Chris Bird
Steam,gardening, photography
A few weeks ago I mentioned that I was going to try close coupling my Accucraft IOM "Pairs". Well here you see the results of the experiment with a simple pin and buffer mod to the coupling arm.
I didn't want to alter anything permanently, so I removed the chopper and bent a piece of steel to form the buffer face. This was drilled to match the original holes in the arm and a small hardwood block was cut to fit behind. This was drilled and then the whole bolted together with countersunk 8 BA screws. It could just as well be epoxied. A bent panel pin was cut to size and fitted in a pre-drilled hole and with some fine chain for close coupling. The wooden block fouled the dummy brake gear on the brake end, so this was easily removed. I also removed the lower set of steps to clear my platform - I just unbolted the two and replaced the top one.
You can see the results in this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oFkrdT0mHws
and on my website news page.
Here are three photos to give you the idea. All are now tidied up and painted matt black. I will sort out the choppers on the 4 wheelers next as I do like the close coupled look. Oh yes, and 4ft radius is about the minimum for this mod. On that they pull and propel very smoothly.
Cheers
Chris
I didn't want to alter anything permanently, so I removed the chopper and bent a piece of steel to form the buffer face. This was drilled to match the original holes in the arm and a small hardwood block was cut to fit behind. This was drilled and then the whole bolted together with countersunk 8 BA screws. It could just as well be epoxied. A bent panel pin was cut to size and fitted in a pre-drilled hole and with some fine chain for close coupling. The wooden block fouled the dummy brake gear on the brake end, so this was easily removed. I also removed the lower set of steps to clear my platform - I just unbolted the two and replaced the top one.
You can see the results in this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oFkrdT0mHws
and on my website news page.
Here are three photos to give you the idea. All are now tidied up and painted matt black. I will sort out the choppers on the 4 wheelers next as I do like the close coupled look. Oh yes, and 4ft radius is about the minimum for this mod. On that they pull and propel very smoothly.
Cheers
Chris