S7 scratch building

[ICH]

 

These are the smallest files I have but they seem to be sadly not made any more.  Lucky I brought 2 some years ago which I treat like egg shells

Square File : VALLORBE  ULP1480-2-4

 

https://www.eternaltools.com/square-seconds-hole-file

Edited January 29, 2021 by ICH

[kitpw]

Walsh still show a 'square seconds' in their list - see https://www.hswalsh.com/product/file-square-seconds-hand-hole-hf132 ....but at a price!  Years ago, I was lucky enough to come across an ancient, scratched and battered tobacco tin in a bric-a-brac shop and opening it up, found inside a collection of tiny files, some carefully ground off for unknown purposes but extremely useful and almost certainly irreplaceable - I think it was £1 the lot.

 

Kit PW

[airnimal]

Thanks to everyone for the information about these ultra small files. A bit pricey but good tools usually are.

 

I had a bit of luck today because I found a length of milled brass for the footboards just the right size and just enough when cut in half, made a perfect pair.

To make the hangers I am using. 8mm brass wire which I have filed with a flat edge where it bends under the footboards.  I place the wire in a hexagonal pin chuck leaving 5mm proud and filed one side before turning it over and filing the other side. It is then bent at right angle taking care not to break the brass at the corner. To be safe I put a small touch of solder on the corner.

I need to make a small jig now to do the second fold so they are all the same.

[airnimal]

So a simple bending jig has been made by filing a piece of brass tube that fitted over the .8mm brass wire. This was reduced by 50% so its basically a D shape and cut to measure 10mm long. This just fits over the hanger and the wire is held with a pair of pliers and bent over in the opposite  direction.  

Minutes to make and again simple to use and all 8 hangers the same length. 

 

I think I have said in the past at my poor schooling and my lack of achievement and my last report which my form master said only one thing about me. He wrote that " Michal was satisfied with less than the best ". I would  like to go back and tell him otherwise. 

[chris p bacon]

Thats a really clever and simple idea.......I'm going to pinch it. 

 

I ignore my school reports, One of the best comments I had from a teacher was "David has contributed immensely in debate this year" when the I had been off school with Perotonitis for many months........come to think of it......maybe my not being there was for the better...

[rocor]

10 minutes ago, chris p bacon said:

Thats a really clever and simple idea.......I'm going to pinch it. 

 

I ignore my school reports, One of the best comments I had from a teacher was "David has contributed immensely in debate this year" when the I had been off school with Perotonitis for many months........come to think of it......maybe my not being there was for the better...

 

The most positive comment that I received in a school report was....

 

Ronald can be one of top pupils in the class when he is interested. Unfortunately he so rarely is.

[airnimal]

Sorry for the rant earlier, obviously I have a bit of a bee in my bonnet about my school days. 

 

I have soldered up the footboards and tried my castings to see if they fit. I am pleased with the footboards because they are very strong so will be able to withstand a fair amount of handling.

 

Edited January 29, 2021 by airnimal

[airnimal]

I got up early because I was thinking how to do the lamp brackets on the pillars. Plastic would not be strong enough so it had to be brass. I found some unequal brass T section that was of the size that was perfect.  I cut a slot in one side and soldered a brass lace pin into the said slot. I then cut this piece off with a piecing saw. Another section of brass but L shaped was soldered underneath this first part taking care it didn't fall apart when soldering this bit on. It is easier to do than explain. All I have to do now is make 3 more.

 

Edited January 30, 2021 by airnimal

[airnimal]

I have mounted the first lamp bracket on the side of pillar. They need a bit of refinement but it is showing  promise.  I have also found how to do the close ups on this camera. Yippee! 

Edited January 30, 2021 by airnimal

[airnimal]

When things get a bit grey in the world I try to keep cheerful by going and looking at the models I had made / acquired  over the last 4 years. I keep the dream alive that one day I will build that layout that will show these models to there best advantage.  I keep most of them in a glass cabinet in my workshop but I would  love to see them displayed in a layout setting. The photographs  here show some of them, sorry if the glass reflection do not making for good photographs. 

Edited January 31, 2021 by airnimal

[Coal Tank]

Hi Mike 

   Very nice models, inspired by your models you may remember that I scratch built two LNWR bolter wagons, im hoping to have a go at the roofless cattle wagons soon 

John 

Edited January 31, 2021 by Coal Tank

[MarcD]

The cattle van is on my to-do list as well.

I'm very envious of Mike's skills. I'm rubbish at hand built so I throw tech at the problem. 

Marc

[Argos]

some superb models there Mike, I've had the pleasure of seeing some of them in the flesh when you've been on the demo stand at shows (I vaguely remember them.... shows that is, not the models!).

 

They look even better then, the quality of your work and attention to detail shine through.

You provide some of us with a standard to aim for.

Edited January 31, 2021 by Argos

[Coal Tank]

1 hour ago, Furness Wagon said:

The cattle van is on my to-do list as well.

I'm very envious of Mike's skills. I'm rubbish at hand built so I throw tech at the problem. 

Marc

Will you be doing an etch for that 

[MarcD]

It will be a mix of HD 3D printing, and rocking under frame.

I'm starting with the roof less one to start with.

Marc

[airnimal]

Marc, if it is any consolation, I can't do technology without a great deal of help. Even then I struggle with the most basic things. Mobile phones, computers, cameras etc etc. 

I am also rubbish at building kits. That is my main reason I scratch build. If i scrap something there is not usually a great cost only my time but if I scrap a kit which I have done many times the cost can be expensive. 

I have a tub full of scrap castings from kits I failed to build correctly . 

 

I ask myself sometimes why do we post our efforts on here ? Is it ego or boasting or do we want a pat on the back from fellow modellers ? My reason I think is I like to read other people's post to get ideas and tips and generally pick other people's brains and admire there work. I have been fortunate it the past to see and admire some fantastic models and layouts which has spurred me on to try and do better myself.  

 

I have fitted the second  footboard with just the small steps to complete. Then I can get on an start the brakegear.

[Coal Tank]

Hi Mike I hope its ok to put this on here one of your Brake van kits in two tone 

John 

[andyfoulger]

Hi Mike, re your fine collection of models and the planned house move... have you already prepared special packaging for the move?  I imagine that you’ve already order a supply of stickers demanding ‘Handle with care’ .... 

 

regards

Andy

 

 

[airnimal]

Angus, many thanks for your kind words, I wouldn't be posting on here without yourself help and inspiration in the first place.

 

John, I don't have one of my brake van's in the two tone livery but I do have a spare body that is planned to be in two tone.

 

Andy, we went and had a tour around the area which we would like to live yesterday. We have seen quite a few house's but will any meet my wife's strict needs. Discussions about how many bedrooms we will require to house various grandchildren have led to strong feelings on her behalf.  

We will not be downsizing that's for sure.

 

I have put the last of the 4 small foot steps on but the 2 rear ones had to be soldered to the footboard hangers because they are  on the same line. The front 2 are separate and were attached under the solebars. 

[Coal Tank]

Its a good job you're in charge Mike

[airnimal]

I woke up early so decided to make the unusual tie bar between the W-irons. This has been soldered  to the back of the W-irons. I am mounting all the underframe on a sub base to ease construction.

The photograph of van No 459 in the NSR wagon book shows this tie bar but I am not sure what the blocks with bolts are for ?  I have seen something similar on an earlier LNWR passenger brake van.

There might have to be an educated guess at this unless anyone has any thoughts on the subject. 

[Guy Rixon]

I know next to nothing about NSR stock, but that bar between the axleguards looks like a support for sliding "sledge" brakes. I think I've seen similar on SER and LBSCR brakes.

[airnimal]

Guy, many thanks for pointing me in the right direction. I have had a look in Southern wagons vol 3 and plate No 144 has a photograph of such a van with the sliding " sledge " brake. 

The photograph in NSR wagons doesn't show the bottom part of the sliding bit or is very clear if it had wooden or steel brake shoes. The drawing that goes with the photograph has been drawn with steel shoes but I am of the opinion that they are in fact wooden. To me I think it makes sense that the early 10 ton vans had wooden shoes and the later 20 ton vans had steel shoes.

Throwing caution to the wind I am going to go with the wooden variety. If anyone wishes to prove me wrong I will gladly eat humble pie.

[airnimal]

I have made some plates to represent the sliding sledge brake but I think they are over scale.

I have also being modifying some of my own castings for the wooden brake shoes but I'm not over happy with the progress on these. I may cut some out of double sided copper clad strip.

[airnimal]

I have put the cross shaft for the brakgear in but I have not soldered them in yet. But I have soldered the tumblers and brake activaters in readiness for the brake shoes. Still to make are the brake push rods which will be next.