Here is a photo guide that shows all of the parts included in your FR Maxi III kit, the bending orientation of the parts, some helpful hints, the proper location of all parts for assembly and a guide for TTX decal placement. I am starting with the Parts in the Kit. I have sorted all parts. Knowing all parts of this kit is very important because some may look the same but are Very Different in assembly location. Continued
Continued Those are the parts included in the FR Maxi III kit. Note, you will only recieve one of the two sets of brass End Well car bolsters. Next will show photos of descriptives! Important things to know and do before assembly!
Descriptives!!!! Things to do before assembly!!!! Photo shows difference in a Articulating end and the Well Car coupler end. Continued
Continued These photos show key things for final assembly. I do not have any photos while doing the actual assembly. Any questions you have post them to the thread and I will answer them all. Next section shows Helpful Hints!
Helpful Hints Some Helpful Hints for a smoother assembly of Parts!!! Next is Decal placement for TTX decals!
Tim, I love show and tell, but what I like to see is how you bend the metal. I know some of them are pre-bend, but how do you bend end wellcar walkway.
TTX Decal Placement Guide For those who have gotten TTX decals from me, here is a photo guide showing placement. ------------------------------------------------------ Continued
Bending of the etchings John, the bending of the Nickelsilver etchings is super easy and does not require much effort because almost all bends have a bend line that is half etched thru the metal. DO NOT OVER BEND OR BEND THE WRONG WAY. Nickelsilver will break easily. If a break occurs the piece can be soldered back into place easily, just don;t loose the piece. They are small. I use a small smooth surface bent needle nose plier to bend most of the large pieces. I use my decal tweezers to bend the walkway support tabs that are on each of the Pivot Ends and the Well Car ends. The only parts that will require any effort is the Articulating Pivot Ends, both short and long. Study the photos I have posted and carefully bend the Donut circle as pictured. It is at a 90 degree angle. This is the only part requiring effort and precision because the bend is not Half Etched Thru the metal like all of the other bend are. I have two more kits to build and I will post photos of that part being bent. Hope this helps!! Hobo Tim
Very nice How To Tim, Here is a tool that I use for bending. It came from Home Depot and is called a Hand Seamer. Originally used by AC duct workers and metal roofers. The bottom photo shows how I put the brass in the seamer to do the actual bend.
Hi Tim, thanks for the info, I'm going to start very soon.... Fantastic, high deteailed instruction A+++++!!!!!
Really appreciate you taking the time to illustrate the parts and basic assemble, Tim. It help answer my questions regarding the kit. Otherwise I'm sure I would have messed up something and been sorely mad considering their cost.
Knowing the Parts is Key The Key in building the Maxi III without incident is knowing the parts and where they go. What helped me accomplish this is I have a BNSF Maxi III from FR to study. Most people don't have one as a guide. Even with it as a guide I did manage to solder a pivot end or two in the wrong places. All is good now. If you lay out all the parts as I show in one of the photos, and most importantly, know which pivot ends are Long and which are Short and place them where they go. I layed out all the parts where they go for assembly. It's the KEY to a proper build. I will answer any question on building the Maxi III. I don't consider myself an expert, but I will rely on my experience to do so. Ask away!!! Hobo Tim
Maxi III kit Instructions!!! I did not realize till tonight that instructions were being included with the Maxi III kits now. I first recieved my kit around January and 5 more about 2-3 months after that. FR had no instructions to assemble them then. I understand now that detailed instructions are included. This makes it alot easier to assembly. No trial and error. Have fun assembling your Maxi III's!!! Hobo Tim
Let's see your FR Maxi III's It has been over a month now since I posted all these cool photos on how to assemble your FR Maxi III Kits. I have sent TTX Maxi III decals to all points of the compass throughout the world. Germany, Canada, Australia, United Kingdom, United States, and a few other places. Post your photos here!!!!! Remember, It's all about Intermodal!!!! Hobo Tim
Hi Tim, just started with some minor work, I'm still waiting for a shipment from Anthony containing some Floquil paint. But I think my Maxi III will be ready to run before/on Christmas
