Robert Ray Woodside caboose questions

[hunter_alexander]

Brian,

I was wondering what type of glue you used for your wood caboose kit? Did you finish it?

Also, anyone, does MT make correct leaf spring caboose trucks? All I see are coil spring friction bearing, not the leaf spring friction bearing.

Thanks

Craig

[bbussey]

Micro-Trains does not make friction-bearing leaf spring trucks.  You must use Atlas trucks if you want those features.

[hunter_alexander]

Thanks for the info.

I appreciate it.

[bbussey]

Regular white or yellow Elmer's glue should work on the wood parts.  From what I remember, the included directions provide some insight in this area.

[Wardie]

I've built a couple Robert Ray wooden caboose kits myself, I used a mixture a superglue/caa and wood glue depending on what I was assembling. Some of the smaller more delicate pieces I found it was easier to align and superglue, then to wait for wood glue to dry and risk the part moving out of alignment.

[hunter_alexander]

Thanks. Yeah, started working more on these. Using good old white glue as directed.

I am fairly impressed with the kit. Going together pretty well so far. Have about an hour into the first one. I was pretty worried at first since these things are pretty rare (Robert Ray said I purchased his last 3pk). But once I started on it, found the parts are very well laser cut, easy to get out and with the white glue, the wood bonds suprisingly well.

I will post some pics and thoughts as I go along. Once I finish this first one as my test bed, I will probably do the next 2 at the same time assembley line style. lol

Next questions though are paints for this. Anyone have tips/tricks?

[bbussey]

Which Robert Ray models are you building?  Your standard model paint of choice should be fine.

[hunter_alexander]

The woodside NYC 1900 series caboose kits.

Any thoughts of prepping the wood to be painted first?

[bbussey]

I think you should be able to paint the model after it is fully assembled without additional preparation.  It's been a while since I've read the instructions to that kit, but I'm fairly certain that all of this is covered there.

[Brian M]

I followed the suggestions in his directions for the kit and used an enamel based paint (Floquil in this case) on mine.  It worked just fine, the wood didn't warp.  Sure wish he would make some more of these NYC kits, as I could use a few more of them, but the last time I exchanged email with him a couple years ago, he seemed to be mostly focused on Z scale kits.

Now, if only we could get Mr. Bussey/ESM to do one...   

-Brian.

[hunter_alexander]

Yeah I asked him if he was going to do more but he said with all the z scale stuff as well as his real job (if I remember correctly) he wasnt planning on doing anymore. He said I purchased his last 3pk and I was thankful I even got that. I would love to have a fleet of these.

[bbussey]

Now, if only we could get Mr. Bussey/ESM to do one...   

We'll see what the future bodes once the Keyser Valley caboose kit comes to market.  I wouldn't exclude it from consideration though.

I have two of the Ray NYC cabooses myself, and they are well-designed kits.

[Chris333]

I'm sure Robert could be talked out of the drawings. He uses Corel.

[SkipGear]

Be careful and check the decals before you use them. The PLE decals on the ones I did for a friend were PEL. I ended up making my own decals for the whole thing. Use the Atlas trucks, the kit is designed for them. MT trucks have an offset bolster hole which make them not line up properly.
 

[jmlaboda]

While I am not what could be considered a NYC fan I am a caboose fan and these two cabs really look great!!!  Thanks for sharing them Tony!!!