Another scratch-built gearbox.

[Ray Marinaccio]

While running my MDC Shay for the first time in years I noticed the motor smoking and decided it's time for the rebuild I've been putting off.
Among other things I wanted to change that noisy primary gearbox.
I located suitable brass gears from an old syncronious motor that would give a 5.5/1 reduction and the right spacing between the input and output shafts.

 

[Ray Marinaccio]

The housing was milled from two pieces of 1"x1/4" aluminum strap.

 

[Ray Marinaccio]

This is how it will mount to the frame

 

[Ray Marinaccio]

I wanted to keep the new motor and all shafts centered on the frame centerline, so a little milling to the boiler was needed.

 

[Ray Marinaccio]

I got all the holes tapped, bushings installed, lapped the gears and did some testing today.
No more noisy gearbox. Just the purr from the Mabuchi can motor.

 

[Ray Marinaccio]

The motor was out of a junk CD player, 15VDC.
Total out of pocket expence so far. $0.00

 

[TrainClown]

So Cool Ray!

It must be nice to have the machines you do, and be able to see the potential in parts and then build the missing bits.

Way to go!

Good work too.


TrainClown