Rob's 7mm Rolling Stock Workbench

[Robpulham]

And another view of the end.

[Robpulham]

I have made a bit of progress with the Midland fruit van despite battling with meth fix transfers for the first time.

I am pleased with the results however.

Others are in various states of paint work.

[Atlantic 3279]

I used to think I could handle Methfix almost as easily as Pressfix. Struggling recently with the words "Ventilated Refrigerator", all as one transfer, persuaded me that I had over-estimated my abilities. Not only was I unimpressed with the ability of the transfer to hold its position whilst the meths solution activated the adhesive, but later I was battling with letters coming un-stuck from the vehicle and sliding about out of line as I tried to soak off the tenacious backing paper. I was using the prescribed ratios of water and meths and the specified stages, and allowing the stated time befiore trying to free off the backing paper. Think I'll stick to Pressfix in future .

Nice vehicles 'though Rob .

[Robpulham]

Thanks Graeme,
a similar comment elsewhere, elicited the the reply that they had best results with a very weak solution of meths 8:1 so I will try that next (I probably used too much meths - I do have a tendency to overkill ).

[Robpulham]

next past the finish line is the Slatted Milk van.

Last year during the world cup I was fortunate enough to win a box set of Haff drawing instruments for under a fiver. This is the first time I have used the lining pen in anger. I also lined a Period III full brake in 4mm scale -http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index. ... ge__st__25 Which I am very pleased with.

[Robpulham]

The latest of the Parkside production line is an LNER Plate wagon. The amonut of items to paint is growing by the day

[Blink Bonny]

Wow.

But there are worse things than Methfixes, y'know.

I've just finished lettering a Dublo breakdown crane using waterslides. And I think I'm going to have to do it all over again. They've not taken correctly and this is despite ruining a few while putting them on.

Where's that Ivo Peters book? Ah, that's better - oh, no! A BREAKDOWN CRANE!!!!

[Saint Johnstoun]

Transfers can be a pain, expressly when one is getting older and less nimble with the fingers, and the eyesight also is not so good.

I find the use of Carrs Transfix or Humbrol Decalfix is a great aid. I use Pressfix as I have a large stock from the Peter Chatham days; I find Fox very fiddly and waste a lot, but have used Kemco in the past and still have a stock.

I still waste quite a few bits though however hard one tries.

[jwealleans]

I like the Pressfix transfers and also find Cambridge Custom Transfers and Precision decals waterslide very good when they cover something I can use.

Until recently I considered Powsides the work of the devil himself, having had some disastrous experiences with them. I found myself with no choice but to use them on a recent construction, though and with suitable precautions and attention found I got on OK with them. I've since bought and used some more and while they're not perfect and not easy to use I did manage to a satisfactory degree. The range is huge and he does some really attractive private owner liveries so I may well use them again.

What boggles me, having undergone another session with them last night is how some people manage the HMRS BR pre-TOPS wagon sheet. Especially when

one is getting older and less nimble with the fingers, and the eyesight also is not so good.

I'm not in that category and I find them hard to see, hard to cut out and hard to get straight. They're nowhere near as good but i can see why a lot of people like Modelmaster.

[buckjumper]

Thanks Graeme,
a similar comment elsewhere, elicited the the reply that they had best results with a very weak solution of meths 8:1 so I will try that next (I probably used too much meths - I do have a tendency to overkill ).

Yes, I concur; I always dilute the meths more than the instructions, though nothing too prescribed - a dash of meths, a few dashes of water and then some. I've sometimes found that too strong a solution can actually stain white lettering with a purple tinge, and that's annoying. However, I do get on much better with them than Pressfix, but then I can be contrary...

Besides which, having survived the rigours of Slater's 1:32 PO wagon transfers, I can cope with anything!

[Robpulham]

I have recently built an S&D Horsebox from a Fourtrack models kit (Ex MSE) but I didn't post progress here due t it's foreign nature
However working on Jonathan's you cannot have too many horseboxes theory, I have now started a D&S NER horse box. Sadly while very nice in a lot of ways it is quite lacking in others - no brake yokes being one example.

I did have some trouble with the under frame detail but thanks to MickB I now have enough to work on.

Still some way to go on detailing the sides. I have made the small observation door on either side sliding and I plan to put a basic interior in so that it can be viewed by opening the door. Sad I know but I do love the details.

Since there was a lack of castings and I believe by LNER days it would have been dual braled until at least 1930 I have knocked up a semblance of a vacuum cylinder to go with the Westinghouse casting.

I have also made a partition for the grooms compartment, I still need to make stalls etc.

Sadly there are no etches or castings to represent the quite distinctive door supports - I describe them as supports as the more I look at different pictures I don't believe they were springs, more like rams that come to s top and support the door when lowered. Which means that I need to order some brass angle from Eileens to have a go at making them.

[Robpulham]

Lastly for now something to illustrate what I mean about the distinctive door supports.

[Robpulham]

Having had a day off today, I spent it pleasantly scratch building additional details for the NER horse box sides.

Both sides are now fully detailed (the door supports will be fastened to the chassis so I can remove the body for painting - although I may ultimately glue them once they painting is finished) next up is the end with the brake tell tale.

In the style of fellow members I have made the door bolt working - shame the doors are not separate or I would have had a go at making them open too.

[Robpulham]

Tonight I spent some time detailing the Grooms end with handrail and brake tell tale. I still have the other brake pipe work to add.

I have to confess that I like the tell tale indicators so much I plan to make some for the S&D box. Each indicator is made from 2 x 4mm scale Markits crank pin washers, soldered together to give some depth and a slot cut in them with a piercing saw to accept the end of the brass rod.

[Atlantic 3279]

Hi Rob,

I agree that it is enjoyable to add such little details at times. I found an easier method to suggest roof-mounted tell-tales in 4mm scale on the ends of Gresley coaches - I just squashed flat both ends of suitable lengths of 0.5mm brass wire, then filed the squashed areas to something like the right shape.