Tender Sides

I have started building the tender for the 4-8-0 camelback. Several years ago, I was given a 6 x 2 foot sheet of brass, so that is the tender material. The prototype shown above is very close to Allen Models 33 inch tender – just a little bit taller. I will use the Allen drawing with the modified dimensions.

My electric shear is great for straight lines and broad curves, as long as you can spare a 1/4 inch wide strip of scrap.

I am using a drill mounted nibbler for the sharp radii. It takes a little practice to follow a line with the nibbler, but it does work well for thin brass and aluminum sheet metal.

The two sides for the tender have been cut from the brass sheet. There is extra material front and back to bend around the corners. The extra material in the front will form the sides of the coal bunker. I have marked the 414 rivet holes on the side of the sheets, which have been taped together for drilling.