Etched coach assembly - general question

[jls_s4]

I have reached that point in construction of a Blacksmith GWR Dia A7 All 1st whereby I have to decide whether to solder in the handles and grab rails before painting, thus making lining and glazing more difficult; or to paint and line, then glaze, then glue in the handles etc....

What do other people do? This kit assumes the glazing is thin flexible clear sheet adhered with double-sided tape.

[Rod Cameron]

The latter option usually Jeff

[JackBlack]

I've only painted one coach so far, but I soldered all the knobs and handrails prior to painting and masked around them. After the paint was dry I scraped it off with a scalpel.

I would definitely continue to use this method even though it makes the masking more labourious, it helps if you have some very fine masking tape (I have 1mm and 0.75mm rolls). I'd be concerned about gluing handrails, not sure of strength, and in some areas you'd be glueing to the paint rather than the metal.



I'd be interested in seeing some photos of your finished model!

Cheers, Nick

[jls_s4]

Yes that is the method I have used with the last two I've made but I wondered if there was a better way. Glazing is also a problem especially after fitting the handles because of the projections inside - however the LNWR 6 wheel shown here (ex-Gibson now Davin Geen) has tabs on the droplights which fold down to hold the glazing. I hand painted but getting around the handles etc was a bit tricky.

[jim s-w]

Hi

I solder the handles on to the flat sides first (yes I do build things that are etched like 310 emu's!) and then smooth the backs down to make the glazing easier.

Cheers

Jim