S7 scratch building

[airnimal]

Although I don't appear to have done alot it has taken several hours to put the V-irons on and get it up on it's wheels. I managed to get glue on the body sides at the end but hopefully it is where the corner plates go on so I will be able to hide the mistake.  

[airnimal]

I have cobbled together the rather ramshackle brake gear to resemble the photograph.  The left hand shoe looks to me to be upside down but I am hoping to build it warts and all. 

I have used one of my own casting which has been cut and shut as they say in the motor trade. 

[airnimal]

I have started to put the ironwork on the body and cut a few marks in the wood where it's had a hard life. The centre door plate to protect the door is slightly off centre in the photograph and the bottom of one corner plate is damaged. 

 

I will probably leave it for now and go and do a few miles on the bike. A few friends are going out this morning in Cheshire so there won't be to many hills. I don't always want to go but the alternatives will be worse in the long run.

[Dave Hunt]

Mike, what type of suspension will you be using on this wagon?

 

Dave

[Coal Tank]

Some times it is difficult to make yourself get out, but you always feel better afterwoods

John 

[airnimal]

Dave, the W-irons have a slot in rather than a hole and the wheels just sit at the top of the slot. I have in the past used a wire to push down the wheels but I found they work just as well using gravity. Not wanting to do extra work I leave them out now unless I get a bad riding wagon. 

I have done some more work today on the detailing of the ironwork and other bits.

 

We did a small ride out into Cheshire yesterday doing about 40 plus miles with a few small hills. Several of the lads like to explore small off roads lanes and tracks which didn't go down well with one of the ladies who clearly wasn't impressed and turned the air quiet blue.

I am struggling with fitness with not going out much last year but if I can keep at it I will hopefully build up a bit more stamina.

[Coal Tank]

Keep at it mate

[Malcolm 0-6-0]

That's another rather nice bit of modelling - always a pleasure to see.

[airnimal]

I have started to do the small details now including drilling the ironwork for the coach bolts. I have also put the washers on before I sand them flatter because they are made from 10 thou plastic which is to thick. I will leave them to go hard before I do that and then drill for the coach bolts. They tend to disappear when sanded or drilled if they are not hard. I have also moved the brake shoes closer to the wheels and cut the ends of the buffers for the straps that prevent the wood splitting. I have made them slightly different to show this old wagon has had a hard life. There won't be a lot more done today or tomorrow because of the grandsons are coming.

 

Edited May 4, 2021 by airnimal

[airnimal]

After a day with our grandsons life gets back to less frenetic pace.

I have started to rub the washers I glued on yesterday to a more reasonable thickness before drilling out to accept . 7mm rivets or coach bolts.  This is going to be a long process, so I will only do a few at a time.

Edited May 5, 2021 by airnimal

[airnimal]

I have managed to do most of the coach bolts on one side. A couple of the washers disappeared when I was reducing the thickness so I have had to reapply them. I have both ends and the other side to do as well as all the interior details before I get to the paintwork stage.

[airnimal]

I have drilled all the holes on the ends for the coach bolts / hex nuts. Looking at the photograph show that one end pillar has been replaced because the bolt pattern are different and in different places. 

I suppose with a wagon that is probably 40 / 50 years old it will have been rebuilt many times.

There is still plenty to do including the coupling plates and one complete side's ironwork. 

 

I think we have more or less discounted moving house for a couple of years if at all. 

Coming up to the a big birthday has brought my wife and children a desire to buy gifts to celebrate.

I find it hard to accept any expensive gifts, I much rather they spent it on themselves or the grandchildren. They have suggested paying for someone to build the baseboards to go in the workshop to get me going on a layout. I'm not sure I'm ready to start a full blown layout but I wouldn't mind a couple of boards to make a diorama. So for the last couple of days we have been trying to clear some space in my workshop which will also involve clearing out the garden shed of rubbish to store some of those things that we should really just dump but find it hard to let go.

Edited May 8, 2021 by airnimal

[Tricky]

Mike, a diorama is an excellent idea, if you feel a full layout isn’t achievable. It only needs to be 3’ to 4’ long and can go anywhere. Compact, but big enough to be able to show your lovely work in a realistic setting. I’m a big fan of them! Hope the clear out goes well - it’s hard chucking stuff away but sometimes I think a) if I haven’t used it for a couple of years am I likely to in the future and b) life is too short!!

[Mol_PMB]

I agree. Several times I have started large ambitious layouts and never finished them. My current project of a 6’ long simple shunting layout has come together much more quickly, been more enjoyable, and is nearly finished after just a few months. A small layout or diorama also allows more detail to be incorporated in a reasonable timescale. 

[airnimal]

I have cut the brake handle and rack out of 12 thou nickel. I was going to use an Ambis rack until I looked at the photograph and noticed the the rack only had 5 peg holes in it. The Ambis ones have many more holes in them so one of them would not look like the prototype wagon. It was only after when taking the photograph that I noticed the middle hole was out of line, so I will have to make a replacement. 

 

Went out again on my bike yesterday which felt a little easier than last week so I must keep at it. 

[airnimal]

Although I have made the brake rack to the length on the photograph it looked to long. 

When I made the replacement I reduced the length by 1mm and managed to drill the peg holes in the middle of the rack. Both these little things are an improvement in my eyes. 

[airnimal]

I am hoping to add the internal nuts today and then this lime wagon is ready for painting.  I have added the coupling  plates from CPL with hooks from Slaters given to me by Dog Star of this parish. I have used the pair with a vertical slot rather one of each which is what I think was intended.  I dont know for certain that is the intended method of soldering a pair together but when I have done this in the past I wasn't very impressed with the odd half etch on each piece.  After soldiering together I have shaped the hook into  a more accessible profile. Taking photographs show up all the imperfections and omissions  Including a missing a coach bolt on the non brake side and the bolts on the brackets near the dumb buffers not square. As the wagon was built in 1864 I can live with a few imperfections. The isn't much lettering on the photograph I'm working from although there is a trace of numbers on the end on the second plank up above the coupling hook.  I will paint and weather it and on the non brake side I will I hope do a very faded Cam Rly with the Prince of Wales plume on the door. Looking at the weather outside, I don't think I will will be painting any time soon.

[Regularity]

1 hour ago, airnimal said:

internal nuts

Cold weather, perhaps?

[MarcD]

Clough please!

 

[airnimal]

Very appropriate given I have prostate cancer !  One couldn't make it up.

The weather held good for a short while so I took the opportunity to get the rattle cans out and give the wagon a blast of grey primer.  This has shown up a missed coach bolt and a few small faults but nothing to get excited about.  I am pleased how it has turned out and I am looking forward to finishing the rest of the wagon. Looking at the photograph I can't decide if the ironwork has been painted Black as other Cambrian wagons were because the paintwork is very faded. 

I won't be able to do a great deal more for a couple of days because we have the little ones tomorrow as usual.

 

[Regularity]

3 hours ago, airnimal said:

prostate cancer

I have been told that all men would eventually get this, if nothing else got them first. Mind you, we might have to live to be 150 to prove it.

Still, something always gets you in (or near to) the end...

 

[Simond]

Yes, it is apparently far more common than is generally realised.  I understand that the majority of men die with it, but rather fewer of it.  Bleak subject.  I wish Michael a very long and relaxed remission.

 

atb

Simon

[airnimal]

I managed to get an hour at dinnertime even though we had the grandsons today to look at the underframe parts. After putting the bits in Birchwood black I bent the brakegear and then broke it completely trying to straighten it. So it will be another replacement build later on. 

 

As for the cancer I'm completely fine with it. It helps if you have all the information to hand with everything explained. Prostate cancer is one of the most treatable if caught early, and I am told by my doctor mine is at an early stage. If we are to believe everything we are told by the media, one in two people will get cancer in there lifetime.  So it's my turn saving one other person from getting it. 

I think it helps having a positive outlook on these things. My wife worries about everything and won't even mention the word cancer.

[Caley Jim]

I was torn between 'friendly supportive', 'like', and 'agree' and would like to have clicked all three.  You are exactly right, Mike, a positive outlook and putting things in perspective is everything in these situations.

 

Jim

[Jol Wilkinson]

Mike,

 

I was diagnosed with Prostate Cancer six years ago, with a Gleason score of 7. The support from the local NHS was superb. I was given the choice of a prostatectomy or radiotherapy and opted for the former. at Addenbrookes, Cambridge.  Their follow up was great and I now only have an annual PSA blood test to keep a check on things.

 

I got the impression that the older you are when diagnosed then PC is less aggressive/develops slower.  

 

Since my diagnosis I have discovered quite a few others, modellers and friends, who have also been diagnosed with PC. They are all still going strong.

 

Jol