Keyser "Lord Nelson" build. (An antique in the making maybe?)

Discussion in 'Kits, Kit bashes & Scratch builds' started by Keith M, Oct 12, 2019.

  1. Keith M

    Keith M Staff Member Moderator

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    I'll get around to fettling the bogies on the 'Fell' diesel at some point as it did stretch my sanity somewhat, though those who know me might question that anyway! As a bit of light relief, I decided to make a start on this 'Antique' Keyser kit which I've had kicking around for over 2 years now, bought in a daft moment on Ebay for a cheap price, so really I've not much to lose by having a crack at it. It's mostly white metal, with some brass fret for the chassis and nickel for the valve gear, comes with motor, gearbox (well, worm and drive cog anyway!) and a full set of wheels, all shrink wrapped onto 4 cards, so I'm pretty sure it's all 'present and correct'. plus there are transfers (which I won't use 'cos they're pre-nationalisation) and a nice set of number/nameplates for "Lord Nelson" and "Sir Francis Drake", so can't be bad. I posted pics of this kit many moons ago when I first bought it, but can't find the pics to repost now, so you'll have to use your imagination! I normally start with building the tender, so began with the bogies. The pinpoint axles were intended to just fit straight into the white metal casting, but I'm not keen on that idea, so drilled the axle holes deeper and fitted proper pinpoint Romford bearings (may as well do it properly!), glued in place with Superglue. Next, axles were fitted into the wheels to make the 4 sets (it's a 'Watercart' type tender, 8 wheels, 2 bogies), this was a bit tricky as you need to solder one bogie side to the centre, fit and hold the 2 pairs of wheels in position and solder the other bogie side on, all the while trying to keep it all in place and square. Oh what fun! Here they are fitted to the basic tender body.

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  2. Keith M

    Keith M Staff Member Moderator

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    I don't have a problem in soldering white metal as I have a temperature controlled iron and use 100 degree solder with phosphoric acid flux, so putting together the body was an easy 2 hour job. this is the basic tender, part assembled.

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  3. Keith M

    Keith M Staff Member Moderator

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    Bottoms up!

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  4. Keith M

    Keith M Staff Member Moderator

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    ......and now with the top in place.

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  5. Keith M

    Keith M Staff Member Moderator

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    This is where we're at presently.

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    Just a few odds and ends to fit now, then a clean-up ready for some grey primer.
     
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  6. Keith M

    Keith M Staff Member Moderator

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    Only slight snag now is that I'm fast running out of 100 degree solder. Back in February, I was going to order some from Hattons, but they were out of stock, so ordered from Osborne Models (somewhere 'Darn Sarf', I forget exactly where!), in May, not having heard anything, I emailed and was told the supplier didn't know when they would receive stock, and to date, I still haven't got my solder. Hopefully someone somewhere will have stock, surely I can't be the only silly beggar that still uses 100 degree solder?
    Keith.
     
  7. Toto

    Toto I'm best ignored Staff Member Founder Administrator

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    I ordered it from somewhere and it seemed plentiful. May have been that well known site ending in bay. If you are struggling, give me a shout and I'll post some down ........ on the house.

    Cheers

    Toto
     
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  8. York Paul

    York Paul Staff Member Moderator

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    How did you manage to get the solder to stick to your roof tiles Toto ? We should be told your secret... :avatar::avatar::avatar:
     
  9. paul_l

    paul_l Staff Member Administrator

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  10. paul_l

    paul_l Staff Member Administrator

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    sorry just noticed Gaugemaster is out of stock :facepalm:
     
  11. paul_l

    paul_l Staff Member Administrator

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  12. Keith M

    Keith M Staff Member Moderator

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    70 degree is all Osborne's could offer me Paul. I already have some and tried it but as it's a lower melting point, the alloy mix is weak and not up to much, whereas the 100 degree is fine. Osborne's "had it in stock" according to their website when I ordered mine back in February(!), the 'DCC Concepts' pack, but they are 'still awaiting their supplier'. I know that 'Hobby Holidays' stock it, much more useable too as it's in stick form rather than the letters of "DCC" as Concepts sell it, so I normally cut it up into sensible shaped bits to use, but I'm getting down it now. It's getting into the exhibition/show season now so I should be able to get hold of some shortly, if not, there's always mail order.
    Keith.
     
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  13. York Paul

    York Paul Staff Member Moderator

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    Good luck with buying anything you need in a hurry from Hobby Holidays, I reserved a 7mm Chassis Jig once specially made for me as well or so he said, the lead time was anything from six weeks to six months and after an extensive waiting period I rang for an update only to be told he had finished for the season. Whatever that was supposed to mean. The moral of that story is I now don't listen to fob offs from people who cannot deliver.
     
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  14. Keith M

    Keith M Staff Member Moderator

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    Beats me how guys like that manage to stay in business and make a living!

    Anyway, I've got further with this kit, tender has reached the stage where it's cleanup time for primering.

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    I managed to adapt the rear to accept a Kadee, but yet to cut the 'whiskers off and filler each side of the slot, as it doesn't swivel. Handrails, lamp brackets etc now fitted.
     
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  15. Keith M

    Keith M Staff Member Moderator

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    Toolboxes, handbrake etc also now fitted, but I have yet to sort the pickups which are fitted to each individual bogie and wired through to the loco. At this stage, I've not looked at the loco chassis to see if plunger pickups are a possibility, that'll come shortly.

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  16. Keith M

    Keith M Staff Member Moderator

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    So now I've made a start on the chassis as the white metal footplate has to be attached to the chassis before the loco body can be assembled, according to the instructions. It went together nicely, all aligned OK in my alignment gadget, coupling rods dropped on perfectly so that's a 'plus'!

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  17. Keith M

    Keith M Staff Member Moderator

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    Motion bracket is a 'fold-up' affair, and I've had these kind before. As they're often somewhat flimsy things, I reinforced each bend with solder as I went on, and as a result, the finished article seems quite sturdy. Soldering it onto the chassis top was easy enough, so far, so good (says he, wondering if it will last?).

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  18. Keith M

    Keith M Staff Member Moderator

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    I got the front bogie built up today, again a fold-up affair with overlays each side. 'Bearings' were supposed to be supplied plastic bushes, but I'm not going down that route, 2mm brass bushes were soldered in (may as well do it properly!), wheels and axles fitted nicely after slight reaming of the bushes, all now ready for painting along with the main chassis assembly.

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  19. Keith M

    Keith M Staff Member Moderator

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    ......and the bogie underside.

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    The bogie pivot is a plastic screw (supplied). Not sure about that, so may well substitute a brass one instead. Both bogie and chassis are now sans wheels and axles, cocktail sticks through the bearings (to keep paint out) and scrubbed up ready for painting. I've decided, at least for the present, to build the loco using the supplied wheels and 3 pole motor, then if problems arise, I'll go to the expense of replacements. When tried, the motor was solid with no movement at all. Lubrication and a bit of hand spinning freed it somewhat, no idea why it should have been like this as it was shrink wrapped onto card so no chance of dampness getting in. Once loosened up, I ran it for about half an hour, then fitted and loctite'd the worm drive in place with the drive gear positioned correctly, so should be an easy assembly when the chassis is painted, not looking forward to the valve gear though, it's not just Pete (Jakesdad) who's not fond of 'valve gear wrangling!':hammer::giggle:
     
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  20. York Paul

    York Paul Staff Member Moderator

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    Interesting build thread there Keith, I like that laser cut chassis jig... Poppies by any chance ?
     

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