I started to assemble my ancient stash of white-metal Hudson chassis kits (no longer in the maker's catalogue).
The instructions (supported by pictures) state "Fit axle boxes to the inner face of the chassis", so I epoxied two axle boxes to one side of each of four chassis and went away to let the adhesive set -- which it did, solidly.
Later, I went to the next step: "Fit wheels and other axle boxes in place making sure wheels spin freely." I wiggled an axle into a box already fastened in place, placed another box on the other end of the axle and tried to fit it to the opposite inner face of the chassis. Ummm, no go: The axles are too long to allow both boxes to fit on the inner faces of the chassis .
Lesson 1: Don't trust what you read.
Lesson 2: Do a dry run. Had I done that and then attached the axle boxes to the outside of the chassis, it might have worked, even if ugly.
Too late to worry about that (see epoxy, set, solidly).
Shortening those nice 1/8" steel axles accurately would overstretch my modest abilities, so I think I shall drill the axle holes right through the boxes. I can bodge new covers from styrene to conceal the axle ends. These are, after all, hardscrabble industrial stock: Good looks aren't a consideration.
The instructions (supported by pictures) state "Fit axle boxes to the inner face of the chassis", so I epoxied two axle boxes to one side of each of four chassis and went away to let the adhesive set -- which it did, solidly.
Later, I went to the next step: "Fit wheels and other axle boxes in place making sure wheels spin freely." I wiggled an axle into a box already fastened in place, placed another box on the other end of the axle and tried to fit it to the opposite inner face of the chassis. Ummm, no go: The axles are too long to allow both boxes to fit on the inner faces of the chassis .
Lesson 1: Don't trust what you read.
Lesson 2: Do a dry run. Had I done that and then attached the axle boxes to the outside of the chassis, it might have worked, even if ugly.
Too late to worry about that (see epoxy, set, solidly).
Shortening those nice 1/8" steel axles accurately would overstretch my modest abilities, so I think I shall drill the axle holes right through the boxes. I can bodge new covers from styrene to conceal the axle ends. These are, after all, hardscrabble industrial stock: Good looks aren't a consideration.
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