11-08-2019, 12:47 AM
...continued...
..and here, installed on the mechanism...
Because the model is cast metal, it was easier to drill oversize holes for mounting the small details, as drilling the zinc with small-size drill bits often resulted in either broken or severely-worn bits. Once the larger holes were drilled, I used styrene rod about .003" or .004" in diameter greater than the holes, dipping the rod into MEK in order to soften its exterior surfaces. After a couple-or-three such dips, the over-size rod was easily forced into the under-size holes. Once it re-hardened, any protruding material was sliced-off and the area filed or sanded smooth. It was then easy to use a small drill bit (in a pin vise) to drill suitably-sized holes for detail parts, such as the grabirons on the sides of the sand box (dome).
A front view (the headlight lense is not yet cemented in place)...
...and the view into the cab, with its not quite complete boiler backhead...
A few photos of the painted and lettered loco before weathering...
...and a look inside the cab...
I took some more photos after adding some weathering, a combination of airbrushed paint and brush-applied artists' pastels...
....continued in next post....
..and here, installed on the mechanism...
Because the model is cast metal, it was easier to drill oversize holes for mounting the small details, as drilling the zinc with small-size drill bits often resulted in either broken or severely-worn bits. Once the larger holes were drilled, I used styrene rod about .003" or .004" in diameter greater than the holes, dipping the rod into MEK in order to soften its exterior surfaces. After a couple-or-three such dips, the over-size rod was easily forced into the under-size holes. Once it re-hardened, any protruding material was sliced-off and the area filed or sanded smooth. It was then easy to use a small drill bit (in a pin vise) to drill suitably-sized holes for detail parts, such as the grabirons on the sides of the sand box (dome).
A front view (the headlight lense is not yet cemented in place)...
...and the view into the cab, with its not quite complete boiler backhead...
A few photos of the painted and lettered loco before weathering...
...and a look inside the cab...
I took some more photos after adding some weathering, a combination of airbrushed paint and brush-applied artists' pastels...
....continued in next post....