Blacksmith Shop

Philip · July 20, 2026, 10:51:15 PM

Quote from: Larry C on July 20, 2026, 08:28:48 PMPhilip I think you had it right the first time....window Pains....but I'm sure you'll figure it out.

Yep! Painfully fiddley

Philip · July 20, 2026, 10:52:46 PM

Quote from: Jerry on July 20, 2026, 10:03:13 PMPhilip that is a great roof nice coloring.

Jerry

Thanks! Nothing but ferric chloride and mother nature.

Rick · July 21, 2026, 06:15:31 AM

Philip, nice job on finishing the roof.
How long did you leave the roof panels in the etchant?
Nice to see the framing done too.

Philip · July 21, 2026, 09:30:04 AM

Quote from: Rick on July 21, 2026, 06:15:31 AMPhilip, nice job on finishing the roof.
How long did you leave the roof panels in the etchant?
Nice to see the framing done too.

Thanks Rick,

One piece at a time, roughly 40 seconds per piece. The process slows down as the acid degrades.

Pennman · July 21, 2026, 08:58:48 PM

Philip,

I must admit, like everyone else before me, that roof is very well done!

Rich

Philip · July 21, 2026, 09:56:43 PM

Thanks Rich!

I'm taking a break on the bsmith shop to build this Lil wheel works kit. Started last night and have most of the tough assemblies finished. I used ca and baking soda plus j b weld in some of the fiddle areas like the cab. Another area was the frame at the rear end. Poor instruction and illustrations. Shelving it until the jb cures. Berkshire Valley still makes these in O scale. Micro-engineering makes some HO versions of this model for the 1/87 builders. More rain today BTW. Maybe some primer tomorrow..

Philip

Jerry · July 21, 2026, 11:44:14 PM

Hey your doing a good job on that so far!!!!

Jerry

PRR Modeler · July 22, 2026, 06:58:18 AM

Philip great job so far. I don't know which would be tougher to build, a white metal or plastic vehicle.

Rick · July 22, 2026, 07:09:41 AM

Philip, you're throwing a lot of products at this build to get it to stay together.
Hope it all works.
Going to be a good looking truck when you're done.

Pennman · July 22, 2026, 08:32:56 AM

Philip,

I am eye-balling this truck build quite closely, as I have
about 50 of these kits to put together in HO scale.

You are doing a bang-up job!
Rich

Philip · July 22, 2026, 08:48:15 AM

Thanks Jerry!

Curt plastic glues easier for sure. Keith Wiseman said this after I said something about lead poisoning.
The Wheel Works kits were made with a tin based pewter that had about 23% lead, Trace amounts of Bismuth and Antimony. Polishes realy well as it was originally developed for Belt Buckles in the 50's. Most of the spin casting companies have used and some are still using the same alloy. We did for years. It has gotten so expensive now at about $18.00- $20.00 a pound, just not economical to use. Just do not eat the parts and you will be fine.

I hope Rick!

Yes Rich, started yet? WOW 50!

friscomike · July 22, 2026, 09:08:35 AM

Howdy Philip,

Nice prep on the truck parts. When you use baking soda with CA, do you use thin CA? Good luck with the JB Weld.

Have fun,
mike

Philip · July 22, 2026, 11:24:58 AM

Mike, I use (gorilla from Dollar general) and sprinkle the baking soda on. Then I hit it with a shot to compressed air quickly to remove the excess soda. If excess remain, I just scrape with a toothpick.

Thanks!