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Hi everyone. I recently built an IP Jessie (just need to tidy the wires as you can see!). It's a good kit for the price but I am quite disappointed with the plastic fly cranks - both for the look and the functionality.
Does anyone know where I could buy some metal ones to replace them?
Re: Fly cranks for IP Jessie
Posted: Tue Jul 27, 2021 9:00 pm
by -steves-
It will depend on the axle diameter and the crank pin diameter? If those are known then someone could possibly make them for you? There might be off the shelf ones but I personally have no idea where, sorry I can't be of more help.
I must admit plastic cranks does seem a bit tacky from what was such a good kit in its day.
Re: Fly cranks for IP Jessie
Posted: Tue Jul 27, 2021 9:38 pm
by Peter Butler
When I lived in the West Midlands I visited this company which produces a wide range of castings for model railway scales. They do have a 'Narrow Gauge' section on their website but I see no fly cranks listed. I think a contact might well be advisable and could answer your question.....
I built the chassis kit and was also quite disappointed with the fly cranks and ended up replacing them with a delrin chain drive. From memory I think the axle is 1/8”. Edsel engineering make some steel fly cranks but unfortunately I think they’re 3/16”.
Re: Fly cranks for IP Jessie
Posted: Wed Jul 28, 2021 8:32 am
by Jbs
PDF Models have re-opened and are now supplying steel cranks for 1/8th diameter axle.
John
Re: Fly cranks for IP Jessie
Posted: Wed Jul 28, 2021 9:15 am
by Chris_AS
Thanks for the help everyone.
PDF Models indeed look like they have a solution - so particular thanks to John!
Re: Fly cranks for IP Jessie
Posted: Wed Jul 28, 2021 9:18 am
by GTB
Chris_AS wrote: ↑Tue Jul 27, 2021 8:32 pm
Does anyone know where I could buy some metal ones to replace them?
IPE used to supply metal cranks in the early Jessie kits, so maybe someone has some sitting around and would part with them. Presumably they use the same crankpins and sizes as the current plastic design.
Walsall and Roundhouse both supply flycranks that are designed to be self-quartering on their own axle design, but being originally designed for use in live steamers, the axles are 1/4" in dia. and they use crankpins specific to their own models.
Essel Engineering sells the flycranks used on their diesel models as separate parts, but they use a 3/16" axle and a different crankpin design to IPE. http://esselengineering.co.uk/index.html
Roundhouse components will be bullet proof, as will Walsall and Essel, but all use different axle dias. to the IPE parts.
I can't think of any suppliers of parts that will just drop right in. Essel parts would be fairly easy to fit, but they would need to have the flycranks rebushed and the coupling rods may need rebushing as well. Using Roundhouse or Walsall parts would require major modification of the wheels, gearbox and gears, as well as the bushes.
The PDF cranks will at least fit the axles, but may still need new bushes in the coupling rods. They use an unusual design of crankpin that needs careful reading of the instructions. https://www.pdf-models.co.uk/
Roger at Friog Railway serviceshttp://www.friograil.co.uk/ does chassis modifications and builds custom chassis, which might be another option.
Chris_AS wrote: ↑Tue Jul 27, 2021 8:32 pm
Does anyone know where I could buy some metal ones to replace them?
IPE used to supply metal cranks in the early Jessie kits, so maybe someone has some sitting around and would part with them. Presumably they use the same crankpins and sizes as the current plastic design.
Walsall and Roundhouse both supply flycranks that are designed to be self-quartering on their own axle design, but being originally designed for use in live steamers, the axles are 1/4" in dia. and they use crankpins specific to their own models.
Essel Engineering sells the flycranks used on their diesel models as separate parts, but they use a 3/16" axle and a different crankpin design to IPE. http://esselengineering.co.uk/index.html
Roundhouse components will be bullet proof, as will Walsall and Essel, but all use different axle dias. to the IPE parts.
I can't think of any suppliers of parts that will just drop right in. Essel parts would be fairly easy to fit, but they would need to have the flycranks rebushed and the coupling rods may need rebushing as well. Using Roundhouse or Walsall parts would require major modification of the wheels, gearbox and gears, as well as the bushes.
The PDF cranks will at least fit the axles, but may still need new bushes in the coupling rods. They use an unusual design of crankpin that needs careful reading of the instructions. https://www.pdf-models.co.uk/
Roger at Friog Railway serviceshttp://www.friograil.co.uk/ does chassis modifications and builds custom chassis, which might be another option.
Regards,
Graeme
Roger at Friog has done quite a few jobs for me, I would thoroughly recommend him.
Re: Fly cranks for IP Jessie
Posted: Mon Aug 23, 2021 10:02 pm
by Chris_AS
I got the cranks from pdf models and they worked well. Came with some bushes for the rods too
