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...........................--- No Mill, No Problem Part 1 ---

I feel that some put off decoder installs since they have seen frames that were milled for clearance using …..

….. a mill similar to the one above or a smaller one. It is nice if you have one but you don't need one. I have the one above and a smaller one but still don't use either the majority of the time when I'm installing decoders and need to mill the frame for clearance.

I'll use a Dremel type tool with a flex shaft. I do have a normal Dremel tool but like the flex shaft better. You could use a non-flex shaft Dremel also.

You can find small carbide bits like the one shown above on eBay and other internet sources. I picked up an assortment of types for not much but mainly use the one above.

I have a video up using the rotary cutter ( HERE ).

The photo above and the following are some examples of using the flex drive tool and carbide bit to clearance a frame.

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So don't put off doing decoder installs because you don't have a mill. A mill will do a prettier job but once the shell is on who is going to know. It might let you remove slightly less material but do you really need to pull one more car and in most cases you can add weight to the loco in other places if that is an issue.

On the next page we will look at using a jewelers saw also for clearancing.

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