7mm Scale Gladiator J6

Discussion in 'Loco Builds' started by Rob Pulham, Feb 19, 2018.

  1. Rob Pulham

    Rob Pulham Happily making models Staff Member Administrator Feature Contributor

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    Although I started this build on the old forum, because I unknowingly had the wrong tender in the kit I am effectively starting again.

    David Hill (Gladiator) had advised when I ordered it that the replacement tender wouldn't be ready until March. Working on that premise I was pleasantly surprised when I got an email from David advising that I could collect it at Bristol show if I was going. I wasn't but Warren Haywood kindly picked it up for me.

    I had some minor surgery on my toe a couple of weeks ago and have been lacking in both time and energy since which meant that I have been struggling with the MOK 8F that I have on the go so I decided to do a few small jobs on the J6 that didn't require much energy or brain input.

    Having originally started on the tender perversely when I picked the build back up I started on the loco frames.

    The hornblocks/guides are Finney that I had in stock and I need to replace them from the guys At Finney7 at some point.

    The etches are of their time (I have it on good authority that they were originally hand drawn in 4mm scale by a gent called Malcolm Crawley) and some of the detail that we are used to enjoying today is lacking. Fortunately for this build I have the owners agreement to build it as if I was building it for myself and with it the discretion to improve things where I feel it's needed.

    Working on the above premise I removed the very basic etched springs and I have started to prepare some replacements from Andy Beaton at Ragstone Models. They are not exact replacements and will need modification to fit the bill
    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
  2. Rob Pulham

    Rob Pulham Happily making models Staff Member Administrator Feature Contributor

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    Further progress has the chassis together and ready for the fitting of the hornblocks.

    Despite the quite substantial frames there was still a bit of flex in between the two main spacers and the rear one which is just soldered to the top left the bottom of the chassis with a tendency to splay outwards. To get over this I have temporarily soldered a third frame spacer (labeled motor spacer in and I also cut one of the wider frame spacers down and soldered it upright to take out the splay at the rear.

    As is comes there are three sets of spacers, marked from when it was blown up from a 4mm kit 00 gauge, EM gauge and P4 I am using the EM gauge spacers as a compromise between getting int to go around 5' curves and having sufficient room to fit the inside motion.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    Before I go any further I am going to rework the springs and fit them before adding the Horn guides.
     
    Last edited: Feb 21, 2018
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  3. jakesdad13

    jakesdad13 Staff Member Moderator

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    The frames look quite beefy Rob, is that because they are upscaled from 4mm?

    Going to follow with interest!

    Pete.
     
  4. Rob Pulham

    Rob Pulham Happily making models Staff Member Administrator Feature Contributor

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    Hi Pete,

    I am not honestly sure why that thickness of material was chosen to etch on for the chassis as you say it's quite substantial and with a different layout of frame spacers it would have been much sturdier. I appreciate that cutting out for hornguides and removing the etched springs will have weakened it but I am almost there with altering the springs. I have taken photos of the intermediate stage and I was going to post them but I will do a final post with the various stages included to make it simpler to see what I have done.
     
  5. paul_l

    paul_l Staff Member Administrator

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    The suspense - sorry supression - no suspension that's the one - are you going for compensation on this build, or any of that malarky :avatar:

    That is one sturdy looking set of frames

    Paul
     
  6. Toto

    Toto I'm best ignored Staff Member Founder Administrator

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    Hi Rob,

    that is thick material. shouldn't complain really, better that than flimsy. I got a couple of my recent wagon kits that you could spit peas through. :avatar:

    enjoying the build

    cheers

    Toto
     
  7. ianvolvo46

    ianvolvo46 Staff Member Moderator

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    Fascinating to watch these builds Rob thanks and I'm starting to learn the names of the different gizmos.

    Ian vt
     
  8. Gary

    Gary Wants more time for modelling.... Staff Member Administrator

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    Another quality build on the way !

    Cheers, Gary.
     
  9. Rob Pulham

    Rob Pulham Happily making models Staff Member Administrator Feature Contributor

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    Hi Paul,

    Yes it will have hornguides/blocks and springs but I want to get the cosmetic springs sorted first.
     
  10. Rob Pulham

    Rob Pulham Happily making models Staff Member Administrator Feature Contributor

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    Rather than keep you in suspense any longer I have decided to post the process so far on the cosmetice loco spring modifications.

    We started with this.

    [​IMG]

    I then patiently cut that down to get these separate pieces

    [​IMG]

    What I am aiming for is a 3D profile of these

    [​IMG]

    Then I started to re-assemble them - and to misquote Eric Morecambe, all the right bits but not necessarily in the right order....

    [​IMG]

    Monday evening should see them ready to fit (I hope!)
     
  11. Ron

    Ron Full Member

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    That's impressive Rob,look forward to seeing them fitted! :thumbup:
     
  12. York Paul

    York Paul Staff Member Moderator

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    That looks like a lot of hugely fiddly work Rob... but very impressive indeed.
    York Paul
     
  13. SMR CHRIS

    SMR CHRIS Staff Member Moderator

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    Rob some nice work going on
    It’s great that you remember to take such good photos of the build process
    I start out with the intention to do this then get carried way with the build and all of a sudden a section is finish and I realise I forgot to take the photos
    Very inspirational thanks for posting
     
  14. Rob Pulham

    Rob Pulham Happily making models Staff Member Administrator Feature Contributor

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    Thanks All,

    Hi Chris, taking photos was easy on this particular section of the build because pretty much each photo represents an evening's work (a couple of hours max).
     
  15. Rob Pulham

    Rob Pulham Happily making models Staff Member Administrator Feature Contributor

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    To conclude this chapter here is part 3 of the modification. The plan is to drill and tap the frames 12ba and use them to retain the hornblocks.

    [​IMG]

    I just need to pick up some more 12 ba screws at Kettering .
     
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  16. York Paul

    York Paul Staff Member Moderator

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    Incredible workmanship Rob ... truly magnificent and takes loco kit building to new levels. I was tempted also to go to Kettering and pick up my BR Standard 4 kit from Mr Ennis who informs me it now redesigned from the original "unbuildable" Transport Age version, however things here made that difficult and so it will be posted instead.

    York Paul
     
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  17. Rob Pulham

    Rob Pulham Happily making models Staff Member Administrator Feature Contributor

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    Thanks Paul, that's a shame we could have met up for a natter. Are you going to Doncaster in June?
     
  18. Rob Pulham

    Rob Pulham Happily making models Staff Member Administrator Feature Contributor

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    The last couple of evenings have been spent removing the rest of the motion parts from the sprues and cleaning them up. All I need to do now is work out where it all goes....

    [​IMG]
     
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  19. Ron

    Ron Full Member

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    That looks more difficult than the Times crossword!!:facepalm:
     
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  20. jakesdad13

    jakesdad13 Staff Member Moderator

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    Very nice castings Rob, who's are they?

    Pete.
     

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