Matt's kitbuilding page

Gotcha!!

 

They are holding a price of around £34 - £36 a shot on the bay a lot for what you get really and the Peco version is even more at £43+. Occasionally you may find a job lot for sale with a BIN price of about £150 for half a dozen but I've not seen anything like that this past year. One of the shocks in moving up to O scale from OO is realising the price shift nearly doubles, but then you get four times the volume in material and size. Try Rails of Sheffield asking them for discount, it works as I've picked up steel minerals for about £28 pounds a time paying over the phone.

 

I suspect you will enjoy O Gauge and the secret is only buy in what you want or can deal with, on other forums such as GOG you will see the regular characters buying in kits to make on a rainy day ... called a "stash", this is an easy trap to fall into money wise and very often these kits never ever get made for various reasons. Often when they come up for sale they can be had reasonably priced but I'm always wary in case parts are missing or have been robbed out for another project... just a heads up so you don't fall into a trap.

 

I will concur with Paul here as I too am a "stasher" and have also been caught out with a "bargain" only to find out important parts missing or badly made. Luckily I am also able to scratch build much of the missing parts ( in the case of an Eric Underhill, Vulcan 03 shunter, a complete chassis!).
Knowing the skills you have already shown, I wouldn't worry about buying a "pup".

Cheer's, Pete.

 

You will have even more fun if you get a Slaters brake van...................

 

Yup and in the case of a second hand Martin Brooker Acme Models kit almost a complete locomotive.

 

The undergear rigging on a Slaters brakevan is quite complex, the first one I did was a GW Toad and I got it horribly wrong since then I've learn how the bits on the brass etch go together and in what order so if you need to ask a question or two in the build process just shout up.

 

I'd say you could happily get away with filing that lip edge flat without causing structural weakness to the body.

 

No need to keep up with us mate, both Pete and I build stuff as and when the time permits and Rob has relocated home so is in the process of setting up a new workbench, Andy has time slots where he can design too. Your stuff is spot on and hits the mark everytime, we are not in competition and often being too efficient spoils the fun because it makes you think you are dictated to by the clock. Keep up the great work at your own pace.