G`day Folks, to Episode 17 of Gormo`s Shed. This episode deals with a simple build of a wire brush cleaner for loco wheels. I am not absolutely sure if this is suitable for DCC, however analogue is fine. I built one of these things a few years ago and it was rather crude compared to this one. So....I`ve had practice you might say. I know this product is commercially available, https://www.gosfordhobbies.com.au/trains/peco/peco-lectrics-all-gauges/4845-detail http://www.dccsupplies.com/item-p-109062/peco-pl-42-wheel-cleaning-brush however the version I`ve built, would work out to a maximum price of about AU$ 5.00 plus I`ve got two spare brushes to use for other cleaning tasks. The other thing is the pure satisfaction of building it yourself........what more could you ask for.??? Enjoy the video Direct Link to A Home Made Wheel Cleaner on YouTube http://www.clickGormo
Perfect timing! I need to clean the wheels of some of my older locos so I'll be making one of these soon. Thanks for posting. Ian
Theoretically, should work just as well under DCC. As your powering the brush from the track with crocodile clips, you have the same protection against short circuits via the DCC command Station as you have anywhere else on the track Ed PS Not for me though, as you know I've gone off abrasives re filing track (for the present at least).
No worries Ian.....glad to be of assistance. Ed......thanks for that.........it makes perfect sense, even to a DCC numbskull like me. http://www.clickGormo
In the words of the BBC's "Blue Peter" series, "Here's one I made earlier"! (A few months ago, actually). Having bought, and been disappointed with the results from a 'Tidy Track Roto wheel cleaner', I decided I could make a better one, same principle as yours, Gormo, but big enough to allow me to clean several sets of wheels at the same time, which is especially useful if, like me, you have Heljan/Bachmann etc. diesels with both bogies driven by the motor. I can confirm that it works just the same with my DCC setup as with your DC one, most DCC controllers (including my Lenz setup) have inbuilt short circuit/overload protection so not likely to cause any problems. As you can see from the pic, my cleaner is just over 10" long, using 3 linked brushes, same idea of flying leads with croc clips- great minds think alike??? Keith Attached files
Man o man......that`s the grandaddy wheel cleaner. This is like poker.......I`ll see your 1" brush and raise you a 10". Anybody else out there got a wheel cleaner longer than 10".....otherwise Keith wins this hand. Thanks Keith.....that`s an interesting way of doing it?........does it cause much drag when you`ve got all wheels in contact or can you control that by not exerting too much pressure on the wheels.? http://www.clickGormo
Hi Gormo. I can either put a loco into my equally home made 'servicing cradle' and lower the brush onto the loco wheels, or put the brush on the bench and lower a loco onto the brush. With Bo-Bo/CoCo type diesels, I find it better to put the loco in the cradle, low enough for the cradle sides to keep the loco bogies in the 'straight ahead' position, then lower the brush onto it. Obviously, the amount of pressure applied using either method is important, as you want to clean the wheels, but not stall the loco, or short the brushes bristles with errant pony trucks. Keith.
Excellant tutorial, and with Keiths mod, and possibly my rolling road mmmm I feel a project comming on, and 1 in OO and 1 in O gauge. Paul
That's great Gormo. Keith's 10"model is also perfect for steam locos that have the pick-ups in the tender. Cheers, Gary.
Thanks Gary, It just seems to be getting better by the sound of the inspired responses. I anticipate a frenzy of building various incarnations of my humble little tooth brush and Keith`s version of same, by various members of this illustrious forum. Go for it lads !!!!!!!! http://www.clickGormo
Now if somebody could make a version with non-abrasive pads, impregnated with cleaning fluid (IPA?), that still turned the wheels and was 'cheap as chips' to make ...................... Ed
You could do what I do Ed.., I place the loco in a cradle made of styrofoam (polystyrene) and then attach wires to the pick ups on the loco. I get the loco running at a slow to medium pace and use a cotton tip dipped in IPA to clean the wheels ! Simple. Cheers, Gary.
