Keith's workbench.

Discussion in 'Workshop Benches' started by Keith M, Mar 14, 2017.

  1. Keith M

    Keith M Staff Member Moderator

    Messages:
    4,446
    Likes Received:
    2,902
    Joined:
    Dec 16, 2015
    As I previously mentioned, I recently bought a cheap (£25) Dapol "Terrier", in truth, just a bit 'dog-eared', but I hoped basically sound, and so it proved to be, with a little wheel cleaning and lubrication. It's a very simple motor, not too far removed from the almost Pre-Historic Triang-Hornby X04 type, and my intention is to convert it to DCC, not too difficult if I can find space for a decoder. It seems I have 2 options, either in the cab, or possibly the bunker, although this has a small weight, so I'll look at that when I receive the decoder. The chimney was damaged, a sizeable chunk missing from the flange near the top, so I decided to see if it was repairable or wether I needed to buy a white metal replacement. I first filed the complete flange off the top to just where the chimney itself curves up to the flange, then superglued a suitably small brass washer onto the top to form the new flange. When this had set, using some "Squadron green putty" filler, I contoured above and below the new 'flange', sanded after the filler had set, then repainted.......not too bad I reckon. Below is the victim, stripped for action.

    Attached files [​IMG]
     
  2. Keith M

    Keith M Staff Member Moderator

    Messages:
    4,446
    Likes Received:
    2,902
    Joined:
    Dec 16, 2015
    .......and the chimney after repairs.

    Attached files [​IMG]
     
  3. Keith M

    Keith M Staff Member Moderator

    Messages:
    4,446
    Likes Received:
    2,902
    Joined:
    Dec 16, 2015
    I've removed the tiny 'coal' moulding from the equally tiny bunker, just to look at the possibilities for squeezing a decoder in, and decided that I would paint or whatever, the cab handrails. In the event, I used one of a set of 3 felt tip pens to apply silver. The 'ink' is more like a paint, so was easy to apply and made the handrails look a lot better.

    Attached files [​IMG]
     
  4. Keith M

    Keith M Staff Member Moderator

    Messages:
    4,446
    Likes Received:
    2,902
    Joined:
    Dec 16, 2015
    Turning to the main loco moulding, I added some 'Brass' colouring to the water gauge and handbrake handle mouldings to give a bit of detail.

    Attached files [​IMG]
     
  5. Keith M

    Keith M Staff Member Moderator

    Messages:
    4,446
    Likes Received:
    2,902
    Joined:
    Dec 16, 2015
    These are the pens I'm using, cheap as chips from "Home Bargains" in the UK, 89 pence........bargain!

    Attached files [​IMG]
     
  6. Keith M

    Keith M Staff Member Moderator

    Messages:
    4,446
    Likes Received:
    2,902
    Joined:
    Dec 16, 2015
    Until I receive the decoder, I can't go much further with the body, although I have removed the original light alloy weight from the smokebox (screw under front of smokebox holds it in). I rolled a length of lead roof 'flashing' to the firebox diameter, making it a tight 'push-in' fit then replaced the original smokebox door moulding. This added just a few extra grams of weight to the loco, and I'm hoping I can do similar at the rear end of the loco to increase weigh a little, but will need to see what space (If any) is left if I fit the decoder there. Next job was to rewire the 3 sets of pickups, each side of which were originally joined to each sides motor terminal. These needed to be altered so that each sides pickups were still joined, but the motor terminals were free, allowing for the decoder to be connected, red & black to pickups, orange & grey to motor. Comparison with the first pic shows the differences before and after modification. To be continued when I receive the decoder.
    Keith.

    Attached files [​IMG]
     
  7. Toto

    Toto I'm best ignored Staff Member Founder Administrator

    Messages:
    15,419
    Likes Received:
    3,842
    Joined:
    Dec 5, 2017
    Great idea with the pens Keith and should be easier accuracy wise than paint. :thumbs:
     
  8. ianvolvo46

    ianvolvo46 Staff Member Moderator

    Messages:
    5,331
    Likes Received:
    1,588
    Joined:
    Dec 8, 2015
    Love these tuturiols Keith ... as I'm a complete novice on locos they are quality tips cheers.

    Ian vt
     
  9. SRman

    SRman Full Member

    Messages:
    895
    Likes Received:
    429
    Joined:
    Dec 28, 2015
    I, too, use those pens (or similar) for fine work where a brush becomes cumbersome. Examples of use for silver are (as Keith did above) handrails, also window vents, and on road vehicles, radiator surrounds, door handles, bumpers and chrome/aluminium trims.
     
  10. paul_l

    paul_l Staff Member Administrator

    Messages:
    9,848
    Likes Received:
    5,902
    Joined:
    Dec 5, 2015
    Hi Keith, you may be able to put a little lead in the cab roof, or even the decoder, as it may be difficult to see from normal viewing angles.

    Paul.
     
  11. jakesdad13

    jakesdad13 Staff Member Moderator

    Messages:
    4,535
    Likes Received:
    2,071
    Joined:
    Dec 14, 2015
    I used those (well similar) pens to line out an Ashover light railway coach a few years ago, it looked great after matt varnishing, I wish I had photographed it at the time :facepalm:.

    Pete.
     
  12. Gary

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

    Messages:
    7,316
    Likes Received:
    3,847
    Joined:
    Dec 5, 2015
    Following along Keith. I'm interested to see how you go about fitting the decoder and which type you use. I have the Hornby Terrier and also a Dapol Beattie well tank to fit out.

    Cheers, Gary.

    ps. I've never used those pens ! ;);)
     
  13. SRman

    SRman Full Member

    Messages:
    895
    Likes Received:
    429
    Joined:
    Dec 28, 2015
    Gary, the Beattie well tank should take a 6-pin direct decoder. I used a TCS EUN651 decoder, which only just squeezed in.

    I'm sure there are plenty of other suitable 6-pin decoders available; I have used CT Elektronik decoders in my two Bachmann E4 tank locos, which have a little more space available than in the Beattie well tank.

    In the case of the Terriers, I have always used TCS Z2 decoders, but if you can afford it, try to get the smallest decoders you can, with long thin ones being easier to fit than short wide ones.
     
  14. Keith M

    Keith M Staff Member Moderator

    Messages:
    4,446
    Likes Received:
    2,902
    Joined:
    Dec 16, 2015
    Decoder arrived today, and I found it would fit nicely into the bunker area, as can be seen from the pic.

    Attached files [​IMG]
     
  15. Keith M

    Keith M Staff Member Moderator

    Messages:
    4,446
    Likes Received:
    2,902
    Joined:
    Dec 16, 2015
    To make things a bit less cramped, I removed the 'Stay-alive' wires (no room for a capacitor even if I wanted one!) and the white and yellow wires also. I'd already removed the plastic 'coal' moulding from the bunker top, so stuck the decoder in edgewise on with a bit of black tack at the top (I'll stick some real coal above this later), then found I had enough room below for a couple of thicknesses of lead flashing, cut to shape and glued under the decoder, useful as the back end would be very light otherwise, since I'd removed the small bunker weight to make room for the decoder. I made a small cutaway in the internal bunker wall to allow the 4 decoder wires to pass through at floor level, black heat shrinking them so they won't be seen when the cab is refitted and crew added. This pic shows the cab ready for refitting to the loco.

    Attached files [​IMG]
     
  16. Keith M

    Keith M Staff Member Moderator

    Messages:
    4,446
    Likes Received:
    2,902
    Joined:
    Dec 16, 2015
    I then drilled a 3mm hole in the top right hand corner (looking at the firebox from 'inside' the loco) of the firebox front. This is to allow the decoder wires to pass along the floor across the right side cab doorway, and up to just below the 'porthole' window, then through the hole into the motor housing, but above the worm gear, since I don't want the worm to chew up the wires. Next step is to glue driver and fireman figures to the cab floor, prior to refitting the cab to the footplate. There's not a lot of room here (glad I decided NOT to fit the decoder to the cab floor after all!), and I reckon the driver must have had to stand in the cab doorway whilst the fireman chucked a few shovelsful of coal into the firebox on the real loco! Anyway, now I have to wait for the glue holding the figures to set, then fit the cab back in place. The pic shows where the access hole has to be drilled for the decoder wires to pass into the motor housing area. I stuck a toothpick into the hole so you can see things a bit more clearly, as the hole wouldn't show up very well otherwise.
    To be continued.

    Attached files [​IMG]
     
  17. paul_l

    paul_l Staff Member Administrator

    Messages:
    9,848
    Likes Received:
    5,902
    Joined:
    Dec 5, 2015
    Nice fixer up there Keith

    Paul
     
  18. Keith M

    Keith M Staff Member Moderator

    Messages:
    4,446
    Likes Received:
    2,902
    Joined:
    Dec 16, 2015
    Assembling the cab back onto the footplate with wires threaded through, I decided to glue the cab back in position. It's quite a close fit, what with wires and a couple of crew, so better not to have to rely on the 3 clips on the cab base to hold it in position. With this done, I soldered the 4 wires in place and eased the body onto the chassis replacing the 2 retaining screws, all ready for programming. It seems most decoders are pre-programmed to 28 speed steps, but I much prefer 128 as it gives far better low speed control, just what a small loco like the 'Terrier' needs. After programming and a test run, with all well, I added some real coal onto the tiny bunker, and gave the loco it's first coat of weathering. As it's condition is supposed to represent 'advanced decay', likely on it's last legs prior to heading to the breakers, I've posed it with a couple of coal wagons, probably all it can manage given the state of it, so I guess far from becoming a 'Silk Purse', although it runs quite well, it's portrayed condition is intended to show it's still very much a 'Sow's Ear!" Here's the body about to be re-united with the chassis.

    Attached files [​IMG]
     
  19. Keith M

    Keith M Staff Member Moderator

    Messages:
    4,446
    Likes Received:
    2,902
    Joined:
    Dec 16, 2015
    .......and all back together, coal added to the bunker and the first stages of weathering begun. It's intended to portray a 'rust bucket' loco on it's last legs with probably it's final duties before meeting the cutters torch, so plenty of opportunities to apply muck, rust, oil and water staining etc. Total cost of my efforts in cash terms is a few pence under £35, so a worthwhile addition for not much money.
    Keith.

    Attached files [​IMG]
     
  20. Ron

    Ron Full Member

    Messages:
    3,318
    Likes Received:
    757
    Joined:
    Dec 5, 2015
    Looking good Keith, bit more muck and rust!!:tophat:
     

Share This Page