an update on my bench.

As the designer of the Strath kit, can I add my congratulations on getting it together so well. Not an easy kit to build (I wouldn't sell this kit to anyone who hadn't built at least a few etched kits) but you seem to have cracked the assembly problems. I must get on and finish the trial etch!!

Alistair Wright
'5522' Models

PS this kit is still available from Lochgorm Kits. They have a web site.

PPs I still have lots of LMS kits and bits mostly coaching stock. List available from [email protected]

QUOTE (pedromorgan @ 17 Jan 2011, 17:39) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Now for the Bloomer.

Each tender axle box/spring assembly is made up of 10 pieces! Its very booring! But alas I decided to get on with it and finished the first pair.

This is a classic case of using the WRONG technique to produce parts. Solid items like springs and axleboxes should be CAST not etched. I don't know whose kit this is but I would certainly avoid this producer if this is his idea of kit production.

I have only ever used etchings in this way to produce a pattern for casting - it is a good way of getting very accurate patterns made, but no way should you have to do it six times over!!

If I was you Pedro I would send one of your assembled axleboxes to a caster and get him to knock off the set, and while he is at it do a few extra to sell to other unfortunates who have bought this kit. I am appalled.

QUOTE (pedromorgan @ 14 Mar 2012, 18:22) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>....In the end I have thrown away the chassis and got a comet one but the problem then is that it doesn't fit the body!

Horlicks!!!!!!!!

Peter

Sounds very like the DJH Big Goods from the chassis point of view. DJH castings are always quite good and it up well.

Why does the Comet chassis not fit the body? Is there another possible body to which it might fit? A Horlicks is putting it mildly - luckily I have never encountered this kit. In the case of the DJH Big Goods I designed the new chassis to suit the bodywork as it existed. This meant compromises on wheelbases as these HR locos had two sets of drivers too close to allow a scale distance when 4mm flanges came into play. as the chassis was intended to suit P4 and EM it had to be compensated, which is no light undertaking for a 4-6-0 to be built by ordinary mortals. Seems to work OK though I did build mine in 16.5mm rigid. Runs well and with full thickness rods etc, looks very nice.

Here's the photos I meant to attach to my last comments.

View attachment 3008
View attachment 3009

QUOTE (dwb @ 14 Mar 2012, 20:08) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>And here's me thinking I'd like to build a chassis.... something with full outside valve gear and big wheels - a sort of clock on wheels.....

David

You mean like this one?

View attachment 3010

QUOTE (pedromorgan @ 15 Mar 2012, 08:55) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>I actually rather like the pics so i will leave them there
For the Goods did you turn down the driver or did you manage to find a flangeless one from somewhere?
I want to have a go at a couple of broad gauge loco's that had flangeless drivers but without a lathe its going to be tricky.

Peter

They are nice pictures of 103 which I used to each my lunch in the cab of when I was a pupil at St Rollox. I'll get the hang of this pictures business eventually. See the pm I sent you.

I used Romford drivers on the Big Goods which you can get flangeless (or you could at one time). The bogie wheels are the clever ones though. You can't get an 8 spoke bogie wheel, but it so happens that the wheel size is the same as a wagon wheel, so I just got two axles of those and chopped the pin point ends off. Not my idea - it came from a friend in Botswana who is modelling the Highland. I have a 'Castle' similarly equipped.

QUOTE (pedromorgan @ 15 May 2012, 14:17) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>This was the result of an evening let loose with an airbrush!


Peter

Ah! you mean one like this: