PDK 4707 part 5

Entry posted by The Fatadder February 5, 2018

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Given that the 47xx body is now complete (with the exception of the top feed pipes which I keep forgetting to add!)

My original thought was towards making a start on the cylinders assembly in order that I could finish off the chassis. However given that it will require shortening the lead crankpin, a task I do not want to do until I have soldered the washers into place to hold on the con rods) the cylinders will have to wait until I paint the chassis. Which reminds me I must go to Halfords and buy etch primer today!)

Instead I made a start on building the tender.
So far I have soldered up the main parts of the chassis, it’s a little disappointing not to have rivet detail on the valances or any detail on the draw beam. I also couldn’t understand why the valances, buffer beam and draw beam do not have the same tab and slot construction as the main sides. Still, it was all soldered together square before trying to clean up the excess solder. This was followed by adding the tank support brackets, after fettling to achieve a good fit between frame and valance. Finally on the chassis I soldered the draw bar mount into position, along with a shortened 10ba bolt.

The next task was the one I was most dreading, adding the etched side to the top of the tender. The instructions stated to use 4mm diameter bar to form the curves, as well as mentioning a tab for alignment on the rear of the baseplate. Unfortunately this tab was over etched which made the alignment a little trickier. I used my own approach for forming curved sections in brass, after aligning the valance centrally on the baseplate I tack soldered the rear face into position (using a thick band of solder next to each corner). Once happy that it was square, I rolled the first side against the wooden desk, pressing it against the baseplate former. This was then tacked in position ensuing it was square, before completing the soldered joint along the whole edge. This was then repeated for the other side of the tender.

With the valance in place, the next job was to add the front and rear bulkheads, fire iron tunnel and bunker front, before test fitting on the frame assembly.

Tonight I am aiming to finish off the soldering on the front of the tender and get the 4 sub-assemblies joined together. Hopefully along with priming the loco body and chassis.