GHQ Loco Kit builders, Question about attaching the boiler

[delamaize]

I'm building a NP W3, coal fired version, and I'm almost done with the basic boiler construction. Where I am at now, it seems the instructions give me two options to fix the boiler to the frame, either layer tape on the mech to make it a friction fit, the other way uses a plate attached to the frame, and a screw though the top of the boiler. 

I don't really care for either option, of the 2, the friction fit seems to be the best and will not show screws on the exterior of the model, I'd like to hear from others that have built the W3, and the PRR L1, and how you attached the thing to the mech....

Also, I broke my last micro bit today, and my local shop that I use to buy my taps and drill bits went out of buisness,  so where do you guys buy your supplies these days?

[kelticsylk]

I have two L1s models and both are friction fit.

[chicken45]

Lemosteam did this for me. You have to use nylon screws when mounting this stuff to not short things. I feel better with it being screwed in since I had a wires to route through to the decoder in teh tender. Pressure fit works, but I don't know how well it works over time.

[Chris333]

I once found a case of like 12 stainless steel 00-90 taps on ebay for around $10.00.

[peteski]

There is always Walthers (their own brand, or Hob-Bits).  Or Micro-Mark. For metric, there is http://scalehardware.com/

[x600]

Mike, Did Blitz close in Centralia? They had a pretty good supply of hobby tools and supplies.


Greg O.

[mmagliaro]

On my PRR L1, I screw a brass plate to the frame, with a hole tapped in it, as the instructions indicate,
and a screw comes down through the boiler somewhere into that plate.  To be honest, I will have to go dig it
out and take a photo to remind myself of the specifics.  But I definitely remember screwing that plate
in place to accept the attaching screw.

To avoid shorts on these beasties, you have to be very careful about what that boiler shell can touch.
As I recall, I did file and ream some things out of the insides of it, and some spots on the frame,
that are not mentioned in the instructions, to eliminate trouble spots that caused shorts.

W3, eh?   Are you sure that's not a W5, har har har?

[delamaize]

Mike, Did Blitz close in Centralia? They had a pretty good supply of hobby tools and supplies.


Greg O.

they were my supplier in the area, the last time I was down there, they were closed up. sign on the doot that said "closed for buisness"

[eja]

Check out this thread from yesterday


https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=31300.0