I have just purchased on of these kits, any tips on what to watch out for, it is only my second attempt at making a Loco from a kit, my last effort was a Peco white metal.
Is this the little switcher/shunter that goes on the Bachmann diesel switcher chassis that was being sold through the Member's Sales stand? Some people seem to put them together in an afternoon allegedly. I still have not finished mine after many months (I am easily disheartened and distracted :( ).
The thicknesses of the pieces seemed very variable on mine and I spent a long time with a sheet of glass as a surface plate and some wet "wet & dry" paper "grinding" them to some sort of even thickness and removing the flash in the windows at the same time. (A sheet of say 6 mm plate glass about A4 size is an inexpensive investment as a modelling tool. The glazier even ground the edges and corners smooth for me for a few pounds.)
I see now that I have glued the bonnet/hood/engine cover incorrectly. I think the top should go in between the sides not on top as I have it, because I was left with a little gap at the sides of the cab front, though I am sure I had a good reason to do it that way. I replaced the "pilots" with good British buffer beams ;) because I want to use Bemo/Greenwich couplers. The air reservoir (at least I think that is what it is) that covers the bit in the side that the chassis clips into was mis-moulded, so is replaced by a piece of tubing filled with Milliput. It looks as if I replaced the exhaust stack too. I removed the headlamp with the intention of adding a working light in a fir of enthusiasm, but I'm not sure now.
There are bits that took a few goes at gluing together square and correctly lined up. Perhaps I would "tack" glue with a spot of super glue and then run a line of it in on the end of a needle once I was happy with the result.
It is very laudable that small companies are making inexpensive kits this, but I wish the instructions were more helpful and the makers warned us that they are a hand-made "garage kit" product and may need a bit of fettling.
Having said that, it has gone together fairly square and when the roof is on it will be really quite strong. Overall I think it is a nice kit if you don't rush it.
Thanks for those tips, I see that the normal plastic liquid glue will not work on this kit, so I am finding assembly difficutlt to posision easy.
Quote from: gorwin on October 26, 2008, 13:23
Thanks for those tips, I see that the normal plastic liquid glue will not work on this kit, so I am finding assembly difficutlt to posision easy.
That is right, solvent cement used for polystyrene won't work. I think it is a matter of personal choice whether epoxy (e.g. Araldite Rapid) or Cyano Acrylate superglue, and then whether it is thin or gel type superglue. It is a good idea to clean the pieces before gluing in case mould release agent prevents adhesion. I use toothpaste and it is about time I bought a tube of bicarbonate of soda toothpaste specifically for this use. Washing up liquid is often used, but there are stories on the military modelling lists that this stuff contains silicates to make your dishes sparkle. It is claimed that this stuff flakes off and with it the paint.
Oh dear my spelling on the last reply, regard the bonnet/hood/engine cover I have downloaded a picture from the manufacturer's site which seems to show - on the top. the mold in my kit is very badly bowed, ie the sides turn up, and I have found the material breaks easy. Still I am enjoying the experience.
:laugh:
Had fun making this kit, thanks for advice, painting not perfect but pleased with it. Runs well on the Bachman chassis.
Gorwin