Paul_L's Connoisseur 4F build

Hi Rob

I have a wee secret on this, the tips are interchangeable, this bit will only now be used for 100C or 70C solder, one of the many reasons for keeping the white metal parts to the end of the build. I may as well keep the new tip for the 145 / 188 solder. I also keep re-tinning the bit with 180 multicore at the start and whenever the 145 forms globs rather than flow smoothly across the tip.

I have used the KSGER soldering station for the whole build - I did try the 40W Weller Iron, with a new tip and within 10 mins it was black and not accepting any solder.
The tip I have used is a T12 - D4, and this seems to work very well. Luckily I bought several.

Paul

 

Started the chassis

First job to ream out the frames to accept the bearing bushes, a little stressful, as the original hole is approx 5.3 dia, and the final hole needs to be 6.4 dia.

The outer axles also have to have an additional etched spacer or washer fitted between the bearing and the frame. These also needed to be reamed out as well.

Fitting the bearings into the frames I used these to setup my Avonside Chassis2 Jig axle spacing

To keep the chassis side flat I added a washer underneath the center bearing

I fitted the frame over the bearings and soldered it up,

and repeat for the other side - oh ****

I've soldered the bearings to the wrong side

After a few sharp words with myself (and Toto got to witness it as he was in a skype conversation with me), this is the way I fixed it

I drilled a 13 mm blind hole in to a piece of wood

Placed the assembly over the hole

Heated up the assembly and pushed the bearing through

Leaving the bearing in the hole

Back to the jig, and re-solder the frame back up the correct way round

Next I added the frame spacers

Removed the side from the jig, and put the other side in fitted the first side back onto the jig and soldered up the second side.

Checked is was flat, then popped it into the Ultrasoic cleaner for 5 mins

and here's the result

Paul

 

Hi Keith

After your other post, maybe you should consider the larger cleaner, you may soon need it .

Paul

 

Today, I inserted the wheels, they fitted without issue, but were stiff, so I reamed out the bearings, and all spin freely.

Now the brakes,

3 left hand and 3 right hand versions need the shoe's sweated on to the bracket.

Then as per Yorkies suggestion soldered up over a square corner - he used a flat stone, I used a piece of 3x2 planed timber.

Fidely but got there in the end

Next up the Water scoop, this is awhite metal casting

And is soldered on to the cross member

And put the bits together

Just need to remove the wheels and clean it up ready for primer

Paul

 

Late start this evening so just making a start on the footplate.

First up I embossed the rivet detail on the buffer beam and side valances.
The draw bar is part of the footplate etch, so this bent through 90 degrees and the valances then tacked in place, followed by the buffer beam - and yes you've guessed it I forgot to take piccies.
Once happy that everything looks OK, the seams are completed.
Then the nuts to secure the chassis were added.
A quick dip in the cleaner (approx 2 min - after all it is after midnight), I will clean the solder up in the morning.

Draw bar end

Buffer beam underside

Upperside with the step sides folded and soldered in place

And a final shot of one of my nuts

I will ream buffer beam for the buffers and fit shanks
Paul

 

Nut's I'd thought I'd found a way out

Paul

 

Buffers started on - boy am I glad I did this now

Buffer beam reamed out the a broach, and the heads soldered into place

Next to drill out the bolt holes, not easy trying to hold the assembly verticle with one hand , the drill in place with the other - wait a min how do I rotate the drill

Scratching my head - I know a block of wood, now where did that I dea come from

8 holes later, I tinned the end of the wire and threaded it in from the front until just the right amount protrued out and then tinned in place - sorry for the soft focus pic

And were done

Now to get back on script.

Paul

 

A little progress

Cab front cut out and cleaned and rivets embossed

Centre window apertures added

Splashers all bent up

And the cab front tacked in place and set square and on centre

Checked from both sides and looks good - fillets of solder added

Making lunch, so will be back later.

Paul

 

Started on the cab sides

The beading etch was cleaned up, tinned and sweated in to place

Next up the grad rail

Top support - folded over and soldered in place and finally the beading.

Repeat for the other side

Now were ready to fit the sides - tagged in 3 places middle of bottom edge, middle between Cab side and front, and top of cab side and frot

Repeated for the other side, once happy with the fit I completed the seam joints

Inside of cab

Cab front

and the sides

Ok that's it for now, I have other duties to perform

Paul