7mm Parky's Workbench

[simond]

Peter,

2.5 litres of lead shot will do a lot of models... I bought it about 20 years ago, and I’ve still got about 60% left. My kitchen scales overload at 5kg, and the remaining shot weighs more than that! Certainly not adding it to PVA any more!

I used lead shot ankle weights sometimes when diving, probably still have them somewhere (very good for fitness, wearing half a kilo of lead on each ankle all day, every day... perhaps I should look them out and use them!) My belt weights were cast rather than pouches of shot.

eBay pricing around £5.50/ kilo if you buy 10kg; our local gun shop selling a kilo at £4.50, no problem getting it as far as I’m aware.

Best
Simon

 

[parky]

Not quite up to the heady heights of other peoples builds but a lot has been learnt in the process



with the obligatory sticky tape to hold the sides together. The main coal hopper is in place with the next challenge the fireiron tunnel fabrication to do from the provided pieces with a few extra bits to fill in the gaps from what I read

Must get the proper camera out and find a more photogenic location while I am doing the next bit

 

[parky]

Well that was a learning experience. Turned out to be more of a Cut & Shut process than scatchbuilding. I need to do the shutting bit tonight and cleanup the bits I didn't do last night

I realise that this is the biggest challenge in this kit, so hats off to those folk on here that battle on with lesser kits than this one. The concept of making things fit like this throughout the whole build is I suppose what people have to do where that is the only kit available



Looking

Looking forward, I need to pick up a gearbox while I build the chassis up again. Has anyone got any recommendations for ones that fit without having to modify the firebox in the Gladiator Duchesses. I realise that this is a bit of a cop out as I could make templates to try them out, but I don't want to end up with the wrong one

 

[Genghis]

The ABC VMS2C 26:1 is a fit. We can now also provide replacement fireboxes to replace the somewhat undernourished originals. Send the original back to us and we will replace it. Address on gladiator website.
David

 

[P A D]

Hi Alan (spotted your name at the bottom of the post),
Sorry I meant to post these earlier. My tender build was complicated by adding the stanchions to the left hand turn on the side, which is not catered for in the kit. After separating the bunker sides from the slop and the bottom, I added the bunker bottom first and made sure that was central and pushed up against the rear bunker bulk head. This left a gap at the front that I covered with waste etch. I subsequently filed it thinner and it can barely be seen after painting. I then added the sloping side after making the cuts for the stanchion. Some filing of the top corners may be needed to allow for the turn ins on both sides.There was also a gap on the slopes that was covered with waste etch. The other slight gaps were filled with solder. Again these are not very noticeable after painting. Surprisingly, after fitting the right bunker side plate, there was only a slight gap, which I left as it is hidden under the fire iron tunnel. Note the piece of rod added for the fire irons at the front of the tunnel floor, that is easier to do before you put the top on.


You have left a gap between the tunnel parts, but I found it fitted OK with a bit of cajoling, although I did some more work at the back end where it tapers, before adding the tank side. If you have gaps on the left side, better to fill them and clean up before the right side is added.


Hope that helps.

Cheers,
Peter

 

[parky]

Interesting there Peter as I seemed to have an excess at the shovel plate end when fitting the slope to the contour of the main frame. I see now that the side plate on mine is slightly lower which is probably the difference. That will stay unless I pick up a sheet of brass at the Bristol show and re-make the lot

Had a break from building last night and stripped the loco footplate down and cleaned it up in preparation for my new build standards. This will have to wait a week as have just ordered a GW Rivet tool to carefully improve the rivets whilst I can

 

[P A D]

A good investment. It makes a big a big improvement even if you only use to punch half etch rivets.

 

[Pannier Tank]

Another thing that has kept the soldering iron off in another direction has been exploring the mysteries of MERG and their technologies
<snip>
If you want a thread purely on building something like this then let me know and I will put something together. Also at £16 a year MERG membership is a bargain

I'm currently putting together a few MERG CBUS Boards on the Test Bench with a view of coming up with a design that will incorporate a Scalefour Lever Frame, Arduino for Interlocking and MERG CANmio Boards for Layout Control.

So yes, I would be interested to see a new thread showing your application of MERG Kits and any other Electronics that you have incorporated on your Layout.

 

[simond]

David

Fabrice Fayolle has already done quite a bit on Arduino interlocking - think it's on that Arduino thread on RMWeb

best
Simon

 

[Pannier Tank]

Hello Simon,

I have been looking at the Arduino interlocking thread. The code is based around LocoNet / DCC and uses Wtv020 Audio Interface. Once I removed the redundant code (LocoNet, DCC & Wtv020) I was left with no Outputs. So I'm having a rethink on whether to pursue using "Bitwise" or try to make my IF/AND Statements a bit more efficient.

 

[adrian]

So yes, I would be interested to see a new thread showing your application of MERG Kits and any other Electronics that you have incorporated on your Layout.

Likewise I'd be interested as I'm trying to incorporate a few MERG CBUS boards combined with a Raspberry Pi and some automation.

 

[parky]

Started another thread on MERG which Adrian has already seen
Pushing on with cleaning the Duchess components down alongside assembling parts for the next three Summers hoppers. The spring laminates are back on the Duchess and will put the bearings in while I am drilling the holes for the plunger pickups I forgot to do last time. Just waiting on the delivery of the rivet press now really as it has a lot to do when it gets here

 

[parky]

Well the GW Rivet press arrived yesterday and all the rivets have been re-done. Yes it was a good buy as they stand out and look more crisp

As everything was cleaned up after the tear down I got this far last night using my JPL chassis jig


In a break in work proceedings today I had a chance to swap over some pieces and we now have this



I still have to finish attaching the frame extensions and tidying up some small pieces of solder that got away. Whilst not up to the standards of a number on here, I am pleased at how it has gone together this time. I have certainly learnt so much from people on here, so thank you all

On with the footplate next

 

[parky]

Quick update and another of not the best quality photos, but things are coming along reasonably. Excuse the wire holding the tender sides as I am waiting for the Bristol show to get some brass sheet to finish the fire iron tunnel

As the riveting tool makes such a good job the smokebox got unrolled and all the rivets re-done. Whilst I was at it I also ground some off the rear edge and ground around the rear fixture plate so now we have the smokebox ring in line with the front of the saddle as per others. It was a bit of a leap of faith. but has come good. Apologies to David as we have a hybrid boiler having bought a Finney spare last year when he was having ongoing issues with getting the castings re-done

I did go a bit off plan when I put the footplate together as I had the front valance and middle cylinder covers all made up in a module before offering it up. As Peter had done I also reduced the cylinder cover by 2mm and the height of the side plates before fitting. I almost don't need to read the instructions, just follow the build on RMWeb



It would be good to get the drawbars in and the cab clips fitted soon as then I can get the Class 40 out and give it a tow around the club layout. It does run smoothly as it is, I just want to confirm that before I am tempted to start adding more of the motion

 

[parky]

A bit of a diversion from brass fettling with the sheet of brass I bought to sort the coal hopper in the tender while I was down at the Bristol show. The shopping list with motor and gearbox on it got torn up as there was an immaculate Heljan Class 37 SYE that just had to come back up to Yorkshire. It sits nicely with the Class 40, just needs a big Zimo chip and speaker like the 40. that will also get the Swiss mapping setup so that we can double head and have the lights looking right

As my local club has been given notice to quite I felt inclined to do something to move my garage layout on a bit


So over a few hours today, I am just needing the tie bar building and fitting to the blades. The blades can then be glued down and this will go nicely next to the curved 3 way that is already built to the same stage. I am still using up the Marcway rail and Peco chairs from the points that I built for others. I might leave the C@L chairs I bought last year to carry on with the plain track with the nice Intenio sleepers so I can retire the Peco track to the stock boxes


This got built the other week along with a plain piece of track to create a photo booth. I do intend to raise the track a bit to give it some semblance of reality and look at some sort of backscene. The 5ft LED Batten light is good for some strong light just need to get it better positioned for photos now I have got the proper camera out

 

[parky]

As others are prone to do on here, I have a few things on the go at present. Moving on from building the turnout, I got on and used up my stock of C&L chairs to make up a number of lengths of straight track so that I can start to plan out my heritage line shed layout in the garage (pictures of that later when it's a bit more sorted)
I then chanced upon an advert by Rob Pulham for some Sidelines kits that would go nicely with my 12 wheeler dining car. It turned out one was a D1925 which would usually be coupled to the D1923 so that fitted and then a D1720a corridor brake brought up the rear nicely. So I called into Rob's on Thursday night to pick up the kits and had a cuppa and a very interesting chat on all things railway large and small. Since then


I need to get the broom handle out and get them sides curved. A friend of mine has offered to paint my rolling stock, but don't think he realises how much paint he will need

Well as part of my heritage shed layout idea I was going to have a MK3 sleeper in the yard as volunteer accommodation. The only kit that I could find was the PRMRP and I didn't want to put more money in there after my experience with the still unfinished Class 37
So a Sidelines LMS Period III sleeper should be on the way this week while I am coach building

And then another thought came to me, wouldn't it be nice to have a rake of 12 wheel sleepers to go with the rest of the coaches for running at the club. I did ask Malcom at Sidelines but he doesn't have plans for any

Malcolm sells those glorious 6 wheel bogies and the roof along with the underfloor gubbins. So all that's missing is the sides and end. Being a sleeper the window detail is not as complex as ordinary coaches
So just sent an email to my friend McGeordie of RMWeb who is a local, for some advice on how to go about this as he is a master of etched wagon kits in P4

I think I need to get some drawings for these coaches as while I could probably scale the dimensions off some good side-on photos on the T'internet, drawings would do the job properly

These coaches do appeal to me for a fairly quick build that do not require much interior detailing and would make up into a stunning rake of coaches (also cheap per foot of train, maybe living in Yorkshire is getting to me )
So hopefully I can get these finished next weekend and take them for a run at the club on the Teusday. Photos promise

 

[parky]

I gave up on the broom handle lark for curving the coach sides as it tends to make an uneven bend. I ended up buying a length of round topped profile skirting board for the local DIY shed. That works a treat and with the use of a portable workbench which acts as a large vice the sides were soon curved and ready for assembly

So now just the buffing and draw gear to add to the sleeper so it can couple up to the existing third class dining car. The far coaches are two I bought off Rob Pulham of this County a Corridor Composite and a Corridor Brake Composite
Still trying to get a decision made on the track plan for the preserved depot layout. It's coming together as I build more track to give a better impression of what the plan is. As I don't plan to fill the layout with track to allow for scenic items the amount of hand built track is not much more in the grand scheme of things. The Peco track will get cascaded to the layout under the house if it ever gets built



Not sure what to do with the Freightliner flats at present. It could be either more or less. Then there is the MMP Mk1 I must get back to now I know a bit more of how to fasten small pieces of brass together. I do like the LCut shed with it's extension on the rear. Another job to carry on with now the roof sections have dried after being joined together. Also more rail and track templates awaiting building when the mood takes me

 

[parky]

As a change from brass manipulation, but whilst inspired by coach building I have been refreshing my CAD ability from years ago. As I mentioned Sidelines don't do the First Class LMS Sleeper and you can't have many 12 wheel dining cars, but you can have 12 wheel sleepers a plenty


So this is where we are up to. I now have a number of Mr Jenkinson's fine books on LMS coaches including the one with 4mm drawings as suggested by Phil. My first cut of this was a approximate, but now all these pieces are mostly finished. Things like rivets in the solebars and jumper cable holes in the ends are still on the to-do list, but I am now looking to get this ready for the etchers. I have a layer in red which is the PPD requirement for a 600mm x 300mm sheet which is the biggest standard size they price without a quote. There will be a subsidiary small sheet for compartment walls and smaller components which will serve as a testbed for my skills before paying to have this big sheet made into a photo tool

Then on to another one of my random thoughts. I had been reading Rod's West Kirby Town thread and that is a seen so familiar from my days as a young'un on the Wirral. So I have a Class 503 on order from Michael Edge, which unfortunately is only in 4mm. That said I know a Southern inspired layout in 4mm that has a third rail so it will have a home. Michael said when I spoke to him at Scalefour North yesterday that the kit comes with a scale drawing so the next part of the plan is in sight


It's only an approximate guess at present, but not that hard to achieve once I have some more accurate dimensions. The challenging bit comes next in getting my head around Fusion 360 as the cab lends itself to a bit of 3D printing. I have a friend at the club has written a book on 3D printing and has an array of machines which I am sure he will let me use to run off a few of these cabs

One thing I have to sort out is how to make a universal floor to cope with the 56' trailer and the 58' driving cars. Saying that it might not be worth it as there will need to be six individual sides to allow for the different coaches and their mirrors so another floor would be very little extra

A bit of a catchup with all these things after not posting for some weeks. Whilst at Kettering I collected a gearbox for my Duchess. Yes I admit plagiarism as it's the same as Peter used on his build so I know it works

I got some pieces to build some pickups yesterday as it would be good to have them fitted so I can give it a run around the layout on Tuesday night. I want to prove it runs first before moving onto the valve gear . I am considering picking up a set of Premier motion parts at Leigh later in the month, are they better or should I just stick with the etches in the kit

 

[parky]

Well doesn't time fly and things don't get recorded. The workbench got neglected for a quite a time and since giving up work last year the room is turning from an office into a modelling den and building site. Next stage is to pack the workbench up and get all the backing plaster and plasterboard I put up skimmed by someone a bit quicker than myself. We can then swap rooms and have the other bigger room at is currently a bedroom as our new shared craft room

As mentioned in the 2022 workbench thread I finally bit the bullet and got the last 4 of the 11 Summers hoppers finished and under a coat of Halfords best etch primer. Also the two BR brake vans got some paint on them even a top coat and everything is now weighted down with some lead I got given last year

Then it was off to the clubrooms and a run around the Ravensbeck layout



It looks an impressive rake and almost fills one of the loops in the fiddle yard with it's 9f up front. The 9f served it's time on shed on the Hellifield layout which showcased Graham Binns skills at loco building with his 30+ locos. The Hellifield layout is being rebuilt at present by a member of the club and a number of us bought Grahams locos when he passed last year


I am happy to report that the 9f has transitioned well from running on and off shed on Hellifield to being put to revenue earning service hauling the requisite 11 hoppers around Ravenbeck. Whilst it might be out of region on a North Eastern layout it still looks good and I hope to run them at our next Open Day on April 24th
An alternative motive power also needs to be tried some time as a nice green Class 40 with sound lurks in a box, though I might have to borrow a brake tender to complete the scene. I also would like to see if I can link up with the Wirral club and take them for a run nearer to theirs and my homeland sometime

Building all these wagons and coaches is one thing, but now it's trying to learn how to paint and weather them all to be anything like authentic !

 

[Ressaldar]

I also would like to see if I can link up with the Wirral club and take them for a run nearer to theirs and my homeland sometime

Hi Allan,

keep your eyes open for the announcement of our next Open Day, should be held some time in May, We would welcome your train on Wirral Parkway any time.

regards

Mike Cole
Secretary
Wirral OGG