david.hill64 Posted October 12, 2014 Share Posted October 12, 2014 At long last I have finished a distraction: I won't say too much about these other than to thank Halfwit for his excellent build thread, which made life much easier, and to comment that I need to invest in a larger swear box as the existing one isn't large enough. So now onto something rather nice. Only my second attempt at 7mm, but as others have previously commented, I am now hooked! The kit itself looks the business: The wheels are superb: The instructions contain some excellent drawings. As usual I have started on the tender to get a feel how it will go together. So far, very well. No issues at all. I still have to tidy up the soldering by the compensation beam pivots where they meet the frame. Next job will be to paint the wheels to protect them from the polluted air here. (No I'm not on about the swear box again!) David Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hobbyhorse Posted October 12, 2014 Share Posted October 12, 2014 Looking good David, One thing I've done when building Martins tenders for the A3 and A4's is to run the axles in tubes so to reduce the friction from the compensation beams, this also stops the beams wearing away quickly. If I can find the photos I will post one if its of use. Simon Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Horsetan Posted October 12, 2014 Share Posted October 12, 2014 What fun! Looks a bit bigger than the one I bought recently.... ....One thing I've done when building Martins tenders for the A3 and A4's is to run the axles in tubes so to reduce the friction from the compensation beams, this also stops the beams wearing away quickly.... By contrast, I'm having a look to see if CSB suspension can be incorporated instead. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
N15class Posted October 13, 2014 Share Posted October 13, 2014 Would it not pay to blacken the wheels it certainly helps. I do and do not have a problem, I also live in a bad area for high humidity. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Nth Degree Posted October 13, 2014 Share Posted October 13, 2014 David, whose wheel are those? They look stunning Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Horsetan Posted October 13, 2014 Share Posted October 13, 2014 Looks like AGH from here. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
david.hill64 Posted October 13, 2014 Author Share Posted October 13, 2014 Yes they are Alan Harris wheels. They are superb. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
david.hill64 Posted October 13, 2014 Author Share Posted October 13, 2014 Would it not pay to blacken the wheels it certainly helps. I do and do not have a problem, I also live in a bad area for high humidity. Done this evening! I will oil the rims as well but it's bedtime now! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Nth Degree Posted October 13, 2014 Share Posted October 13, 2014 I understand that Allen Harris no longer trades, so are these now only available on the secondhand market or has someone else taken up the furnace? A little birdy told me that a new investment casting company is starting soon, specifically to cater for 7mm scale loco wheels. I'm not sure how true this rumour is, or what the timescale is however. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
3 link Posted October 13, 2014 Share Posted October 13, 2014 A little birdy told me that a new investment casting company is starting soon, specifically to cater for 7mm scale loco wheels. I'm not sure how true this rumour is, or what the timescale is however. Wow that would be great, it's about time Mr White had some opposition..... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Horsetan Posted October 13, 2014 Share Posted October 13, 2014 I understand that Allen Harris no longer trades, so are these now only available on the secondhand market or has someone else taken up the furnace? As far as I understand it, Mr. Harris didn't want to hand over the range at all, so it dies with him. This might have been because he feared, amongst other things, that a successor would cheapen his good name and product. A little birdy told me that a new investment casting company is starting soon, specifically to cater for 7mm scale loco wheels. I'm not sure how true this rumour is, or what the timescale is however. Well, they'll have to start from scratch! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeffP Posted October 13, 2014 Share Posted October 13, 2014 I think the truth about Allan Haris' wheels no longer being available is somewhat more complex than Allan not wanting anyone else to take over. I heard that the caster was retiring too, and there IS no-on else able to do the sdame job...at the moment. I sincerely hope someone does come forward........and DOESN'T release all GWR wheels first....... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
david.hill64 Posted October 14, 2014 Author Share Posted October 14, 2014 A slightly different update this evening. First a view of the workbench: if you look you can see the painted wheels. Note also the conveniently located fridge! Containing handy refreshments for both during: and after a work session! Work tonight has been mostly forming rivets using the LRM gravity riveter. Have also added the brake hanger support detail. Fortunately the kit contains spares as one made a successful escape bid. Pictures to follow when I have tidied up the solder. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
KalKat Posted October 15, 2014 Share Posted October 15, 2014 You keep ESB in the fridge!!?? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
david.hill64 Posted October 15, 2014 Author Share Posted October 15, 2014 You keep ESB in the fridge!!?? Yes: the ambient temperature in the apartment in the day when I am not in is about 35-40 degrees, so I need to keep it cool! Otherwise it gets a bit chewy. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dibateg Posted October 15, 2014 Share Posted October 15, 2014 Beer within arms reach - I like that! Looking forward to seeing the build progress.. Tony Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeffP Posted October 15, 2014 Share Posted October 15, 2014 I second that.......and third it if possible. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Horsetan Posted October 15, 2014 Share Posted October 15, 2014 I do hope that Martin finds a buyer for his kit range. .... It's more of a shell than a range, since virtually everything was sold out in the recent panic-buying escapade. A buyer would be paying mostly for the name, and the not-inconsiderable-but-oh-so-hard-to-value "goodwill" element. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
djparkins Posted October 15, 2014 Share Posted October 15, 2014 It's more of a shell than a range, since virtually everything was sold out in the recent panic-buying escapade. A buyer would be paying mostly for the name, and the not-inconsiderable-but-oh-so-hard-to-value "goodwill" element. How is that? Surely to a manufacturer [or would-be manufacturer] the value would be in the photo-tools and masters/moulds etc.. That is the 'range' - any stock left is secondary and can be replaced. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
david.hill64 Posted October 16, 2014 Author Share Posted October 16, 2014 I certainly agree with the hope that Martin finds a buyer for his range. So far the A4 is going together well. The frets contain some spares of those small parts that insist on remaining as individuals and finding their way into the wider world. Always a nice idea to provide spares. No pictures this morning, but I have now added the rivet detail strips and tank support brackets to the frames. All very well designed and easy to put together. It will be back to the inner bogie next to fit the brake gear as I have found that there is sufficient clearance between the wheels and the main frames. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeffP Posted October 16, 2014 Share Posted October 16, 2014 I agree with David, the range is really the results of years of hard work making masters, moulds and photo etching tools. The stock maybe sold, but more can be ordered.....just not without the above. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
david.hill64 Posted October 16, 2014 Author Share Posted October 16, 2014 Some photos of yesterday's work. The fridge seems to have broken so I now have warm ESB. I'll drink it: after all I am English! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
david.hill64 Posted October 18, 2014 Author Share Posted October 18, 2014 The good news is that the fridge isn't broken and the ESB supplies are safe and cool. So it's back to the tender bogie. I used an old plastic ice cream scoop to form a tool for cutting the brake hanger wires to length. Then it was time to assemble the water scoop. There are 4 whitemetal castings plus some etches that require to have rivets formed and then laminated. With the exception of the whitemetal casting soldered to the chassis, nothing yet in these views is fixed. I found it best to work up from the 1.2mm rod to get everything aligned. Next job will be to solder together, fit brake gear and then the scoop operating rod. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
david.hill64 Posted October 19, 2014 Author Share Posted October 19, 2014 Next job was to fit the brake blocks and rigging. Here are the parts laminated together, ready for assembly. I used lengths of wire to get the pull rods positioned and then soldered it all together, not forgetting the water scoop operating rod. With the tender bogie complete, I returned to the frames, adding the dragbeam and buffer beam overlays and buffer beam strengthening ribs. I am pleased with progress to date. Next to paint the tender bogie and get the wheels oiled up otherwise the rust monkey will pay a visit. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
3 link Posted October 19, 2014 Share Posted October 19, 2014 It's nice to see the brake shoes fitted nice and close to the wheel rims, badly cast shoes or etches that do not follow the curve of the wheel rims are a pet hate of mine. Martyn. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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