hayfield

My understanding is that the broach increases the size of the hole the further up the blade you go, a reamer quickly reaches the desired size so in 4 mm scale you can ream both bushes at the same time. Someone who has engineering knowledge will give you the correct answer, as you can get tapered reamers, this may help http://www.mini-lathe.org.uk/reamers-in-the-home-workshop.shtml

I have some track bases and Peco point kits with the cast common crossings, squirrelled away for a retro layout idea I have, better not upload a photo of them so as not to upset the odd contributors to this thread who dislike anything not ready to plonk

NEWS UPDATE as of Monday 17th July I have been experiencing access problem with C & L website which has meant that I have not been able to post any massages directly, this hopefully will be resolved soon. The plan for the opening of the doors for the business is linked to application for accounts with the Royal Mail and Courier for the larger parcels. Being one man band as you would say my priorities will be orders, stock ordering and business admin before I can deal will online tech queries, I would prefer that these are sent in by mail for the time being. The main changes to the way orders are process on line are that you will not be ask to pay when you place an order, as their is a follow up process which is being driven by stock management. Payment instructions will appear on the invoice which will be sent to you via e mail. C & L has two homes it will not possible to come and collect goods directly from workshop however as a work round on this, I can arrange for goods to be collect on a Monday evening from My local Model Railway Club or as before orders in advance of shows that I am attending. Regards Phil

To be quite honest introducing the 00 scale track is a logical move and one where some existing customers are willing to up grade their existing trackwork, especially if the new product commands a premium rate To maximise sales they will have to have a range of turnouts and crossings. I doubt is we see small radii turnouts, but if there is sufficient interest in the initial turnouts they I can see further items following. Also they are proving a different manufacturing process to the existing well proven flatbottom system, once they have overcome the initial design issues I am certain investment in making a range will follow.

The holes are left slightly undersized due to the etching process, I used needle files in the past but buy a set of reamers as they will keep the holes round, also a 1/8th broach for the axle bearings. Both items are a good investment

Doing things for the first time always seems to take much longer, looking very promising though

Simon I think Peco were fine with the likes of SMP and C&L selling their flexi=track and turnout and crossing kits, certainly a small amount of competition is deemed to be good, two small companies with limited sales outlets. The possible introduction of a track system from DCC was I believe a game changer. Initially perhaps the thought of loosing market share was the first concern. I think though with the take up of the 00 scale flexi track they saw a great marketing opportunity. A new system which could be sold at a premium rate, but more importantly a product which existing customers would gladly use to replace their Peco products (which are working very well other than visually). A marketing departments dream of existing customers taking up the latest model (something which has made Apple the biggest company), sales which otherwise would not have happened. I think there will be a range of turnouts and crossings to follow

Part of the BBC's gender equality policy in action Question is are they being paid the same ?

Jeff I think its a mixture of 4 reasons. Discerning customers certainly is a new factor, The impending introduction of competition. Improvements in designing and building moulds due to Peco's investment in modern design and manufacturing technology. Potential sales oppertunities Andy, I guess it was a bit of both. Changing to making a H0 product gave Peco a large sales opportunity on both mainland Europe and the USA. Using flatbottom rail was and still is an easier method to automate the manufacturing process. But the average UK modeller was far less discerning in the 60's and 70's when buying models. Firstly if you have a product which is selling well and has little competition there is not much incentive to improve it, leaving funds to develop new markets. Let's face it for Peco its a new selling opportunity opening up With DCC's plan to enter the RTR arena with 00 scale/gauge turnouts and flexi track gave them the push needed to do something. In addition to that, in addition to that they have invested large sums in both design and mould producing technology allowing them to build better quality products cheaper and quicker than before.

A piece of flat glass and the axle alignment jig which uses the coupling rods Markits and London Road models sell them, just 3 rods of 1/8th steel with the ends turned down to accept the coupling rods.

If locos, start with Southeastern Finecast. Especially as Dave Ellis is so friendly and helpfull Most whitemetal kits need a small bit of fetteling/filling

An additional thing you could do is to cut notches (with a razor saw) in the top of the rail, then glue the fishplates under, I would use either etched brass fishplates (with the joining strip removed) or a plastic fishplate (C&L or Exactoscale)

I bought one many years ago, the sides and ends had got distorted, so scratch built the sides and ends in plasticard and finished in LMS livery

There was an article in the Railway Modeller a year or more ago where Peco were showing their new equipment based on modern computer aided techniques, certainly in both the design and mould making parts of the process. A state of the art system which enables moulds to be made quicker, more accurately and cheaper than the previous equipment they were using. Certainly there has been quite a lot of new items added to their ranges over the past year

The length of the footplate is 79 mm by 31.5mm wheelbase 26mm x 26mm. Tender sides 74mm long by 18mm tall

Thanks, will get the ruler out

A bit like fitting an etched chassis from one company to another's whitemetal kit, I am not too certain yet but may use the kit as a scratch building aid using the most appropriate material or parts from other suppliers. Thanks for the heads up though

I bought some etches all seem to be Jedinco, a LSWR B4 and LBSCR O1 plus this spare Jedinco tender etch which was also with them, can anyone recognise it please. Thanks

Ron Just Stunning !!!!!!

Might be worth doing a Hybrid, lets wait and see but the source of parts from SEF makes it easier

Thanks for the info, I know little about the class of loco other than photos on Google, I do have a copy of Russells Pictorial history of SR locos in storage plus I think a book on Adams locos. There seems to be various incarnations of this loco, so a bit of a study is needed. The motion support bracket is quite basic, had a couple of thoughts on the cylinders. Its a bit of wait and see. Te SEF chassis may be an option if all else fails

Andy Sounds very interesting, will look out for them

Seen the prototype on the SEF stand and looks very good, all the revised SEF kits I have built have been a joy to build

I have just obtained a set of etches for a Jedinco/Falcon Brass Adams SR/LSWR B4 loco, please has anyone got a set of Instructions for it which they could copy for me. Thanks in advance Would just like to know what bits are missing

Ivan, yes please if you could and thanks for the info. Thanks for the confirmation, my reference books are still in storage so having to rely on Google and wild guesses