Although I didn't go to Kettering I did receive a Slaters SG38CANL Gearbox which had been bought at the show for a little job that I was asked to do. Although I haven't fitted it yet I foresaw no real problems until I was looking at the final drive gear and the grub screw that retains it. This is something that I pay attention to as I have been bitten before and indeed this one is a replacement for one of the former San Cheng gearboxes which required a slot cutting in the axle to allow the grub screw to screw in far enough to clear the intermediate gear above it. Although this image is much magnified, the grub screw fitted to the gear is tiny and I had no idea what size hex key it needed and no way of measuring it. I decided to give Slaters a ring to ask what size I needed. I rang and explained my problem and the gent that I spoke to (Martin) immediately said Oh! we should have supplied one, let me have your details and I will get one in the post. He was good to his word and from a call at 1pm on Thursday I had the hex key delivered on Friday lunchtime. For anyone who find themselves in the same position or loses one, the size is 0.9mm
I had a comment on another forum that they were a standard Slaters hex key, but I can assure you that they are not. Standard Slaters hex key 1.48mm across flats, this one 0.9mm For comparison
Somewhat embarrassingly, I have just opened the slip of paper which was in the back of the Slaters packaging and it does tell you what sized hex key is needed...
I think the 0.9mm is also used for small bogie wheel sets (my HR Passenger tank bogie wheel sets). Almost sounds like a re-oil before use, although it still looks well oiled, and has probably sitting in a bag / box for some time. I would suggest the loco is stored vertical, with an absorbant cloth under the motor area, so the oil doesn't migrate to the painted areas. Paul