Most folks use soda/beer cans. There was an article a year or so ago in GR about that. I forget which issue; it was just lying around on my desk. The author cut the cans, flattened the sheets, then heated them up in the oven (I forget what temperature, but normal oven temps) to make them easier to work.
To crimp them, he used a paper crimper from Fiskar, which is available at Michael's, etc. I've also seen folks use artists' paint tube crimpers.
Check the indexes for 2012 and 2013 to see what the issue would be.
Later,
K
Not certain about the date, other than my wife gave me a crimper as a birthday(?) present. She lost her battle with cancer in Sep 2010, so there was something either in the pages here or in GR much before then. I'm thinking there was a follow on article in these forums on staining the cans using household chemicals.
Tom Trigg
I wish to amend my previous comment. As we all know information on tips and tricks resurfaces every few years. Kevin may be completely correct with his estimated dates. I remembered that my first corrugated roof project was a coaling tower. I went to my photo album for the garden trains (as in 35 mm film photography). On the back of the photo of the coaling tower was the lab processing date of July 1998.
Enough about when, now about How.
It is a very straight forward process to make corrugated roofing. Open a soda/beer can using a good pair of scissors. Wear leather work gloves AND have ample supply of Band-Aids on hand, with in easy reach. The opened can is VERY sharp and will cut you quickly and deeply. Much like taking a pocket knife to a sword fight. Be safe!
I tried several times to crimp an entire can at one pass. For some reason after about 2 or 3 inches the can started to feed crooked. I ended up with a segment of nicely corrugated can followed by a fan shaped rest of the can. I suggest cutting the can into strip of 3 to 4 1/2 inch strips. Insert the strips, clamp down on the can and twist the crank handle. Trim the roofing sheets to an appropriate scale width. In the early days I used iron-oxide spray primer paint, sprayed into the lid and applied with a toothpick to weather the roofing.
I have seen others projects where they used heavy weight aluminum foil, that worked quiet nicely. It is much easier to put holes, and other roof damage, in the foil that cannot be done with the cans. A roll of copper roofing flashing will also work well, self weathers well as well.
"Weathering" of the aluminum can be accomplished with printed circuit board etchant solution if you want it to appear as rusted and corroded steel roofing. BUT, watch the process very closely and have a large container of fresh water close by so you can immediately remove the piece from the etchant and immediately wash it off in the clean water. If you leave the piece in the etchant too long it will be completely dissolved.
The solution should Ferric Chloride, or Ferric chloride crystals dissolved in water. ( wear Gloves )! It is pure rust and stains fingers better than anything else!
The issue Kevin is referring to is April 2013.
FWIW, we have a comprehensive online index here. If you want to search only GR, click on "advanced search" and you can select which title to search.
Rene Schweitzer
Classic Toy Trains/Garden Railways/Model Railroader
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