MASS-PRODUCE TEA TANKER LADDERS

1

With the side piece secured, I enlarged the etched holes. I cut some lengths of brass rod – enough for 14 ladders – and pushed them through the etch and into the wood. When they are in place, solder them to the etched side.

2

Allow to cool. Slide on the other side etch and solder. You can use a jig like this for just one ladder – but I wanted to make 14, so I added a spacer and then the next side etch and repeated the process. 3

With all the rungs and side etches for 14 ladders soldered together, I turned the wood onto its side and, using a slitting disc in a mini-drill, I cut through the brass rods to separate the individual ladders. 4

Then I used the disc to grind away the surplus brass and solder on the sides to leave the sides of the ladder smooth. 5

A fully finished ladder on a scratch built ‘Gauge 1’ VTG TEA tank wagon that used the same technique as those for the PRMPR kit. Neither would have been possible to make without a block of wood.