Large Scale Central

A Brass Critter

Modeling
#1

One of the tools I inherited from Mike Oates was a Resistance Soldering outfit.

What to build?

Well, I had been looking at these little critters.

And, I thought I’d try to build it in brass.

I ordered some .032" thick brass from McMaster-Carr and started soldering.

I cut the base to shape, and soldered some square channel all around.

And from the top:

Earlier I had purchased an RS-3 motor block from Aristo-Craft. I cut down the mounting posts and used two screws to mount it in place.

This will be a pretty long term project, as I’m trying to figure out how to solder as well as just how best to assemble it.

ARTICLE: A Master Index for the J&B RR
Time to build - adding to Winery scene
#2

The side frames are made from the same .032" thick brass.

I used a nibbler to cut the slots. This worked much better than trying to cut it with my saw.

(http://www.jbrr.com/Pics/Locomotives/25TBox/IMG_0809.JPG)

The openings are framed with brass strip and I used some 1/8" square brass to reinforce across the bottom.

Finally, I used some H column to strengthen to top piece.

(http://www.jbrr.com/Pics/Locomotives/25TBox/IMG_0812.JPG)

Not that you’ll be able to see it…here’s a look at the pieces just put in place.

(http://www.jbrr.com/Pics/Locomotives/25TBox/IMG_0813.JPG)

#3

Bruce, what a neat lil project… By th looks of it, seems like you have the soldering down pat…

#4

Bruce great build, Looking forward to more pics. Regards,Ron

#5

Nice work Bruce. How many different temp solders are you using ?

#6

That is a neat project. I’m gonna keep an eye on this one.

Keep up the good work.

#7

Dave Marconi said:

Nice work Bruce. How many different temp solders are you using ?

Just one so far. The resistance soldering is an entirely new experience for me.

Thanks, guys. Hope I can figure out the next steps! :wink:

#8

Oh ya, next years “Bring & Brag”. Looking like lots of fun.

#9

Cant wait to see the progress. Thats going to be a neat little critter. One of these days I want to learn to solder and make stuff out of brass or tin.

#10

Well, not all of my soldering is totally neat. :wink:

I got some 1/8" x 1/2" brass bar stock from McMaster-Carr - got to love these guys. Ordered last Sunday; shipped Monday, and showed up here on Tuesday.

I cut some 1/2" wide sections and soldered them onto some 1/16" x 1/4" brass strips. Then I sliced a cylinder at 30 degrees and soldered the slices in place. Not quite prototypical, but at least it was easy and I didn’t have to go buy any more parts.

(http://www.jbrr.com/Pics/Locomotives/25TBox/IMG_0820.JPG)

I bolted these assemblies onto the side frames using some 1-72 hex head bolts and nuts, while sandwiching a spring in between. Actually, I soldered some rod in place so the spring can’t be removed without unbolting the assemblies.

Finally, I glued some journal covers onto the sliced cylinder pieces.

(http://www.jbrr.com/Pics/Locomotives/25TBox/IMG_0822.JPG)

#11

Never had much luck soldering something complex. While putting one part on, another melts off. I did build a brass ladder for Madam Mallet’s tender.

#12

The Resistance soldering unit alleviates that problem - you’re really just applying the heat in one place - at least that’s the theory. I still haven’t begun to master it yet.

I got the side frames soldered in place. Had to use a bunch of clamps to make sure everything was square.

(http://www.jbrr.com/Pics/Locomotives/25TBox/IMG_0823.JPG)

Also cut some brass pieces for each end and soldered them in place.

(http://www.jbrr.com/Pics/Locomotives/25TBox/IMG_0824.JPG)

I need to add a few more details before I move on: steps and tanks are next.

#13

Looking good there Bruce!

Looks like you will not need to add any weight to this little critter!

So do you like this newfangled soldering iron?

#14

Pretty cool. Brass can be a lot of fun to work with. I wish I had enough metal working tools to fool with it.

#15

Sweet little project!

What nibbler do you use? That’s a tool I could really use.

I’d like to get a resistance soldering unit too, but that’s farther off.

You said you’re still trying to master using it. What kind of difficulties are you having? Are there “tricks” to using it?

How do you apply the solder? Do you use a soldering iron to spread some on each piece, then use the resistance unit to join them? Or do you use soldering paste?

#16

Nice work!

Any pics of the soldering unit you are using?

#17

The resistance soldering unit is pretty cool, but I’m not always able to get the solder to flow like I want. I have been watching a video that I got from PBL as well as some I found on the internet. But, it mostly takes practice - which is what this build is all about, I guess. I suspect I need to watch the videos again and see what I missed the first time.

I’ve tried the soldering paste, but I suspect the one I have is too old as it seems pretty hard. I’ve ordered a new jar, so I’ll be trying that soon.

This is the unit I have:

(http://freightsheds.largescalecentral.com/users/thejoat/tools/IMG_0828.JPG)

The nibbler is just one I got from MicroMark.

(http://freightsheds.largescalecentral.com/users/thejoat/tools/IMG_0829.JPG)

It takes awhile to cut a big section, but I like it better than trying to saw through the brass.

#18

Looking good Bruce ! The nibbler is a real handy tool, I use mine a lot. Mine is quite old, I think I bought it at Radio Shack. I also use it to cut square holes in thick styrene and to remove much of the rail base on the outside of switch points to reduce the amount of material I need to remove by filing or grinding.

#19

Cool…I’d like to try some more metal working myself on a finer scale as such “someday.”

#20

And the ladders…

(http://www.jbrr.com/Pics/Locomotives/25TBox/IMG_0846.JPG)

The end ladders are just 1/8" x 1/32" brass strip, bent into place.

The middle ladder is made up of 4 brass strips - 1/4" x 1/16" and soldered together. I’ve cut notches in the vertical pieces to allow it to be soldered to the floor.