So what is an etched kit, and how are they made?
In short, an etched kit provides a series of accurate parts that the average modeller, with a set of relatively basic tools can construct into a beautiful, well-running model. Broadly speaking, a kit comprises of the etches, castings, thorough instructions and optional wheels and gearbox/motor (optional in terms of buying from Engine-ious - you'll need them at some point, from somewhere!). But what goes into producing a kit? Find out below....
Thorough Research Conducted
Once a prototype has been decided upon for a model, a thorough process of research is undertaken. As much of the history of the chosen prototype is discovered as possible through books, online, magazines and journals, as well as interacting with knowledgable members of various modelling forums. This forms a complete picture of the locomotive.
Etches
Once the research is complete, it's time to start designing the etches that will eventually build up to form the locomotive. Careful measurements are taken from the drawings, with each part carefully considered. Detail is imperative, with even our most basic kit containing over 100 etched parts, plus castings and other components. Designing the etches is the longest stage of the whole process; great care is taken to consider the builder when designing how parts should fit together, to make it as simple as possible to construct.
Castings
The quality of castings in many ways can make or break a kit, especially in terms of the enjoyment for the builder. The last thing anyone wants to do it spend hours with files and abrasives trying to turn poor quality castings into something recognisable. Poor quality often stems from worn, old moulds, so we remove this from the equation completely....
Wheels & Gearbox
Very few kits these days come complete with wheels. However, prototypical wheels for old indutrial locomotives are hard - sometime impossible - to find. Therefore we make our own. Designed to fit a standard Slaters 3/16" axel, they are easy to fit, quarter and remove.
Test Builds & Revisions
The final stage in creating a kit - and probably the most important - is doing a test build. Errors, imperfections, ommisions and improvements are discovered during the test build. These are rectified on the CAD artwork, ready to be re-etched/cast for the next version. Another test build is done until we are happy everything is perfect.