Search found 643 matches
- Thu May 06, 2010 12:27 pm
- Forum: Tools and Techniques
- Topic: Advice on Chassis jigs
- Replies: 8
- Views: 5351
Re: Advice on Chassis jigs
I invested in an Avonside chassis jig last year. Using that together with a GW Models Wheel Press & Quartering Jig, not to mention a High Level gearbox, I managed to produce for the first time a loco that ran sweetly from the start without the need of any tweaking whatever. Highly recommended. DT
- Sat Feb 27, 2010 10:38 am
- Forum: Starting in P4
- Topic: Ultrascale Brass Wheels
- Replies: 23
- Views: 7641
Re: Ultrascale Brass Wheels
Anymore brass stories out there, or do Ultrascale advertise them as some sort of 'in-house' joke? When I was at the Glasgow model railway show this weekend I spoke to the operator of an EM gauge layout who told me that all his locos (diesel) and rolling stock are fitted with brass wheels (albeit no...
- Tue Feb 16, 2010 10:38 pm
- Forum: Recommendations
- Topic: Aldi 160W combi drill
- Replies: 0
- Views: 2800
Aldi 160W combi drill
For a limited time from 18th February Aldi will be selling a miniature combi drill unit with flexible extension shaft. (http://www.aldi.co.uk/uk/html/offers/2827_13039.htm?WT.mc_id=2010-02-16-11-28) At £12.99 it isn't a bad buy (and nor, at £8.99, is the digital caliper they currently have in stock ...
- Sun Feb 14, 2010 10:21 pm
- Forum: Starting in P4
- Topic: West of Scotland Group's "Starters" Build a loco project
- Replies: 151
- Views: 65298
Re: West of Scotland Group's "Starters" Build a loco project
Tool List buy a caliper gauge, you get very nice digital ones out of places like Liddle at a very reasonable price, once you have one it will surprise you how often you will use it. For anyone who is interested in one of these, Aldi (at least here in Scotland) currently have digital calipers at £8....
- Sun Feb 14, 2010 10:21 pm
- Forum: Steam Locomotives
- Topic: West of Scotland Group's "Starters" Build a loco project
- Replies: 145
- Views: 37867
Re: West of Scotland Group's "Starters" Build a loco project
Tool List buy a caliper gauge, you get very nice digital ones out of places like Liddle at a very reasonable price, once you have one it will surprise you how often you will use it. For anyone who is interested in one of these, Aldi (at least here in Scotland) currently have digital calipers at £8....
- Sun Jan 24, 2010 12:50 pm
- Forum: Guest Book
- Topic: EM wheels on P4 track
- Replies: 82
- Views: 52049
Re: EM wheels on P4 track
The difficulty with your case, Rodney, is that whatever the arithmetic calculations may point to, actual practice seems to produce a different result. You suggest that the use of EM wheels will cause problems. But Martin (Goodall) was specifically asked at one point: "Are you claiming that by u...
- Sun Jan 24, 2010 11:20 am
- Forum: Guest Book
- Topic: EM wheels on P4 track
- Replies: 82
- Views: 52049
Re: EM wheels on P4 track
That's all very well, but Martin Goodall assures us that his track is built to P4 standards: "First, my track is built to P4 standards. Flangeway and check rail clearances are all within P4 tolerances; they have not been adjusted in any way to accommodate the EM-profile wheels". As far as ...
- Fri Jan 22, 2010 6:44 pm
- Forum: Wagons
- Topic: Wagon Suspension
- Replies: 68
- Views: 15207
Re: Wagon Suspension
A little off topic ("Wagon" suspension), but I assume that while rolling stock with EM profile wheels runs on P4 track, the same cannot be said of locos?
David
David
- Tue Jan 19, 2010 12:10 am
- Forum: Wagons
- Topic: Wagon Suspension
- Replies: 68
- Views: 15207
Re: Wagon Suspension
I dont see why it should IF as Martin states that he isnt using P4 standards. Which he isn't and indeed hasn't claimed he is here. He is just using EM standards set to a wider gauge. As some P4 modellers model Irish gauge its not the gap between the wheels that defines the standard but the wheels a...
- Wed Jan 13, 2010 2:31 pm
- Forum: Chassis and Suspensions
- Topic: Split frames
- Replies: 37
- Views: 8997
Re: Split frames
Thanks for that, Tim. John's method seems eminently logical and sensible, and I shall equip myself with some Brassmaster hornblocks and give it a go. Obviously it can't be combined with Mark's split axle method, so I assume that you just split your chassis frames in the usual way and insulate them f...
- Wed Jan 13, 2010 12:08 am
- Forum: Starting in P4
- Topic: West of Scotland Group's "Starters" Build a loco project
- Replies: 151
- Views: 65298
Re: West of Scotland Group's "Starters" Build a loco project
I'm enjoying this thread very much indeed and (I hope Alan doesn't mind) am printing it out so that i can read it while not at the computer. I wish i could manage two decent running chassis in 10 days - it's taken me all evening struggling with some Gibson sprung hornblocks (I know, I know, but they...
- Wed Jan 13, 2010 12:08 am
- Forum: Steam Locomotives
- Topic: West of Scotland Group's "Starters" Build a loco project
- Replies: 145
- Views: 37867
Re: West of Scotland Group's "Starters" Build a loco project
I'm enjoying this thread very much indeed and (I hope Alan doesn't mind) am printing it out so that i can read it while not at the computer. I wish i could manage two decent running chassis in 10 days - it's taken me all evening struggling with some Gibson sprung hornblocks (I know, I know, but they...
- Mon Jan 11, 2010 8:25 am
- Forum: Chassis and Suspensions
- Topic: Split frames
- Replies: 37
- Views: 8997
Re: Split frames
I have used the John Brighton system of Brassmasters hornblocks over several locos, amended for split frames, with complete satisfaction. Using his methods I can build a working chassis first time and very quickly. I'm afraid I don't know about the John Brighton system, and I haven't used the Brass...
- Sun Jan 10, 2010 1:42 pm
- Forum: Chassis and Suspensions
- Topic: Split frames
- Replies: 37
- Views: 8997
Re: Split frames
If you use the method I have described above, the frames will not be live and insulation will not be required.LesGros wrote:If the frame is live, then insulation must be required to prevent inadvertant shorts through Loco bodies, buffer beams and metal couplings.
David
- Sun Jan 10, 2010 12:23 am
- Forum: Chassis and Suspensions
- Topic: Split frames
- Replies: 37
- Views: 8997
Re: Split frames
I'm not sure what you mean by "the additional bits around the hornguides". If you use Mark Humphry's method, you first solder a piece of thin PCB on the inside of the frame over the area where the hornblock cut-out is going to be. You then cut out your hornblock slot, ie cutting through bo...
- Sat Jan 09, 2010 3:48 pm
- Forum: Chassis and Suspensions
- Topic: Split frames
- Replies: 37
- Views: 8997
Re: Split frames
wouldn't it be easier to use the plastic Exactoscale hornblocks? Alan I'm afraid that I've never seen or used the Exactoscale hornblocks, so I don't know. The PCB method, however, presents no great difficulty and so I doubt if the Exactoscale hornblocks would be any easier - I've looked at the inst...
- Sat Jan 09, 2010 8:31 am
- Forum: Chassis and Suspensions
- Topic: Split frames
- Replies: 37
- Views: 8997
Re: Split frames
I'm presently experimenting with the split axle system advocated by Mark Humphrys in E4um back in 2003. He pointed out that many kits nowadays have a very specific way of assembling the frames that could be compromised if the spacers were replaced with PCB. What he wanted to do was to assemble the f...
- Mon Dec 28, 2009 3:43 pm
- Forum: Chassis and Suspensions
- Topic: Driving wheel axle material
- Replies: 94
- Views: 25014
Re: Driving wheel axle material
Thanks, Russ. I had a feeling that brass on brass was not going to be satisfactory. And Andy, Branchlines do do split axles, but rather than one steel tube, as with Bill's, theirs are made up of three separate units, similar to the Society's ones. There must be 1/8th steel tube available somewhere! ...
- Mon Dec 28, 2009 10:08 am
- Forum: Chassis and Suspensions
- Topic: Driving wheel axle material
- Replies: 94
- Views: 25014
Driving wheel axle material
Good morning everybody - I hope that you all had a good Christmas and are now looking forward to the rigours of Hogmanay! Anyway, I was wondering if there is any reason why brass should not be used for locomotive driving wheel axles? The reason I ask is this. I like split axles and many years ago Bi...
- Fri Oct 23, 2009 12:13 am
- Forum: Steam Locomotives
- Topic: High Level 0-4-0 locomotive construction
- Replies: 23
- Views: 11433
Re: High Level 0-4-0 locomotive construction
I owe Chris Gibbons an apology. Having said in another thread that my Hudswell Clarke kit didn't include a required 14BA bolt, I've now found it in a pack among some other very small items. Sorry Chris! I haven't done much with the kit over the last few days, but got it out tonight and that ended up...
- Wed Oct 21, 2009 9:19 pm
- Forum: Steam Locomotives
- Topic: Wiring convention
- Replies: 5
- Views: 4118
Re: Wiring convention
John Bateson wrote:The connection will be by something like the Express Models 2-pin micro connector.
I've just been looking for something like that - thanks!
David.
- Fri Oct 16, 2009 7:26 pm
- Forum: Tools and Techniques
- Topic: Annealing
- Replies: 10
- Views: 4682
Re: Annealing
Yes, it is a High level kit. So far it has required the use of four bolts - three M2s and a "14BA C/S bolt, cut to about 4mm long". Only two M2 bolts, each about 20mm long, were supplied. I've got a pack of M2s, so they're not a problem, but if I can't get a 14BA bolt at the Dundee show th...
- Fri Oct 16, 2009 2:08 pm
- Forum: Tools and Techniques
- Topic: Annealing
- Replies: 10
- Views: 4682
Re: Annealing
Hope you are enjoying making the locomotive :D - looking forward to seeing the results sometime Thanks. It's the first kit I've built after a lapse of about 15 years and I must admit I'm finding it quite difficult and slow going! I am however making steady progress, although I'm currently held up f...
- Thu Oct 15, 2009 10:54 am
- Forum: Tools and Techniques
- Topic: Soldering irons
- Replies: 12
- Views: 6357
Re: Soldering irons
But not, unfortunately, one that I can take up now - they've all gone! Sometimes you've got to be pretty quick to get these Aldi specials. Thanks for the feedback though - they'll come round again and hopefully I'll be quicker of the mark then.davebooth wrote:A good investment IMHO
David
- Wed Oct 14, 2009 9:43 am
- Forum: Tools and Techniques
- Topic: Soldering irons
- Replies: 12
- Views: 6357
Re: Soldering irons
Does anyone here ever use a butane soldering torch and if so, are they useful in a modelling context? I ask because Aldi's currently have a 135W mini soldering torch kit among their weekly specials at £12.99 and I'm tempted to get one just in case it's ever required. Although it's by no means a fort...