I just got the Tichy 120 ton crane & boom car (set) from Micromark. After opening the crane box, and scraping my jaw off the floor, I decided to start on the boom car. Figured it would be a better place to start.
No, these aren’t my first complex kits.
Anyway, here’s a some shots of the progress… I got as far as “OK, put everything down and let the glue dry”. Figured the directions said that for a reason. These arent all the pics I have, they’re just the two that are best focused (I’ve determined that the Manual setting on my camera is much better at picture taking… now I just have to learn how to use it[:-^] but I digress)
This is the (upside down) flatcar bed, showing the stake pocket detail (good thing I had the foresight to get an optivisor as well… those were SMALL!)
This is a shot of the beginnings of the underbody/brake system. (again, very glad I got the optivisor, some of the piping detail was seperate parts)
And on to the question - I assume that the .010" PB wire included in the kit is Phosphor Bronze… Is that a “soft” wire? The wire cutters I say they’re for soft wire (like copper) only, I don’t wanna ruin them by attempting to cut it…
Which cutter are you using? Bronze is harder than copper. 10-mil (0.010") wire is fairly small OD wire so I would think you should be okay using the cutter. However, I would cut it at the back of the jaws to preserve the tip.
That Optivisor is a saving grace, isn’t it? I rely on them all the time for putting kits together and painting.
On the pictures. Since you are using manual mode, Dan, you may want to use the tripod you bought to steady your shot. My guess is that the blurring is from the shutter being open for a longer time. Your 2nd pictured turned out better.
Tstage is correct. Phosphor Bronze is harder than copper, but is still considered a “soft” metal. If you have Xuron cutters it wont present any problems, but I can’t speak for the immitators. Nickle Silver and Steel wire are “hard” and will nick the cutters. Tstage’s recommendations are good as well.
I think that the instruction sheet (ok, it’s more of a warning sheet) is worded incorrectly. I was just about the cut a piece of the wire, and stamped right near the blade was “COPPER ONLY”. I don’t know which one is correct, though since the cutter blade has that stamped on it I’m not gonna press my luck and potentially ruin the blades. Good thing I saw that BEFORE trying to cut the wire and potentially ruining the blades…
You really shouldn’t have any trouble cutting the PB wire, it is a copper alloy after all. If in doubt test cut a piece or 2 toward the back of the jaw. I have been cutting PB wire for years with both the Xurons and the clones without any problems. If it can cut copper it can cut any of the “soft” wire like PB & brass.
The crane builds into a great kit, and the instructions are great… a pretty easy build.
FYI-Their coaling tower is also a great kit, but the instructions aren’t very good and it is a difficult build. Still, its worth it, but you have been warned!
