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DJH Garratt Boiler

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      xdford Chief Train Controller

    Hi all,

    A friend in the Netherlands who is a Garratt Fan is building a DJH Garratt. He is disappointed that he cannot get the boiler as smooth as he feels it should be. Is this how these boilers are? Suggestions and Ideas please?

    On behalf of Rene, TIA

    Trevor
    Posted: 26 Jan 2016 13:19

    Last edited by xdford on 26 Jan 2016 13:20; edited 1 time in total

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      LaidlayM Chief Commissioner

    Location: Research
    What experience does Rene have in assembling white metal kits?  I what way is the boiler "not smooth".

    Mark
    Posted: 26 Jan 2016 15:16
      xdford Chief Train Controller

    Hi Mark ... very experienced!!!!  I have seen his work personally and he is a top notch craftsman

    The Garratt is on https://www.facebook.com/garrattfan/posts/509539825895458

    His website is  http://www.modelrailroading.nl/   and enjoy the views

    Thanks for answering Mark

    Trevor
    Posted: 26 Jan 2016 15:25
      Spinner5711 Train Controller

    You could suggest that he use some automotive spray putty on it.  This stuff is great for filling smaller surface imperfections.  it does, however, require a light touch as it is reasonably thick.

    BTW, to my eye, his Garratt is looking very nice.
    Posted: 26 Jan 2016 16:50

    Last edited by Spinner5711 on 26 Jan 2016 16:50; edited 1 time in total
      a6et Minister for Railways

    Hi Mark ... very experienced!!!!  I have seen his work personally and he is a top notch craftsman

    The Garratt is on https://www.facebook.com/garrattfan/posts/509539825895458

    His website is  http://www.modelrailroading.nl/   and enjoy the views

    Thanks for answering Mark

    Trevor
    "xdford"


    XD, I was a fireman on garratts for some years, & have 4 DJH (no garratt) kits all of which were a bit daggy out of the box, before even starting on a build I used ultra fine steel wool to polish the white metal main sections, of couse after removing the flash, this gets the white metal as smooth as you want to polish it for.

    One thing for your friend to consider in this, & that also depends on how much actual running of the model he does, & what state or condition he wants to represent it as.  In normal regular service it only took a few trips over 100Km's each for the loco to loose their sheen after workshops & repainting, & they did not get high gloss enamel paints either, rather a mix called loco black.

    If its meant to be showcase or to run as a heritage type train then it needs to be pristine in paint.  6029, if its like all the other in steam NSW loco's then they get a wash & rub down after each trip to keep them publicity spotless & gleaming.
    Posted: 27 Jan 2016 13:18
      xdford Chief Train Controller

    Hi all,

    The following is from Rene - thanks for your responses!

    He says:


    The boiler had a certain roughness in advance. I trusted it would not show up through the thin layers of paint. I prime coated the loco with a grey DIY-spray primer, very much like the automotive spray putty recommended by Spinner5711. I cannot make it thick because it will clog up every detail of the many pipes and appliances already on the boiler. That is part of my puzzle.


    The tip to polish it with steel wool before building is a good one. I’ll remember that one for the kits to come. Too late for this one, I’m afraid.



    The way to go is simply to accept it and hope will get less obvious when I weather the loco. a6et was spot on when he said that the loco would loose their sheen after a few 100 km’s. The loco as now on the photo is not the intended end result but a basic black from where I will work on weathering the loco. Feel free to follow me on FaceBook and on my site.

    Thanks

    Rene

    Thanks guys

    Trevor
    Posted: 28 Jan 2016 16:03
      Roachie Chief Commissioner

    Location: Kadina SA (formerly NSW)
    Having built almost 60 of the DJH Beyer garratt loco kits back in the late 90s and early "naughties", I can sympathise with your friend.

    The boiler of all the 60 class locos I built ALL had the "rough" surface your friend refers to.

    The only solution I was able to invoke was to keep adding more and more layers of thin self-etch black (automotive) spray. About 4 to 5 coats, followed by a gloss coat and then a dullcote (after decals were added.

    I never had any of my clients complain about the rough boiler, so I reckon I was successful in covering the blemish in every case.
    Posted: 28 Jan 2016 21:26
      xdford Chief Train Controller

    Having built almost 60 of the DJH Beyer garratt loco kits back in the late 90s and early "naughties", I can sympathise with your friend.

    The boiler of all the 60 class locos I built ALL had the "rough" surface your friend refers to.

    The only solution I was able to invoke was to keep adding more and more layers of thin self-etch black (automotive) spray. About 4 to 5 coats, followed by a gloss coat and then a dullcote (after decals were added.

    I never had any of my clients complain about the rough boiler, so I reckon I was successful in covering the blemish in every case.
    Roachie
    Thanks Roachie, I will pass this on...

    Cheers

    Trevor
    Posted: 01 Feb 2016 20:52
      xdford Chief Train Controller

    xdfordH
    Hi all

    Just a link Rene's pages... the "finished" loco to me looks terrific but I would not expect much else from him

    Enjoy the view and on Rene's behalf thanks for your input,

    http://www.modelrailroading.nl/Projects/AD60/Pages/07.3%20painting%20superstructure.html

    Trevor
    Posted: 06 Feb 2016 23:42

    Last edited by xdford on 06 Feb 2016 23:45; edited 1 time in total
      Roachie Chief Commissioner

    Location: Kadina SA (formerly NSW)
    He's done a very good job on the AD60.

    My only comment of anything approaching a criticism would be that I hope the loco won't have to negotiate curves sharper than about 60 inches. He has not put the "dog leg" bend in the sound intensifier tubes where they hang below the footplate at the front. The way he has done it LOOKS better and is prototypical, but they will foul on the leading bogie wheels on any "normal" curves.

    Great model....

    Roachie
    Posted: 07 Feb 2016 09:59
      xdford Chief Train Controller

    He's done a very good job on the AD60.

    My only comment of anything approaching a criticism would be that I hope the loco won't have to negotiate curves sharper than about 60 inches. He has not put the "dog leg" bend in the sound intensifier tubes where they hang below the footplate at the front. The way he has done it LOOKS better and is prototypical, but they will foul on the leading bogie wheels on any "normal" curves.

    Great model....

    Roachie
    Roachie
    Hi Roachie

    Unless he has done built one or joined one in the last few years, AFAIK, Rene does not have a layout nor belong to a club. Thus he can be a little more prototypical. His models are again AFAIK all powered and he did have trouble with a Mashima motor not functioning as well as it should with his NG16 model so replaced it to achieve running fidelity.

    A quote from a recent email from Rene that reflects something you said...

    "The roughness of the boiler smoothed out with the progressive layers of paint. Base coat, top coat, clear coat, on all I estimate some 20-25 super thin layers. The roughness is barely visible and I wonder if it will be after weathering and final dull coating."  

    I suspect it will be fine,

    Regards

    Trevor
    Posted: 07 Feb 2016 20:00

    Last edited by xdford on 07 Feb 2016 22:29; edited 1 time in total

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