|
|
Post by charley on Nov 25, 2014 10:36:23 GMT
There's a lot to be said for purchasing a part built locomotive and attempting to finish it you know. Mines given hours of enjoyment and frustration in probably equal amounts. The original builders put a lot of thought into what they had done.
Some advantages - lots of hours saved although I've had to replace parts of the original made from stainless steel as no drill would go through it.
Some pitfalls - never to drawing in places and the original builders decided a mod ( not unreasonable) was better. You sit there working out why their way is just as good after spending hours wondering why the holes aren't in the frame.
Watch out for the old part machined cylinders - there's probably a reason why they aren't finished.
Discuss
Charley
|
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Nov 25, 2014 11:11:58 GMT
Horses for courses, do as you please to suit your circumstances but be sure you know what you are actually parting with your cash for, always look over the project before purchase in great detail and as always buyer beware!!! Topic discussed!  Cheers Ben |
|
|
|
Post by Jim on Nov 25, 2014 11:21:26 GMT
That'll be it then. Topic closed  Jim |
|
dscott
Elder Statesman
Posts: 2,437
|
Post by dscott on Nov 25, 2014 16:23:07 GMT
Not quite!!! Judging by the vast ammount of part built models that are out for sale even at the moment.
Dare we venture into bidding on e-bay???
There are many stages to buy a model and possibly the best being when the chassis has been run on air
and the buyer can do the simpler platework and buy in a boiler thus getting round the having to invest
in extensive workshop facilities.
I have bought two part started models this year and again without doing it this way these would never have
got started, or finished by their original owners who can then start on another project that now inspires
them better. Yes one is a Speedy and at a stage that can so easily be altered thankfully.
|
|
|
|
Post by charley on Nov 25, 2014 18:34:51 GMT
I thought m'learned friends might wish to contribute to the perils or otherwise of part built given the criticism of models appearing on eBay et al.
Oh well back to wondering how much the Winsons booklet will go for.
Lol
Charley
|
|
|
|
Post by terry1956 on Nov 25, 2014 19:21:37 GMT
There are many part build locos on ebay and other auctions.my worry is two fold.on ebay there are a few this was my fathers and I know nothing about it type of sellers.these I feel are dealers who have obtained their items from small auctions.i think this as I have seen some items for sale and then a few weeks later they show up on ebay as the sellers late fathers.the second is a chap who just knows he will never get around to completing the job.i think we all have items that we know will never get done for one reason or another. How much a completed chassis is worth I have no idea, I picked up an un finished B1 chassis a few years back for 10 pounds at the last drewetts auction held in bristol.i did not really want it, but had the idea that it may be useful sometime.which it never as been.but some bargains can still be found if you have a need for them.michael
|
|
|
|
Post by sncf141r on Nov 25, 2014 22:33:24 GMT
The problem that I've found when trying to complete a part-built model is:
1) original builder did not follow the plans;
2) parts not made to spec. (eg, wheel back to back off by 1-2mm randomly)
This was the original builders' 3rd locomotive, so he was not inexperienced. He did not survive to see it completed, so possibly he was not feeling well when machining?
Anyway, if I'm going to have mistakes in my models, I'll make them, rather than finding out others' mistakes just when you think you are almost completed an assembly...
JohnS.
|
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Nov 25, 2014 23:19:26 GMT
Unless running on air ( and satisfactory as well ) I'd view a rolling chassis as no more than an assembled kit of parts that'll need a full dismantle and every part gauged and visually checked....
|
|
jma1009
Elder Statesman
Posts: 5,900
|
Post by jma1009 on Nov 25, 2014 23:31:38 GMT
i was always told that a partly built loco is only worth the cost of the castings!
ive rebuilt quite a few miniature locos over the years. in all cases i have either seen the loco run, or driven it, or been told it is complete and running on air.
in 2 cases the wheelsets were too wide of gauge and things so out of true that a complete strip down to bare frames was required.
another case where the loco had been 'completed' and run on air i tried it on my compressor and found it very 'plodding'. no chamfer or recess on cylinder covers to allow the steam in and out! and steam chests with valves that went at an angle to the ports! exhaust pipe flanges bolted to cylinders so mean with the silver solder that they had sheared off! and 7BA bolts fitted in tapped 6BA holes etc. i was only supposed to line out the loco but it took 6 months to sort it out!
one 'tested' boiler which proved to be so badly made it was only fit for scrap.
ho hum! i would say that all the above helped me with my own locos!
cheers,
julian
|
|
|
|
Post by doubletop on Nov 26, 2014 8:55:29 GMT
I agree that there is value in a partiality completed model and even a completed model that needs a bit of TLC. I'm doing a second hand Dart that has had many contributors and needed a bit doing to it. I went into the job with my eyes open. Fortunately I had time to survey the loco beforehand and as a result the boiler was scrapped before I made an offer. Many other parts have been scrapped and remade, here is the scrap bin so far. This box only contains parts I have re-made  and where I've got to since I started at the end of August. The conrods and crossheads aren't here but they are done. The cylinders are next and I should be running on air by the end of the January. That would have been impossible if I'd started from scratch.  For me this hobby is the creative process, running the end result is secondary. Pete |
|
Tony K
Elder Statesman
Posts: 1,573
|
Post by Tony K on Nov 26, 2014 9:17:50 GMT
Unless running on air ( and satisfactory as well ) I'd view a rolling chassis as no more than an assembled kit of parts that'll need a full dismantle and every part gauged and visually checked.... Agree. The same applies as with a completed loco - view before you buy. Sometimes it gives a good start to building a loco, sometimes it would have been easier and therefore better to have done it yourself. The upside is part-builds are usually cheap once the vendor has realised their pride and joy is not as valuable to others. Sometimes it takes away the boring stuff like cabs, frames, tanks, tenders but then, some find those parts interesting. Some get more pleasure out of fixing something than a total build. Boilers always confuse the issue and put up the price, but unless there is certification I think they should be valued at zero - and the same for completed locos. Sometimes items are available because it is "such a shame to throw it away" - often it would be kinder to do just that. I find it best to write down a list of what you require and stick to it. There is a tendency for scope creep once you get to the vendor's place! As terry1956 says, there are plenty of "my father's" and "my grandad's" stuff around - just like lathes but this has the advantage you can totally disregard their opinion from the start. Risk and judgement are big players here though. IMHO again. doubletop - it looks just beautiful. |
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Nov 26, 2014 13:17:11 GMT
Very nicely done Pete. That is going to be lovely. In my case, a previously started engine will likely be the only one I do at this point. Do to medical problems I can't stand long enough to get many parts made. I was given this ...  by the family of the gentleman that started it in 1955. A close look will reveal many missing fasteners, some in the frame. It has been stripped down to bare frame and I have started the rebuilding process. The fiddly bits that are required can be built on my bench top lathe so I can sit whilst turning them. So far that has proved enjoyable. Also, at just about 70, with eyesight problems as well, but a HUGE desire to get this done, I recon the part built route has saved me a couple of years work and may allow me to cross a line off of the bucket list. Cheers Tom |
|
Midland
Elder Statesman
Posts: 1,870
|
Post by Midland on Nov 26, 2014 13:22:10 GMT
Somewhat painfully I have learnt that when buying a second hand loco, it is best to see if you can take it apart according to the drawings before buying, unless of course you know it (or the pedigree of the builder) very well. I suppose you would not be popular if you then decided it was junk and left it in bits, but then that is the test!!!!!
Cheers David
|
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Nov 26, 2014 15:03:04 GMT
Hello TOM------- GIVEN ??..as in "For nothing" ??...zilch?, nowt?, ..Gee !!.......Oh happy day !! Is that 3.5" or 5" ( I'm guessing 3.5 ??)----------Stay with it Tom and keep posting on here.......It's helped me get my incentive back after that disastrous affair with effing LYNX recently .......
|
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Nov 26, 2014 15:22:04 GMT
Hi Hagley,
Well, it did cost me about $35.00 Canadian worth of petrol for the approx 200 mile round trip to go get it.
It came with a couple of provisos ... it won't be found on ebay in the foreseeable future, and when done I put a wee plaque on it somewhere with the original maker's name.
It is a 3 1/2".
Cheers
Tom
|
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Nov 26, 2014 15:33:15 GMT
Nice one TOM, and I'd agree with those provisos as well........... Keep at it... You're not on your own whilst you're with this motely crew !! LoL ......
|
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Nov 26, 2014 16:30:17 GMT
There is one running at our local club so I have a first look if I need it. I did start a thread here ... modeleng.proboards.com/thread/9989/3-1-britannia-new-meProgress is slow at this point, but now that I have a couple of castings that were missing, I can get going. I have learned patience ... I married a Yorkshire Lass ... even imported her! I have learned that you can always tell a Yorkshire Lass ... but you can't tell them much! Cheers Tom |
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Nov 26, 2014 20:15:14 GMT
Aye oop, chuck !!--- Tha'll be talking like Michael Parkinson or Freddie Truman soon.............. Fancy a nice cup 'o Yorkshire tea --appen ??.....................OK, that's enough of that then...Your Avavtar shows a lovely looking track..........Have you any more photos you could post ??
|
|
dscott
Elder Statesman
Posts: 2,437
|
Post by dscott on Nov 26, 2014 21:45:25 GMT
Just like buying a house then!!! Once you have got the floorboards up and have preasure tested the heating...and drained and started
on the re doing of the leaking joints. Moved other pipes and re built main beams cut through to house them. Replaced grey cables with more
grey cables. Put in endless new glass to replace the steamed up pieces etc etc.
Then you can get on with that part built model which does inspire more than an endless mass of new suspect drawings!
Yorkshire, yes in my younger days did lots of caving there... Best caves go hand in hand with the best pubs, please leave muddy boots outside!
|
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Nov 26, 2014 22:43:05 GMT
I'll see what I can find for pics .. I haven't taken many, as I was too busy learning to drive an engine. More pics in the spring ... Promise! Yorkshire gold in the cupboard, as well as PJ Tipps. No less than twelve trips "over there" for me, and maybe another next year.
No caving I'm afraid, but much pub investigation. So far, Centurion Ale and Old Peculiar are the favorites.
Cheers
Tom
|
|
