All right time for a big update
If the chapters of kozo's book had had a titles; chapter 5 would be named :
sketchy setups for miles and miles
Last update i was done with the walls now I'm done with the tank. Here's is the report
The store was out of quarter inch so i had to get flat bar wider et saw it open banana split style and mill the cut which went well. Then the very stress full bend went ok but not great

I seem to be missing the coal bunker wall pics but i have the little collar on top. Best was was hands down to cad the part and print it to scale and file to the line

Mostly on the belt sander. The little border was done the same way. (I think quinn misread the plan saying there was no dimensions on the plan. You actually have some numbers to had to the basic expanded diagram to make the second piece which were super easy to do in sketchup and reprint)
Here is the fast version on the coal bunker

now the sketchy setup part started for all the screws to put before soldering

then it was soft soldered in place. it went ok, i did have to squeeze a couple scrap to close some of the gaps in the back curve that will be forever hidden..

next i made the rivet puncher which was fun to quench

was quite happy with my test piece

not long after i had the tank coming along



then more sketch press drilling for yet fixturing screws


final fitting i did have to shave a bit of the back on the sander to really hug the curve

i was resourceful and had to use the RT as an angle plate to fixture the last ones. came out great

lol just saw this detail of the youngest always keeping me company
ready for flux and go time

this was my plan to make sure the holes would fit again after the heating.. i replicated the hole on 2 scraps where the flex was already quite real so the final piece would still fit.

and BOY did it work. only 1 hole at the back is a bit hard after. might massage it further or enlarge it ever so but it's a very good success. it is kinda watertight but not perfect at the top, but as i understand, water will never come higher than the square hole for the hatch anyway and some sealant will take care of the rest.


while stressful it was quite easy heating
As promised it was a big update. almost done with chapter 5. the lamp support and coal stopper are done but not pictured.
Still having tons of fun but i kinda want to move on to more choochoo part as this detailing is not my favorite part at all. i don't have the material for the rail so this will be on the to do pile.
fun epilogue, i did go see the Colorado railway museum and saw a loco of the same era, check out the shape of the tender, stairs and rail design, kozo was REALLY accurate when you look at it.


Hope you like it, don't look at the mess to much see ya next time
Pogo