T.H.E.R.R. Reborn!

mtntrainman Jul 9, 2012

  1. Shortround

    Shortround TrainBoard Member

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    I just wish I still had Windows 7. 8 and 8.1 sucked but 10 fried that 10 year old that had 7 in. I recently found out the used replacement is set up to be on a network and is only a site computer that needs it's mama. :mad: May need to replace it soon.
     
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  2. Jim Reising

    Jim Reising In Memoriam

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    In Device Manager, look for Universal Serial bus Controllers and Universal Serial Bus Devices. Click the arrow next to them, and you should see one assigned to Port 3.
     
  3. mtntrainman

    mtntrainman TrainBoard Supporter

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    I'll give that a try Jim...thanks...(y)
     
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  4. Rich_S

    Rich_S TrainBoard Member

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    Hi George, Looking at the attached photo I have one question, Is your Digitrax 14 VDC power supply attached to the PR3? I see the track wires are attached to your programming track and the USB cord is handing there, I also see the 14 VDC power supply plugged into the power strip but I do not see the power cord plugged into the PR3. This may not be the problem, but I'm just wondering "out loud" so to speak?

    One other question, when you plug your PR3 USB cable into your laptop, does the laptop play a sound?
    When I connect my USB cable to my computer, Windows plays this sound.



    I also get an icon on the task bar when I connect the USB cable to my computer.
    If you do not, I'd suggest connecting the PR3 to your laptop and reinstall the Digitrax device driver software and see if that helps?
     
  5. mtntrainman

    mtntrainman TrainBoard Supporter

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    So years ago I made my own 'jig' to assemble MT couplers. It's simple and it works. A block of wood with a hole drilled in it. A pointy 'do-dad' thing I found in my wifes late grandmothers sewing box. A curved dental pick for slipping those ^&*&^&&^* little centering springs into the coupler box. I got pretty quick at making couplers.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]


    Fast forward a bunch of years. I needed to make some more couplers. Found the wood block and the curved dental pick. Couldnt fimd that little red handled 'do-dad' to save my _____ !!!!:mad::mad:
    Looked EVERYWHERE....multiple times. Drove me crazy !! Gave up and tried weeks later. Still 'no joy'. !!!:mad:

    Last week I was going to weather some cars. I went up in the cupboard above the layout and reached for my weathering chalks which where under a small plastic box marked 'MT couplers'.
    [​IMG]

    I took down those two boxes to get the one marked 'Chalks' I needed. Something caught my eye through the clear lid of the coupler box.

    [​IMG]

    OK!!! I swear I checked that box for that little red handled 'do-dad'...multiple times !!!! :mad::mad::mad::mad:.


    .
     
  6. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    I borrowed it. Just managed to sneak it back into that box, so you wouldn't be mad at me.... :p:p:p:ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO:
     
  7. Shortround

    Shortround TrainBoard Member

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    I've got one of those lil 'do-dads'. And another bigger one.
     
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  8. MK

    MK TrainBoard Member

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  9. NtheBasement

    NtheBasement TrainBoard Member

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    Wow, that's pretty brave dealing with the flying springs from a doodad sticking way up in the air like that. I took to building them in a shoe box so they ricochet around to where I can find them. Usually.
     
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  10. Rich_S

    Rich_S TrainBoard Member

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    George, you are a genius (y) Like a lot of others, I got tired to trying to put together Micro-Trains couplers by hand and ended up purchasing one of their jigs.

    Coupler Assembly Fixture.jpg

    It works, but I could have saved myself a couple of bucks with your method. Of course the one thing I cannot work without while assembling the couplers is my OptiVisor.
     
  11. mtntrainman

    mtntrainman TrainBoard Supporter

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    Rich...I agree...an Optivisor is the MOST essential tool in this old mans arsenal !! (y)(y)
     
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  12. mtntrainman

    mtntrainman TrainBoard Supporter

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    I can honestly say I have lost only a couple springs. Getting them into the coupler box with the curved dental pick and sliding them off it and tipping them in between the coupler and the post with an Exacto knife #11 is a challenge I have somewhat mastered. :whistle:(y)
     
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  13. Shortround

    Shortround TrainBoard Member

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    The MT couplers and assembly trikes look interesting. But I will soon need to get to the Kadee #178 couplers and assemble the flat cars they go on. Think I will need some tools for the fun.
    Then back to the N gauge.
     
  14. Jim Reising

    Jim Reising In Memoriam

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    It's surprising how fast you can get with a little practice, and how easy it seems. And it's a lot like riding a bike...once you learn it, you've got it. I find when I've been doing it a while I don't really need the optivisor.
     
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  15. freddy_fo

    freddy_fo TrainBoard Member

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    I'm not one to skimp on tools but I find round toothpicks and a foam block perfectly adequate for coupler assembly. One toothpick stuck in the foam block and another for handling the springs. Nice thing with the tapered end of the toothpick is you can slightly wedge the spring in place while handling it then once positioned in the pocket use a fingernail to push it off and into the pocket.
     
  16. Rich_S

    Rich_S TrainBoard Member

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    Here's another neat idea. All this time I've been handling the springs with the back side of a #11 xacto blade. I'll have to give this idea a try the next time I need to assemble a few couplers. Thanks for the info Freddy_fo.
     
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  17. mtntrainman

    mtntrainman TrainBoard Supporter

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    Like BNSF FAN (Richard) I dug out the remaining trees I had and planted some around 'Jeans Valley Bridge' and 'J&J Horse Ranch'. The area looks so much better now...:)

    .
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    .[​IMG]

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  18. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Also, if it does not play a sound, be certain that is enabled. I have most of those disabled on my laptop.
     
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  19. BNSF FAN

    BNSF FAN TrainBoard Supporter

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    The trees are looking great George! (y)(y)(y) The 8 ball is cool too!
     
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  20. mtntrainman

    mtntrainman TrainBoard Supporter

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    Ahhhhhhhh..the ol '8 ball' water tower ! lol. I have a few of those old styrofoam antenna toppers around. I change them up now and then...;)
     

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