Paul_L's Connoisseur 4F build

Looks like a little bit more black paint needed on the axle boxes , just to be covered in grime

Paul

 

Only a wee bit of progress today

Touched up the grey spots on the tender.

Then started on the plunger pickups

As per Jim's suggestions, the base hole was opened up with a 1.4mm drill, and ran a 2.4mm drill in the main body.

Six lengths of 24AWG silicone multistrand wires were cut just oversize (distance from pickup hole to 25mm beyond the rear of the chassis). Ends trimmed and tinned ready for soldering to the etched tags.

Then assembled

One down five more to go.

Paul

 

Slight deviation in the plan

All the plunger pickups have been assembled, but rather than fitting, I decided to start and weather the chassis and wheels first.

Railmatch frame dirt (diluted 50:50 paint and Railmatch thinner) was sprayed onto the dissassembled chassis and wheels.

Boy those pics look light, I can assure you they are a lot darker.

Cleaned the paint off the wheel rims with IPA on a cotton bud.

Time to re-assemble the both chassis - as Arnie would say "I'll be back"

Paul

 

Said I'd be back

Just given a quick spray of Humbrol Sand Wash with the airbrush. I will apply some dust wash then powders later to give further definition .......

Without camera flash

and with camera flash

And with the tender body dropped on

Transfers arrived from HMRS, so need to apply gloss varnish to the tender side.

Paul

 

Ok time to fit the plunger pickups

The easy ones first

Then the rest and the wheels axles and motor

Time to thread the wires through the etched holes in the chassis - the 24AWG silicon wire just fits through - phew

Now to touch up the wheel centres

and paint the coupling rods - again Railmatch Frame dirt

Need to let these harden, then spray with matt varnish.

Paul

 

Thanks guy's, comparing the colours above and the photo on page 1 I think I have to add more black to the dirt layer, but I reckon that will happen when the whole model is ready for weathering, and I can blend in the overall look (or at least try to).

Paul

 

Morning chores completed (well the ones the boss remembered at least).

Wired up the chassis

Two pieces of OO gauge copper clad sleeper were cut tinned and super glued one per side of the motor.
The positive motor terminal was connected to the right hand side strip, the negative to the left hand strip. The pickup wires were trimmed and connected to the strips. The strips are big enough to allow a connection to the tender if required.

My intention is to 3D print a decoder mount that will be attached to the front side of the motor as there is enough room in the firebox to accomodate it.

Once the wiring is complete and working correctly, I will paint over the copper clad with nail varnish to act as an insulator.

Time to cook lunch .....

Paul

 

slight issue, I will need to file a bit off the footplate (will not be seen) as the copper clad is catching.

Running the chassis, I will be fitting additional pickup in the tender, probably a weight issue (or unlike me a lack of weight issue) which will improve once the body is in place.

Paul

 

Hi Jim

Once the footplate and fire box are fully secured I should be able to cut out a section of footplate - I will post pics up showing what I mean later. But will put some insulation on both the copper clad (nail varnish) and the foot plate edge, probably black insulation tape.

Paul

 

I suppose this is slightly less embarassing, as it's only 10 months since the last bitof work.

The pressure is on, the MOK 8F build is nearing so I must make some progress on the 4F.

A look at the instructions to try and work out where I was up to

And the bits I'd missed out

Front splashers - a wee bit of a nightmare, compounded by the fact I'd fitted the beading to the footplate before fitting the splashers - don't ask why as I've been calling myself all sort of un-printable names since finding out this mistake.

Now all the splashers are fitted I could fit the firebox / splasher trims

Lubricator supports and reversing crank - oops this should have been fitted after the boiler and smokebox were fitted.

which leads up to the one of the most stress full parts that went real easy - time will tell on that level of enthusiam.

Note to self - Need to tidy the work bench especially before taking photo's

Decided to put it through the ultrasonic bath for a good clean before fitting the next parts.

Back soon I hope

Paul

 

Followed by a clean with Jif - sorry CIF cleaner hot water and a tooth brush, other brands of cleaner are available but SWMBO had bought this one.

No parts fell off - phew

It seems to sit on the chassis nicely - but the proof will be when its screwed down.

Next up is the valve chest cover and assemblies, reversing lever and a few other bits then the chassis ..... Ah I've already done that bit nuts oh well.

Paul