Dog Star
Western Thunderer
Good for you
.Surely that depends on when the factory gets round to putting a couple in a jiffy-bag?
regards, Graham
7mm On Heather's workbench - a trio of JLTRT Mk2s
- Thread starter Heather Kay
- Start date
.regards, Graham
Heather Kay
Western Thunderer
Surely that depends on when the factory gets round to putting a couple in a jiffy-bag?
Bwah-hah-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha!
You are, of course, correct. There's no mention of such a part in the parts list, though. I shall be fabricating the cable from copper wire - which will arguably "hang" better than a short length of plastic tube - hence my question.
I can probably guesstimate from photos, but as they were a standard fitting there must be a standard dimension out there somewhere.
Heather Kay
Western Thunderer
Just a quick update to say I've guesstimated the cable length at 5ft. This was a combination of comparison with the buffer head (20in) on photos, and testing with a length of solder.
It strikes me as odd such information isn't readily available.
Anyway, here's what I've done so far. Soldered in for strength, and only awaiting a deft twist (and the end of the coach) and lick of paint to complete.
It strikes me as odd such information isn't readily available.
Anyway, here's what I've done so far. Soldered in for strength, and only awaiting a deft twist (and the end of the coach) and lick of paint to complete.
Heather Kay
Western Thunderer
There's been a slight hiatus in operations, what with waiting for the weather to warm up sufficiently to allow paint stripping operations outside, and some paint, roofs and detailing bits to arrive.
Guess what I've been trying to do today...
Mk2 coach sides in 7mm scale are long. Longer than almost every suitable receptacle on the premises. I needed something the side would lay in and allow a covering depth of thinners but no more. I eventually fell upon a JLTRT box (who'd've thought it would be the right length?) and several layers of aluminium foil.
It kind of worked, although I should have perhaps sourced some stronger foil. Even two or three layers, and careful handling, resulted in the thinners eventually dribbling away. The box absorbed a good deal, too. That was an expensive half hour, I can say.
Most of the errant paint has, however, been removed. Once things have dried off again I shall set to with the wet and dry, get another coat of primer on the things and begin the whole process of getting the right colours on once more.
I didn't photograph the operation. It was embarrassing enough as it was, without showing the debacle to the world.
Guess what I've been trying to do today...
Mk2 coach sides in 7mm scale are long. Longer than almost every suitable receptacle on the premises. I needed something the side would lay in and allow a covering depth of thinners but no more. I eventually fell upon a JLTRT box (who'd've thought it would be the right length?) and several layers of aluminium foil.
It kind of worked, although I should have perhaps sourced some stronger foil. Even two or three layers, and careful handling, resulted in the thinners eventually dribbling away. The box absorbed a good deal, too. That was an expensive half hour, I can say.
Most of the errant paint has, however, been removed. Once things have dried off again I shall set to with the wet and dry, get another coat of primer on the things and begin the whole process of getting the right colours on once more.
I didn't photograph the operation. It was embarrassing enough as it was, without showing the debacle to the world.
richard carr
Western Thunderer
Heather
I spoke to Laurie yesterday at Kettering, he thinks he has posted hte roof directly to you.
I will get some paint in the post to you tomorrow.
Richard
I spoke to Laurie yesterday at Kettering, he thinks he has posted hte roof directly to you.
I will get some paint in the post to you tomorrow.
Richard
Heather Kay
Western Thunderer
Thanks Richard!
tomstaf
Western Thunderer
Wow! those are the same roof vents I should have on the top of my bus I'm restoring. They have been fitted to so many thousands of vehicles, both rail and road from the mid 1940s to the mid 1990s but can I find any to replace the ones removed from my bus roof? I can't even find any reference to them on the net. So next time you're up there with a handy screwdriver, it's just the four that I need....!
I wouldn't have thought those would have been around in the 1940s - did Roediger Vacuum even exist in the 40s? I don't think I'd be too popular removing one of those. But there are often MK2s in CFBooths of Rotherham. You can visit on Saturday mornings to take pics. I'm sure they'd be happy to sell you them at scrap value.
Cheers
Tom
Jon Fitness
Western Thunderer
Thanks for the heads up on CF Booths. If I don't get lucky and find a source of them I may have to go that way. I'm not sure I could persuade one of the bus scrappers at Barnsley to tip a bus over for me just to have a look..
I was looking at the roof of our as yet, unrestored Ribble Motor Services wartime utility bodied Guy Arab bus at the RVPG workshops at Freckleton and that one has the remains of 4 of them up there. I had a scrape at the paint and it seems to be of the same thickness and colours (under the dirt!) so I would imagine they are original to the bus.
Cheers
JF
Heather Kay
Western Thunderer
Things have tailed off a little here, while I await odds and ends.
The BSO sides have been stripped and given a coat of primer. If all goes well, the grey will be applied this evening.
Meanwhile, I've been pottering about with small details. First up, the passenger communication flags (kindly supplied by Tom).
From Tom's handy photo he sent me, with a useful ruler in view, I drilled a 1mm diameter hole to take a short length of 1mm diameter brass tube. Tom's etched key is glued into the tube.
I had to check photos a couple of times to confirm the location of the keys. On the SOs, when looking at the toilet side of the coach, there is one at the right hand end. On the other side, it's at the left end. It's the same on the BSO.
While I was in 1mm tube country, I drilled and fitted the toilet overflow pipes to the SO roofs.
These just need a quick tidy with a file, a splash of metal black and a coat of paint to complete.
The BSO sides have been stripped and given a coat of primer. If all goes well, the grey will be applied this evening.
Meanwhile, I've been pottering about with small details. First up, the passenger communication flags (kindly supplied by Tom).
From Tom's handy photo he sent me, with a useful ruler in view, I drilled a 1mm diameter hole to take a short length of 1mm diameter brass tube. Tom's etched key is glued into the tube.
I had to check photos a couple of times to confirm the location of the keys. On the SOs, when looking at the toilet side of the coach, there is one at the right hand end. On the other side, it's at the left end. It's the same on the BSO.
While I was in 1mm tube country, I drilled and fitted the toilet overflow pipes to the SO roofs.
These just need a quick tidy with a file, a splash of metal black and a coat of paint to complete.
Heather Kay
Western Thunderer
Here's a quick sitrep* on progress.
Tom's lovely etched steps turned up yesterday, so I've made a start on fitting those to the bogies. I'm inclined to low-temp solder them to the bogies for strength.
Despite the chilly weather, I've had the heater on in the loft workshop so it's at least comfortable up there to get some paint on the BSO sides, and to paint the six ends.
I have to admit to giving up on the rattle cans.
I tried to get an even coat of grey on the BSO (at the second attempt) and failed miserably, despite warming the can while shaking it for several minutes. I have therefore gone into messy mode and given the compressor and airbrush a good workout. The grey panels are now almost done, just one more coat today I think. Then they'll be moved to the Advanced Drying Facility to harden off. I'll then mask off all the sides, and if the weather permits I'll get blue on them over the next few days. At last.
Airbrushing the blue will take a good while, as it takes a fair few coats to get the coverage and colour right. The aerosol approach is quicker, but I have to say it's like comparing a 105mm howitzer with a sniper's rifle. With the airbrush, while it takes longer overall, the finish is much more controllable: you can get into recesses and raised detail by adjusting the spray. For painting a blue diesel, the rattle can may well be the best solution, but when you need to mask an area, there's a fair number of issues I don't feel comfortable with - as discussed some posts back. Perhaps it's down to lack of experience in the field, but it just "feels" wrong to me.
I'll get some photos of the first bogie later today, appease the piccie hungry.
* Situation Report.
Tom's lovely etched steps turned up yesterday, so I've made a start on fitting those to the bogies. I'm inclined to low-temp solder them to the bogies for strength.
Despite the chilly weather, I've had the heater on in the loft workshop so it's at least comfortable up there to get some paint on the BSO sides, and to paint the six ends.
I have to admit to giving up on the rattle cans.
I tried to get an even coat of grey on the BSO (at the second attempt) and failed miserably, despite warming the can while shaking it for several minutes. I have therefore gone into messy mode and given the compressor and airbrush a good workout. The grey panels are now almost done, just one more coat today I think. Then they'll be moved to the Advanced Drying Facility to harden off. I'll then mask off all the sides, and if the weather permits I'll get blue on them over the next few days. At last.Airbrushing the blue will take a good while, as it takes a fair few coats to get the coverage and colour right. The aerosol approach is quicker, but I have to say it's like comparing a 105mm howitzer with a sniper's rifle. With the airbrush, while it takes longer overall, the finish is much more controllable: you can get into recesses and raised detail by adjusting the spray. For painting a blue diesel, the rattle can may well be the best solution, but when you need to mask an area, there's a fair number of issues I don't feel comfortable with - as discussed some posts back. Perhaps it's down to lack of experience in the field, but it just "feels" wrong to me.
I'll get some photos of the first bogie later today, appease the piccie hungry.
* Situation Report.
Heather Kay
Western Thunderer
Photos of the first bogie with the new step etches fitted.
It would be easier to fit these before the bogies are built; filing the slots in the frame is not as easy in completed form.
For the sake of my sanity, I have decided not to add the cosmetic bolts. I don't think the fact they'll be missing will show once things are painted.
As for the brackets at the other end of the frame, I am going to use Evergreen strip sans bolt holes. I have to remember infinite detail isn't really visible, and these bogies don't even have brake shoes...
Tom's etches are superb. Thoroughly recommended if you want to add the step details to your B4/B5 bogies.
It would be easier to fit these before the bogies are built; filing the slots in the frame is not as easy in completed form.
For the sake of my sanity, I have decided not to add the cosmetic bolts. I don't think the fact they'll be missing will show once things are painted.
As for the brackets at the other end of the frame, I am going to use Evergreen strip sans bolt holes. I have to remember infinite detail isn't really visible, and these bogies don't even have brake shoes...
Tom's etches are superb. Thoroughly recommended if you want to add the step details to your B4/B5 bogies.
tomstaf
Western Thunderer
Hi Heather,
Nice to see them on the bogies and glad you like em. I've got the brackets on the other end but they're on the other etched sheet which is being amended with your lamp and cable connector item requests. They'll follow shortly if/Richard you can wait.
Cheers
Tom
Nice to see them on the bogies and glad you like em. I've got the brackets on the other end but they're on the other etched sheet which is being amended with your lamp and cable connector item requests. They'll follow shortly if/Richard you can wait.
Cheers
Tom
Heather Kay
Western Thunderer
It's a thought. What would be the lead time?
tomstaf
Western Thunderer
Heather Kay
Western Thunderer
Cheers Tom!
daifly
Western Thunderer
Ahh. Communicating with the spirits again!
Heather Kay
Western Thunderer
In other news, our postie has braved the snow and managed to stuff a JLTRT roof moulding through our letterbox without breaking either.
Now, if the weather would just hurry up and get summery so I can get the perishing blue paint on these sides and complete the build!
Heather Kay
Western Thunderer
This morning's work was the security bars for the BSO. These are fitted to two side windows and the window in the double doors on guard's compartment side of the coach.
I used scrap etch and 0.7mm brass wire, set up a simple jig and soldered them together. I've had to carve out a bit above the larger windows to allow it to fit neatly.
I've held them temporarily in place with a bit of tape to get the photos. I intend on cleaning them up, chemically blackening them, and then giving them a squirt of grey primer for colour.
A question arises regarding the BSO roof which arrived yesterday. I am finding it hard to ascertain the number and location of the ventilators. I thought at first there were only three, aligned along the roof centreline. Further study of various brake coach photos seems to show there may be more, staggered along the roof, and they may be aligned just off the centre line. The first class coaches certainly show more vents, but this may well be because the vehicle in question was a compartment coach rather than an open.
So, anyone got any good photographic sources showing a brake second open roof clearly? Or a reliable plan?
I used scrap etch and 0.7mm brass wire, set up a simple jig and soldered them together. I've had to carve out a bit above the larger windows to allow it to fit neatly.
I've held them temporarily in place with a bit of tape to get the photos. I intend on cleaning them up, chemically blackening them, and then giving them a squirt of grey primer for colour.
A question arises regarding the BSO roof which arrived yesterday. I am finding it hard to ascertain the number and location of the ventilators. I thought at first there were only three, aligned along the roof centreline. Further study of various brake coach photos seems to show there may be more, staggered along the roof, and they may be aligned just off the centre line. The first class coaches certainly show more vents, but this may well be because the vehicle in question was a compartment coach rather than an open.
So, anyone got any good photographic sources showing a brake second open roof clearly? Or a reliable plan?