Its no secret that I've been using the S & W coupling in one form or another for more years than I care to remember, yes it has its faults but its robust, reliable and relatively easy to install and maintain. So when Paul Willis posted an update on his Beer and Buckjumpers
blog about a new etched mounting plate I was naturally interested and knowing that some of you are experimenting with the couplings or on the brink of using them then I thought you might be as well.
Paul kindly offered to send me a test etch for the Mk1 version so I could do a little experimenting and a few days later it arrived together with a made up example of the coupling and a copy of the instructions. The latter not only explain how to form the mount but also tells you all you need to know about making, installing and adjusting complete couplings.
The mount is designed to be used with the
MSE AC3/3 couplings or if you prefer the earlier AC3/1 which doesn't have the delayed action feature.
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| Here we have a view of the test etch, a folded mount and a completed coupling. Both the coupling loop and stirrup locate in etched holes and guides making assembly very easy and accurate. The mount has been designed to be glued in place with a two part epoxy such as Evo-Stick Rapid 2, the idea being that the epoxy will penetrate the large etched holes in the mount and act like a rivet. |
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| Compared with the coupling on the right which uses an MSE mount you can see just how neat Paul's etch is. Some modellers don't bother with a mounting plate and simply melt the coupling loops and stirrups in place on plastic models but I find it easier to assemble a batch of completed couplings and install them as a single unit. |
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| A cruel photo of the first two old guinea pigs, the Bachmann model on the left has since had the new mounts fitted as well as an etched brake lever. |
Over the past week I've been trying the mounts on a variety of modified RTR and kit built examples of stock and have found it to be easy to install, the smaller coupling loop proving to be just as reliable as the normal large one. It goes without saying that the new mount makes for a far neater coupling and I shall be using them on all new builds and gradually fitting them to older items of stock. There are a couple of minor issues with the Mk 1 version of the etch which are currently being addressed and the Mk2 version should soon be available for sale from
5522 Models . Please be aware that the website is currently under construction but does give Paul's contact details should you wish to purchase the mounts once they are on sale or other products in his range.
Another useful product which I also found on Paul's blog is this high temperature ceramic soldering mat which is available from
model- supplies. Their website is also under construction but full contact details and some rather interesting weathering powders are currently on view.
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| The mat cost £4.75 post paid and is approx 8 inches in diameter, it readily accepts pins allowing those awkward little components to be held in place whilst they are soldered together. |
Now for some layout news, the new header photo should give you a clue to what I've been doing over the past few weeks and I'll explain more about that in a future post. In the meantime here are a couple of photos showing Llangunllo, past and present..............
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| Twelve months ago I was in the process of modelling the station approach and had yet to decide on how to disguise the scenic exits. Though plans had been drawn up for the station building I was still undecided as to whether I would model the one at New Radnor or Portesham, in the end as you well know I chose the latter because I felt it looked right. |
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| One year later and after many twists and turns this is how the layout looks today. The signal box is now back on the workbench and will soon be finished, the cottage beside it is complete and most of the scenic detail around it has been added. A few more rows of slates have been attached to the roof of the half timbered cottage and the first pair of crossing gates are in build. |
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Best Wishes for the New Year,
Geoff
