BrassMonkey

Hi Alan,

Yes, I hear that Mark has been unwell lately. I may just hold off building the loco until I can source some wheels.

Thanks,

Tim

Evening, 

Sorry to open up and old thread, but I have just bought an SR D1 kit from SE Finecast and was invoiced for a set of Scalelink wheels that are on back order. I called Squires and advised that I asked for the Markits set, to which the replied "we can't get them anymore". Fair enough (I thought) and I cancelled the wheel set as I felt this wasn't like an online food shop where they substitute your favourite food items for some other inferior brand, and figured I could probably get a set of Markits wheels elsewhere.

Is this the case? Are Markits wheels getting difficult to source? I have Gibsons for another D1 that I acquired as a cheap auction item, and figured that I may use a set of those if push came to shove, as reading on the beginning of this thread, the Scalelink wheels are prone to being deformed? Is there improvement in them since 2017 and should I go for them if I can't get Markits in the size required?

Sorry if it sounds like a moan, but I just wondered if the given alternatives are worth a punt (I've been out of kit building in OO for a long time and always trusted the Romford/Markits wheels).

Cheers,

Tim

DOH! I didn't think they were still going! Great news! I've downloaded a set.

Thanks all!

Hello,

I have just purchased a complete PDK Merchant Navy kit (I have been after one for what feels like centuries) and the seller advised that he had no instructions for it ( he wasn't sure if they came with any). 

Does anyone have a set that they could part with, please? I could probably work out where everything goes (I've had to with an O gauge E2 that I was gifted from a club member as a going concern), but I really want to get this model as correctly put together as possible and to the best of my ability.

Thanks (in advance)

Tim (BM)

So I'm told by a friend in the trade...

They are N30 motors. Apparently they are used for operating door locks in Hotels of all things! That's good because they're clearly reliable and "torquey" (and I'm not talking South Devon).

Wondering if I should get the digital calipers on the grub screw (obviously within carefully controlled conditions, e.g. inside a clear bag)? That would solve any supply issues if they are the same as the HLK ones.

That's great. Thank you! Probably something that I ought to keep in my spares box!

1 hour ago, Captain Kernow said:

Interesting, where can one obtain some, please?

 

I often use a tiny bit of blue tack on the end of my screwdriver blade...

 

Yes! Please tell!

3 hours ago, Tony Wright said:

Thanks Tim,

 

I'm not sure about the epithet 'master'.

 

I've worked closely with DJH down the years (test-building/testing/building prototypes/photographing the firm's products/writing instructions) and there was real concern when Mashimas ceased to be available. Where the new motors were sourced from, I have no idea but the motor mounts on the gearboxes were altered to accommodate them.

 

The only area of 'concern' I have with regard to DJH's AM9 and AM10 gearboxes is the size of the grubscrew; it really is small and is prone to vanishing without trace when attempts are made to fit it into the final gearwheel. My advice is to NOT fit it before the 'box is installed or for testing. Though that sounds daft at first, it's better than losing the grubscrew by having it fitted first. Set up the 'box with an axle installed (with a flat filed on it where the grubscrew will engage), apply a dab of Evo-Stik to the end of a small screwdriver and then push this into the slot of the grubscrew. It's then dead easy to fit the screw into the gearwheel, and tighten with the grubscrew attached to the screwdriver. That done, it won't slip and you won't lose it.

 

Luckily, I have scores of spare grubscrews, obtained after losing so many!

 

Perhaps of interest, DJH used to supply the gearboxes as kits. However, so many were returned 'messed-up' that the firm decided to only supply them 'ready-made'. They are 'precision' products and were 'jig-assembled' at base for accuracy. 

 

Regards,

 

Tony. 

Thanks again Tony. Very sound advice. It always amazes me how sods law seems to apply to small yet important components like grub screws. In the old days when I did my apprenticeship as an electronics engineer, I worked for a company that serviced dictation machines. We went through a practice of covering the assembly area with white paper so that we wouldn't lose tiny bits like grub screws. Suffice to say it was never very effective, as small screws seemed to have gravity defying properties and usually ended up anywhere but the papered desk!!!

I will take the advice on board and assemble as you recommend!

Many thanks,

Tim

Hello Tony,

Thank you for getting back to me. Photos and endorsement of the combo from the master himself is good enough for me. Time to get on with the Brighton Atlantic. Possibly the last of her kind from the Consett factory (along with the last AM10).

Kind Regards,

Tim (Brass Monkey)

At the risk of sounding stupid...

What is the link to Tony Wright's thread, please?

Thanks,

BM

Thanks both. I will see what Tony says. I know he swears by the gearboxes, but in his videos they were attached to the original Mashima motor.

It may sound like snobbery on my part, but when you pay £80 for a motor and gearbox combo, you want it to be a good one!

Hello,

I've just received a brand new DJH kit (surplus OO stock from Ellis Clark), with an AM10 motor/gearbox combo. Does anyone know what motors are supplied by DJH these days as it looks like a cheap and nasty 3 pole can job from China. Has anyone used any of the "new" motors since Mashima have become almost obsolete?

Just wondering if I should replace it with a stock Mashima that I have and sling the supplied motor?

Thanks,

BM

Thanks both. I'll grab one then. It may be my last chance to get one!

Hello all,

It's been a few years since I have posted on here. I've recently got back into building OO gauge locos and was wondering if anyone has built the DJH H class Atlantic and whether or not it's worth adding to my collection? I'm currently building a Jidenco O1 class, and I have to say that I'm enjoying the experience of building an old school kit!

Cheers,

BM

Brian,

You're welcome anytime!

I have to say that my kid sister (who is taller and better looking than I am) was very impressed with the show and especially the "Canadian layout" which reminded her of her time in Vancouver.

Cheers,

BM

I would just like to say a big "Thank you" to all of the exhibitors and traders that came to our 40th Anniversary Show.

What can I say?! The venue, the traders and the exhibits were fantastic and I also want to say a big "Thank you" to our members who put so much effort in for making our first ever Big Show great.

Last but not least, I'm sure you'll all join me in thanking Dan Wylam who pretty much single handedly organized the show.

A great weekend, and I really hope we get to do it all again in the future!

Tim

Chairman, Barry & Penarth MRC.