Trains.com

To questions

3452 views
14 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
To questions
Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, April 13, 2004 11:32 PM
Hi
question 1
does any one know of web sites that deal with the old fashioned enamel advertising signes preferably well illistrated
question 2
Where can I get a paper crimper I think it is called the gadget would allow me too make my own corrugated iron sheet out of aluminium soft drink can
regards John
  • Member since
    April 2002
  • From: Wisconsin
  • 1,828 posts
Posted by Rene Schweitzer on Wednesday, April 14, 2004 8:20 AM
Hi John,

I can help you with question 2. You can get paper crimpers at craft stores (Hobby Lobby, Michaels, etc) or sometimes even in discount stores that have craft departments, such as Walmart. I believe they come in small and large sizes. Small size is around $20.

Rene Schweitzer

Classic Toy Trains/Garden Railways/Model Railroader

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, April 14, 2004 9:14 AM
Hi Rene
Thanks you have saved me a small fortune.
As there isn't a structure scratch built, reroofed or severely kitbashed that I will NOT
need corrugared iron for.
regards John
  • Member since
    October 2003
  • From: Hunt, Texas
  • 167 posts
Posted by whiterab on Wednesday, April 14, 2004 3:29 PM
For question No. 1, Try these sites

Billboards of the Past
http://www.billboardsofthepast.com/index.html

Scale Size Posters
http://nyow.railfan.net/pfmsig/posters.html

http://www.trainweb.org/tylick/signintro.htm

Ad Sign Exchange
http://www.trevinocircle.com/adsigns.asp

Hope these help. How are you going to waterproof yours?

Joe Johnson Guadalupe Forks RR
  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Smoggy L.A.
  • 10,743 posts
Posted by vsmith on Wednesday, April 14, 2004 3:36 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by Rene S

Hi John,

I can help you with question 2. You can get paper crimpers at craft stores (Hobby Lobby, Michaels, etc) or sometimes even in discount stores that have craft departments, such as Walmart. I believe they come in small and large sizes. Small size is around $20.


I have one of these crimpers, I got it at Micheals and I have been using a product called "soft aluminum" that I got at the LHS. It is called "Create with Metal - Designer Metal Sheets" made by K&S Engineering it is .005 thick 36 gauge 12" x 30" roll, stock #6025. This is far easier to run thru the crimper than soda can metal and looks great, but is more easier to dent than soda can aluminum.

K&S contact is:
www.ksmetals.com

   Have fun with your trains

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, April 14, 2004 9:37 PM
Hi whiterab
If I avoid singns with prices on them some of them could be usefull and will look the part provided no one studies the adverts too hard.
As to what I will do with them for protection from the weather.
My thoughts are having printed them on card remember they are suposed to be enameled steel sheet was to first seal them with an artists sealer cut them
out then, give them two coats of a good quality exterior grade polyurithane full gloss
varnish on both sides.
That is unless some one has a better idea.
Scratch building anything is all a bit new too me, so it's work it out as I go
regards John
  • Member since
    January 2014
  • 1,264 posts
Posted by bman36 on Wednesday, April 14, 2004 11:12 PM
John,
I make my own signs on the computer using Word Pro. I then print them on my ink jet printer. Next I cut them to size and glue them to a 1/8" piece of plywood. Gluing is accomplished with a product called Modge Podge. You can buy it at any craft store or WalMart. Seal it all with a good quality exterior varnish. Very cheap to do. Any more question on this...let me know. Later eh...Brian.
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, April 15, 2004 3:27 AM
Hi Brian
That is basicaly why I wanted websites with advert illistrations without which I cannot make I own.
Just for starters I am not old enough too remember the style of advert used in the
time period where all the advertising was on enameled steel or you didn't advertise and Australian currency was still pounds shillings and pence not dollars.
Easier to find illistrations capture the illistation resize and sharpen and print.
I cannot use just any advert it has to be the right style or it will stuff the whole thing.
regards John
  • Member since
    January 2014
  • 1,264 posts
Posted by bman36 on Thursday, April 15, 2004 7:06 AM
Hi John,
I see. The only sign co.'s I have come across are for North American brands. Some of that old advertising just blows me away. You would never get away with printing it today without someone screaming about something. Times have changed. Later eh...Brian.
  • Member since
    May 2002
  • From: South Australia
  • 380 posts
Posted by toenailridgesl on Thursday, April 15, 2004 7:14 AM
John,
you could have always asked the expert! :):):)
Signs of the times... http://signofthetimesonline.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv
Check your local Lincraft shop for a paper crimper, seems to be the only one available here in Oz, a bit spendy, I priced one yesterday, $42.99 with aluminium rollers
Phil Creer, The Toenail Ridge Shortline,  Adelaide Sth Oz http://www.trainweb.org/toenailridge toparo ergo sum
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, April 15, 2004 11:09 AM
hi Phil
Will have to learn how to change imiges as well as scratch building now one on that site would look just right if it had my railway name on it instead of L&NWR a warning for beggers lady's of doubtfull reputation and musictions to stay off the premises (oh boy do I need a spell checker)
there are also a couple that I think could be got away with because of either the look or the brand name brand name mentioned is avalable in AUS
That popcicle looked a lot like a twin pole to me.so as long as no one reads it I will get away with it
Does lincraft have a web site the only craft shop in town shut down a while back
regards John
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, April 15, 2004 6:07 PM
John: I can offer you many tips about scratchbuilding & kit bashing. I have used almost all the different kinds of materials & glues. Each product has pros & cons.

It's never too late to try a new experience in any hobby.

As you stated in another post, I do have a lot of mechanical ability. I would be glad to
share my knowledge with you.
Fishwagon
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, April 15, 2004 8:32 PM
Hi fishwagon
Thanks for the offer.of assistance
Give it time however long it takes too collect all the matierial and rescaled drawing.
and all the usual beginer type questions will start to flow.
Due to my location it seems to take forever to get every thing together
Some one on another thread complained about being an hour away from a hobby shop
my closest one is between six and a half and eight hours away.
Just to pull things back on to the structure in progress hooray the rooffing iron turned up today mutter mutter no sign of the rafters yet.
The structure I am working on at the moment as a first serious attempt is a simple
passanger waiting shelter made out of Ice cream sticks and a little proper hobby wood.
Was a bit dubiouse about the choice of matierial to start with.
But it has created a very strong early Australian bush feel too the structure which is exactly what I wanted its a bit on the rough side but fortunatly the feel required will too some degree will hide that.
The bonus is that I now know what all the stations will be built of I just have to sort out
what the mistakes in first one are and how too correct them.
mistake 1 I did not use water proof glue so this one will have to be bought in all the time.
regards John
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Friday, April 16, 2004 9:35 AM
John: I find ice cream sticks to be useful for paint stirrers, sanding boards & semi -scale lumber.

For a sanding board, cut off 1 end square using a razor saw or hacksaw.. Use super glue to glue a narrow piece of sandpaper to both sides of the stick. Use whatever grit you need and fold the sandpaper around the square end of the stick & glue.

I would recommend spraying ice cream stick structures with 3 coats of clear acrylic
satin enamel if it's available. Spray structure inside & outside if it will be used outdoors.

I also use bamboo skewers for fence posts

Have a great day! Fishwagon
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, April 17, 2004 3:11 AM
Hi fishwagon
Thanks for the tips
Like the stick sander sounds good for awkward spots
Untill this project the only thing I used ice cream sticks for was too hold the Ice cream
regards John

Search the Community

FREE EMAIL NEWSLETTER

Get the Garden Railways newsletter delivered to your inbox twice a month

By signing up you may also receive occasional reader surveys and special offers from Garden Railways magazine. Please view our privacy policy