Dennis, would you mind explaining the process used to clean up excess solder after soldering? I have been practising soldering brass scraps, but often get some solder ooze out of joints, or get little splashes that need to be removed. Any tips are appreciated. Thank you.

Hi Andy,
Another thought. I have also used miniature chisels since the solder is so soft relatively. An example would be Dockyard micro available from Tilgear. These can be used to simply cut away the excess.
I do think once you master the pencil burner method then the clean up will be minimal.
regards
Dennis

Hi Andy,
I have soldered together O gauge models for quite a few years. However my soldering often needed cleaning up afterwards.Something I almost took for granted. However since adding the mini burner (Clarke) to the equipment soldering is so much easier and cleaner.
Rgds
Dennis

Parts 12
I was somewhat slower assembling parts set 12. Now that the weather is improving other hobbies take precedence.
Parts 12 was essentially the left side running boards that could be soldered in a similar way to parts 11. I have continued to use the 2mm rivet headed brass screws also discussed in part 11.
The Zamac parts were first of all simply rinsed in paint thinners which quickly removed the 'brass' finish off the compressor body however it had little effect on the left reservoir finish which had to be lightly bead blasted to remove the surface 'paint'. I cleaned the Zamac parts of the surface finish to allow soldering. Also soldered in place was the Zamac oil pump box (see soldering, model making know how). Although the various parts were soldered in place I have also used the 2mm brass rivet head screws on the various parts. These then all blend in together with the running board screws/rivets.
Although I did intend to leave the boiler front section for now (smoke deflector brackets) really it now needs to be attached since it screws to the main boiler body and the loco front end attaches to the front of the running boards, so watch this space.
In preparation I have attached (soldered) the front boiler band in place ready to accept the front end.
regards
Dennis

Hi Martyn,

Thank you. Guess what another of my hobbies is?

Photography!

Regards
Dennis

Making good progress Dennis, lovely work, this one will be something special when finished
Steve

D51 Parts 13 cab soldering

I have updated the Model Making Know How - soldering, as I fitted the window frames and cab tops to the cab.

regards
Dennis

D51 parts 13
Firstly I removed the 'brass' paint from the water pump and right air reservoir. This would aid painting later. Also I used needle files to remove the casting marks especially from the water pump casting, the air reservoir only had slight marks on the two rounded ends.
I particularly liked the way the fire hydrant and the filter simply slipped on over the pipes. In practice the cutaway sides cannot be seen. As usual the water pump support was soldered in place and two rivet head screws installed and also soldered. The water pipe support, water pipe, fire hydrant and filter were all soldered in place.
Fitting the right reservoir and associated pipework was similar to the left side but somehow I made a better job this time round. Again the air reservoir and bracket were screwed to the right side running board using brass rivet headed screws. These again being fixed using tiny amounts of solder.
The cab I used in the 'Model Making Know How' entry under soldering. I will include two of those pictures again here. The delicate window frames and cab tops being held with toolmaker clamps whilst being soldered. The cab floor edging sections were held also in place with the clamps whilst being soldered. I have left off the 'stays' at present until I see how the rest of the floor is attached. Finally the firebox and grate was straightforward. I am intending to paint the inside (except the base of course) a mix of red/yellow etc that should reflect well and appear as a fire through the hatch.
The various soldered items and resultant flux marks will of course be removed before painting.
regards
Dennis

Hi Jase,
Thank you.
I think it's important to provide some detail rather than simply let the pictures say it all.
Its certainly quite a lump now and the tender looks excellent from what I can see from Tomicks build.
Regards
Dennis

D51 parts 53/54/55/56
Again a little late sorting the pictures out but here goes.
Sometimes going via the solder route means the process is so much harder especially since everything is drilled for the 2mm screws.
This was particularly true with the cab floor. I have used pieces of brass 2mm screws to fill the screw holes (if that make sense?). Each time tiny amounts of solder are applied to fix the screw in place and then the protruding surface carefully or otherwise sanded down. I am hopeful that tiny amounts of stopper between spraying the various coats will cover up most imperfections. All the stays in parts 53 were soldered in place together with the floor edging as I did with the upper floor. Before the two levels were soldered together.
All the various other components were held in place with stainless button head screws whilst they were soldered, the screws then removed. In some instances the kit screws have been replaced as a bonus.
Next was the cab which is at present very flimsy. The idea of drilling the two upper ports is currently on hold otherwise flimsy could be strong compared to the result.
The windows frames were held in place with engineers clamps, soldered and the sliding window then fitted (yes they do slide!). The use of the clamps you will find under Modelling Making Know How - Soldering.
Fitting the eves did prove interesting (read messy). One end was roughly soldered, the eves positioned and the other end then soldered. Finally the soldering at the first end was improved and the whole finished off.
At present I am undecided still regarding the angle stays to hold cab/floor etc. So these remain in the box. Possibly soldering may be sufficient. Finally the small parts on the boiler were soldered in place or left as appropriate.
regards
Dennis