Wheels too far apart

We had to re-gauge the pilot truck wheels on a couple of older Sunset locomotives to track correctly in Gargraves ... recent ones are fine.

Kerrigan, Is there a tool for this that can either push the wheels closer together or pull them farther apart?

A wheel puller is used to pull the wheels out and off the axle.

To press the wheels closer, get a short piece of heavy wall steel tubing that will slip over the axle. Remove the wheelset and stand it on end on a hard surface. Slide the tubing over the axle to contact the wheel and give it light taps with a hammer to slowly move the wheel down the axle. Turn the wheelset over and do the same to the other wheel - move them both evenly until the proper gauge is measured.

Larry

Trainlarry, sounds good. Where do I get a wheel puller? What do you do if they're too close together and you want to pull them apart?

TrainLarry posted:

A wheel puller is used to pull the wheels out and off the axle.

To press the wheels closer, get a short piece of heavy wall steel tubing that will slip over the axle. Remove the wheelset and stand it on end on a hard surface. Slide the tubing over the axle to contact the wheel and give it light taps with a hammer to slowly move the wheel down the axle. Turn the wheelset over and do the same to the other wheel - move them both evenly until the proper gauge is measured.

 

Larry

Yes - this is an OHA (O-scale hammer adjustment*); these procedures have earned O the nickname (mostly from those in the Junior Scales): "the blacksmith's scale".

BTW, the only wheel gauge needed - in case anyone feels the need to buy one - is a properly-functioning truck wheel set.

*I suppose O-scale hammer adjustment could be abbreviated OSHA, but then that would bring up all sorts of paperwork confusion.

I would have thought after all these years someone would have made some tools specifically for this task.  If I was still working I'd make them but since I'm now retired I guess I'll use the blacksmith method.

Thanks,

Don

I found a correct wheel set and used a dremel to make some lines in a small piece of wood.  To spread apart the wheels  you can find a socket that will fit between the wheels and using the dremel cut a line in the socket so the axle will fit inside.  then lightly tap on one end of the axle.  keep checking until it fits in the jig you made with the wood.

I use a couple of 1/4" sockets over the needle ends and press them with a vise.. If you don't have a vice use a small C-Clamp...

Marty

Thanks for all the info.  I'll let you know how things go.

I have a couple of machinists/clockworks gear pullers for small wheels on pilot & trailing trucks. Not a one size fits all affair.

No supplier, I inherited them. But I know they were acquired by one Grand Dad from the other Grand Dad a machinist and gauge maker (various, the insides are basically clockwork)

Adrianic, I looked on the internet and found a watchmaker's gearpuller that I think will do the trick. If not I've got a friend who's owns a machine shop. If I draw up what I want he'll make a gear puller for me. 

Don

Lionel made a wheel puller; see here and here.

Portlines makes an adjustable wheel puller here.

Larry

Trainlarry, Thanks for the info _ I'll look into them

Just one more note on those, make sure the pressing pin is smaller than the axles and deep enough to do the job. Finding a jaw size isn't always as hard as the right press pin.

Adriatic, Will do. 

Thanks, 

Don