Services for Brass Models
Hourly rate: 55.00 per hour. Services includes but not limited to:
Painting
Mechanical (binding, gearbox, wheel gauge, motoring, weight, etc)
Detail (replace, repair, etc)
Decoder installation
Decoder replacement
Lighting (front, rear, mars, firebox, markers, cab, etc)
Weathering
Testing
Electrical contacts
The price of a decoder installation will not be more than 550.00 (all parts and repairs) unless something catastrophic happens (gearbox fails for example). Pricing example: I installed decoders in 3 Precision NH I-5s 4-6-2s, and all 3 had different pricing between 450 and 550. One model, the lead truck was forced between the rails and chassis. To solve the problem, I had to moved the the compressors up. This is a timley process. The detail has to be removed, soldered into place, tested, painted, and tested again.
Please keep in mind, it takes time to bill, pack and go to the post office.
I am not reposible shipping damage on your end. I take full responsiblity for shipping on my end.
Decoder Installation
If you want all the wires hooked up and a decoder installed, we are not the people you are looking for. If you want your locomotive to operate in the correct matter, we are the people for you. Brass locomotives are finicky and we will not take on a job to install a decoder only for your locomotive to derail, not pull, jerks, etc. We take pride in our work. The model must operate in the correct manner. Any major work to improve the model such as a new motor or gearbox, we will notify you. On the videos page, there are two videos of both steam and diesel completed decoder installation with working lights. All decoder installation include but not limited to are:
Decoder
Current Keeper
2 Mini Cube Speakers (each model will vary on speakers)
2 harnesses between engine and tender (each model will vary )
Electrical upgrade on tender trucks
Working lights (each model will vary)
Drive Improvements (this does not include motor or gearbox replacement. It does include universal replacement, cleaning, etc)
Binds
Wheel Gauge
Repair of the detail that effects the operation of the locomotive (clearance of lead or trailing truck, piping, pilot htiing the rail, etc)
Working couplers
Weight
Painting
Painting consist of:
Drive upgrade and tested for operation under DC.
Model completely taking apart for cleaning, repair, decoding prep (holes for lights, etc).
Stripped with powerful aircraft remover.
Lacquer bath inside a ultra sonic cleaner.
Model is check for loose parts.
Sand blasted.
Model is check for loose parts.
Painted.
Baked.
Decals.
Baked.
Assembled.
Tested, tested and tested more.
Protective clear finish.
Tested.
Weathered.
Tested.
Mechanical
Mechanical upgrades can be tricky. Every model is different. Some models can be so picky at times. As costumers, you may not understand the time that is put into models for flawless operation. Binds must be located and fixed, shorts located, motors mounted, gearbox modification or replacement, parts come loose etc. This takes time. There is nothing like the insulation on a driver going bad after the model is fixed. Or worse, after it has been sent back to the customer, a hidden shorts reveals itself after 2 months. Brand new models have wheels out of gauge. It takes time and patience for some of these models. To get a model to run smoothly may take more time them the decoder stallation.
Mechanical upgrades included but limited to are:
Motor replacement
Gearbox replacement
Gearbox modifications
Wheels are gauged.
Binds removed (burrs cleaned, free movement of valve gear, etc).
Repairs of hangers, rivets, etc.
Springs.
Detail moved for truck clearance.
New universals.
Insulation replacement.
Weight.
Operating Couplers
Weathering
Weathering is unavailable this time. Ken the weathering guy is unavailable. I am looking for someone who is as good and can be trusted as Ken.
Projects
I enjoy projects. However, they take time to construct and because of this, I have limited the amount of projects per year to 4. Please call for availability.
The Works
If your locomotive needs everything, just ask for The Works. The Works includes everything on this page.