Neb from downunder N gauge Blog

Hello Neb

 

That looks really good, its a really nice kit to build.

 

As for the cleaning I am surprised that the fibre brush and the wire wheel didnt clean it up enough, I have used both of those without any problems. It the wire wheel a steel one? Its what I use.

 

Keep the posts comming, I enjoy looking at what you are upto.

 

Missy

Some bits of old hacksaw blade sharpened to a point with a grind stone make great scrapers for excess solder. Iy you can do that make them in various shapes eg round, pointed and straight. I've got a set that a friend at work made for me each is about 3" long obviously with the teeth ground off as well and the top rounded to make a handle.

 

jamie

Solder wick (braided copper impregnated with flux) is great for getting rid of excess solder.

 

Like JMissy I don't have much trouble with a fibreglass brush and always clean etched models with a tooth brush and Jif/Cif type cream cleaner - helps get rid of any excess flux and neutralises any that you miss. The micro-scratches it leaves also helps the paint stick.

 

If you're still worried about the excess solder spoiling the paint finish give it a quicke dusting with white primer. It will show the areas you don't need to worry about and highlight the parts you need to do a bit more work on.

 

Keep up the good work!

 

Steven B.

For the roof you shouldn't need to reshape anything, trim the ends off the roof moulding square with a set square or similar (or use a square and square up one end. You can then trim it just over length and file it until it fits nicely between the ends. Remove some of the lip on the bottom where it fits over the sides at each end and off you go. A spot of filler will cover any minor sins.

 

NB - I always cut them a bit over but square then file back. Don't assume you can file the ends square to fit - sometimes you find you've got the coach ends merely 'almost square' so test fitting is a better approach.