Scratchbuilders!
Built a model or part from your own materials lately?
Built a model or part from your own materials lately?
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louvres
kensmodels
England - South East, United Kingdom
Member Since: March 20, 2006
entire network: 14 Posts
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Member Since: March 20, 2006
entire network: 14 Posts
KitMaker Network: 6 Posts
Posted: Thursday, May 08, 2014 - 12:14 AM UTC
Has anyone replaced solid/out-of-scale radiator louvres in 1/35 vehicles? I've been unsuccessful with trying to build a jig.
retiredyank
Arkansas, United States
Member Since: June 29, 2009
entire network: 11,610 Posts
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Member Since: June 29, 2009
entire network: 11,610 Posts
KitMaker Network: 3,657 Posts
Posted: Saturday, May 10, 2014 - 10:48 AM UTC
If you are using photo-etch, it should not be too difficult to build a jig. Simply make an appropriately sized frame with styrene strip. Measure out and mark on the frame where the slats should fit. Then, using a sharp blade or fine toothed saw cut small slits along these markings. Place it on a flat surface as close as possible to the intended destination and align the slats according to the slits. Hope this helps.
kensmodels
England - South East, United Kingdom
Member Since: March 20, 2006
entire network: 14 Posts
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Member Since: March 20, 2006
entire network: 14 Posts
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Posted: Saturday, May 10, 2014 - 10:46 PM UTC
thanks Matt,
no, not using photo etch. The problem I've come across is lining up the louvre blades as you've described, as they all have to be parallel and very close together. Any discrepancy shows up very prominently, suggesting a jig as the way to go
Regards
ken
no, not using photo etch. The problem I've come across is lining up the louvre blades as you've described, as they all have to be parallel and very close together. Any discrepancy shows up very prominently, suggesting a jig as the way to go
Regards
ken
F3066
Victoria, Australia
Member Since: November 20, 2004
entire network: 71 Posts
KitMaker Network: 11 Posts
Member Since: November 20, 2004
entire network: 71 Posts
KitMaker Network: 11 Posts
Posted: Sunday, May 11, 2014 - 01:30 AM UTC
Depending on how big and for what purpose but the good old cable tie or zip tie is very in scale for the use as louvers
retiredyank
Arkansas, United States
Member Since: June 29, 2009
entire network: 11,610 Posts
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Member Since: June 29, 2009
entire network: 11,610 Posts
KitMaker Network: 3,657 Posts
Posted: Sunday, May 11, 2014 - 07:48 AM UTC
Quoted Text
...suggesting a jig as the way to go
That is why I outlined how I make a jig.
Posted: Sunday, May 11, 2014 - 01:27 PM UTC
Quoted Text
Quoted Text...suggesting a jig as the way to go
That is why I outlined how I make a jig.
You did?
Can't see it, sorry.
It would be very much appreciated
kensmodels
England - South East, United Kingdom
Member Since: March 20, 2006
entire network: 14 Posts
KitMaker Network: 6 Posts
Member Since: March 20, 2006
entire network: 14 Posts
KitMaker Network: 6 Posts
Posted: Sunday, May 11, 2014 - 09:11 PM UTC
thanks for the idea JC,
having leapt into the shed to check this out, I think it could work for 'Braille-scale', but I'd like to see through them, and I think the polyethylene-type plastic could be a problem
having leapt into the shed to check this out, I think it could work for 'Braille-scale', but I'd like to see through them, and I think the polyethylene-type plastic could be a problem
retiredyank
Arkansas, United States
Member Since: June 29, 2009
entire network: 11,610 Posts
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Member Since: June 29, 2009
entire network: 11,610 Posts
KitMaker Network: 3,657 Posts
Posted: Sunday, May 11, 2014 - 09:32 PM UTC
Quoted Text
Quoted TextQuoted Text...suggesting a jig as the way to go
That is why I outlined how I make a jig.
You did?
Can't see it, sorry.
It would be very much appreciated
Quoted Text
Simply make an appropriately sized frame with styrene strip. Measure out and mark on the frame where the slats should fit. Then, using a sharp blade or fine toothed saw cut small slits along these markings.
turtle65
Dunedin, New Zealand
Member Since: September 17, 2012
entire network: 266 Posts
KitMaker Network: 69 Posts
Member Since: September 17, 2012
entire network: 266 Posts
KitMaker Network: 69 Posts
Posted: Wednesday, May 14, 2014 - 12:06 PM UTC
kensmodels
England - South East, United Kingdom
Member Since: March 20, 2006
entire network: 14 Posts
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Member Since: March 20, 2006
entire network: 14 Posts
KitMaker Network: 6 Posts
Posted: Wednesday, May 14, 2014 - 09:35 PM UTC
Thanks Roger - brilliant technique. It's surprised me that I've never come across anyone asking this before, as many model kits have poorly represented solid louvre grills. Any thoughts on 'flat bladed' louvres ie where the blades sit within a frame unlike these 'flared' ones?
turtle65
Dunedin, New Zealand
Member Since: September 17, 2012
entire network: 266 Posts
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Member Since: September 17, 2012
entire network: 266 Posts
KitMaker Network: 69 Posts
Posted: Wednesday, May 14, 2014 - 10:07 PM UTC
Ken,
Sorry but I'm not quite sure of the type of louvres you are referring to - what vehicle are these for ?, once I have a visual clue/reference I can usually work out a solution.
Catch ya soon.
Sorry but I'm not quite sure of the type of louvres you are referring to - what vehicle are these for ?, once I have a visual clue/reference I can usually work out a solution.
Catch ya soon.
kensmodels
England - South East, United Kingdom
Member Since: March 20, 2006
entire network: 14 Posts
KitMaker Network: 6 Posts
Member Since: March 20, 2006
entire network: 14 Posts
KitMaker Network: 6 Posts
Posted: Thursday, May 15, 2014 - 01:36 AM UTC
https://www.dropbox.com/s/17g2aw0mxqln0vs/1355150276-0903953-www.nevsepic.com.ua.jpg
Thanks for the persistence Roger. The grill I'd like to replicate is on the Lorraine Schlepper conversions undertaken by Baukommando Becker. I've linked to Dropbox, as I cannot seem to directly upload a photo - hope you can see it
Thanks for the persistence Roger. The grill I'd like to replicate is on the Lorraine Schlepper conversions undertaken by Baukommando Becker. I've linked to Dropbox, as I cannot seem to directly upload a photo - hope you can see it
fitzgibbon505
Colorado, United States
Member Since: May 20, 2002
entire network: 99 Posts
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Member Since: May 20, 2002
entire network: 99 Posts
KitMaker Network: 33 Posts
Posted: Thursday, May 15, 2014 - 05:51 AM UTC
For the grille you showed I would use the following approach.
Cut all the slats to the same length (something like the Northwest Short Line "Chopper" would be helpful), and cut two pieces for the side frames (you can leave them a little over length and sand for final fit) Glue one slat in at the appropriate angle and let dry thoroughly. Cut a shim of a thickness to match the spacing between slats and narrower than the slats to allow for gluing. Place the shim against the first slat and position the next slat against it. Carefully glue the ends of the slat and remove the shim. This should give you even spacing and angles. Repeat this process until you have the correct number of slats, let dry thoroughly and install into the opening on the model.
Cut all the slats to the same length (something like the Northwest Short Line "Chopper" would be helpful), and cut two pieces for the side frames (you can leave them a little over length and sand for final fit) Glue one slat in at the appropriate angle and let dry thoroughly. Cut a shim of a thickness to match the spacing between slats and narrower than the slats to allow for gluing. Place the shim against the first slat and position the next slat against it. Carefully glue the ends of the slat and remove the shim. This should give you even spacing and angles. Repeat this process until you have the correct number of slats, let dry thoroughly and install into the opening on the model.
turtle65
Dunedin, New Zealand
Member Since: September 17, 2012
entire network: 266 Posts
KitMaker Network: 69 Posts
Member Since: September 17, 2012
entire network: 266 Posts
KitMaker Network: 69 Posts
Posted: Thursday, May 15, 2014 - 10:35 AM UTC
Ken, that's a nice easy problem you have - "a picture paints a thousand words" so:
Once all the slats are in place the exterior frame can be trimmed to size.
HTH.
Once all the slats are in place the exterior frame can be trimmed to size.
HTH.
kensmodels
England - South East, United Kingdom
Member Since: March 20, 2006
entire network: 14 Posts
KitMaker Network: 6 Posts
Member Since: March 20, 2006
entire network: 14 Posts
KitMaker Network: 6 Posts
Posted: Thursday, May 15, 2014 - 10:56 AM UTC
Jim, Roger, thanks so much - simple and elegant solutions. This is what a modelling forum exists for (IMHO)
Onwards & Upwards!
Ken
Onwards & Upwards!
Ken