The first stage in building the kit is to assemble the basic drive unit from it's ten constituent parts (the photo below shows 11 parts as there is a spare drive belt). While the steps are all straightforward the small size of the unit (it's stood on a 1p piece in the right hand photo) makes this quite a fiddly task, but as you can see I got there in the end.
The paint job, especially on the wheels isn't particularly good, mostly as I did the painting before assembly (no point trying to do it after the pickups etc. are fitted) but then of course had to handle the item quite a lot. This isn't the end of the world though, as I can always touch up the paint and, more importantly, very little of what you can see will be visible on the final loco as the outside frames will hide the wheels etc. The important point of course is whether or not it works, and as you can see from this short video, it runs backwards and forwards really nicely (it's being controlled by the same circuit as described in this mornings post)
I've just been hypnotised! Is it my imagination or does it hesitate mid flow slightly?
ReplyDeleteThere is a chance it hesitates slightly now and again. The problem is that the drive unit is very light weight and so the contact between the wheels and rail can be broken by the slightest fleck of dust or imperfection. Once I get the footplate in place the extra weight should help iron out those issues.
DeleteMark it is wonderful as it is. Seems a shame to cover it up.
ReplyDeleteIt really is a fantastic little unit. Interestingly it continues a theme as the main block is apparently 3D printed so both OO9 locos have printed parts.
DeleteVery good start to the project, Mark. It runs rather well, and with the heavy body on top will be a really useful performer.
ReplyDeleteIt is a superb little unit, and it'll run even nicer once you've added some weight (try blu-tacking the boiler over the motor and giving it a spin). 3D printed motor units - the future of OO9?
ReplyDelete