Michael Edge's workbench

[Michael Edge]

More trouble than it's worth Mike - these Gibsons are a fairly tight fit on the axles, one removal won't hurt them.

[decauville1126]

1 hour ago, Michael Edge said:

 

Now for something different, another C14 but from a different railway.

 

This is the LSW C14 0-4-0T, converted from 2-2-0T railmotor locos. I have two of these to build for customers and so etched most of it, Nick Toix has already built the 7mm version of this etch.

 

 

 

Lovely work Mike - Is this ever likely to be made widely available either as etches only or a complete kit? I hung on for years waiting for the CSP one but don't think that will now see the light of day, nor it's 7mm enlargement that (I think) Dave Hammersley of Roxey was considering. I'm aware of the currently-available Connoisseur Models 7mm one being a 'simplified' version.

 

Keep us posted with this build please.

[Michael Edge]

We might do but no promises. 

[Nicktoix]

 

This is my 7mm version from my development of Mike's drawings which he kindly let me have. I haven't built up the courage yet to line it out.

Nick

[St Enodoc]

55 minutes ago, Nicktoix said:

I haven't built up the courage yet to line it out.

Now then Nick, a couple of pints and it'll be a piece of cake - just like Wednesdays in Headingley all those years ago.

[Nicktoix]

17 minutes ago, St Enodoc said:

Now then Nick, a couple of pints and it'll be a piece of cake - just like Wednesdays in Headingley all those years ago.

Only two. I might need more or even some Scottish bog water.

[cctransuk]

On 03/04/2020 at 23:31, Barry O said:

Finish your roadrailers???

Baz

 

Roadrailers, do I hear?

 

 

You know where to come to for the transfers.

 

Regards,

John Isherwood.

 

PS. The vehicle numbers now come, correctly, in red.

[Barry O]

He has some of my transfers , I had two roadrailers so has some of your transfers "spare". I now have another 14 roadrailers so will need to buy another sheet  when you reopen.

 

 

Anyone want any of the "tug" lorries which came as part of the kit???

 

Baz

[St Enodoc]

1 hour ago, Barry O said:

I now have another 14 roadrailers

I've got about the same number, for some inexplicable reason.

[Enterprisingwestern]

10 hours ago, Barry O said:

He has some of my transfers , I had two roadrailers so has some of your transfers "spare". I now have another 14 roadrailers so will need to buy another sheet  when you reopen.

 

 

Anyone want any of the "tug" lorries which came as part of the kit???

 

Baz

 

8 hours ago, St Enodoc said:

I've got about the same number, for some inexplicable reason.

 

Panic buying??

 

Mike.

[cctransuk]

12 hours ago, Barry O said:

He has some of my transfers , I had two roadrailers so has some of your transfers "spare". I now have another 14 roadrailers so will need to buy another sheet  when you reopen.

 

 

Anyone want any of the "tug" lorries which came as part of the kit???

 

Baz

 

Just a thought - I've a feeling that this design of artic. tractor was produced for the military as the prime-mover for the Blue Streak missile.

 

How about painting some in RAF colours and using them as loads on LOWMACs or WARWELLS ?

 

John Isherwood.

[Adam]

10 minutes ago, cctransuk said:

 

Just a thought - I've a feeling that this design of artic. tractor was produced for the military as the prime-mover for the Blue Streak missile.

 

How about painting some in RAF colours and using them as loads on LOWMACs or WARWELLS ?

 

John Isherwood.

 

From the pictures I've seen of the model, I'd say it's a slightly iffy rendition of a perfectly normal AEC mk V Mantador tractor unit. They were used by literally hundreds of operators and have been done (better) by EFE and Road Transport images among others. That said, if Barry has a stock of them, I would certainly have use for a handful of the chassis/mouldings.

 

Adam

[St Enodoc]

12 minutes ago, Adam said:

 

From the pictures I've seen of the model, I'd say it's a slightly iffy rendition of a perfectly normal AEC mk V Mantador tractor unit. They were used by literally hundreds of operators and have been done (better) by EFE and Road Transport images among others. That said, if Barry has a stock of them, I would certainly have use for a handful of the chassis/mouldings.

 

Adam

When the kits came out it was described as a Mandator.

[Adam]

2 minutes ago, St Enodoc said:

When the kits came out it was described as a Mandator.

 

That's right - I couldn't remember the spelling (and as far as I can tell, AEC made the word up).

 

Adam

[Enterprisingwestern]

21 minutes ago, Adam said:

 

That's right - I couldn't remember the spelling (and as far as I can tell, AEC made the word up).

 

Adam

 

They most definitely didn't, a mandator is someone who mandates.

The use by AEC of 'm' words is worthy of study as a subject on its own!

 

Mike.

[chris p bacon]

23 minutes ago, Enterprisingwestern said:

The use by AEC of 'm' words is worthy of study as a subject on its own!

Is that Mandatory?.......

[Stanley Melrose]

In the early 1970s I worked at British Leyland HQ in Berkeley Square.  One day we discussed offering a Morris version of the Austin Allegro.  We contemplated using a musical term complementing "Allegro" but following the alliteral example of A A.  I went to Cassell's shop in Bond Street one lunchtime and bought a copy of Cassell's Dictionary of Musical Terms.  Unfortunately, all words beginning with an Em were inappropriate, e.g. Moderato.  Needless to say we decided not to proceed with that naming policy and eventually the product dropped off the plan as well.

 

Stan

[Michael Edge]

I don't know which layout we're going to run all these Roadrailers (I've got some as well) but for now back to the LSW C14.

Beading added to the cab/tanks/bunker. I don't much like etched on beading, it always looks too flat when it should be rounded and I find it very easy to add with soft brass wire. The strip along the bunker back is some half round copper since this is quite different - can't remember where it came from though. The beading round the cab opening should actually be strip on the edge, it can be done like this but I find it very fiddly to get neat, this is 30swg soft brass wire (stretched to straighten it) soldered on the edge. This is then filed smooth and makes a passable representation - it is possible to repeat this on the inside as well but I don't often do this.

Next up is the boiler, seen at the right. The smokebox front includes the wing plates (half etched) and location etches for the boiler and smokebox. Rivets marked on here but not required for this early SR model. Two layers of .010" brass thicken up the end for the smokebox wrapper, boiler barrel rolled from .010" brass as usual.

The boiler looks unusually messy at this point with a lot of solder on the outside but....

The boiler now goes out to the big lathe in the garage to be cleaned up - not with the parting tool in this shot but carefully with needle files. Carefully means holding them in both hands either side of the work and in this case keeping clear of the whirling smokebox wing plates.

The big lathe is a 6" Milnes, about 5ft long and 103 years old with a 1/2hp motor - it doesn't take prisoners.

Boiler all cleaned up and soldered to the smokebox base plate and cab front, cladding band positions scribed on while in the flat. That's it for work this week, back to it on Monday.

Meanwhile 40936 has been lined out and finished ready for service on Herculaneum Dock.

Seen here passing Brunswick shed with some LMS coaches - fresh out of Derby works evidently, needs some attention from BarryO now.

 

[Nicktoix]

That lathe is also seriously heavy. I know cos I've moved it.

Nick

[Barry O]

3 hours ago, Nicktoix said:

That lathe is also seriously heavy. I know cos I've moved it.

Nick

Yes, so did I. I seem to remember me in van holding one end of the lathe...then I got angry with it...lathe was then in van.  

 

Baz

[dpgibbons]

On 27/12/2019 at 07:09, MarkNJ said:

I use a Paasche air eraser with their aluminium oxide grit or Badgers.

 

Does one need a sophisticated sandblaster to clean metal kits? Paasche recommend 65psi for their air eraser, which is beyond the capability of many airbrush compressors. Badger's cheaper mini sandblaster works from an aerosol can but is it up to the job?

Edited April 18, 2020 by dpgibbons

[AlfaZagato]

I avoid the issue of pressure with a workshop 1/2HP compressor.   They tend to be cheaper than the hobby compressors.    Large tanks, too.   I think mine has a 10 gallon reservoir.

[MJI]

21 hours ago, AlfaZagato said:

I avoid the issue of pressure with a workshop 1/2HP compressor.   They tend to be cheaper than the hobby compressors.    Large tanks, too.   I think mine has a 10 gallon reservoir.

 

I use an Aldi £60 special

[jasp]

On 18/04/2020 at 21:38, dpgibbons said:

 

Does one need a sophisticated sandblaster to clean metal kits? Paasche recommend 65psi for their air eraser, which is beyond the capability of many airbrush compressors. Badger's cheaper mini sandblaster works from an aerosol can but is it up to the job?

You will not get much blasting done using aerosol cans with the Badger.

It will work perfectly satisfactorily with a small airbrush compressor.

I now use a, presumably, Chinese made blaster, similar to the one sold by Axminster as “Spraycraft”. It is also cheaper than the Badger.

Jim P

[MarkNJ]

On 18/04/2020 at 13:38, dpgibbons said:

 

Does one need a sophisticated sandblaster to clean metal kits? Paasche recommend 65psi for their air eraser, which is beyond the capability of many airbrush compressors. Badger's cheaper mini sandblaster works from an aerosol can but is it up to the job?

Hi there,

 

I have used a full size sand blaster, but find it is a little too aggressive for the finer model sections.

 

The Paasche works well from 30 psi upwards. The secret is to eliminate any moisture from the blasting medium.

Also resist any temptation to reuse the medium any impurity will result in a blocked nozzle.

 

I have used a 3/4 hp contractors compressor with tank for the last 30 years. I found the aerosols to be totally useless.

 

I started with the Badger unit until it wore out then upgraded to the Paasche which I find does the job admirably.

 

Hope this helps.

 

Mark