Office of Steam Forum for Model & Toy Steam Gas & Hot Air Engines

I am Finally back at the build table tonight.
  I have a tip to share! It is not earthshaking or even clever, but it can take a rather tedious task and make pleasant.
  The photo is of 2 segments of the main big wheel, in an effort to make it look like an "airy" structure like real Ferris wheels, it is one of the more delicate parts in the kit. The "W" shaped part in the middle is press fit to join the 2 segments, so 12 segments make 1 wheel half.
  The "W" benifits greatly if you sand a mini bevel on the square peg part that will enter the press fit hole, the kit provides the black square of sandpaper to do this but unsupported sand paper does not make for good precision sanding.
  I use the purple sanding stick, a single swipe on each sharp corner is all it takes, you will be perhaps 5x more likely to make the press fit assembly without breaking a segment...in fact I have not broken one yet!
  If I did not have the purple sanding stick, I would glue a strip of the black sandpaper to a popsicle stick or similar and get the same results.
  There you go...not rocket science but makes the kit Much more enjoyable to build. The toothpick is pointing to the leading edge that will enter the press fit hole.

Side note: Ryders hobby logo on sanding stick is my Only local bricks and mortar hobby shop left, I support them as often as I can, even if it cost me a bit more.

Secondary note: these type kits are considered "no glue required" I do try to restrict my build to only use glue for repairs, however, as I plan to put this kit under an engine, I like to wick glue into several key areas to make the model hold up under a bit of load, The press fit construction offers quite a bit of opportunity for "tuning" at the end of build, only when I am satisfied everything it running as true and free as practical, then I wick super glue into many joints to lock in my settings.


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