Headlight lens

[Anonymous]

Does anyone know of a manufacturer that makes clear lens that fit Precision Scale Pyle National headlight castings?

[jrbarney]

Strider1,
Don't happen to have a Precision Scale Pyle National headlight in our home so that I could measure it, but suggest you try MV Products. Their lens offerings start on page 992 in the 2004 Walthers HO catalog. Looked at two sites, but couldn't find a Web URL for MV Products. Good luck. Do wish Precision Scale and some other detail part manufacturers would note the proper lenses for their products, even if made by other companies.
Bob
NMRA Life 0543

[onequiknova]

If you want working lights, the MV lenses wont work. I've had good luck making lenses by holding a strand of fiber optic a couple inches under a flame. Once you have a good looking lens, snip it from the fiber optic with some flush cutting nippers. It may take a handfull of tries to get two identical lenses, but the final results look good.

John.

[mikebonellisr]

If you want to have your headlight glow using a MV lens,just drill a hole from the back roughly about what the size of the bulb would be.Drill only 1/2 way through.This lets enough light through for a realastic glow.

[dharmon]

QUOTE: Originally posted by mikebonellisr

If you want to have your headlight glow using a MV lens,just drill a hole from the back roughly about what the size of the bulb would be.Drill only 1/2 way through.This lets enough light through for a realastic glow.

You don't even have to drill a hole. Really all you need to do is scratch the backing material enough to allow light through.

[Anonymous]

If you want to make a clear lens for a given size headlamp, you will need a drill bit that fits the opening size. Use this drill to drill a hole into a flat piece of metal, such as a weight from an old Athearn kit. Now you must file the chuck side of the drill bit until it is flat, not rounded at all. Use the back side of the drill to punch out your lens on the metal piece with the hole in it. Try using Scale Models Styrene about .025 or .010 thickness for your material. If you practice this method, you can make perfect round lens for the size hole you have drilled.
I use this for all my lenses including some of the F units and E units type openings.
It does take practice, but it is well worth the effort.
Good Luck and let us know how it worked for you.

[Anonymous]

bangert1, What a great idea!!!!

I've been struggling for years trying to figure out some form of a jig / cut out pattern.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for all the ideas. I'm going to try to make my own with bangert1's method. Thanks again for all the help!