Arduk Engineering Test Bench

Any current contact information on the post above?  Thank you!

As far as I know, Arduk Engineering is still around.
What would you know?

Looking for contact information for Arduk Engineering.  Interested in acquiring a test bench, or information for building my own modern test bench.

Thank You.

Attached is a copy on the instructions I got from Arduk. There is contact information in there.

Thank you Charlie.

originally posted by Michael JB2B:

Interested in acquiring a test bench, or information for building my own modern test bench.

Thank You.

I believe O gauge railroading during the Myron Biggar Years did a how to article on building your own test bench with Ardunk Engineering as a possible article author?

Looking for article in O-Gauge Railroading in last reply.  Any ideas on which year this was published?  Thank you!

MichaelJB2B:

Which Arduk bench to you have? I think there are at least two. The one I have does not match the instruction sheet. Mine does not have the TMCC hookup. I assume it is an older model.

I do not have a bench.  Just wondering if Arduk still made them.  If not, would be interested in building one from scratch.

Guys,

If you are still interested in building your own test bench I may be able to help. I have the last version of the Arduk bench with the TMCC input jack. Arduk has supposedly been out of business since somewhere around 2013/4 but I'm not exactly sure about that and trying to confirm it for sure. I sent the owner Gordon Pari an email earlier today and so far it has not been returned as undeliverable, but I have not gotten a response yet either. I'll post what I find out, but anyway, I was thinking about designing my own version of a test bench, and possibly offering either build plans or parts kits for those who might want to build their own bench. The only problem with the Arduk unit was price, and even though I personally thought it was a bargain, I brought my bench to every train show I attended when I was running WOW Trains, and there were many tire-kickers, but no one ever wanted to pony up to buy one. They sold for somewhere between $ 500 and $600.00 IIRC (If I Remember Correctly). I'm guessing that if I can put together a DIY build guide it would be worth something, and then I can research what a parts kit might cost.

Something I was thinking about to possibly save a few bucks is to design a variant that uses the output from an external power source like a post war ZW, for those that already have one on hand, or maybe something like a standard relatively inexpensive landscape transformer. Circuitry could even be added to make its output either AC or DC, for more testing flexibility. Not sure yet what the guts of the Arduk bench uses for power as I haven't opened it up yet, but it's nothing too complicated for sure.

If there is any interest, what you think the value of something like this would be? 

Regards, and Merry Christmas!

Update:

The one thing I know for sure is that Arduk is no longer selling test benches. I believe they may have gone completely out of business. I emailed the owner Gordon Pari, and as of yet have not received a response. No returned undeliverable email system message either, so I'm just not 100% sure if they are still around. I'll update again once I get confirmation either way.

In the meantime I'll be dissecting my Arduk bench, drawing up a schematic, and making any necessary design changes. Transient spike protection is certainly at the top of my list in order to protect the expensive electronics in today's modern pieces.

BTW, what is the longest O-Gauge Loco/Tender produced, and how long is it from one end to the other (with the tender of course)? I'd like to make sure the re-designed bench is long enough to fully accommodate it.

One thing I'm trying to wrap my mind around is how to make whatever axle has the chuff pickup on it rotate with the locomotive standing still, (obviously for testing purposes). It may be as simple as tying bearing blocks together so the loco's drive wheels can spin the axle with the chuff trigger but it's still just in the ether of my mind at this point.

If you have any suggestions of things you'd like to see added let me know.

Regards!

Hello,

Would you be willing to share any literature that came with your bench?

Thank you,

MB

@Michaeljb2b posted:

Looking for article in O-Gauge Railroading in last reply.  Any ideas on which year this was published?  Thank you!

Four page article on building a test bench was in OGR Run 148 August 1996.

Thank You for sharing.

I have since acquired it.

MB

The Arduk Bench info has already been posted here and it was just a basic description of operation, and nothing more. (If you want me to re-post with some additional notes I have added let me know.)

On the other hand however the article done here in ORG in 1996 that Henry mentions above on building your own test bench comes complete with a schematic and a parts list. It, like the Arduk test bench, is basically modelled after the Lionel bench of old. I'll compare what I find in my Arduk bench to the one covered in the OGR article and then update it with necessary protections for today's electronics, and to add any additional features that make sense to have.

Enjoy!

I would be interested in a guide to help build a quality test bench comparable to Arduk's. In fact, I am sure a better one can be designed if building from scratch.

Ray Sorensen is taking orders as we speak for building some wonderful test benches. They are works of art, he truly is a master.  He used to build them years ago and just yesterday announced he will be building 6 more. I ordered one and so did another person. So 4 slots left if anyone is interested. You can visit : "Lionel prewar postwar buy-sell-rant and rave" on Facebook. They are offered in 3 colors and are identical looking to the Lionel 5C.

I tried posting pictures but can't.  If you have a look,  it's the first post I believe

I sold my Arduk (conventional only) about 2 years ago in mint condition for $600. So as far as what something like that might sell for, there is a starting point.

Don