CUSTOM CONNECTING RODS AND SIDE RODS FOR STEAM ENGINES

AVAILABLE HERE: http://www.bricklink.com/store.asp?p=zephyr

Shortly after discovering Big Ben's Bricks, I found myself dissatisfied with 
any of the alternatives for driver rods (connecting and side rods) on brick 
built steam engines. Out of determination, I have produced driver rods that 
are compatible with BBB and Lego's steam engine wheels. These parts are 
designed to be driver rods, they are a little thicker than a plate and a 
little thinner than a 1/2 Technic beam. This odd thickness is deliberate, the 
rods are designed so that they should not rub against the rim of the wheels. 
The rods float on the pin cuff- compatible with 3/4 pins or full Technic 
pins. So now you can paint the rims of your driver wheels if you are so 
inclined.

Given the wide array of possible configurations and the limits of my 
pocketbook, I have opted to fabricate these custom driver rods using rapid 
prototyping technology. As a result, the possibilities are literally endless, 
e.g., half stud offsets for BBB small drivers should be feasible. 

My store only contains those driver rods for which I have completed designs 
and fabricated at least one copy. Other configurations are feasible, contact 
me via BL messages and we can discuss (I can't guarantee that I can make 
everything, and in any event, expect a longer lead time on new parts since I 
will have to design it).

The surface of the driver rods is a little rough because the fabrication 
technique, but it is hardly noticeable except when you are extremely close 
up. There are only a few fabrication colors to choose from- gray, black and 
red and I cannot adjust the colors. Fortunately, the gray is pretty close to 
light-blay. I have not yet tried the other colors for a match to lego colors. 
As such, black and red are only available upon request (again, contact me via 
BL messages).

Since steam engines typically have a matched pair of rods, these driver rods 
are also sold in matched pairs. If you only want one of a given kind, contact 
me and I'll be happy to set aside a special lot for you.

There are several fixed costs per fabrication run, so to keep costs down I 
will do a batch production job based on the paid orders (I anticipate doing 
so about once a month, but I will contact any active paid orders in the event 
of unforeseen complications). Production takes 2-3 weeks. As a result, the 
time between placing your order and standard shipping should range between 3-
6 weeks. 

You can expedite your production by choosing that option on checkout- in 
which case, I will break from my cycle and will begin fabrication immediately 
(still expect 2-3 weeks before shipping to account for the production time).

I now also have a few prefabricated rods that am listing at slightly higher 
prices (to cover the fixed costs). If you see these in the store they are 
available for immediate shipping without any additional cost. Note, however, 
that it only makes sense to order prefabricated rods if ALL of the rods in 
your order are prefabricated.

AVAILABLE HERE: http://www.bricklink.com/store.asp?p=zephyr