Help he cried!
I've taken the body off a Grafar 2-6-2 tank, and the cylinder block has dropped off along with the leading truck. After many failed attempts at re-assembling the chassis, I feel that there must be some cunning ploy to aid the ham fisted.
Any suggestions please.
richard
It is some time since I disassembled the Farish 2-6-2, and I do not have one as a sample, but I have used a couple as the basis for my models. Can you photograph your dismantled one, and post here, then I will try to describe the sequence I would use?
Regards
Tim
It would help if we knew the chassis is old Farish, later Farish or Bachmann Farish.
Roger
Thank you both for your responses.
The chassis has Grafar Ltd, Britain embossed on the keeper plate.
My difficulty is getting both piston rods back into the cylinders at the same time as passing a screw
through the pony truck pivot, chassis and cylinder mounting plate, whilst adding a nut without the cylinder plate sliding away as it's mounting hole is a slot.
I have a photo but don't know how to deploy it here.
richard
PS. maybe my grandson could do it with his nimbler fingers?
Sounds like the one I remember, and it does require two pairs of hands to assemble! My best advice is to invert the chassis, and hold the cylinder assembly in its place above (or below as now orientated) the chassis, whilst angling it to get the crossheads to fit into the slidebars. Fit the side with the motion in the forward position first. Then slip the pony truck into the gap between the chassis and keeper plate, whilst joggling the screw into place. Finally fit the nut from above (although the chassis would normally be placed back into the body at this point?) The key is to keep one finger on the cylinder block, pressing against the chassis.
I hope this is clear enough - it is probably easier to do than describe!
Tim
This is not easy.
The way this is done using the original N gauge body is to locate both the sliders and piston rods then rest the cylinder block on the top of the chassis with the chassis up the right way.
Then fit the body on to the chassis from above.
Next turn the body and chassis upside-down while holding the chassis into the body.
The body has two lugs that stop the cylinder block from coming forward and thus prevents the piston rods and sliders from falling out.
Next just place the front pony truck in the slot and insert the screw.
However obviously if you are not using the original N gauge body there is nothing to stop the cylinder block moving forward unless you actually incorporate this feature in the 009 body kit that you build or make from scratch.
You can glue the cylinder block in the correct place on the chassis, but this will make the job of inserting the piston rods and sliders a lot harder.
Brian Meldon
I tackled my Grafar prairie when it fell apart on me in the same manner that Tim (Elmgate) described above, except I turned the motor worm until both sides of the motion were in the "half way" position with the piston rods at roughly equal positions, which made it slightly easier for me to get the slide bars back on and then commence the fiddly operation of fitting everything back together again.
In my case it took "more than" several attempts under good light and magnifying glasses to successfully get the piston rods connected with the slide bars, and to keep them there whilst the everything was re-assembled so good luck, persevere and "keep calm" (and have a swear box handy as you may collect enough in it to go and buy a new prairie chassis!)
Mick
My thanks to you all.
I've boxed the whole lot till my eyes can focus again and I've actually aquired a 009 body to suit.
I am not sure where you live, however, once you get back onto the project, post here again, and perhaps someone is near enough to you to give a hand. Sorry if we have appeared to give a negative view of reassembling Grafar chassis'! Really it is just a case of perseverance. Blue tac can be of help to temporarily hold parts in place while you work on something else.
Best wishes,
Tim
Hi there Gallopingalice.
I've just seen your cries for help with the Farish 2-6-2 chassis reassembly, I was the service engineer for 'East Kent Models' until I retired earlier this year and I have stripped and rebuilt many of these units over the years.
If you are still having problems and need help, let me know and If you'd like to send it to me I'll reassemble it for you.
I live in the Sittingbourne, Kent area.
Just let me know if this will help you.
Regards, Noel.
Hi Noel
Many thanks for your communication. The brute is back together as a chassis, at last. If and when, I get to add a body I'll be sooo careful. Nevertheless I've made a note to call back, if needs be.
Thanks again.
Richard