Looks like quite the project, Bruce. Thanks for sharing.
Meanwhile, work continues. I’ve been working outside a lot this year, but today we have another day of rain…we’re well over normal for the season.
What better time to work on my critter?
So, I’ve been struggling with how to cut the openings and decided to just bite the bullet today and just get started.
First I drilled some holes for the windows, hoping to use my scroll saw to cut the openings. A couple of broken blades later, I decided that was not going to work.
So, I thought I’d use my little Microlux jigsaw. A few more broken blades and I had affirmed yet another non-working approach.
What to do now? I broke out the cut off wheels for the Dremel. Broke being the operative word, as I went through about six of the wheels getting the openings cut. But, at least they were cut and looked half decent.
(http://www.jbrr.com/Pics/Locomotives/25TBox/IMG_0954.JPG)
Here are two ends with the openings cut. I still have to do the openings in the two side pieces.
It’s a slow process, but better than breaking all the saw blades.
I have to file a bit to clean them up, but at least I’m making some progress.
Looking like this is going to be one neat little critter!
Try a Coping Saw…with a metal cutting blade…
If youre gonna be cutting out openings in brass, invest in a nibbler.
Heh…I’ve got a nibbler…but this stuff is pretty thick. Though I did use it for the side frames.
Anyway, the cutoff wheel seems to work.
You guys said “Nibbler”
I think I prefer the cut-off wheel - I can get better straight lines than I can with the nibbler - plus I don’t have to drill any holes like I would with the nibbler.
Anyway, I finished cutting the two sides - using the cut off wheel. AND, I still have ONE cut off wheel left!!!
Then you did something wrong…you are supposed to run out of cut off wheels late on a Saturday evening with one cut to make and no hope of getting another til Monday morning…So sayeth the Modeling Gods…
Bart Salmons said:
Then you did something wrong…you are supposed to run out of cut off wheels late on a Saturday evening with one cut to make and no hope of getting another til Monday morning…So sayeth the Modeling Gods…
LOL. Too true. 
I notice there isn’t a roof done yet… and don’t those require ventilation openings or some thing like that?
J.D. Gallaway said:
I notice there isn’t a roof done yet… and don’t those require ventilation openings or some thing like that?
Not by what I was told!
Rooster…“There are no RULES with boxcabs”!
Well, I"m sort of basing this on the prototype. The roof will be thinner brass - I think I might have something in stock. I’m not sure what you mean by ventilation openings.
Bruce,
I am truly impressed with the smooth and even cuts you were able to make using a hand held Dremel blade. Beautiful work so far, I am looking forward to seeing your progress on this project.
Rick
Looking good!
You might want to get some of the unbreakable fiber reinforced cutoff wheels. I usually get them in 2" diameter but I’m pretty sure they have smaller sizes too.
Rick, I think the word I would use is “surprised” instead of impressed.
There has been some clean up work with the file, but I am happy with the results so far.
Ray, I have the reinforced wheel as well, but it’s quite thick and wide; I didn’t feel as comfortable using it.
Rick Marty said:
Bruce,
I am truly impressed with the smooth and even cuts you were able to make using a hand held Dremel blade. Beautiful work so far, I am looking forward to seeing your progress on this project.
Rick
Photoshop.
Just kidding, Rick. Bruce is a very capable modeler. I was equally impressed.
The prototype doesn’t appear to have windshield wipers, but I thought they might be a nice touch. But, I’ve been looking and can’t find anybody who might sell something.
Anyone have any ideas for a source for wipers? Looks like I would want at least 4 of them…
The window openings look good from a distance, but not so much close up.
I framed each opening with some 1/16" angle pieces along all of the edges and it makes it look a lot straighter. Here, the two end pieces have been completed.
(http://www.jbrr.com/Pics/Locomotives/25TBox/IMG_1124.JPG)
Of course, those are the cleaned up pieces. Before they are cleaned up, they don’t look so hot as this side piece shows.
(http://www.jbrr.com/Pics/Locomotives/25TBox/IMG_1125.JPG)
I think my chances of getting into the soldering hall of fame are going by the wayside.
However, a bit of acetone to clean off the flux, and quite a bit of file work, it starts to look pretty decent.
(http://www.jbrr.com/Pics/Locomotives/25TBox/IMG_1129.JPG)
At this point, I’ve also added a 1/8" square piece along the top side, and a 1/8" by 1/2" piece along the bottom; later, I’ll tap this to attach it to the base.
Great work so far Bruce, I put wipers on one end of mine. For the blade I used a thin piece of styrene painted black and a piece of wire for the arm. Of course I built mine in the tiny 1/24 scale so you may need something more detailed in giant 1/20 scale
