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Beginners 31/2" loco

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Eddie Price 114/07/2010 16:09:28
19 forum posts
4 photos
I have built a couple of 16mm locos and would now like to try something a bit bigger. I am not a skilled machinist, but I get by with a mini lathe and mini mill. I looked through the Reeves catalogue of 31/2" locos and found Juliet and Tich. The Juliet plans are £30 and the Tich plans are £65. Does this mean that Juliet may be more difficult to build with fewer sheets?
 
Any thoughts on a beginners engine? and also a supplier of castings, laser cut parts? Reeves tend to be a bit pricy.
 
Eddie Price
Nigel Hyde14/07/2010 21:30:51
45 forum posts
2 photos
Hi Eddie
I am just finishing off a tich and i have struggled like mad on it (too small as i didnt make it slip eccentric!!)
I am the same as you as i am not a machinist i am a carpenter, I have tha advantage of my dad who has built 5" locos and is a very skilled engineer
If i was starting again i would look at something like a sweet voilet (3.5")or sweet pea(5")
mainly using blackgates
tich is ok as an engine but i have spent 4 years on it and at my club the track is fairly big and me being on the festively plump side and my daughter whats a ride on it !!
for a bit more work you might get a more usefull engine
sweet violet plans from blackgates are £20 and oinly 4 sheets
simple as hackworth valve gear and a marine boiler
but above all build something YOU want to build
(i have no conections with blackgates)
hope this helps  
Nigel
Eddie Price 115/07/2010 09:17:42
19 forum posts
4 photos
Hi Nigel
 
Thanks for your comments. It confirms what I had picked up from comments on forums over the years that Tich is quite difficult for the beginner  I hadn't heard of Blackgate. I had a look at their web site and they have some interesting plans.
 
My nearest SME Club is Hereford so I may pay them a visit at one of their open-days and see if any of their members are into 3 1/2". I think the boiler would be the biggest challenge. I managed it for the 16mm, but they are tiny. It would be nice to have someone on hand (like a club member) who could offer advice and help.
 
Will do some more research
 
Eddie
David Haynes15/07/2010 10:42:43
168 forum posts
26 photos
Hi Eddie,
There is a lot of discussion either way on Tich.  A recent set of postings at another forum gives a journey towards a good little engine, but some wil still find it too much work for the results that many receive.  Have a look at http://modeleng.proboards.com/index.cgi under "Tich", and "Thanks NASA"
 
There are a lot of unfinished locos around and it seems to me that an unfair amount are of this little one, which is a shame really.
 
Good luck and all the best
Dave
Eddie Price 116/07/2010 10:13:05
19 forum posts
4 photos
Thanks David.
 
Obviously some people are happy with Tich. I hope to be able to have a chat with some of the Hereford club members and see if I can get some first hand experience and views.
 
Eddie
David Haynes16/07/2010 22:28:31
168 forum posts
26 photos
Hi Eddie,
 
That's quite okay.  An early experience I had in asking for a club comment was being told "if you want my opinion, you will scrap all the work that has been done so far and pick a proper loco". This was from a 7 1/4" enthusiast.  Other later comments have been much more supportive, but I have been put off discussing any difficulties in that forum.  That said, there are well documented difficulties and any mistakes are only expensive in respect of your time and not your pocket.  I made mistakes on driving wheels but was able to get a new set for much less than if it had been a bigger loco.
 
Dave

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