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Stained/Fusing Glass Display Cases For Model Trains Locked

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  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: 4610 Metre's North of the Fortyninth on the left coast of Canada
  • 9,352 posts
Posted by BATMAN on Saturday, January 13, 2018 10:39 AM

This may be a dumb question as I am no Geologist. Could you drill a hole in the crystal up through the bottom and put the light inside the crystal?

Brent

"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."

  • Member since
    April 2017
  • From: Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada
  • 1,585 posts
Posted by OldSchoolScratchbuilder on Saturday, January 13, 2018 12:32 PM

BATMAN

This may be a dumb question as I am no Geologist. Could you drill a hole in the crystal up through the bottom and put the light inside the crystal?

 

Yes if the crystal is significantly thicker than the LED's lateral dimension. Unfortunately, selenite crystals are usually too thin

  • Member since
    April 2017
  • From: Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada
  • 1,585 posts
Posted by OldSchoolScratchbuilder on Sunday, January 14, 2018 7:21 PM

Six small stained glass cases have been completed for some of my HO scale model trains. I am making many more but most will be similar to the ones I posted here. The last item I will complete in this thread is the large Nova Scotia/Alberta display.

  • Member since
    April 2017
  • From: Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada
  • 1,585 posts
Posted by OldSchoolScratchbuilder on Monday, January 15, 2018 6:50 AM

The plastic tree stems for the gypsum side of the display can be given more character by splitting the circular bases then using my torch to partially melt and bend all the branches and roots. You can see the effect in this picture.

  • Member since
    April 2017
  • From: Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada
  • 1,585 posts
Posted by OldSchoolScratchbuilder on Monday, January 15, 2018 8:40 AM

Although I have made six cases for trains, I have made or am making others for other items of interest like my mineral collection - this is dog-tooth calcite from my hikes near Cambridge, Nova Scotia.

  • Member since
    April 2017
  • From: Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada
  • 1,585 posts
Posted by OldSchoolScratchbuilder on Monday, January 15, 2018 8:43 AM

And my wife likes my train cases so much, I made her one for two of her antique chickens. So these cases are becoming popular around our house.

  • Member since
    April 2017
  • From: Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada
  • 1,585 posts
Posted by OldSchoolScratchbuilder on Monday, January 15, 2018 8:45 AM

Alterior motive for the chicken case, my wife will hopefully let me buy more train stuff. Wink, wink, nudge, nudge, say no more.

  • Member since
    April 2017
  • From: Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada
  • 1,585 posts
Posted by OldSchoolScratchbuilder on Tuesday, January 16, 2018 5:10 PM

My new Rapido CN 3800 cu ft hoppers have arrived - all 12 road numbers! Going to make a few beautiful display cases for them in the near future.

  • Member since
    April 2017
  • From: Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada
  • 1,585 posts
Posted by OldSchoolScratchbuilder on Tuesday, January 16, 2018 5:11 PM

Amazing detail.

  • Member since
    April 2017
  • From: Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada
  • 1,585 posts
Posted by OldSchoolScratchbuilder on Tuesday, January 16, 2018 5:37 PM

All twelve unboxed and they look great.

  • Member since
    April 2017
  • From: Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada
  • 1,585 posts
Posted by OldSchoolScratchbuilder on Thursday, January 18, 2018 7:28 AM

Morning coffee, Bad Company playing on the box, and a five foot long piece of padauk for another large stained glass display. Designing a five foot ultra modern glass case for this project. I'll post pictures when major sections are complete.

  • Member since
    April 2017
  • From: Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada
  • 1,585 posts
Posted by OldSchoolScratchbuilder on Thursday, January 18, 2018 7:32 AM

This display will feature operational CN 8100 and Illinois Central 1021.

  • Member since
    April 2017
  • From: Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada
  • 1,585 posts
Posted by OldSchoolScratchbuilder on Monday, January 22, 2018 10:10 AM

Bought a used table router from the tool guy at one of our weekend markets. All set up and works like a charm. Now I'll easily be able to cut grooves in longer wooden case bases.

  • Member since
    April 2017
  • From: Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada
  • 1,585 posts
Posted by OldSchoolScratchbuilder on Tuesday, January 23, 2018 7:42 AM

Large pieces of glass are a challenge to solder together, but it's coming along.

  • Member since
    April 2017
  • From: Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada
  • 1,585 posts
Posted by OldSchoolScratchbuilder on Tuesday, January 23, 2018 7:46 AM

Another view.

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