Mullet River B&O I 10 Caboose. Update 9/30/2012

H i Mike! I don't know about the other side's windows but rr-fallenflags dot org shows  # 46 and shows the ladders. I found montourrr dot com-an historical site and a good one-maybe it can help ya!

I got information from Glenn Guerra, Mullet River, today. 

With some modifications of the ladders, brake wheels, and end handrails this appears to be a good match for the Montour cabs. above. I would also have to add the wooden tool boxes.

I got started on assembly of these kits. Interesting and challenging.
Brass sheet stock for the frame and detail


NWSL Sensi-Press and Rivet table.  I fabricated a clamping bracket for these small pieces.

Bending wasn't too bad.  Done with a small sheet metal hand brake tool.

Mike, keep the photos coming! I've got two of these kits and I'm a little scared to start

the brass work. I've done a ton of wood craftsman kits so the top end will be easy, but the bottom half will be a challenge! Glenn makes a beautiful kit.

C-channels pictured and the Z-channels, outside of the frame were the hardest, but with patience, can be done with the tool pictured.  If you do the rivet divets it takes a little work to get them where you want them. Best to keep them to the outside edge.  Note that the rivet divets tend to distort the metal go lightly with the press.   When I assembled the frame yesterday I was impressed by how accurate the laser cut brass pieces were.  I will take more pictures as I assemble the second frame.  I have two of these kits.

Glenn was gracious to the point of adding custom made tool boxes to the kit.  I'll have to move brake detail to accomodate the tool boxes.   

Michael,

Cool thread!

Thanks for posting.

Dave

Good to see some one actually building a kit for rolling stock! 

I thought that the brass was etched not laser cut?  Some of the kits are supposed to have the rivet loactino marked for embossing - were they on this kit?

Good to know that there are bend lines as well - very, very helpful.... 

I have a set of Kemtron etchings for an ITS B/C freight motor that I started looking at last week and while all of the rivet are etched in place, the bend locations are not and it's close 0.030" brass, and if I've got the locations correctly mapped, they are not is what one might consider as trivial locations.  May have to make a form to get them right.

I found the etched/cut bend lines to be very helpful.  As I said before my tendency was to get the rivet divets to close to the bend line, went back, made the clamp for the Sensipress, reviewed my patience tolerance and had success.

The bend lines.




Beautiful day, I got to go ride my bike.  Let me work some additional pictures on the bending this evening/tomorrow morning.  I hate to waste all that sunshine out there.

Mike

Bending the Z-channel  Set the piece in the bender with the etch line visible and push with your fingers. You may want to wear soft cotton gloves. My fingers are well callused. The edges of the brass may be sharp. 

Bending C-channel. Set the piece in the bender with the etch line visible and push with your fingers. You may want to wear soft cotton gloves. My fingers are well callused. The edges of the brass may be sharp.

Martin mentioned that the brass pieces were chemically etched. I didn't know and asked Glenn Guerra, Mullet River Models. 

Glenn's email.

Thanks for the detailed explanation; a wee tad more sophisticated than the standard etching process,

Sunday Aug 26, 2012 I spent a good bit of time doing rivets.  Today was more productive.
After bending a few pieces. Some Assembly techniques.























At this point if I was going to use Kadee couplers they would be installed before the bottom of the center frame is installed. I would have completed the frame but I haven't made up my mind which way to go.   I could install scale coupler and still have function 3 rail couplers that would not interfer.  It's such a nicely detailed model I may install the scale couplers anyway since there are pre-cut holes in the end deck C-channel.   Coupler height adjustment is another problem?????

Mike, I've been looking at the rivet decals from Micro-Mark for my frame. Do you think they would work or should I go with the rivet machine?

Bill Cavanaugh

From the Micro Mark website.
If you don't have the rivet divet equipment I'd do this.  It's frame detail somewhat obscure.  I would think a lot of people who attempt these kits do no rivet detail at all.

A few progress pictures.
Tinning the flanges




Tinning the back of the center beam bottom plate.


Assembly

Great job Mike! You made it look easy. I guess the real tough part is now the steps and ladder assembly. Good luck with that!

Your pictures have really helped simplify the brass assembly process and have taken the mystery out of it.

Was just wondering what type of trucks are you going to use on it?

Bill Cavanaugh

I'm not sure if these pics help, but here is a photo of a similar caboose followed

by an entirely different one....

Nick Bonugli

Boston Metro Hi Railers

Wilmington, MA.

Michael,

The project looks like it is moving along.  I have some kadees ordered if you need.

Dave

I worked on this project a few days ago.  My first plunge into brass detail parts and some custom fitting to accommodate the tool boxes.  I also had to do some research on the valve, plumbing and positioning, I'm not sure I got it right. 


Tank and valve have been moved for the tool box.








I have mechanical brake connections yet to install and the air cylender that actuates the brakes. I may have to do some additional research on this.

Mike,

That is some serious modeling and play by play.

Nice stuff