Connoisseur Models GWR HYDRA Diagram G19 Instruction Booklet - page 8
4.
Fit the triangular bracing plates, parts 6. These are a bit fiddly but it is worth taking your time to
get them on clean and square. I fitted the four plates along the rivet detail overlay by holding them
with a miniature crocodile clip (the trick with small components is to attach a big handle to them, self
locking tweezers are also useful) and trying to keep the plate as square as possible pass the tab
through the slot in the side frame and spot solder at the back. You can then twist the plate slightly
with long-nosed pliers to get it exactly square before soldering solid to the underside of the floor.
Then applying plenty of flux, I touch the iron with a small amount of solder on the bit to the tab
previously spot soldered at the back of the side frame. The solder should flash around the tab and
be drawn through to the front face filling any gaps. You may have to dress the end of the bracing
plate with a flat file to get it to sit flat on the floor between curb rail and side frame and the tab and
notch to get it to fit flat against the rivet detail overlay. Have a dry run with each plate before
soldering into place.
The two bracing plates above the axles are a little trickier as you cannot get in to tack solder them
at the back. I found that I could hold them in place with a knifepoint and spot solder the tip to the
edge of the curb rail. I then fitted the rivet detail strips, parts 7. I tin the backs of these before
removing them from the fret, and then clean off the tags. Holding them in place with a knifepoint I
apply plenty of flux and then touch the edge with a dry iron until molten solder appears around all
the sides. Hopefully the solder has also flashed along the bracing plate soldering it solid to the side
frame. Then remake the bracing plate to floor joint. Clean off excess solder around all the bracing
plates with a knife blade and fibre brush. As you will see, the trick with small components is to tack
solder them into place first and then adjust them square with long-nosed pliers before soldering
solid.
5.
Fit the end loading plates, parts 8, into the half etched rebates in the floor. I held them in place
with a knifepoint and applied plenty of flux and then soldered the back edge to the floor. The flux
should draw the solder down in to the etched rebate and slightly underneath the plate. I then
soldered the underside of the plate to the top of the buffer beam. Again using plenty of flux so that
the solder is drawn underneath the plate.
Fit the end loading plate supports, parts 9. These are designed to be folded up and fitted in to slots
in the buffer beam. The problem is that I have made the slots slightly too close together but if you
make the folds really tight they will just fit. Fold up as tight as you can and then holding the centre in
the jaws of a pair of long-nosed pliers place between your vice jaws. Slowly tighten the vice, the
pliers should prevent the top buckling and the triangular sides should be forced inwards closing up
the half etched fold lines. Straighten up the triangular sides and hopefully the support will now fit into
the slots. Solder the top to the loading plate and then if necessary, square up the triangular sides
with long-nosed pliers before soldering them to the buffer beam. Be generous with flux and solder
so that the slots are filled.
6.
Fit coupling plates, parts 10, to the buffer beam. I tin the backs of the plates and then hold
them in place on the buffer beam with a knifepoint (narrow side to top, widest to bottom) ensuring
that the coupling slots are aligned. Using plenty of flux and only a little solder on the iron tip, I touch
the edge of the plate until molten solder appears around the edges.
Fold up the lamp brackets, parts 11. Then holding the top of the bracket with tweezers apply a
generous blob of flux and then touch the side of the lamp bracket with the tip of the soldering iron
coated with 60/40 electrical solder. The flux should draw the solder off the iron tip into the fold lines
to reinforce them. Then fit the lamp bracket to the buffer beam, locating its end into the slot.
7.
Fit the brake lever brackets (V hangers) parts 12, behind the side frames and at one end only.
A little filing of the front leg of the ‘V’ will be necessary to allow it to fit slightly under the buffer beam
lip. There are etched grooves on the inside face of the side frame and these must still be clear after
fitting the bracket (brass rod and brake levers will be fitted later).
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