Scale7 JB Workbench.

Scale7JB

Western Thunderer
Hi Brian,

Just made a new one today, and seems okay thankfully.

I did warm this one a little to about 40° For a short time, will see how it goes. I'm hopelessly impatient!

JB.
 

richard carr

Western Thunderer
JB

I would switch to using Stephs method 3 for the axles which uses some GRP rod and a lot less cutting, especially as we can easily slot the axle on a lathe. I generally bake those in the oven at 100 degrees.

Richard
 

simond

Western Thunderer
If using Steph’s approach with GlassFibre Rod, the easiest source I found was the fishing float marketplace on eBay.

I got some 1mm there recently. They had 2mm which is more appropriate for split axles. Before discovering the fishing link, I got some 2mm from a producer, but they wanted to sell me a 2m length, reasonably priced, but extortionate postage. They kindly cut it up for me and stuck it in a Jiffy bag, but I guess they might get bored with people asking...

HTH
Simon
 

Scale7JB

Western Thunderer
Thanks Simon.

I do have a length kindly given by Richard Carr, but I don't have any power tools, and the length of an axle is just too far with a pin chuck and drill bit. Fingers start to take a bit of a battering after a little while. It is though by far the best method!

JB.
 

adrian

Flying Squad
I would switch to using Stephs method 3 for the axles which uses some GRP rod and a lot less cutting, especially as we can easily slot the axle on a lathe. I generally bake those in the oven at 100 degrees.
I have switched to "Steph's method 3" - for split axles. When applying the epoxy I have placed them in a warm oven - when machining up wheels in the past for my Dad we always used to rim insulate. A fine slot was cut in the front of the tyre - filled with epoxy once cured the process was repeated from the rear. We always left them to cure in a warm oven - not to speed up curing time but we found that warmer temperatures reduced the viscosity so that the epoxy would flow into the slot better and this also enabled any air bubbles in the epoxy to rise to the surface. There were certainly far fewer air pockets in the epoxy if left in a warm oven.

With respect to the GRP rod I'm currently experimenting with a slight variation - first test using tufnol. The few I've done so far with GRP rod have been wheel sets for tenders and they have worked fine for their use. However I have noted that whilst the rod the axle and wheels run true they don't seem that stiff in torsion. If I hold one wheel then I can twist the other one by a reasonable margin, perhaps 5 or 10 degrees. I presume this is due to the nature of the GRP rod, fairly stiff in bending but not so good in torsion. Who knows perhaps tufnol will suffer the same problem but I'll give it a go and report on my findings. I've just bought a new reamer for the job so I'd like to get them sorted this week.
 

Yorkshire Dave

Western Thunderer
If using Steph’s approach with GlassFibre Rod, the easiest source I found was the fishing float marketplace on eBay.

Other sources are kite parts suppliers - i.e. for people who make their own kites. My neighbour, who re-upholsters furniture and makes window blinds, curtains etc, acquires her glass fibre rod from soft furnishing/window blind parts suppliers.
 

Steph Dale

Western Thunderer
If I hold one wheel then I can twist the other one by a reasonable margin, perhaps 5 or 10 degrees. I presume this is due to the nature of the GRP rod, fairly stiff in bending but not so good in torsion.

Odd, I've not found that, once the insulation groove is filled with epoxy, I wouldn't expect it to allow that torsional movement at all. I also add that I've used them on locos with no issues and will continue to do so.

There is a cheeky 'type 4' which uses 2mm lengths of silver steel; cut to length, heat treated and then dipped in epoxy to insulate them. Once that initial coat of epoxy has hardened you can then fit them in the same way as the GRP rod. The biggest problem is the number of saw blades I go through to put the insulation groove in!

Steph
 

john lewsey

Western Thunderer
After many many many many hours faffing with the roof it's finally done!

I used the non-patented Rob Pulham and Pete Insole method of painting tissue onto the plasticard and wooden roofs. I thought the tissue I had used would be fine enough but it wasn't, so a little sanding down needed to be done. It's not perfect, but it's perfectly acceptable I think.

A splash more paint, glazing, spacing out the buffer housings and CPL corridor connectors and I can finally put it to bed. At least it will be presentable for the Albury show parcels train.

View attachment 101652 View attachment 101653 View attachment 101654

JB.
Superb coach
 

Scale7JB

Western Thunderer
Thanks John!

I could have spent a bit more time on the odd bit here and there, but need to draw a line somewhere these days.

Im sure once I've got the corridor connectors on, it will look a lot better.

JB.
 

Scale7JB

Western Thunderer
Does anyone have an passing knowledge of NE non-corridor coach stock?

I need to install the roof lights and vents to the 52ft Brake 3rd, but D&S in their wisdom don't seem to have given the locations in the instructions, or at least not in the instructions that I have here..

JB.
 

Scale7JB

Western Thunderer
This one done. I was going to put it in the parcels train, but just don't think it would ever have got in to coaching stock on the GE in the late 50's.

However now thinking it will look very smart and imposing in the Pway engineering train.

image.jpeg image.jpeg image.jpeg

Onwards, Crack on with the Thompson non-corridor now, then I'll have a spray session for the two of them in the week leading up to Telford (hopefully).

JB.
 

Scale7JB

Western Thunderer
JB, you would be surprised what rolling stock ended up on the GE from the 1940's?!

Rule 1 need not be particularly exercised !

Pete.
Absolutely.

I have a LNWR full brake, Southern CCT or GUV and Midland GUV on the list for the parcels train. I just don't think a NE coach would have made it to coaching stock in the late 50's...?

JB.
 

Peter Insole

Western Thunderer
Will the stated withdrawal dates for a couple of ex NER carriages of similar vintage on the GE in 1955 and 1956 not do then?!!

East Anglia seems to have been the ultimate repository of the ancient and decrepit from most of the LNER constituents, so I still reckon you could get away with it!

I have even found some shots of ex LMS stock on the regular Stour Valley locals from Cambridge to Colchester and Ipswich!

Pete.
 

Scale7JB

Western Thunderer
JP, you da man!

I must have come across that piece of literature 10 times over the years through frantic google searches, and never really thought to consult it, but now I've had a good look through it really is invaluable!

Looks like the Dia130 will be going Crimson after all :thumbs:

Thanks to Pete too.

JB.
 
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Scale7JB

Western Thunderer
On another note, after last nights post, the width of the footboards were worrying me, they looked massively over-size.

Today I was down at the Hornby event with little man and Dad, and they had a NE inspection saloon in amongst the full size exhibits. After a quick measure of the length of two iPhones, it seems that the width is bang on for what the NE used. Still looks too wide, but I guess it is correct. Thankfully

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image.jpeg

JB.
 
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