yes, but you can't put a price on time and aggravation endured for not having them.
Larry, I truly respect that, but I'm not a technician, nor even a dedicated restoration hobbyist, just a retired guy who occasionally futzed around with Marx tin until a poorly-designed Lionel fell into his lap. As a retiree with more time than income, I can put a price on time and aggravation and I'm afraid it doesn't even approach the price of a specialized press and wheel cups. Buying 300-plus dollars worth of tools to fix a $30 locomotive that I got free is not in the cards. As a mechanical duffer, my philosophy is that of my friend Chuck - "it's already broken, so what are you worried about?"
Thanks so much for the honest and knowledgeable advice. I may give it a try with hand tools, or find a replacement motor unit, or more likely, just put it back in the set box with a note to the next owner about its condition.
-- D
