So, I've left the tender chassis for now and pressed on with the next subsection which is the tender frames.
Here they are fettled up. It's quite a complex shape with lots of edges to de cusp, but fortunately the cusp is very slight. The spacers are built in and it all folds up.
The next step is to punch the rivet detail. I don't have a rivet press so I use an automatic center punch with the tip re profiled with a grinding disc. The force of the punch can be adjusted with a screw on the end which release the spring.
Here's the left hand frame after punching. As can be seen it has distorted.
However, I then "counter punch" the rivets with a beading tool and small hammer which flattens the work piece. You simply place the business end of the beading tool over each rivet and give a light tap with the hammer. The beading tool can be seen at the top. It's a punch for cutting small discs from metal foil. The business end is concave and the rim is sharp. I have a whole set that I got from a Jewelry tool supplier and have blunted the ends of a couple for counter punching rivets.
This is the business and of the tool.
Next there are some tiny bracket to cut out, rivet in the centre and then solder in place over the center rivets in the group of 5 above. When fitting these, I placed them over the relevant rivets on the frame then tapped them with the beading tool to get them to sit flush over the rivet underneath. Needless to say, at @ 2mm X 1mm I did not attempt to de cusp. I just cut them out with a sharp blade to leave as little of the tab as possible. There is also a long strip to punch out the rivets, but in this case the counter punch doesn't work as well and the strip needs to be straightened by hand afterwards .
Here are the tiny brackets in place and one rivet strip applied. The tops of the support brackets for the tank are folded at 90 degrees. The bottom of the brackets is on the rivet strip (not yet folded). I was able to solder from the top edge to avoid getting the risk of soldering the folds and it's also easier to clean up. Yes I know, far too much solder on the middle cross member, needing the scraper before a quick rub with the fibre brush.
Here we are with the other rivet strip in place, the bracket folds all made and the infill pieces being added. The back edge of the piece with the tab showing was filed before fitting.
The instructions suggest folding the frames before fitting the etched strip, but I preferred to add the strip and make up the tank support brackets in the flat and fold afterwards. I couldn't use the hold and fold because of the tank supports, but my brother has some hefty folding bars, which could be fitted above the supports to make the folds.
The tightening bolt at one end was then removed to release the frames.
And placed on the chassis.
I'm really impressed with the fit of the parts so far. The kit is certainly living up to my expectations and the reputation that they have.
Cheers,
Peter