Poling Pocket Primer

[icghogger]

To make the poling pocket castings on my build of the Columbus & Greenville Railway SD28, I used a modeler's punch and die set to replicate this little detail. There are a couple of different brands available (Waldron, Historex, etc.), but I used the Micro-Mark set as it had the correct sizes for HO scale.



.First, you begin by making a styrene fixture plate that will position the disk under the punch that will make the ring. I use .010" styrene sheet stock for mine. The fixture must be the same thickness (or thinner) than the rings we are making. Drill a hole to fit the plate to the die plate pin, so that the styrene fixture will pivot around the pin to help remove the ring after it is punched out.

[icghogger]

Next, punch the holes that will be used to position the styrene plate on the steel die plate for making the rings. The two outer holes will align the plate and the center hole will hold the disk that will become the ring.



Once you have punched the three holes, drill out the center hole so it is the same size as the top hole, in this case .098".

[icghogger]

Next, punch out your blank disks from .010" styrene sheet stock.



Then place your first disk in the center hole of the styrene fixture.



Set the guide plate on the punch and die set, place the locator pins in the outer holes and punch your first ring.



Which should look like this.



While you can use a hammer to punch out your rings, I have an old arbor press on hand that I use so I can better control the movement of the punch (and keep my fingers out of harm's way). You could also use a small drill press to do the job, if you prefer.

[icghogger]

Then make a whole pot full of rings, just to make the day interesting.



Here is a ring set in place on an A-Line/RPP GP7 frame.



Once it is cemented in place and set for a day or so, I put a drop of thick liquid cement in the center and let capillary action create a nice "dished-out" look to the center of the ring, much like the casting on the real thing.

[EMDX6043]

I need some neat toys like that...

[icghogger]

I know, Dave, so many toys, so little time.........

[Randy Earle]

Nice solution Robert.

[EMDX6043]

Maybe Micromark will come out with a credit card or something...

[ranchwagon]

Cool! Great tip, Robert!

[icghogger]

Thanks, Randy and Kerry!

[Randy Earle]

Remember how I made mine?

[icghogger]

I don't recall how you did yours, Randy, please refresh our collective memory!!

[Randy Earle]

Evergreen tubing and an Exacto Saw. lol

[icghogger]

It ain't lazy if it works (that's called "innovation, Uncle Jay)!! Besides, I tend to "think" too much on simple items, especially when the most obvious answer is right in front of me

Actually, Randy's idea works just as well for me ....and I would have NEVER thought of cuttin' up a ditch light casting....

[m a y o r 79]

The ditchlight is a good idea, especially if you dont have all the fancy toys that Robert has

[Randy Earle]

Jay, you are a clever old dude. ;D

[scl1523]

Robert,
Thank you very much for sharing your technique. This goes above and beyond, and I can't say thanks enough for sharing this information with photos. This gives me a good reason to get a micro punch now! Just what the wife wanted to hear!

[rh38671]

I think I once read that GM&O GP38AC's were among or maybe the last factory delivered units with poling pockets? (My fergetter works better every day)
Some online pictures of GM&O # 733 built December 1971(?) show them back when the paint was showing little wear.

[icghogger]

Photos restored.