Liddy

Really nice detailing work there, great to see. I have to ask, your coupling links look realistically chunky, do you make your own? If so what diameter wire do you use? regards

Lovely work Geoff, I especially like your culvert. How is your 06 running?

Hi Paul, Sorry to bear the bad news, but it's not possible to solder aluminium, even welding it is a specialist thing, I think it's to do with it oxidising at relatively low temperatures i.e. heat it and before it gets to molten you get lots of oxides forming that stop you making a clean joint, so it has to be welded in a 'protective atmosphere' of inert gases. Anyway, if joining alloy parts I would use an epoxy resin glue, make sure the fit of parts is spot-on first, then hold them in place with whatever; clamps, weights, blu-tac et al, then add a fast setting epoxy and warm it with a hair dryer to encourage it to flow and fill joints. I'm sure others will also add their advice. Make sure you post some pictures for us. Have fun Liddy

Well done, I've thought of trying to etch bits particularly instanters, but didn't know where to start (bought Exactoscale one's last weekend, much better than anything I could make) so I'm delighted to see that you've found a way to make those very intricate parts. Stephen Harris is a superb modeller, I greatly admire his loco mechanisms for their super smooth running. Can't wait to see the results of your etches. Liddy

Hi, I'm just starting into EM, bought gauges and track supplies from MSE at Bristol on Friday. Code 55 FB rail sounds good, I was considering using code 60 'z' track, so I'm interested in where you get code 55 from? Is there enough width on the rail head to ensure accurate gauging in std EM roller gauges? Please keep up the good work and the blog. regards Liddy

Hi I'm glad to see your work so far, I too like minimum space layouts and my advice would be don't be too ambitious. Continue to make progress at a good rate (I try and do something however small every weekend) and get it to state you feel is mostly complete (you can add detail for ever and a day) that way I think you will get the most satisfaction from all your effort Well done, keep going Liddy