Kabutoni Posted January 18, 2010 Share Posted January 18, 2010 Hello all, Does anyone have experience with these simple brass models? When I go to Japan this summer, I'd like to buy some of these models, as they are cheap brass shells that go over B-Train Shorty chassis bases. If these models are put together, do I glue or solder them together? I've tried soldering brass once, but you need a quite high-powered soldering machine to do so. I've also heard 2-component glue also does the job. Can anyone confirm this? This is the website of the manufacturer. http://www.arumo.com/ The models I'm interested in: - Large Convex-type Engine (Nankai-style): http://homepage3.nifty.com/arumo/rn0052.htm - A very simplistic 'Inaka' (country) style EMU: http://homepage3.nifty.com/arumo/rn0038.htm - A very simplistic small locomotive with goods compartment: http://homepage3.nifty.com/arumo/rn0040.htm Mostly classic forms of electric traction. Link to comment
bill937ca Posted January 18, 2010 Share Posted January 18, 2010 The models I'm interested in: - A very simplistic 'Inaka' (country) style EMU: http://homepage3.nifty.com/arumo/rn0038.htm It looks like an early interurban. Cars like that probably would have no EMU capability, although they may have draw-bars and on occasion towed a single freight car to local markets or industry. That was common until the late 50-early 60s. Link to comment
jappomania Posted January 18, 2010 Share Posted January 18, 2010 Hi! for my experience you need a good Weller welder (I use Pyropen around 80-90euros), copper braid to remove the excessive tin and "tin flux or fluxant" (sorry, I don't know the right term, is a liquid that helps the tin fusion and the brass pieces junction) Bicomponent glue don't like me so much and is not so simple to remove in case of bad junctions p.s. really good brass kits! I see them on RM Magazine, unfortunatelly is not so simple to find outside Japan I'm still searching RMM brass catenary poles ciao Massimo Link to comment
Kabutoni Posted January 18, 2010 Author Share Posted January 18, 2010 After a bit of research on the site I found out they are folding models! I've seen these models a few years back in the same magazin you, jappomania, told me of (RM Moodels), where they had a contest, ranging from O-Narrow to N-gauge. Also, of that interurban, there is a simple EMU version of it as well: http://homepage3.nifty.com/arumo/rn0062.htm Also, for the creative fans of the Toyama LRV: http://homepage3.nifty.com/arumo/rn0054.htm A small LRV that will certanly compliment your layout! Popondetta has them on sale IIRC. Link to comment
jappomania Posted January 18, 2010 Share Posted January 18, 2010 After a bit of research on the site I found out they are folding models! I've seen these models a few years back in the same magazin you, jappomania, told me of (RM Moodels), where they had a contest, ranging from O-Narrow to N-gauge. Also, of that interurban, there is a simple EMU version of it as well: http://homepage3.nifty.com/arumo/rn0062.htm Also, for the creative fans of the Toyama LRV: http://homepage3.nifty.com/arumo/rn0054.htm A small LRV that will certanly compliment your layout! Popondetta has them on sale IIRC. Thank's Toni, this time I try Popondetta (I never bought from him) but before I need to end my brass kit already bought an example http://www.rotaie.it/New%20Pages/Stoccarda_2009/ASN-E626Mario.jpg http://www.rotaie.it/New%20Pages/Stoccarda_2009/TelaioE626Mario3.jpg it's not mine, I have a lot of work before... you have right ! (sorry not RM magazine doesn't exist, I mixed Railway Magazine and RM Models ) this is the link http://rail.hobidas.com/blog/rmm/archives/cat1171/ believe me, I don't know what is "folding models", I'm sure you need a welder to complete those types of brass trains ciao Massimo Link to comment
bc6 Posted January 19, 2010 Share Posted January 19, 2010 Im in love with this lrv http://homepage3.nifty.com/arumo/rn0054.htm Link to comment
Kabutoni Posted January 19, 2010 Author Share Posted January 19, 2010 That is an awesome model! I really like those old Italian engines. They look very functional and brute. Much like in the same style as early diesel locomotive prototypes. believe me, I don't know what is "folding models", I'm sure you need a welder to complete those types of brass trains The website states it'll take about 10 to 20 minutes to put together a model. I don't think this can be done with soldering. Also, the website states they are folding models. Of course one can solder them together, but as I don't own a high-end soldering machine yet, I'll stick to folding and glueing. The most fun part for me will be detailing and painting. In this process one can see how it all comes together. Link to comment
CaptOblivious Posted January 19, 2010 Share Posted January 19, 2010 These are fascinating models. Are there details on the various pages for motorizing them? I'm having a hard time making that information out. Update: D'oh, just didn't look closely enough. The one I like, a post-WWII box cab, claims to take 10 minutes to assemble, and no glue. And it looks fantastic, with all the optional detail parts. I am tempted, to have a loco for my layout Shogatsu (whose setting is in the vague past, apparently, and very rural). Link to comment
David Posted January 19, 2010 Share Posted January 19, 2010 These are fascinating models. Are there details on the various pages for motorizing them? I'm having a hard time making that information out. From the pictures it looks like they are using the Kato power units (part # 11-102 to 11-107), though I see at least one using that super-mini power unit that Plaza Japan sells. Ok, now another question: Roughly how much do these kits cost (and can they be bought online from overseas)? Link to comment
Kabutoni Posted January 19, 2010 Author Share Posted January 19, 2010 They are mostly based on KATO 12m/B-train motor chassis. These come in two variants. One with large visible spring bogeys and one with a more classic 'full frame' bogey look. Arumodel suggests that you should choose the one that fist your taste best. Exeption is this small 2-axle goods engine: http://homepage3.nifty.com/arumo/rn0040.htm (Caramel Nine chassis) They also have their own power chassis, made a GreenMax kit or for their own 'special' models (the latter being very expensive): http://homepage3.nifty.com/arumo/rn002.htm P.s. they can be bought from Popondetta as they also have one English staff member. Otherwise you could ask HW Japan in an email if they could order them for you (never tried, but it never hurts to try). Link to comment
marknewton Posted January 21, 2010 Share Posted January 21, 2010 It looks like an early interurban. Cars like that probably would have no EMU capability, although they may have draw-bars... Bill, this car looks to me to be based on the Izu-Hakone Railway trams that ran betwen Mishima and Numazu. IIRC they didn't even have drawbars, just a socket for a towbar. Cute little model, though. Cheers, Mark. Link to comment
andreas Posted January 21, 2010 Share Posted January 21, 2010 I have 2 of these sets on order, they should come soon. I am not sure when I get to assembling them though, but I could report back how they look like, though. Andreas Link to comment
Bernard Posted January 21, 2010 Share Posted January 21, 2010 I have 2 of these sets on order, they should come soon. I am not sure when I get to assembling them though, but I could report back how they look like, though. Andreas Andreas - Could you take photos of the unassembled kit? It's good to see something like that because a modeler will know by looking at it if it's up to their skill level. Link to comment
andreas Posted January 21, 2010 Share Posted January 21, 2010 Bernard I can certainly do that, but you also get them from here: http://homepage3.nifty.com/arumo/aru9.htm (then scroll a little down until you see a list with many links, they are the different models) if you are impatient. Andreas Link to comment
bc6 Posted January 22, 2010 Share Posted January 22, 2010 I have 2 of these sets on order, they should come soon. I am not sure when I get to assembling them though, but I could report back how they look like, though. Andreas Where did you order from? Link to comment
andreas Posted January 22, 2010 Share Posted January 22, 2010 Where did you order from? Popondetta, I do not know anyone else that sells them (at least where it works with English) Link to comment
andreas Posted January 29, 2010 Share Posted January 29, 2010 As promised attached photos of the kit (of one of the kits) I ordered, as well as the instruction manual (sorry, have no scanner). The brass seems very well etched, once I start to build it I can comment on how well it fits. The only thing I do not have are the head and tail lights, anyone got an idea where to get some suitable (Popondetta had no stock of those from Arumodel)? Andreas Link to comment
andreas Posted January 30, 2010 Share Posted January 30, 2010 Right, I just had to try and assemble this one Took about 20 minutes and the only thing I needed was a sharp (very sharp) knife, no glue, no soldering, nothing. Although once I have painted it, I might well use a few drops of superglue here and there to fix things 100%, but this is not really necessary as I have not yet bend over the little nipples which make it all fit as I need to disassemble it again for painting. I would say the fit is very very good, all things slide in easily, the instructions are easy to follow also for non-Japanese speakers (like me), even without instructions it would not be that difficult. My subjective verdict: A great kit for the price and it gives me a loco (more of them in the future!) that not everyone else has. Andreas Link to comment
Bernard Posted January 30, 2010 Share Posted January 30, 2010 Andreas - Thanks for posting the photos of the kit! It shows what is involved if someone decides to purchase one. Also....wow, it only took you 20 min and there was no soldering. I look forward to seeing the model again once you paint it. :icon_thumright: Link to comment
jappomania Posted February 3, 2010 Share Posted February 3, 2010 Hi Andreas! ouch! It's really hard to find a so simple to build brass kit, is really amazing! I wait more photos of painted complete model (in the meantime I try to complete my E626.....) ciao Massimo Link to comment
andreas Posted February 3, 2010 Share Posted February 3, 2010 I wait more photos of painted complete model I will post pictures as soon as it is worth showing, but that will be a bit, first I need a base coat and then paint it, detailing etc., so that will be 2-3 weeks at least. Link to comment
andreas Posted February 14, 2010 Share Posted February 14, 2010 Hi all Here it is finished - well not totally, head/taillights are missing, but they will have to wait a few weeks. It looks quite nice, small corrections to paintwork required and in the macro-pics any small detail looks twice as bad as in reality (and the bright sunshine made it even worse). I did not airbrush the kit but use a brush, so that can be improved, too. Just one thing: It is too big for the scale. Compare it with my EF15 which just arrived this week.... Apart from that, a great kit. Andreas Link to comment
keiman Posted February 14, 2010 Share Posted February 14, 2010 I really like the little goods van/loco, could be used to move stuff on a tram layout or as a mini maintenance vehicle maybe Just need to work out how to get one to the UK Link to comment
CaptOblivious Posted February 14, 2010 Share Posted February 14, 2010 andreas, Could you post more comparisons with the EF15 or other locos you might have? It's hard to see that the brass model is out of scale—not that I'm doubting you, I just can't see it. Otherwise, it looks like a really fascinating kit! Link to comment
andreas Posted February 14, 2010 Share Posted February 14, 2010 Could you post more comparisons with the EF15 or other locos you might have? It's hard to see that the brass model is out of scale—not that I'm doubting you, I just can't see it. Otherwise, it looks like a really fascinating kit! I try to get some shots tomorrow if I have the time Link to comment
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