Estes Leo Space Train #7285 Build, Part 4, Strips & Small Actuators

Square up and smooth the hardwood strips, Parts O.
The pre-production kit I received had balsa strips. The kits now have basswood strips.







1. Round the sides of the strips.
2. Taper the ends profile with the sanding block.
3. Round the top sides. Check from the flat back side to make sure the round top shape is consistent.









After using the block, round it all off with some 400 grit held with your fingers.

Here's one of the six actuator pieces (Parts P) as shown in the instructions.
The small coffin shaped pieces take careful shaping. The instructions show a sanding block, but the block might be too large to get much control.

Basically, all the top sides are rounded off. On the left is the before and next to it shows the piece after shaping.

On the far right picture, the actuators and the "K" support pieces got a brushed coat of CWF filler.

Check out the grid lines on the cutting board. The actuator detail pieces are only 3/4" long!