Genghis's 7mm Workbench

[Genghis]

David,

I was thinking along the same lines as @Duncan Chandler as above, but was mainly wondering if all or any of the cylinder assembly, smokebox saddle, and firebox casting/3D print can be made available separately? I have a Javelin long-wheelbase 5MT kit for a possible high-footplate build, and I think I read that the firebox may be slightly wrong? However, a one-piece casting would save quite a bit of time even if not so.

Your comments about 90% of the job being done in this kit do lead me to think that is a further option to consider, but would welcome your thoughts.

Paul

We are always happy to make kit components available. Things like resin castings are bought in sets and usually we only order enough for the number of kits that we plan to pack. Resin castings are not cheap.

We already have the Urie S15, Fowler 2-6-2T and Jubilee kits under development. It all costs time and money, so while I would really like to have 44686/7 in the range I cannot be sure of timescale. Development of new kits is financed by sales of the existing range and we, like other small suppliers, are finding sales hard. Moreover, I don't have the CAD skills to draw up anything, so I have to rely on the availability of good designers to help.

David

 

[BillyRuffian]

Hi David,

Thank you for such a prompt and helpful reply. Your comments also help with understanding the constraints that traders have to work under when deciding upon products to bring to market, and timescales involved. Also realise that the current situation is not likely to be helpful for a business of any sort.

It makes perfect sense that you only order what you think you can sell! Rather than continue here, I will send a private message if that is ok with you, as probably not of general interest.

Paul

 

[Dave Holt]

Another option for the spindly cross shaft would be to sleeve it with tube to increase the diameter?
Dave.

 

[Genghis]

It’s an option. But: but of a disaster this morning as in removing the body I have broken three of the printed cranks. I’ll finish off the other bits for now and return to this when the brass parts are available.

I’ll need to point out in the instructions that the final reversing gear drives to the camboxes will need to be detachable so that the body can be removed.

 

[Genghis]

As an aside the Annoying Interference is doing my head in. It won’t accept ‘cambox’ as a word first time so changes it even when correctly typed. So far I’ve had bamboos, Cambrian and Cambodia. What’s next I wonder?

 

[simond]

As an aside the Annoying Interference is doing my head in. It won’t accept ‘cambox’ as a word first time so changes it even when correctly typed. So far I’ve had bamboos, Cambrian and Cambodia. What’s next I wonder?

David,

Can’t you right click it and accept it as a proper word?

best
Simon

 

[Genghis]

David,

Can’t you right click it and accept it as a proper word?

best
Simon

On my iPhone. Haven't worked out how to do it there yet.
David

 

[simond]

it’s not obvious, but this appears to work:

settings, general, keyboard, text replacement, + and type the word, ignore the optional shortcut.

atb
Simon

 

[Genghis]

It has been a case of two steps forward and two back with the Caprotti.

The good news is that the first sprues of the new castings have arrived and are good. These replace the 3D printed reverser boxes and the reversing box cranks. I am now waiting on replacements for the actuating levers and reach rod support bracket. I have scratched some levers from scrap etch and have used the 3D print on the test build, which is now complete and enjoying the spring sunshine.







Another positive point is that I have worked out how to beef up the linkages between the reversing levers and actuating levers. These are now 0.7mm wire running in 1.2mm tube. This gives a better shape and allows the linkages to be split to allow the body to be removed.

The steps back are with the latest version of the body etch which arrived today. The modifications that @mickoo kindly made have worked well but errors that were not on previous prints elsewhere on the sheet have crept in rendering the main footplate and sundry other parts unusable. So another iteration required. Sigh. The only positive from this is that it allows some more 'nice-to-haves' to be added.

Despite these setbacks I am pleased. It will be an easy to build kit that goes together well. The end is in sight.

When putting this together I made the mistake of getting a rotary wire brush too close to the firebox, hence the filler. Now to finish off the instructions and the Armstrong.

 

[LarryG]

Genghis's superb model has made me look more seriously at the 4mm offering. I liked the Caprotti's....they had a good bark. In steam days, the 'normal' Black Fives were boring, but preservation probably changed all that. The Caprotti's were common on the Manchester-North Wales services with examples shedded in both places, so it came as a shock to see one of these modern machines stored at Llandudno Junction in a line up of old rubbish. It was back in service by the Spring.