Seattle Car and Foundry Co. Logging Disconnects
This kit is for 3 pair or 6 of the above disconnect. It comes with 12 side frames, 12 end frames, 6 log bunks, 12 log bunk stops, 6 brake wheels, 6 lock pawls, 24 journal lids, 6 wood cross beams, 6 wood longitudinal beams, 12 Sierra Valley Wheelsets, 6 pair Accucraft couplers, 30+ brass square nuts, 150+ brass NB’s and sufficient brass rod.
First step is to clean up all the flash on the metal casting and sand the wood parts. I then drilled with a # 56 drill and placed all the brass NB’s. The longitudinal beams need to have 1/8" cut from each end. The beams are a bit too long for the couplers to fit into the coupler pockets.
Next step was to drill the end frames for the couplers. I measured the metric screws supplied with the Accu couplers. They measure .075". I drilled out the end frames at the depressions with a # 49 drill (.073"). Then carefully screw the brass metric bolts into the holes. The castings are soft enough and the bolts tough enough to thread the holes. Also you must remove the lower bolt from the draft gear so that the coupler will slide into the pocket.
Next, drill the axial holes with a # 30 (.128"). Do not drill the hole to deep or you will have to much slop in side to side play of the wheels. I drilled the holes approximately 1/8" to 3/16" deep. You will need to test fit for proper fit. The corners are the most tricky part of the assemble. Laid out here is how the parts will go together.
The next step is to drill the holes in the corners. I drilled through the the center of the cast nut on the top strap of the side frame, down through the top and bottom straps of the end frame and only half way through the bottom strap of the side frame. You do not want to drill too deep as you will destroy the nut / bolt casting at the bottom of the end frame. I loosely assembled the side and end frames and wood beams and held the parts together with a rubber band. Then off to the drill press. The brass rod is .060" diameter and I used a # 52 drill (.062"). There will be overhang of strap material which will be sanded off after gluing. A little clamp helps hold things together.
After drilling all 4 corners, assemble the unit with wheels and insert the brass rod through the corners. The brass nut is threaded and too small for the brass rod to penetrate, so I drilled it out also with the # 52 drill. The first corner maybe a bit tricky, but work out your method and do all 4 corners. When finished, should look like this.
After sanding the corners and the protruding brass rod.
And to finish up the disconnect, drill a # 52 hole through the depression in the center of the log bunk. Press a length of brass rod though the hole and put a nut on top. Sand flush. Drill a #52 hole in the center of the longitudinal wood beam and press the log bunk assemble into the hole. Glue the log bunk stops on either side of the log bunk. Glue the journal lids on the journal boxes. Drill a # 52 hole through the brake wheel and lockpawl and side end of the longitudinal wood beam and install. Screw the couplers into the end frames and your done.
