Making Your Own Wheel Puller...

[russ daley]

Just saw a You Tube Video where an individual used a "Superior Tool Faucet Handle Puller" to pull an engine driver wheel off. Available at Lowes for $16.00 and probable cheaper on Ebay or Amazon. Looked liked a very simple operation abd one that I understood.

Has anyone made their own affordable wheel puller? As I have mentioned before I have several 63" and 52" 4-6-0's that need new driver gears...I need to at least attempt to repair myself or they will remain in their respective boxes until my estate sale....

Next question "Is the driver gear removal a problem?" What could I expect? Someone said that rod alignment also needs to be considered. 

Any advice to help me appreciated.

Thanks,   
       

[Len]

Looks like that "Faucet Handle Puller" will work. You may have to shorten the 'hands' that slide under the driver just a bit. And possibly thin them down just enough to get between the driver and chassis.

That's a problem I had with my NWSL "The Puller", even on O-gauge trains. I had to thin the bottom on a belt sander to get it between wheels and the chassis.

Len

[jward]

I am fortunate to have a friend with a quarterer to get the rods correct on my steam locomotives. Without that, I wouldn't attempt to replace a gear on a steam locomotive. If the drivers are out of quarter when you put it back together it'll never run right because the rods will bind up.

[russ daley]

I was advised several times about the use of the quarterer tool...It's one learning step at a time. Next step after pulling the wheel is to get the gear off and the new one correctly installed? It's all new to me...Any advice on that part?

Thanks...   

[Len]

The wheel puller should also work for removing the gear.

Since at one time I ran a model train repair shop, I have an arbor press with attachments specifically designed for installing gears on axles. So someone else on the forum may have to help with how to do it without such a specialized tool.

Len

[russ daley]

"If at first you don't succeed, throw it in the spare parts box"

Love it and how true it is...Lack of experience and tool costs are issues here...Good news is, I'm in no hurry...little by little...More questions surely to come...

Thanks all...