Pulling Fluff/Hair Off of Side Rods?

[Kemptown Branch]

Hi all,
I recently came into possesion of an 0-6-0 after a club member and personal friend died. The engine works, except there's a lot of fluff on one of the side rods (wrapped around the connecting pin) that I believe is affecting running.



I've been trying to pull it out using an Xacto blade and tweezers/pliers, but I can't quite get it. Does anyone have or know of a better way of getting the fluff out? Thanks!

[Len]

A set of picks can be very helpful with that. Something like these:


Tweezers with a sharp point, sometimes called 'splinter tweezers', like these:


Can also be very handy. Both should be available from places like Micro-Mark on-line, or a local hardware store.

Len

[Kemptown Branch]

Thanks!

[rich1998]

I have a couple pair of tweezers from Micro-Mark.
If you never ordered from them, look carefully. They have many good tools and other parts and even Bachmann locos, or use to. Been some time I looked.

Rich

[Irbricksceo]

I've had to do a LOT of this (pet hair will get into every nook and cranny of everything you own). I my tiny tweezers that I use for electronics repair. Its tough to get 100% of it, but 98% comes off with careful pulling and some patience. I've also found quite a bit wraps around the axles, usually not an issue but I did have to remove the bottom plate of a 2-8-0 to remove a particularly nasty clump once.

[CNE Runner]

Hair, fur, and other 'fuzzies' are [unfortunately] very common on most layouts. I spend a lot of time cleaning the track area (track, roadbed, and about 1" to either side), have a good air cleaner in the train room and still get fuzzies. The Bachmann GE 45-ton locomotives have side rods...which love to pick up debris. I find I have to remove the connecting (side) rods on each side of the locomotive occasionally; and, using some of the tools shown above, remove the offending fuzz. This is a time-consuming project that is made easier with a magnifier. [Could it be that, at 75, I can't see as well as I used to? Nah.]

Regards,
Ray

[rich1998]

A lighted Optivisor is really handy. I know.

Rich

[Terry Toenges]

I've also use an exacto knife to get under the fuzz and turn the blade sideways and pinch the fuzz between the blade and my finger to get it out.