I have an old Mantua 2-8-2 with a Cary "light Mikado" boiler that I built years ago except for finalizing a drive. (That's another topic.) Now, I have a desire to put sashes in the cab windows. I tried making one out of Evergreen 1x2, 1x3, and 1x4 styrene. It isn't pretty. Anyway, should I be able to make them out of brass sheet by masking what I want with "Chart Pack?" tape and then etch them with PC chemicals?
It is not hard to find online videos and information on photo-etching brass. I found sellers marketing supplies.
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It look like it takes a bit of equipment.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
While you could probably etch them out of brass, I can't offer any advice on the process. I'd also use sheet brass, but cut the window openings using a suitably-sized drill bit and some needle files, material and tools which I have on hand.
Wayne
Thanks for the responses. I found an interesting video on photo etching. I'm interested in doing it myself but I'd love to find some .020 wide tape to make a mask instead of doing the photo-mask thing but I think that the thinnest Chartpak seems to be 1/16" or 1/32". Even if I was going to do art work to be copied onto clear acetate or similar, drawing a line that thickness would be a challenge (although I still have my old ink drawing tools.)
I'm planning on improving my styrene strip fabricating method when I get a chance. I'll report back.
Just had a thought! Perhaps I could cut the outer frame out of sheet brass and fake the muntins? with .020 brass wire soldered in place. Hmmmm....
PeteVSPerhaps I could cut the outer frame out of sheet brass and fake the muntins?
Do the sash have to be brass? Tichy and Grandt Line, maybe SS Ltd. make dozens of styles of windows that could be trimmed or customized to fit as a cab window.
Perhaps a double-hung window turned 90 ° ?
https://www.tichytraingroup.com/Shop/tabid/91/c/ho_framed-windows/p/8014/Default.aspx
Just sayin...
Good Luck, Ed
gmpullman PeteVS Perhaps I could cut the outer frame out of sheet brass and fake the muntins? Do the sash have to be brass? Tichy and Grandt Line, maybe SS Ltd. make dozens of styles of windows that could be trimmed or customized to fit as a cab window. Perhaps a double-hung window turned 90 ° ? https://www.tichytraingroup.com/Shop/tabid/91/c/ho_framed-windows/p/8014/Default.aspx Just sayin... Good Luck, Ed
PeteVS Perhaps I could cut the outer frame out of sheet brass and fake the muntins?
Good idea! I'll have to take a scale with me the next time I go to one of the hobby shops in the area. One of them has a pretty good selection of windows.
gmpullman Do the sash have to be brass? Tichy and Grandt Line, maybe SS Ltd. make dozens of styles of windows that could be trimmed or customized to fit as a cab window. Perhaps a double-hung window turned 90 ° ? https://www.tichytraingroup.com/Shop/tabid/91/c/ho_framed-windows/p/8014/Default.aspx Just sayin... Good Luck, Ed
Well, I tried a couple of methods of making my own with strip styrene but the pieces are too tiny and my fingers are way to big. Then I tried gluing the ends of longer strips and then cutting those pieces down to size. But, they were still to fragile. SO, I FINALLY DUG INTO THE TICHEY CATALOG! Their #8067 (a single sash shed window) seems to be exactly what I want! Back to the LHS!
Thanks!!