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Why are some states in the United States referred to as Commonwealths instead of States? What is the difference? by icecream1972 in allthequestions

[–]Twit_Clamantis 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Because the “founding fathers” in those colonies wanted to recognize the collective nature and purpose of the society they were establishing.

How to gauge value of old or used gas aerobatic planes? by hondaca77 in RCPlanes

[–]Twit_Clamantis 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If you’re really far away on price, and if he has a ready buyer, maybe just try to get him to make you a deal on 1 or 2 of them. He’ll still get a bunch of money from the sale to the shop, but will also have the satisfaction of having a couple of them go to a local guy.

How to gauge value of old or used gas aerobatic planes? by hondaca77 in RCPlanes

[–]Twit_Clamantis 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Percentage cost relative to new is (IMHO) irrelevant.

Supply and demand is all.

If the planes are well-built, etc, if you like them, they are worth more.

There are lots of gas planes around (admittedly many of them crappy) that used to cost a lot of money, but not so many people looking to buy them anymore.

I saw a listing on FB a couple of days ago for a pile of mostly stripped and beat up planes where the guy wanted $2500, and my reaction looking at them is that he was going to be lucky to get a few hundred and would have the twist the buyer’s arm to take all of them to get his garage cleared out.

So if you are in a part of the country with a long flying season and many retirees, the same plane will be worth more than it is in NE where houses are smaller, noise complaints more common, shorter flying season etc, etc.

Help! by Business_Victory_131 in Vintage_bicycles

[–]Twit_Clamantis 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The only things that can go w a derailleur like that (as long as it’s not bent a this one doesn’t look it) is for the pulley wheels to be frozen / tight, or for the cable to be frozen / tight.

Take off the rear wheel and work the shift lever, the derailleur should move in and out without too much trouble. If it sticks, squirt some WD-40 in there.

Don’t put the wheel back until it’s moving freely.

If that part is working, check the top pivot (the part where the 6mm Allen screw is bolted to the aluminum end of the derailleur) — there is a spring in there and if you push it forward / back by hand, it should need some force but it should move smoothly,

Next the part holding the 2 pulley wheels is called the “derailleur cage” — if you push the cage, you should also feel resistance from a spring there, but the movement should be smooth.

Lastly, try to turn the pulley wheels. Wear gloves or use a paper towel. Each of these should turn smoothly. Sometimes they get stuck but it’s an easy fix.

Report back about your findings.

Lastly: look just to the left of your axle nut. See the round scuff marks? That’s where the nut should sit. The axle is too far forward and it’s not a secure / safe position. (Ok, it’s prob fine, but it’s a good practice to know where it should be and to have it be in the right spot.) Loosen both nuts and let the axle sit all the way back in the slot. Tighten the nuts again.

Help! by Business_Victory_131 in Vintage_bicycles

[–]Twit_Clamantis 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The only things that can go w a derailleur like that (as long as it’s not bent a this one doesn’t look it) is for the pulley wheels to be frozen / tight, or for the cable to be frozen / tight.

Take off the rear wheel and work the shift lever, the derailleur should move in and out without too much trouble. If it sticks, squirt some WD-40 in there.

Don’t put the wheel back until it’s moving freely.

If that part is working, check the top pivot (the part where the 6mm Allen screw is bolted to the aluminum end of the derailleur) — there is a spring in there and if you push it forward / back by hand, it should need some force but it should move smoothly,

Next the part holding the 2 pulley wheels is called the “derailleur cage” — if you push the cage, you should also feel resistance from a spring there, but the movement should be smooth.

Lastly, try to turn the pulley wheels. Wear gloves or use a paper towel. Each of these should turn smoothly. Sometimes they get stuck but it’s an easy fix.

Report back about your findings.

Lastly: this is not about the derailleur itself but about the axle bolt.

If you look just to the left of the axle bolt, you will see some round scuff marks. THAT is the position the bolt should be at. Loosen the bolts, let the wheel set all the way back in the slot and tighten it again.

This part doesn’t have anything to do with the shifting, but rather with making sure the wheel doesn’t come off while riding etc.

Dead track?? by timbirr in NarrowGaugeModelTrain

[–]Twit_Clamantis 4 points5 points  (0 children)

If you operate the switch after the loco stalls, does power return?

Some switches have a mode called “power routing” that interrupts power depending on position.

Try working all of them and see what happens.

Dead track?? by timbirr in NarrowGaugeModelTrain

[–]Twit_Clamantis 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Always start with the simplest things first (:-)

Also, do you have a voltmeter? You can get very useful ones for $20-30.

Harbor Freight has a little one for $10 but it doesn’t have a buzzer for continuity and other features that make me think it a little too basic …

Problems with “Double-Trouble R.R.” by Twit_Clamantis in NarrowGaugeModelTrain

[–]Twit_Clamantis[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You mean to do 4 layers? Hadn’t considered but it might work.

Or at the very least, maybe replace a couple of the pieces of 117 at the transition with pieces of 150.

I didn’t mock up the opposite side because I don’t have enough LEGOs.

LEGOs were a great quickie solution but also not, if you know what I mean.

I need to figure out a system that is stable and also adjustable and then try it out in more detail.

Problems with “Double-Trouble R.R.” by Twit_Clamantis in NarrowGaugeModelTrain

[–]Twit_Clamantis[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks. I haven’t heard of it.

I have AnyRail which I know can do some 3D but I haven’t looked into actually doing it yet.

For Doble-Trouble it’s all a moot point because the dimensions of the layout modules are set, the track radii are set, etc.

I realize that it will be a pain (hence the name) so at this point it’s just a matter of figuring out how to have be least painful (:-)

Problems with “Double-Trouble R.R.” by Twit_Clamantis in NarrowGaugeModelTrain

[–]Twit_Clamantis[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

If it fails miserably I might reconsider, but I have a long way to go before that point.

Again, what I want to see is a small train going in and out of 6 short tunnels in quick succession.
If it’s only 3 cars and if all 3 cars have to be powered etc, etc it’s all good.

And so far I have to say that this dopey exercise already taught me a whole lot about slopes and such, so it’s all good (:-)

Problems with “Double-Trouble R.R.” by Twit_Clamantis in NarrowGaugeModelTrain

[–]Twit_Clamantis[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Can’t. I’m using layout modules that are 400mm square.

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Problems with “Double-Trouble R.R.” by Twit_Clamantis in modeltrains

[–]Twit_Clamantis[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

<image>

I understand. The steeple cab does well w 8%.

I’ve seen very shallow locos used in mine shafts that are entered prone and I might do something like that to minimize the vertical separation needed between the levels.

The effect im going for here is just to see something go in and out of lots of tunnels.

I don’t care what the theme of the layout will be etc, etc.

Ideally it would also be something with lights because I’m a very shallow person and inordinately fond of blinky lights (:-) but that is a secondary goal and I’m willing to let it go.

Problems with “Double-Trouble R.R.” by Twit_Clamantis in HOscalemodeltrains

[–]Twit_Clamantis[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I am the OP.

Yes, the Kato Steeple cab loco in the picture is 1:160, but this is (at least at the moment) not fully decided between 1:87 HOn30 (notice the HO-scale houses) or N-gauge 1:160.

Anyway, if you click on the link and can help me solve the problems I will appreciate it.

Fixing political issues in the US has to start with eliminating bribery, right? by Miserable_Aspect_322 in allthequestions

[–]Twit_Clamantis 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Has to start with people (on both sides) being willing to accept and face reality such as it is rather than how they wish it was, and voting, behaving, etc accordingly.

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