loco servicing cradle

[Big Jim]

I currently use a shoe box with foam padding as a cradle to hold my engines upside down. It works but I am not overly happy with it.

What do others use or recommend?

[Bill/Rubery]

To tell you the truth I just turn my engines upside down on a large rag on my lap! Its worked for pushing 30 years!.......

[Andrew]

You've got me wondering whether I should turn my engines upside down more often!

When I do my approach tends to be similar to Bill's, but I rather like the shoebox and foam padding idea...

Andrew.

[Itareus]

Dive into the scrap box for some mdf or whatever you have for the base and sides and also find some 1x1 or 2x2 off-cuts for supports.

Screw/glue/nail or otherwise fasten together.

Glue foam or similar over the sides and bottom (pin or clamp until dry).

Not fancy but effective and also handy for keeping things right side
up while working on them.

http://itareustrainz.weebly.com/uploads ... 7_orig.jpg

Chris

[Peter Butler]

I do like the foam-lined cradle idea although you might need two, one for locos only (to keep oil etc. off everything else).
I see another project in the pipeline.

[Itareus]

To keep the cradle clean how about using cling film (or similar) when working on 'dirty jobs'.

[Peter Butler]

Is it my imagination (it can be quite active at times!) or do I recall seeing, on this Forum, a purpose built cradle which operates something like putting a loco between two rotating clamps, one at either end like a lathe?
If not, then I claim all royalties!!!!!
It would be a complicated thing to make initially, especially being able to cope with such a variety of lengths and buffer types, but once mastered it could solve all issues surrounding access. If it was your invention, please let us have details......