Gentlemen, thank you both for your replies. I have had a look at the various sources you mention and I don't see anything too terrible. I am not an obsessive rivet counter, I just don't want to get into what will be a long term project to become disheartened by evolving problems.
I am not an experienced machinist, my background in metal work is steel fabrication (spiral & helical stairs mainly) and mechanical repairs (a couple of car/Land Rover rebuilds, plant & HGV repairs).
I am building a Stuart Turner beam engine which someone has started and messed up to polish up my skills .
I thought I would start with the tender to see how I get on – does that sound a sensible order of work?
One thing I don't understand is that the suppliers mention 'cast' springs for the tender. I'm not an expert but cast iron isn't terribly bendy…
I am certainly interested in laser cut frames, I don't intend to make what I can buy, time is far too precious.
Kind regards Paul