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Source of Small Plastic Letters

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  • Member since
    November 2002
  • From: Findlay, Ohio
  • 447 posts
Source of Small Plastic Letters
Posted by danmerkel on Saturday, September 16, 2023 9:11 PM

I'm working on a building that I'd like to use small plastic letters on for a sign. The letters I'd like to use would be similar to those that you see on those black sign boards in the lobbies of bigger buildings. Problem is that I can't find anything much smaller than 3/4" and that would be pretty big in HO scale.

There's a company in Britain, Slaters, that sells something like what I'm looking for but the freight to get them to the US is a deal breaker. While the letters themselves are about $12-$15 per set, shipping to the US is in the range of $32-$36. 

Google hasn't turned up much. Does anyone know of a domestic source for smaller letters?

Thank you!

dlm

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Posted by PC101 on Saturday, September 16, 2023 9:22 PM

I know you asked for plastic but, look up ''wooden alphabet set, craft miniature laser cut 1/4'' pieces''. Looks like three of them fit on a dime. Less then 1/8'' thick but they are wood and could be sanded thinner. I would think the sharp face edge could be rounded /soften up some with a file. Shipped from Delaware.

Todd architectural models, out of New Jersery, go to "home" then across to "shop" then down to "laser cut letter set''.  1/4'', 5/8'', 1/2'', 7/16'' tall. But again still not plastic.

If the Moderators feel this reply is aginst Forum Policies, deleat it please.

PC 101

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Posted by gmpullman on Saturday, September 16, 2023 9:58 PM

I used a couple sets from Plastruct to letter my "Post Office Annex" and, fortunately, they were a perfect typeface for those used by the Post Office.

 IMG_9388 by Edmund, on Flickr

I printed a sample of the lettering so that I couuld get the alignment and kerning that I wanted and used it as a guide.

 IMG_9384 by Edmund, on Flickr

 Parcel Post Annex by Edmund, on Flickr

I'll look to see if I can remember where I got the letters. I recall they offer two maybe three? sizes.

https://www.hobbylinc.com/plastruct-25:64-plastic-letters:numbers-160pc-plastic-model-scratch-building-supplies-96004

 There are other outlets, I posted the above link as an example.

Good Luck, Ed

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Posted by SeeYou190 on Saturday, September 16, 2023 11:00 PM

My go-to was always alphabet noodles, but now that I have thought about it, it has been a long times since I saw any alphabet noodles in a grocery store.

-Kevin

Living the dream.

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  • From: Morristown, NJ
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Posted by nealknows on Sunday, September 17, 2023 5:55 AM

I used Slaters plastic numbers and letters. They're made in England and you can find them in some US online stores...

https://slatersplastikard.com/plastikard/alphabets.php

Neal

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Posted by BigDaddy on Sunday, September 17, 2023 8:56 AM

I found some 1/2" letters, the font may not be right for your purposes. 

I searched for 3D printed letters but only found large ones or programs to make your own 3D.  There is much I don't know about 3D printing, but I wouldn't think it would be that hard technically to print letters.

Henry

COB Potomac & Northern

Shenandoah Valley

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Posted by doctorwayne on Sunday, September 17, 2023 10:40 AM

I used some of those plastic letters for the Languay Building (named for a longtime model railroader friend)...

Wayne

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Posted by York1 on Sunday, September 17, 2023 2:04 PM

I'll second Ed's suggestion of checking Plastruct.  It's difficult to tell exactly what the letters look like, but there's a couple of different sizes:

 

https://plastruct.myshopify.com/search?page=1&q=letter

 

If you check page 120 of this catalog, it helps see the various sizes:

 

https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0254/9950/0589/files/Vol_10_CatalogSMFL.pdf?53

York1 John       

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Posted by MisterBeasley on Sunday, September 17, 2023 3:23 PM

I found wooden letters at Michaels, but they're about an inch high.  They had nothing smaller, and they didn't seem to be replenishing the stock.  It was years ago, so it might be worth looking if you're in the store for craft paint or something.

It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse. 

  • Member since
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  • From: Findlay, Ohio
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Posted by danmerkel on Monday, September 18, 2023 5:45 PM

Thanks to all of you who have replied but especially to Henry. Those half-inch letters should work out just fine.

Thanks again!

dlm

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