Cnd Posted May 17, 2013 Do you plan on selling any more of these pick-ups? Unfortunately I didn't make it in time for the first batch ;) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
alainneke Posted May 19, 2013 Do you plan on selling any more of these pick-ups? Unfortunately I didn't make it in time for the first batch ;) I usually put some in my BrickLink store when someone asks for them. They are quite labour-intensive to make and assemble, so I don't put a lot up for sale. Just send me a message through the BrickLink contact form and I'm sure we can arrange for something. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Caruso Posted May 22, 2013 where did you get the ball contacts from? I have checked many o scale pages and other electrical pages and have found nothing like the ones you use. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
alainneke Posted May 22, 2013 where did you get the ball contacts from? I have checked many o scale pages and other electrical pages and have found nothing like the ones you use. The ball contacts are from the company "Schnellenkamp" (http://www.spur-0-kaufhaus.de), but "AMZ Munz" (http://www.amz-munz.de) also makes them. The bushings to mount the ball contacts are custom made Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kieran Posted May 22, 2013 The ball contacts are from the company "Schnellenkamp" (http://www.spur-0-kaufhaus.de), but "AMZ Munz" (http://www.amz-munz.de) also makes them. The bushings to mount the ball contacts are custom made and well made, they are a perfect fit into a technic hole Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Impact1 Posted July 3, 2013 I did somthing similar a few years back. Yours is cleaner, and has a more pro look to it. In my version I take up the power throught the axel using a bronze spring. I first experimented using coper tape over plastic wheels. I Later used a Lionel wheel the I shaved a bit thinner using a belt sander. And built a small moterezed truck. http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?f=100739 http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?f=120463 MAC Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kieran Posted July 21, 2013 alainneke, can you let me know what gague wire you used in the end? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
alainneke Posted July 21, 2013 The wiring is 36 AWG stranded (decoder) wire from ESU. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
codefox421 Posted November 2, 2013 (edited) Good news: the new wheels have finally arrived! The flange is very similar to that of the LEGO train wheels, so it should result in very reliable operation. From left to right: LEGO wheel, newly arrived wheel (NWSL /210 33" 0-scale), the 'old' wheel (NWSL /172 33" 0-scale) Train wheels by alainneke, on Flickr I will have to adapt the insulator bushings, because the new wheels are a bit wider. More pictures tomorrow! Hi alainneke, I'm trying to create some custom pickups based on yours. My NWSL wheels finally arrived yesterday (wow, it takes a long time to get them, they were ordered Sept 12), but they don't seem to fit well in LEGO wheel holder piece. The flange is rubbing against the LEGO housing, keeping the wheels from rotating freely. On closer inspection, the NWSL flange diameter is larger than that of the LEGO flange. I ordered the O-scale 33"/210 variety. Did you have this problem as well? If so, what was your solution? Here's hoping I don't need a lathe, and some pictures of the wheels: LEGO wheel on top, NWSL wheel on bottom, slip that came with NWSL wheels on right LEGO wheel stacked atop NWSL wheel, showing flange difference Edit: I measured the NWSL flange diameter to be 23.75mm Edited November 2, 2013 by codefox421 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Paddi Posted November 3, 2013 Great Idea, Thanks for Sharing!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
alainneke Posted November 3, 2013 Hi alainneke, I'm trying to create some custom pickups based on yours. My NWSL wheels finally arrived yesterday (wow, it takes a long time to get them, they were ordered Sept 12), but they don't seem to fit well in LEGO wheel holder piece. The flange is rubbing against the LEGO housing, keeping the wheels from rotating freely. On closer inspection, the NWSL flange diameter is larger than that of the LEGO flange. I ordered the O-scale 33"/210 variety. Did you have this problem as well? If so, what was your solution? Here's hoping I don't need a lathe, and some pictures of the wheels: LEGO wheel on top, NWSL wheel on bottom, slip that came with NWSL wheels on right LEGO wheel stacked atop NWSL wheel, showing flange difference Edit: I measured the NWSL flange diameter to be 23.75mm Hi codefox421, I haven't come across this problem (yet). The specs of these O-scale wheels (http://nwsl.com/uplo...3_web_10-28.pdf) show that they should measure 17,48 + (2 * 2,8) = 23,08 mm. I measured one of mine to be 22,75 mm, while the LEGO wheels are 23,15 mm. Your 23,75 mm wheels seem to be out of spec; you could give NWSL a call and ask for replacement wheels. I'm a bit worried myself now, because I ordered 200 of these wheels some time ago (which are still to be shipped, sigh...)! Just curious: how are you going to mount the wheels in the LEGO train wheel holders, while making sure they are electrically isolated from each other? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
codefox421 Posted November 3, 2013 I'm a bit worried myself now, because I ordered 200 of these wheels some time ago (which are still to be shipped, sigh...)! Just curious: how are you going to mount the wheels in the LEGO train wheel holders, while making sure they are electrically isolated from each other? I never received confirmation when my order shipped. Maybe yours are already on the way and you don't even know it. I'm planning to use 1/8"OD 1/16"ID polyurethane tubing for isolation and to mount the wheels on standard LEGO train axles. I've tested this with the wheels I was shipped, and it works pretty well. The challenging part for me is going to be transferring power from the wheels to wires. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
alainneke Posted November 4, 2013 The challenging part for me is going to be transferring power from the wheels to wires. If you're not against using hot glue on your LEGO, may I suggest using these: http://www.haertle.de/Modelleisenbahn/Spur+H0/Beleuchtung+Spur+H0/ESU+50707+Stromabnehmer+fuer+Waggons+fuer+alle+Spuren+geeignet.html (ESU 50707; I use these for my wagon lighting). To accommodate wider gauges, they can be separated by cutting them at the black part. Don't forget to solder on the wires before glueing them into you model! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
codefox421 Posted November 17, 2013 If you're not against using hot glue on your LEGO, may I suggest using these: http://www.haertle.de/Modelleisenbahn/Spur+H0/Beleuchtung+Spur+H0/ESU+50707+Stromabnehmer+fuer+Waggons+fuer+alle+Spuren+geeignet.html (ESU 50707; I use these for my wagon lighting). To accommodate wider gauges, they can be separated by cutting them at the black part. Don't forget to solder on the wires before glueing them into you model! Thanks for the tip! It's a bit difficult to find a shop that sells them here in the States, but I was able to find somewhere that had them in stock. I'm looking forward to trying them out, though I'm not sure they've shipped yet. Also, I contacted NWSL about the out-of-spec wheels. I got a reply from possibly the owner? He was convinced the problem was due to them receiving the wrong skyving tool when they bought the company in 2008, and he offered a refund if I returned the wheels. Looking back in this thread however, I noticed you posted about receiving your appropriately sized wheels in March of this year, which means that can't be true. I pointed this out in reply and have since been ignored. It doesn't bode well for their customer service, but maybe they feel it's not important enough to deal with since I only bought 12 wheels. I guess I will have to shave them down on a handheld rotary tool... probably not the safest thing in the world, but my only option at this point. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
alainneke Posted November 17, 2013 Thanks for the tip! It's a bit difficult to find a shop that sells them here in the States, but I was able to find somewhere that had them in stock. I'm looking forward to trying them out, though I'm not sure they've shipped yet. Also, I contacted NWSL about the out-of-spec wheels. I got a reply from possibly the owner? He was convinced the problem was due to them receiving the wrong skyving tool when they bought the company in 2008, and he offered a refund if I returned the wheels. Looking back in this thread however, I noticed you posted about receiving your appropriately sized wheels in March of this year, which means that can't be true. I pointed this out in reply and have since been ignored. It doesn't bode well for their customer service, but maybe they feel it's not important enough to deal with since I only bought 12 wheels. I guess I will have to shave them down on a handheld rotary tool... probably not the safest thing in the world, but my only option at this point. You're welcome! It's sad to see that you're being ignored, just because you pointed out a problem with your purchase. I'm still waiting for 200 wheels (ordered early September) to be shipped ; let's just hope the diameter is correct... Be sure to wear safety glasses when you're trying to shave them down! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
codefox421 Posted November 18, 2013 Be sure to wear safety glasses when you're trying to shave them down! Indeed! I would never not wear them for a project of this sort. Sparks everywhere! A pair of gloves might help, but those I lack. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
elicend Posted December 21, 2013 Hi, i have to do something similar, i'll show you if it is ok ;) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
legoman666 Posted April 14, 2014 Got my wheels installed today, they work fantastic! http://www.eurobricks.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=89181&view=getnewpost Very pleased. My only concern is running 1.5A through that tiny 36awg wire. Now I just need about 8 more sets just like it... :) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jeroen vW Posted April 15, 2014 I'm interested in more wheels myself. Alainnake: did you receice your 200 wheels and do they have the right measurements? Codefox: did you get your wheels the right width by shaving them down? Working on a placing an old big motor from an old printer into a locomotive. Greetings Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
codefox421 Posted April 15, 2014 Codefox: did you get your wheels the right width by shaving them down? I did. Additionally, NWSL sent along a batch of 10 wheels with the proper specs. (Of course, this was after I had shaved down as many of the original 12 as I needed at the time.) I was very surprised to find the new wheels in the mail since NSWL had implied that they would not fix the mistake. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kieran Posted April 22, 2014 (edited) Thought I would share a pic or 2 of my EN, now its up and running with a single Medium motor in the boiler and custom pick-ups in the tender. It is able to pull 3 carriages no issue ( although its slow ). Full shot of the engine and tender Close up of the power pickups and finally a shot form the top down with the top of the boiler and drivers cab removed. Edited April 22, 2014 by kieran Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lazarus Posted January 14, 2015 Would you be able to make me some up the store is closed on bricklink. Would be keen on 4-5 sets. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ukewarrior Posted November 6, 2016 Are these still available? I'm surprised there isn't a huge demand given the cost of 9v motors ! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jeffinslaw Posted November 11, 2016 I would be interested in two set's of these to power a 2-8-8-4 engine I'm working on. -Jeffinslaw Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
