Bits and Bobs

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Order Sent!

After having a go at scratch building with styrene I thought I would up my game and buy a kit from Caintode, so I jumped back on the website and placed an order for a 3 Dome Tanker kit and some more Bar Frame, 5Ft 2Ft 2In bogies for my own model builds.

You got mail!

My first call for assistance Where do i go now was with PGC Scale Models, after a couple months I received an email from the gentleman who advised he had been busy and been able to produce a range of tank wagon kits and wanted to know if he can organise for them to be delivered to my premises. 

A few emails back and forth and the gentleman was kind enough to invite me to their property, so we schedule a time that was convenient and what I thought would be a small visit turned into a couple hours of conversation over a cuppa with some insightful advice and walk through into their processes to get items ready for keen customers. It was such an enjoyable visit that I almost forgot to pay and pick up my 3 and 1 Dome Tanker Kits I had originally come for.

Kadee Couplers

PGC Scale Models had recommended I use Kadee Couplers 158 & 58 going forward for my models as these were the standard couplers used on most Ready to Run models for QR modelling. I did have bit of trouble sourcing these but ended up finding a supplier on eBay, but would be keen to know if there is a dedicated supplier here in Australia.

3D Prints

I was chatting to my manager over a phone call, about my adventures with the hobby to which he joked had I bought myself a 3D printer yet. I explained I wanted to try and use traditional methods but realised there were going to be times where I may need to step out of the traditional methods and use a blend of crafting skills and material types.

The conversation led to me explaining I needed a gauge to set coupler and buffer heights, but I had not found anything off the shelf that I could buy. Our conversation led back to 3D printers. At this stage buying a 3D printer would turn into another project for me, something I did not want to pursue at this time. 

I mentioned to him that I had stumbled across a couple of chaps who had shared 3D print files and one of the files was a coupler and buffer gauge, but I wasn't sure if they could be used on his 3D printer. He mentioned he had some older filament and suggested I send over the links and he would have go at printing the items.

Below are couple of the print jobs and the links to the individuals who shared their works, also a couple of Caintode Flat bogies on Peco track.

Coupler gauge
with No. 58 Kadee coupler

My first scratch build project with Caintode bogies and 3D print jobs on Peco 12mm track


Until next time.

Little Shunter

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