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Post by crazyivan on May 20, 2015 20:49:02 GMT -8
I want to get some custom etched brass builders plates for some of my steamers, and so far I've found a couple companies in the UK who do this sort of work. One of them is Narrow Planet ( narrowplanet.co.uk/). Does anyone know of someone who can do similar work in the US? So far everyone I've found state side does large lots, not small runs for hobbyists. Just for the fun of it, I included the design I've drawn up, along with the class plate that will go on the lead cylinders.  |
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Post by lajrmdlr on May 21, 2015 5:53:29 GMT -8
Matt
In 1:1 scale the details of your builders plate would probably be viewable. But in HO scale, assuming 0.25" prototype thickness, it would only be about 0.003" thick. So could any details of your etched brass builders plate even be seen? Maybe the "M" & the circle could be seen w/o any magnification. Seems you'd be better off just using decals.
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Post by John Sheridan on May 21, 2015 7:16:11 GMT -8
I want to get some custom etched brass builders plates for some of my steamers, and so far I've found a couple companies in the UK who do this sort of work. One of them is Narrow Planet ( narrowplanet.co.uk/). Does anyone know of someone who can do similar work in the US? So far everyone I've found state side does large lots, not small runs for hobbyists. Just for the fun of it, I included the design I've drawn up, along with the class plate that will go on the lead cylinders. View AttachmentTwo companies in the US I have used in the past are: Italix - www.italix.com/photo-chemical-machining.phpInsight designs: www.yelp.com/biz/insight-designs-rio-vista |
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Post by crazyivan on May 21, 2015 7:34:00 GMT -8
John,
Great, thanks for the leads!
Andy,
I'm planning to use a flat bottom drill to create a recessed space to hold the builder's plate. If I can't get brass to work, I'm going to just use decals, but if the brass approach works it'll be an awesome bit of detailing on the engines (that only I will probably even notice).
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Post by Dear Leader on May 21, 2015 10:59:48 GMT -8
Matt In 1:1 scale the details of your builders plate would probably be viewable. But in HO scale, assuming 0.25" prototype thickness, it would only be about 0.003" thick. So could any details of your etched brass builders plate even be seen? Maybe the "M" & the circle could be seen w/o any magnification. Seems you'd be better off just using decals. Check the latest imported steam engine builders plates and you can see and read all the writing, builders date, builder, location, etc. So yes, they can be seen and read. Why settle for decals, if you can get etchings made. Why settle for a Volkswagen when you can have a Rolls Royce. |
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Post by crazyivan on May 21, 2015 12:34:08 GMT -8
Hey, I agree with you, although I'm a bit more partial to Ferrari over Rolls Royce  |
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Post by lajrmdlr on May 22, 2015 7:25:22 GMT -8
Check the latest imported steam engine builders plates and you can see and read all the writing, builders date, builder, location, etc. So yes, they can be seen and read. Why settle for decals, if you can get etchings made. Maybe if the model is "in your face" that detail can be seen. But at the normal viewing of 2-4 feet or more, how much detail can anyone really see. |
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Post by Dear Leader on May 22, 2015 8:15:12 GMT -8
Check the latest imported steam engine builders plates and you can see and read all the writing, builders date, builder, location, etc. So yes, they can be seen and read. Why settle for decals, if you can get etchings made. Maybe if the model is "in your face" that detail can be seen. But at the normal viewing of 2-4 feet or more, how much detail can anyone really see. Surprisingly, quite a bit. Of course that depends on your eye sight. On my Southern Pacific GS-2, 3, 4, and 5's by Challenger, and Cab Forwards by Overland, I can read what's on the builders plate, super heater plate, and ownership plate as the engine goes by me with the train. The small lettering no. It does not have to be "in your face". |
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Post by edwardsutorik on May 22, 2015 8:25:48 GMT -8
I'm planning to use a flat bottom drill to create a recessed space to hold the builder's plate. I don't know why you'd want to do this, but the hole doesn't need to be flat bottomed. It might even be convenient to have the typical cone-shaped bottom to hold the cement. And DON'T believe that the drill diameter will necessarily guarantee the hole diameter. I strongly recommend doing practice holes to make sure the real installation is very clean. Your sample is round, of course, but also keep in mind that only some builder's plates were round. Lima had diamond-shaped, for example. I expect that what you'll get if you buy a photoetched HO builder's plate is a very thin piece of brass. And that it won't need a hole to make it look thin. But you WILL need to curve it a bit to match the smokebox. Also, I expect the price will be the same whether you fit one or twenty different builder's plates on the work piece. I think this is a great idea, and will look fantastic. Ed |
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Post by lajrmdlr on May 23, 2015 6:09:53 GMT -8
coastdaylight
You must have SUPER eyesight because most of us can only see a builders plate but not read it especially if it's moving & seeing it at a normal viewing distance.
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Post by Dear Leader on May 23, 2015 8:02:20 GMT -8
coastdaylight You must have SUPER eyesight because most of us can only see a builders plate but not read it especially if it's moving & seeing it at a normal viewing distance. No, I wear glasses, and have less than 20/20 eyesight. I run my trains at scale speeds, and normal viewing distance, for me, when my train goes by, is 3 feet, give or take. |
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Post by onequiknova on May 23, 2015 8:28:39 GMT -8
What's this normal viewing distance stuff anyway? Who doesn't like to get up close and personal from time to time? Hell, I'd go so far as to add some bits of wire to those etched builders plates to represent screw heads, but I tend to go overboard sometimes.
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Post by edwardsutorik on May 25, 2015 17:31:04 GMT -8
What's this normal viewing distance stuff anyway. Who doesn't like to get up close and personal from time to time? Hell, I'd go so far as to add some bits of wire to those etched builders plates yo represent screw heads, but I tend to go overboard sometimes. You put slots in those, and I'll be MIGHTILY impressed. Ed |
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