Britannia Tender kit from Model Engineers Laser

Good evening all.

I would like to make contact with anyone who has/is building the 3.5 inch Britannia Tender Kit from Model Engineers Laser. Hopefully there is someone on here, or knows of someone who has built/building it, and I would like to discus the construction of this kit.

I can't obtain details of any customers who have bought this kit because of the Data Protection Act!

Thanks in advance

I have always found Malcolm at Model Engineers Laser very helpful and willing to discuss.

Mick

Yes, done that but helpful only up to a point, which is why I would like to contact someone who has actually built that kit. Do you have any experience with the kit in question?

I'd be interested too, sorry I can't help myself.

Is it the normal or super detail tender that you are building. I am building the latter tender (chassis & body) and finding it a real struggle!

Dave

I am sorry to say that I am nt able to help you directly but I have considered buying a tender kit (body and chassis). I would be interested in seeing a build log that covers the building techniques e.g., the cleaning, bending and soldering etc before buying.

Phil H

Hi Dave. I thought it was just me going mental!

I have the super detailed body kit which due to other demands on time, only gets attention now and then. I bought the kit as I thought having laser cut parts would save me a lot of time normally spent on cutting and filing. However, this advantage is somewhat lost in having to spend so much time identifying parts and sorting out where they fit.

I have found the 11 page written instructions a nightmare when there are no 3D assembly drawings to go with them. The drawings supplied are quite inadequate as they seem unfinished and have overall dimensions on them. Obviously we don't want dimensioned parts as they are laser cut, but with a complex kit like this, at over £400, I would have thought we would have some sub-assembly drawings with parts identified!

I'm of an age where drawings were done by hand, but my understanding from other club members who use CAD all the time, tell me that it's so easy to create the Isometric views from the detailed parts already drawn.

Phil H has also identified the need for this. I have contacted Malcolm but he tells me he hasn't the time to produce any 3D drawings, and lots have been made! (Maybe sold and not finished?)

Rod

Just a suggestion Rod,

Why not start by posting some pictures of the chassis showing where you have got up to and what your current challenges are. I'm sure you will get more constructive help from the forum. I'm guessing the chassis has fewer parts and is easier to show your snag list. If that works, move onto the body.

I can understand why Malcolm hasn't produced an Airfix style set of instructions because I guess it is time consuming and not very profitable (time versus return on that time). Perhaps you could help others by posting your progress and get help with your project at the same time.

Phil H

Hi Phil

I had already constructed the chassis from the main drawings and thought I'd save time by getting the body kit.

This kit is a bit more complex than say, buying a set of laser cut frames or individual items, and deserves a set of construction drawings. As I said, the kit isn't exactly cheap and it wouldn't take much time to produce what is necessary from the CAD detail drawings. We are only talking of 3 or 4 sub assemblies and it only has to be done once; emailed and printed out by the customer. That would be the professional approach.

I haven't got the time to post a diary on here, but I would like to discuss with someone in my position who has the kit in front of them.

Rodney

Whilst Model Engineers Laser may not be able to give you details of any customer, there is no earthly reason why they couldn't pass your contact details to a customer or two if they wanted to.

Good point Gordon. I've just requested that, and I'll see what happens.

Sorry if this goes against the grain. But MEL ain't Airfix and presmuably you are a model ENGINEER. So wth your set of drawings beside you, you work out which bits are which and proceec.

Malcolm supplies the parts because wd can't be bothered to mark out and cut them to shape.

If you want a kit go to Kingscale (or similar) with £££££'s in your back pocket.

So how many Britannia tender kits from Model Engineers laser have you built, or have you ever seen one? If you can't be helpful, I suggest you don't bother saying anything.

I'll treat your response with the contempt it deserves!