Attaching valvegear

[Chameleon]

I'm looking for a spot of advice. I was building my latest loco (An east german Saxon VIIk narrow gauge 2-10-2)I have got to the point where I am attaching the valve gear. Trouble is, I need to fit the hanger, locate the piston rod and its slidebar and fit the reverseing crank AND the overall hanging support into the valvegear hanger at the rear and into the cylinder block (which is currently loose until everything gets located) at the front. Everything is exactly the right length to be held between the two when they are properly fitted.

Oh and this is X2 as it has to be done on both sides at the same time!

Now as I do not have 8 pairs of hands I was wondering if anyone has any advice on how to locate multiple small rods and parts onto the hanger and cylinder all at the same time so that the part I have just fitted won't fall straight out again when I try to fit the next?

I've not quite got to the creative swearing yet but then again, I haven't really tried yet.

[alcazar]

Blu-tack?

[bertiedog]

Are you soldering riveting together or glueing? Basically you have the answer, multiple hands, in other words clamps, "helping hands" type on a stand, or micro clamps etc, and lots of them.

 

Try suppliers like Proops on the net, they do several types of smaller jewellers type clamps. Jewellers tools are useful for modelling, clamp pin vices etc, and small cramp type clamps etc.

 

A good wooden base, with temporary wooded blocks etc are useful, you can often clamp things down with wood battens held with wood screws in to the base.

 

Stephen

[Chameleon]

Are you soldering riveting together or glueing? Basically you have the answer, multiple hands, in other words clamps, "helping hands" type on a stand, or micro clamps etc, and lots of them.

 

Try suppliers like Proops on the net, they do several types of smaller jewellers type clamps. Jewellers tools are useful for modelling, clamp pin vices etc, and small cramp type clamps etc.

 

A good wooden base, with temporary wooded blocks etc are useful, you can often clamp things down with wood battIens held with wood screws in to the base.

 

Stephen

 

I have built up the sub assemblies and suchlike. Bemo use a really neat crimp together design so I don't have to worry about rivets. The down side is it is HOe so it is VERY small. I can bearly even see the crankpins. I might try n use a spot of glue to hold then in the bracket until I can fit the cylinders. Not Looking forward to it though.