Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Progress

Since the modelling room has been up and running, I’ve been hitting the soldering iron. The J Class tender has been completed, along with a small road grader project .

The tender has come up well, which is a tribute to the manufacturer (Steam Era Models) as much as anything else. As can be seen, the tender is from an oil burning version. However, I’ve started a coal burning kit also. It’ll be interesting to see the differences in the two - apart from the absence of an oil tank, of course! The new frame spacers for the broad gauge conversion have arrived, and will be fitted to the kits tomorrow night. Stay tuned.



After the significant amount of detail on the J Class kit, my eyes were starting to see double. Therefore, I decided that a short diversion was in order. My first visit to Central Hobbies in Vancouver resulted in the purchase of a 120 road grader kit (1:87 scale) from GHQ. It took me around and hour to solder up the white metal components, using low melt solder and a variable temperature soldering iron. It’s a nice kit and will come up well after painting and weathering.


Jules

Friday, November 11, 2011

Watson & Co Foundry, Vancouver, Canada

Well, after many months of moving and living in temporary accommodation, my family and I have finally arrived at somewhere permanent!

Apart from being able to relax and ‘put down some roots’, the new place features a basement. This has enabled me to annex two rooms for modelling. After a trip to IKEA, the much dreamt of modelling room exists!


I have also purchased a Badger 260 abrasive gun and sand blasting booth. Used in conjunction with the ultrasonic bath, brass items can be readily cleaned before painting.



I have a lot to do, with the first ‘cab of the rank’ being the two J Class steamers...

Jules