OLD LGB Coach Bogie replacement

thingiverse

While swapping out my LGB coaches with my rendition of Raby's Knuckle coupler (http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1989545), I stumbled upon a peculiar issue: extremely old LGB coaches were designed with the hook and eye as an integral part of the bogie, making it quite challenging to replace. To overcome this hurdle, I reworked the bogie from my 12-ton wagon so that it now seamlessly integrates with these vintage LGB coaches. Moreover, I revamped the axle design to utilize 337 mm ball bearings, which should result in wheels and bearings lasting longer than their original metal-on-plastic counterparts. One potential drawback is that the wheels may rub against the brakes if the axles shift sideways; however, adding washers on the axles can help keep the wheels centered, or you might opt for more realistic flange sounds when navigating corners! The bogie itself can be quite stubborn to refit, as the rear brakes require a bit of persuasion to allow the bogie to slide into place (check out the photo). Fortunately, these brakes are robust and resilient, provided there aren't any print flaws that could compromise their integrity. Printer Settings Printer: Shapeoko Rafts: No Supports: Yes Resolution: 0.2 layers, 0.4 nozzle Notes: I've found this setup works significantly better with PLA, as ABS tends to be too brittle and prone to snapping when you insert the ball bearings. A small square part on the peg's underside is intended to facilitate smoother printing; it can be removed if desired. The STL file also includes two bars that protrude from the bogie's surface, resting on the LGB coach frame. You may need to adjust their height to ensure smooth bogie movement when the frame is securely attached to the coach body. Post-Printing Allow PLA to cool gradually. I'm not entirely sure if this is a real phenomenon or merely coincidental, but I noticed that my initial prints, which I removed as soon as they finished printing, tended to snap or break upon inserting the bearing. Since then, I've refined the bearing hole design, but an identical bogie that cooled and annealed overnight at approximately 25 degrees Celsius appeared less brittle and didn't suffer from snapping issues. Just a thought, perhaps this could be beneficial!