mtrpls
Ignorance is Patriotic
OK, so I can't stand plastic stirrup steps that are included with many of today's plastic kits. The slightest bump, accident or derailment results in the stirrup step breaking off. Simply put, plastic stirrups are too fragile and this is why I have began to experiment with metal stirrups.
I just recently purchased a package of metal stirrups from A-Line, and am installing them on an Eel River Models 62' beer car. I am stymied, however, on how to permanently attach the metal stirrup step to the plastic car. As you will see in the photo below, the car contains a plastic sill through which two holes are drilled for "side mounting" the stirrup step horizontally through the body. For the plastic stirrups that came included with the kit, the answer is simple: just use some cement or Tenax to weld it to the car. The metal stirrups seem more complicated:
As you can see, the "mounting pins" of the metal stirrup have been bent 90 degrees to mount horizontally through the plastic sill of the boxcar. The fit is perfect, although I would like to cut off the excess of the pins that protrude beyond the plastic sill. MY PROBLEM: every method I've tried to permanently secure the metal stirrup to the car has failed; Testors glue will bond the connection somewhat, but the slightest jar or impact will crack the glue, resulting in a loose step.
I am thinking of using a soldering iron to pour a small puddle of solder on each of the stirrup's pins, my hope being that the solder will bond to the metal pins of the stirrup and result in a strong bond with the plastic body. The prospect of using a soldering iron (of which I have little experience) on a plastic car, to create a metal-plastic connection seems unusual and risky?
Can anyone offer any advice on how I can create a STRONG and DURABLE bond between stirrup and plastic body?
Any help would be much appreciated.
I just recently purchased a package of metal stirrups from A-Line, and am installing them on an Eel River Models 62' beer car. I am stymied, however, on how to permanently attach the metal stirrup step to the plastic car. As you will see in the photo below, the car contains a plastic sill through which two holes are drilled for "side mounting" the stirrup step horizontally through the body. For the plastic stirrups that came included with the kit, the answer is simple: just use some cement or Tenax to weld it to the car. The metal stirrups seem more complicated:
As you can see, the "mounting pins" of the metal stirrup have been bent 90 degrees to mount horizontally through the plastic sill of the boxcar. The fit is perfect, although I would like to cut off the excess of the pins that protrude beyond the plastic sill. MY PROBLEM: every method I've tried to permanently secure the metal stirrup to the car has failed; Testors glue will bond the connection somewhat, but the slightest jar or impact will crack the glue, resulting in a loose step.
I am thinking of using a soldering iron to pour a small puddle of solder on each of the stirrup's pins, my hope being that the solder will bond to the metal pins of the stirrup and result in a strong bond with the plastic body. The prospect of using a soldering iron (of which I have little experience) on a plastic car, to create a metal-plastic connection seems unusual and risky?
Can anyone offer any advice on how I can create a STRONG and DURABLE bond between stirrup and plastic body?
Any help would be much appreciated.
