installing handrails

[crash]

What is the best way to install the handrails on a new locomotive, and what's the best adhesive to use. HO scale

[Len]

It depends on which locomotive. On some you don't want to use an adhesive at all, just the friction fit, as you need to be able to remove the handrails to disassemble the loco. On others it doesn't matter, so I use a small drop of CA on the end of a tooth pick on each stanchion.

Len

[jbrock27]

But will CA work on all plastic handrails, such as ones made of delrin?

[Len]

But will CA work on all plastic handrails, such as ones made of delrin?

While it's not a permanent bond, it works well enough to keep them in place in normal handling. Definately works better than a solvent cement like Testors, etc., that just runs off Delrin.

Len

[jbrock27]

Danke

[rogertra]

Nice work on this locos Wayne.


Cheers

Roger T.

[jbrock27]

Soooo then, CA won't work to hold delrin rails in place 

[Len]

The CA doesn't bond to the Delrin, it bonds to the loco and fills in the gap between the Delrin stanchion and loco shell to make a better friction fit to keep the railing in place. If you really want a true bond, lose the Delrin rails and stanchions and use metal or styrene.

Len

[jbrock27]

The CA doesn't bond to the Delrin, it bonds to the loco and fills in the gap between the Delrin stanchion and loco shell to make a better friction fit to keep the railing in place.

Len

the ca should secure the handrails enough that they won't fall out of their own accord.  ...the handrails need to be removeable to allow access to the mechanical parts of the locomotive...Because the ca bonds to the styrene and cures hard...

Wayne

Have to report, this hasn't worked in my attempt to secure handrails on a P2K GP18.  But fortunately, at the least, it is not necessary to have to remove the handrails for any kind of maintenance.

[jbrock27]

My apologies for not being more specific; CA has not worked to secure the stanchions to the shell.  (The stanchions and handrails are made from the same material).  On this model, they are also not meant to be taken on and off.

And just for clarification, the stanchions were not damaged from my mishandling, this was a 2nd hand loco that came to me w/banged up stanchions and handrails; I was after it for other reasons.  In the end, I may buy some metal stanchions and wire and make up new ones, but saw this thread about handrails and saw the mention of of using CA to secure/repair them...

[crash]

Thanks for all the info. I'll let you know what I did.