Just Wondering

11408 Views 87 Replies 29 Participants Last post by rbednarik, May 22, 2008

Steve S.

Discussion Starter · May 16, 2008

I was wondering if it might not be a good option for Accucraft to offer their engines in a "Custom tuned version"? When someone places their order they could take their chances on getting a good runner, or pay extra upfront and be assured that it would be. There are other products that are offered this way, why not Accucraft Loco's. If you are mechanically inclined and like to tinker you can take your chances with what is right of the assembly line, and if not up to par, get it running right yourself. If not, (Like me) it would be well worth the extra money charged to get a well tuned runner right out of the box. As it is now, if you have problems you spend a lot of time and shipping expense to and from Accucraft for warranty work, let alone the chances you take with the shippers messing up your prized Loco in route. I think many would be happy to pay more to get a good runner up front and avoid the hassles down the road. What do you think?

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Dave -- Use Coal

· #6 · May 16, 2008

Just Wondering --

Why not make them all "right" in the first place. Make them all the same during production and make them all "right." From a quality control/quality assuance and business perspective this seems like the way to go./DesktopModules/NTForums/themes/mls/emoticons/ermm.gif

My engines are all either Aster or Roundhouse and they all ran "right" in the first place. Now having said that, Ya'll can tell I really only know about Accucraft by observing those owned by others and what I read in the magazines and see on line. /DesktopModules/NTForums/themes/mls/emoticons/crazy.gif

At this point if I am going to spend 5,000.00 on an engine it probably will not be an Accucraft. But to each his own. Obviously Accucraft has a big following. So far the information in the thread "Rebuilt C21 by Dave Hottman" has done nothing tp put an Accrucaft on my want list. And -- the main reason they are not on my list is the (current) apparent need for after market tuning alluded to by Steve./DesktopModules/NTForums/themes/mls/emoticons/whistling.gif

I am considering the purchase of a K-36; however, I am more and more leary of how one may perform out of the box./DesktopModules/NTForums/themes/mls/emoticons/unsure.gif

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Dave -- Use Coal

· #38 · May 19, 2008

And having three Shawe built coal fired engines, I can tell everyone that when he delivers one of his engines it is as close to perfection as one can get.

/DesktopModules/NTForums/themes/mls/emoticons/laugh.gif

The engines are well worth the cost and the wait. /DesktopModules/NTForums/themes/mls/emoticons/satisfied.gif

They are ready to run out of the box. And the Shawe engines really are a bargain when you consider he not only builds a boiler he also assembles an engine. /DesktopModules/NTForums/themes/mls/emoticons/whistling.gif

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Dave -- Use Coal

· #70 · May 21, 2008

So far no one has mentioned the Aristo-Craft Mikado.

As with Accrucraft, I have never owned the Midado but have observed several.

Of the first several Aristo-Craft Mikados I saw only one ran "out-of-the-box." My observation indicates this engine has both design and quality problems.

Yes, they are now advertising a new and improved version.

What bothers me is that this engine was intended to be a first (introductory) live steam engine. The question is whether the owners leave live steam in disgust do to lack of satisfaction with these engines. I doubt they will be as enthused about live steam as I was after getting my first Roundhouse engine.

Oh yes, and I doubt I would be as enthused as I am if my first engine had been a Accrucraft.

Dave

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