Econogon - Revision history

Dnevil: /* Side Ribs and End Ribs */

2025-08-14T13:32:26Z

Side Ribs and End Ribs

← Older revision		Revision as of 08:32, 14 August 2025
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	** hand or belt sander		** hand or belt sander
	** jig or sabre saw		** jig or sabre saw
	** tape measure.		** tape measure
	* MATERIALS		* MATERIALS
	** 1/8 inch paneling scraps		** 1/8 inch paneling scraps

Dnevil: /* Side Ribs and End Ribs */

2025-08-14T13:32:08Z

Side Ribs and End Ribs

← Older revision		Revision as of 08:32, 14 August 2025
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	You'll need the following tools and materials for these parts:		You'll need the following tools and materials for these parts:

	* TOOLS - ~~Hammer,~~ hand or belt sander, jig or sabre saw, tape measure.		* TOOLS
	* MATERIALS — 1/8 inch paneling scraps, 1/2 inch plywood scraps, small brad nails 1/2 inch long, round-head brass linoleum nails 5/8 inch long, wood glue, 1/2 inch square wood strips, primer and paint.		** carpenters hammer
			** [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ball-peen_hammer ball peen hammer]
			** hand or belt sander
			** jig or sabre saw
			** tape measure.
			* MATERIALS
			** 1/8 inch paneling scraps
			** 1/2 inch plywood scraps
			** small brad nails 1/2 inch long
			** round-head brass linoleum nails 5/8 inch long
			** wood glue
			** 1/2 inch square wood strips
			** primer and paint

	Study the drawings and complete as many Side Ribs and End Ribs as are required for the type [[Econogon]] you're building. Shape and assemble them according to the details.		Study the drawings and complete as many Side Ribs and End Ribs as are required for the type [[Econogon]] you're building. Shape and assemble them according to the details.

Dnevil: /* Basic Dimensions, Tools and Materials */

2025-08-14T13:28:18Z

Basic Dimensions, Tools and Materials

← Older revision		Revision as of 08:28, 14 August 2025
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	You'll need the following tools and materials to cut and assemble the main body:		You'll need the following tools and materials to cut and assemble the main body:

	* TOOLS - Hammer, hand or power wood saw, carpenter's square (to check squareness), tape measure, pencil.		* TOOLS
	* MATERIALS — 4d nails, 1-1/2 inch roofing nails~~, 3/8, 1/2 and 5/8 inch thick exterior plywood.~~ <i>Ed: sheetrock screws will work better than nails, as they are less likely to work loose</i>.		** Hammer
			** hand or power wood saw
			** carpenter's square (to check squareness)
			** tape measure
			** pencil
			* MATERIALS
			** 4d nails
			** 1-1/2 inch roofing nails <i>Ed: sheetrock screws will work better than nails, as they are less likely to work loose</i>
			** 3/8, 1/2 and 5/8 inch thick exterior plywood

	First, cut the plywood to the following sizes:		First, cut the plywood to the following sizes:

Dnevil at 13:26, 14 August 2025

2025-08-14T13:26:17Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 08:26, 14 August 2025
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	[[Category:Beginners]]		[[Category:Beginners]]
	[[File:Econogon modeltec may1984-1.jpg\|right\|thumb\|500px\|Harold Hunley Jr and his son Christopher in a mill-type version of an Econogon in 1980.]]		[[File:Econogon modeltec may1984-1.jpg\|right\|thumb\|500px\|Harold Hunley Jr and his son Christopher in a mill-type version of an Econogon in 1980.]]
	Build a String of [[Econogon]]d		Build a String of [[Econogon]]s

	by Harold E. Hunley, Jr.		by Harold E. Hunley, Jr.

Dnevil: /* Side Ribs and End Ribs */

2025-08-14T13:25:51Z

Side Ribs and End Ribs

← Older revision		Revision as of 08:25, 14 August 2025
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	Once you have this all together, prime and paint your [[Econogon]] your own personal color scheme and letter it as you wish. Then install your trucks and couplers and take your [[Econogon]] out to your track or to your club track and enjoy!		Once you have this all together, prime and paint your [[Econogon]] your own personal color scheme and letter it as you wish. Then install your trucks and couplers and take your [[Econogon]] out to your track or to your club track and enjoy!

	[[File:Econogon modeltec may1984-2.jpg\|center]]		== Drawings ==

			[[File:Econogon modeltec may1984-2.jpg\|center\|800px]]

Dnevil: /* Basic Dimensions, Tools and Materials */

2025-08-14T13:25:15Z

Basic Dimensions, Tools and Materials

← Older revision		Revision as of 08:25, 14 August 2025
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	After cutting the plywood, take the two ends, glue and nail to the car floor with 4d nails (5 each end, start at center and work out towards each side). Nail them flush with the ends of the floor. Set the floor and ends aside.		After cutting the plywood, take the two ends, glue and nail to the car floor with 4d nails (5 each end, start at center and work out towards each side). Nail them flush with the ends of the floor. Set the floor and ends aside.

	On the car sides (position better side out), measure and mark with pencil the		On the car sides (position better side out), measure and mark with pencil the center locations of the side ribs (see rib location drawing - 9 on G-1, 11 on G-5) Once you have done this, glue and nail (with roofing nails) the car sides to the ends and floor. Start nailing into the ends beginning at the top, about 3/4 inch in and 1 inch down from the top of the car side until you check side overlap at the underside of the floor. Then measure from the bottom of the floor to the bottom of the car sides. That dimension, plus half of the floor thickness, is the position line for the nails through the car sides into the car floor. When this point is determined, mark a pencil line the entire length of the side. Where this line crosses the vertical lines for the side rib centerlines, nail (with roofing nails) the sides to the floor. The heads of the roofing nails will be covered later with the side ribs. This line will also be used as a guide for rivet detail at the floor line.

			When all of these parts are assembled, you'll have, at least, an oblong open-top box. Set it aside and begin the next step:

			== Side Ribs and End Ribs ==

			You'll need the following tools and materials for these parts:

			* TOOLS - Hammer, hand or belt sander, jig or sabre saw, tape measure.
			* MATERIALS — 1/8 inch paneling scraps, 1/2 inch plywood scraps, small brad nails 1/2 inch long, round-head brass linoleum nails 5/8 inch long, wood glue, 1/2 inch square wood strips, primer and paint.

			Study the drawings and complete as many Side Ribs and End Ribs as are required for the type [[Econogon]] you're building. Shape and assemble them according to the details.

			Once you have your Side Ribs and End Ribs ready, you can begin to glue and nail them on your wood box. For placement of Side Stakes and the rivet pattern, see the drawing. Rivets should be as shown when placed in order on the car, except for the bottom four rivets on each stake: the linoleum nails here should be placed no less than 3/4 inch apart.

			After the Side Ribs are in place, you can proceed to nail the rivet detail at the outside floor line that was drawn earlier, spacing them 3/4 inch apart.

			At this point, all the rooting nails in the car side should be covered ... except at the corners where you still have the big heads of the roofing nails looking right at you. These will be covered by sheet metal angles which can be made from steel or aluminum, 3/4 inch by 3/4 inch by length needed for the style [[Econogon]] you're building. Rivets here should be placed 3/4 inch on centers.

			The End Ribs are installed with glue and 4d nails. If the nails protrude to the inside of the car, cut these off or brad them with a steel block.

			After all the Side Ribs and End Ribs are installed, the next step will be the Top Rail. That is the piece which extends around the entire top of the car sides and ends. This is made from a wood strip 1/4 inch by 1-1/4 inch length needed. The Top Rail is secured with glue and 5/8 inch linoleum nails spaced 4 inch on centers. After the glue has had time to cure, shape the Top Rail as shown on the drawing.

			By the time you're this far along, you can really tell just what you're building. The wooden box has been transformed into an [[Econogon]]!

			The Sill Steps and Grab Irons are the next step.

			The Grab Irons are made from ordinary clothes hangers. They are bent to shape and the ends are flattened with a steel block or anvil and a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ball-peen_hammer ball peen hammer]. File the flattened ends to a round profile and then drill to clear the linoleum nails for mounting. From one Grab Iron to the next, the bends may vary a little but that won't matter much. Place them in a sequence where they won't be noticed.

			The Sill Step is made from steel, brass, or aluminum, 1/16 inch by 1/4 inch by length needed. Bend and twist as per drawing and then drill to clear the rivet (linoleum nail) and mount on all four corners as shown on the drawing.

			The Center Sill on the original gondolas are ordinary (knot-free) 2 inch by 2 inch by length needed or 2 inch by 4 inch ripped lengthwise. They are mounted with glue and #12 by 1-1/2 inch wood screws after the coupler pockets and body bolsters are in-stalled. Apply the screws from the inside of the car to prevent any protruding screw tips in the passenger area.

			Side Bearing blocks are mounted after the trucks are installed to check clearance between the Truck Bolster and the Car Floor. These blocks are mounted to help prevent excessive side rock of the car either loaded or empty. The blocks can be of steel, brass, aluminum or hardwood. The gons built for the BRLS had hardwood Side Bearing Blocks.

			The drawings show the Coupler Pockets and Car Body Bolsters. Mount them with 1/4 inch carriage bolts with all bolts passing through the wooden car floor. The Coupler Pocket will have a 5/16 inch or 3/8 inch coupler retaining bolt to suit your couplers and the Body Bolster will have a center hole to match your trucks, probably 3/8 inch or 1/2 inch bolts.

			Once you have this all together, prime and paint your [[Econogon]] your own personal color scheme and letter it as you wish. Then install your trucks and couplers and take your [[Econogon]] out to your track or to your club track and enjoy!

			[[File:Econogon modeltec may1984-2.jpg\|center]]

Dnevil at 13:13, 14 August 2025

2025-08-14T13:13:04Z

@@ Line 2: / Line 2: @@
 [[Category:Beginners]]
 [[File:Econogon modeltec may1984-1.jpg|right|thumb|500px|Harold Hunley Jr and his son Christopher in a mill-type version of an Econogon in 1980.]]
-Build a String of [[Econogons]]
+Build a String of [[Econogon]]d
 by Harold E. Hunley, Jr.
 [[Modeltec]], May 1984

Dnevil: Created page with "Category:Construction Category:Beginners Harold Hunley Jr and his son Christopher in a mill-type version of an Econogon in 1980. Build a String of Econogons by Harold E. Hunley, Jr. Modeltec, May 1984"

2025-08-14T12:58:34Z

Created page with "Category:Construction Category:Beginners right|thumb|500px|Harold Hunley Jr and his son Christopher in a mill-type version of an Econogon in 1980. Build a String of Econogons by Harold E. Hunley, Jr. Modeltec, May 1984"

New page

[[Category:Construction]]
[[Category:Beginners]]
[[File:Econogon modeltec may1984-1.jpg|right|thumb|500px|Harold Hunley Jr and his son Christopher in a mill-type version of an Econogon in 1980.]]
Build a String of [[Econogons]]

by Harold E. Hunley, Jr.

[[Modeltec]], May 1984