The brakes are finely etched in nickel silver. This style of Chaldron has all metal brakes, some older designs had the brake gear made entirely from wood.

Here is the etch;

From top to bottom, left to right: axle washers, brake pivots (above) and door catches (below), main brake etch (2 part lamination), lever guides (+1 spare), horse hooks (+1 spare) and finally the brake lever.

All holes were opened out with a tapered broach whilst the parts were still attached to the main etch.

The first job was to laminate the two brake shoe/linkage assemblies together, I used my RSU and 188 degree solder paint. Then the etched holes were opened out with a broach and 3 short lengths of brass wire soldered in place (25w iron and 145 degree solder);

There are two dimples in the chassis casting to be drilled out, these holes are for attaching the brakes into. I found that the dimples are a bit too close together so I drilled the attachment holes a little further apart. Then the brakes can be slotted in place, after trimming the wire to length, and attached with superglue. The brake pivot plate was then threaded onto the pivot wire and again superglued in place;

I drilled a mounting hole for the upper part of the lever guide, using drawings and photographs to estimate the position, then superglued a length of brass wire in place. Then the lower mounting hole could be drilled, using a lever guide as a jig;

Once both mounting wires were glued in place the two halves of the lever guide could be attached (the wires will be trimmed to length once the glue dries);

This method results in a strong assembly that sits correctly on the body.

Mounting wires trimmed and the brake lever in place;

The brake gear is a little fiddly(!) in places, requiring care and patience, but the result is rather nice, and once assembled suprisingly strong.

Just a few more etched parts to add then its ready for painting.

Paul.