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Model train hobbyists of all ages enjoy Lionel model train sets as well as other great brands like Bachmann, Hornby and Athearn. Every hobbyist knows they cannot run their trains until their train sets are successfully set up. This article provides tips for setting up any train sets.

First, remove all of the contents from the box and take inventory of them. Compare them with the list that indicates the parts that should be included with the kit. Group like-pieces together and place all of them on a table. Since, all of the kits components are needed to successfully assemble the train set, do not hesitate to contact the hobby shop, if a piece is missing. You may need to return the kit or just be provided with the missing piece. The sooner you do this, the more likely any issues will be addressed and overcome.

Set up the track. Start with connecting two rail pieces. Look for the rail joiners on each opposing rail end to connect each piece to the other. Rail joiners are the necessary metal pieces of the rail which balance the track and let the flow of electricity pass through as the train runs at various speeds, fast or slow. Rail joiners are easy to find at the neighborhood hobby shop. They are also easy to assemble using needle nose pliers which also work well to tighten loose joiners you may run across during assembling the track. One of the best features of Lionel trains is in their quality rail construction which features joiners implanted in the rail of a three-rail system. They are designed in an easy to put together way where they do not have to be adjusted, unless you feel the desire to. And if you do, they can still easily be moved using the same needle nose pliers you already have around the house.

Brands like Tru-Track and EZ-Track have track and roadbed groupings. These are commonly found in new track sets. Roadbed clips hold loose rail joiners in a more secure fashion which makes aids in making assembly and post train function worry free.

Surface considerations, if addressed early will help you avoid the mistake most modelers make. Do not set up the train set on floors that are soiled or are thick carpeted, as the loop from carpets or fuzz and debris will cause the locomotive to not operate at its best. With this in mind, the recommended way to build a train layout (board) is right on the table. Additionally, if you tack down the track, you will less likely experience loose pieces falling after apart after assembly.

Gain additional power from your train set by soldering wires right under the metal rail joiners. Since most new trains come with terminal joiners for this purpose, this is an easy adjustment to make. Most new train sets require some minor wiring for operating performance. Some Lionel model train sets utilize power from the middle track roller.

IMPORTANT: UNPLUG AND TURN OFF THE POWERPACK BEFORE CONTINUING To begin connecting up the wiring, use a pair of scissors or wire strippers and remove about 1/2" length of covered insulation off of the wires. Next, wrap the wires around the screws and tighten them up so there is no slack. Alternately, put the wires in the clips of the terminal if your track has clips instead of screw. Take the other end of the terminal wire to the "track only" side and run it to the power pack. Otherwise, if applicable, based on the model, use the little plugs provided with the track, instead.

After completing the set up steps, the best test to make sure everything works is letting the train sets start running. First, put the engine on the track. Next, add the cars. Finish by clipping them all together to complete the set. Check the placement of wheels on the track and remove all debris from track. Re-plug in the power pack and turn on the train. Start slowly, increase the speed. If the train moves backwards, turn it off and unplug the power pack. Next, switch the wires and retest. Congratulations, your Lionel model train set is ready to run!

Joe Kanooga is a father of two kids, a successful business owner and the author of numerous articles about Lionel model train. Click here to download our free train sets guidebook filled with helpful tips, ideas and information.

How to build a spud gun with sureshot kit (SIK-20)

SIK-20 Standard Igniter Instructions

These instructions are intended to help you build an effective yet simple spud gun (potato gun).

1. These instructions/procedures are provided as-is.
No guarantee is made that this device will function as well or better as I have experienced, intend, or describe it to operate. In other words, your results may vary, and they may even be very undesirable results, possibly resulting in personal injury or property damage. Please review the site disclaimer for more information.

2. The wording and statements/nomenclature pertaining to the construction and operation of this potato launcher are intended as such to help ensure one attempting to do this has a basic understanding of the equipment and materials involved. If some of the statements seem 'Greek' to you or you do not recognize some symbols or phrases, that is wholly my intent, and you should obtain assistance from a trusted source or not proceed at all.

3. These instructions are intended for a beginner or someone that has never built a spudgun before. The procedure outlined below is not necessarily the method myself or another experienced spudgun builder uses. These instructions will help guide you in building a "sound" piece of launching hardware. As you gain experience, you may find that different things may work better for you.... but start simple. Thanks, and happy spudding!

Keep in mind that PVC pipe/fittings are not approved by the manufacturer to be used for the purpose of constructing spudguns.

Step 1: Getting stuff to build spud gun (potato gun)

This materials list is to build a very simple starter model potato launcher, with the intent to get the most bang from your buck (so to speak). By no means is this the only way to build a launcher, or nearly the coolest, but still able to provide hours of fun.  Also, make sure to obtain pressure rated parts for building your spud gun.  We do not recommend ABS or cellular core type pipe and fittings, these are not pressure rated and unsafe.

MATERIALS:

Obtain the following items:

1.                12" of 4" SCH40 PVC Pressure Rated water pipe (chamber body)

2.                48" of 2" SCH40 PVC Pressure Rated water pipe (barrel stock)

3.                4" PVC coupler

4.                4" x 2" PVC bushing (if not available combine two, like 4x3 and 3x2)

5.                4" PVC FPT adapter (clean-out adapter)

6.                4" PVC MPT threaded plug

7.                PVC primer, one with dye in it if possible (purple, blue)

8.                PVC pipe cement, medium body is best

The rest is provided with our SIK-201 kit.

EQUIPMENT/TOOLS:

Suggested tools for building the potato launcher:

1.       Hand wood saw (or hacksaw, for cutting pipe, maybe you already got it cut at the store)

2.       Wire stripper

3.       Terminal ring crimper (pliers can work)

4.       3/16” Allen wrench

5.       7/16 wrench

6.       Drill and ½” drill bit

7.       Medium half round file for shaping pipe (or a lathe if you got one)

8.       Rag for PVC cement clean up (disposable)

Step 2: Preparing the materials for assembly

To make sure everything goes together properly and smoothly, proper conditioning and sizing of the materials is necessary. Pay particular attention to the shaping of the pipe ends, as this is a major factor in proper solvent welding with the fittings.

PVC PIPE SIZING

Cut the two pipes to size, 4” dia cut 12 “length and 2” dia. Cut 48” length with the saw unless you already did so in the store. Using the file, take off the sharp corners on the inside AND outside of the pipe. Radiusing the inside helps reduce the amount of potato scud that can build up in the launcher, and breaking the outside corner ensures proper solvent welding, if this is not done leak paths may result. Cut ends should be as square as possible. To one end of the 1 1/2" pipe it is suggested that the inside be chamfered about 0.020" and the outside filed or turned down to almost meet the inner chamfer, creating a blunt knife to help size the potato.

PVC FITTINGS

Inspect the fitting for really bad weld lines or possible large dislocations that may result in premature failure. Remove all paper tags or labels by peeling, scraping, even using a bit of primer to clean off the last adhesive. File off any sharp spurs that may hamper your ability to grip the fittings firmly when assembling.

Step 3: Assembling the spud gun launcher

I Chamber Assembly:

Prime both ends of the 4" pipe, also priming the 4" bushing, both 4" coupler sockets, and 4" slip fit female adapter. DO NOT get any primer on the adapter threads! Immediately apply pipe cement to the three primed 4" fittings, then LIBERALLY to both ends of the 4" pipe. Start both the coupler and adapter fittings on the pipe, start the bushing in the coupler, then right the assembly with the threads up, pressing it together with body weight while twisting about 1/2 turn. Hold this position for at least 30 seconds. The pipe ends should bottom each about 1 1/2" inside the fitting socket. If they both do not bottom, either apply more force IMMEDIATELY somehow to get it to, or you are screwed and have to throw it out--start over with that. If the fittings and pipe are properly conditioned this should not be a problem. Wipe up any spilled glue with the rag, but leave a good bead at the external pipe/fittings line. If any glue got on the threads get it out of there as fast as possible! Any glue on your hands should just be left to dry and then peel it off. Using solvent to remove it will just increase your exposure to it.

II Barrel Assembly:

Prime one end of the barrel and the 2" socket on the bushing. If one end of the barrel was chamfered to a knife, prime the square 'regular' end of the pipe. Apply glue, liberally to the pipe, and press together, again using a 1/4 turn motion to bottom. Hold for 30+ seconds. After releasing place the unit upright for several minutes, to let the glue set a little more. Solvent welding is more of a curing than a drying process. Solvent is lost, hence the term drying, but the action of the solvent effectively cures all those individual plastic parts into one continuous physically joined piece of plastic. Properly done, solvent welds are always stronger than bulk pipe.

AT THIS POINT AND FOR SAFETY PLEASE WAIT AT LEAST 24 HOURS FOR THE GLUE TO FULLY CURE AND SOLVENT TO DISSIPATE.

If you are planning to paint your spud gun cannon, now is a good time

III installing the electrodes

The SIK-20 kit includes 2 electrode assemblies sized to be used where the coupling fits over the pipe.  The over lap of pipe and coupling is 2” and we recommend centering the electrodes within the overlap area, 180 degrees opposing.  Once you have the electrode centers marked you will need to drill ½” holes centered on the marks and exactly opposing each other.  At this point the tips should be touching.  (Once the terminals are attached and jam nuts tightened the well nuts will expand and electrode gap will increase… See section V)

IV Handle Assembly

Push the handle ends on the aluminum tube until its seats to the bottom.  Connect the modular interface from the MRS-201 ring set and the handle assembly using the 4 ¼-20 x 5/8” socket cap bolts.  Check the alignment on a flat surface.  Place the ring arches on the barrel near where the barrel and chamber meet. Attach with smooth top rings and (4) ¼-20 x 7/8” Socket cap screws and square nuts

TAKE TURNS TIGHTENING BOTH SIDES SO THE OPPOSING CLAMPS HAVE EQUAL SPACNG BETWEEN THEM.  PLEASE DO NOT OVERTIGHTEN.  OVER-TIGHTENING CAN FRACTURE THE PVC. TIGHTENING WITH THE SMALL SIDE OF THE ALLEN WRENCH WILL PROVIDE ADUEQATE TORQUE. 

V Igniter / lead / electrode connection

Insert the electrode assembly through previously drilled ½” holes.  Insert red button igniter through handle hole guiding the wires through and out the side facing the chamber.  Size wires, remove insulation, slide on heat shrink, crimp on terminals slide heat shrink to insulate terminal and wire connection.  Heat shrink tubing using a lighter or hair dryer.  Connect igniter terminals to threaded electrode assembly in this order: washer – terminal – nut and tighten.   The electrode assembly well nuts will expand in the hole and provide an airtight seal, tighten until ¼” threads are  above the nut.

CAUTION – BEFORE CHECKING ELECTRODE GAP MAKE SURE CHAMBER IS EMPTY OF GLUE/PRIMER VAPORS.  

With chamber open and from a distance, look to check for spark jumping electrode gap.  Your gap should be around 1/8” to 3/16” and produce a bright spark.  If the electrodes are too close pull them out and file/grind of tips slightly to widen the gap.  Once you have consistent spark its time to add the electrode covers (plastic cover with metal insert).  Align over the threaded electrode end and gently tap on.

Step 4: Using the launcher

1.    Now that you spark is verified, test fit the threaded plug into the adapter. It should engage the threads at LEAST TWO TURNS. If not, check for crud in the threads, and if clear, obtain a 60deg triangle diamond file, and size down the plug threads a little. The threads are at a 60deg angle, so careful filing.  Usually filing the first few threads is ok.

2.    With the cap off, load a potato! With the chamber on the ground, place a potato over the muzzle of the spud gun launcher, and press it down with your palm, shaving off the excess, creating a cylindrical potato plug. Make sure the potato contacts the wall firmly all around, or it will not fire or not that well. Loading the potato sideways is acceptable, as it creates a more stable projectile anyway. Ram the potato down to within 2" of the breech of the barrel, using a smaller diameter PVC pipe or broomstick. Don't push it too far or it will fall out into the chamber...and just be subject to a short baking cycle.

3.    With the spud firmly seated in the breech, pick up the launcher and holding with one hand, dispense 1-2 seconds of Static Guard™ (hairspray works too) directly into the chamber. Don't use too much; it will just make a mess. Quickly close by screwing on the end cap hand tight, do not use a tool to tighten to two turns or you will likely never get it off again.

4.    Call out "Fire in the hole!", point the launcher in a safe direction, and depress the igniter button. That potato you rammed down there should exit at a quite rapid rate with a sizable report, and depending on where you aimed and at what angle you pointed, it went anywhere from 6 inches to ~200 yards from the muzzle. Pretty cool. If you clicked the igniter a few times and it didn't work, you are not alone, check out my next section.

5.    If spud gun worked, great! Remove the end cap (this may require a tool), vent the spent gasses getting a fresh load of air, and repeat as necessary!

Trouble shooting your spud gun cannon

There are a lot of reasons why your spud gun launcher may not be working. First and foremost NEVER take off the cap and start clicking away at the igniter. This again has led to human fires and that chemical thermal hair removal thing again....

Hairspray in cold weather just does not go well. Too much of the burnable stuff in the spray condenses on the chamber walls, making it very difficult to burn. You might consider a lighter, hotter fuel (propane....)

To 'defuse' a misfire you need to take off the cap, while pointing it in a safe direction. Allow the chamber to air out for several minutes, perhaps longer, to get the fuel load out. After you are certain the fuel has been vented, again verify the spark, just by turning the chamber enough so you can see where the spark should be. Never point the chamber bore directly at your face, or body, or anybody else. If it sparks then it is a fuel mixture problem.

One of the most common fuel problems leading to misfire is too much fuel! Not usually a problem with hairspray, other richer fuels can be overloaded above their UEL value, and they won’t work. Always try less fuel rather than more fuel.

If you still can't get it to work I invite you to peruse the many other web sites that talk about how to troubleshoot your combustion launcher. Spudfiles.com is an excellent resource.

About the Author

Sureshot Inc. / www.ultimatespudgun.com

How to remove fouled spark plug terminal cap?

I am changing the spark plug in my CR250 and when i pulled the boot off of the old plug, the terminal cap stayed in the boot so that the terminal end of the spark plug just looks like a screw with threads and all. I've tried using needle nose pliers but I don't want to mess up the boot. Any suggestions?

There are caps that slip over the bare threads on a plug. sure it's not one of those? As fitted from the factory it was.

Rogue, Coquille rivers kicking out coho salmon
Fish report for September 24-30 Fishermen who are willing to travel to Gold Beach or as far up the coast as Bandon have been puttin’ the hurtin’ on some coho salmon, and the action is expected to continue to thrill fishermen through next week. Paul LeFebvre, Brookings’ own local fishing enthusiast was high boat last week when he really put the pedal to the metal on over 20 silvers in one day ...

Thanks for visiting!

This entry was posted on Tuesday, October 23rd, 2007 at 5:08 pm and is filed under Screwdrivers And Pliers. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.