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end steps
Posted: Sun Mar 01, 2020 7:39 pm
by andrewnummelin
Does anyone supply steps for the ends of 19th century coaches? I've looked through the lists of various specialist suppliers but I did not notice anything. With a couple of rakes of coaches under construction I do not really fancy making around 70 of the fiddly things by hand!
Re: end steps
Posted: Sun Mar 01, 2020 8:59 pm
by jon price
not too much work to cut brass strip?
Re: end steps
Posted: Mon Mar 02, 2020 9:43 am
by steamraiser
If you have some good drawings and photos(?) why not approach one of the etched kit producers to see if they will produce a set of etches for you.
Gordon A
Re: end steps
Posted: Thu Mar 05, 2020 7:18 pm
by andrewnummelin
Thanks guys.
I'm pretty confident that I would never be able to cut enough individual steps consistently by hand before deciding to take up a different hobby. So I think it will be a case of drawing them up and waiting until I can put enough (different) items on one sheet to make it worthwhile having a one off etch done.
Re: end steps
Posted: Fri Mar 06, 2020 6:42 am
by Daddyman
Have you thought about making a master, moulding it and casting them in resin? You might have a high failure rate at the actual casting stage, and they'd be fragile in life, but it should be possible - I've cast down to 10 thou before, albeit for parts which will not be knocked.
Re: end steps
Posted: Fri Mar 06, 2020 7:35 am
by CornCrake
Just thought that I would mention that It looks to me as if the drawing and the photograph do not correspond.
The drawing shows a semi-circular vertical part of the footstep whereas the photo looks more rectangular with rounded corners.
Steve
Re: end steps
Posted: Fri Mar 06, 2020 8:58 am
by andrewnummelin
CornCrake wrote:Just thought that I would mention that It looks to me as if the drawing and the photograph do not correspond.
The drawing shows a semi-circular vertical part of the footstep whereas the photo looks more rectangular with rounded corners.
Steve
Correct. They are different designs for 2 different sets of coaches, one will be scratch built (eventually) and the other is for a rake under construction from etched parts.
Re: end steps
Posted: Fri Mar 06, 2020 9:01 am
by andrewnummelin
Daddyman wrote:Have you thought about making a master, moulding it and casting them in resin? You might have a high failure rate at the actual casting stage, and they'd be fragile in life, but it should be possible - I've cast down to 10 thou before, albeit for parts which will not be knocked.
Thanks for the suggestion: I had not thought of this option. Fragility would make one design impracticable but for another it might just be OK.
Re: end steps
Posted: Fri Mar 06, 2020 10:36 am
by billbedford
andrewnummelin wrote:Thanks guys.
I'm pretty confident that I would never be able to cut enough individual steps consistently by hand before deciding to take up a different hobby. So I think it will be a case of drawing them up and waiting until I can put enough (different) items on one sheet to make it worthwhile having a one off etch done.
If you use thin brass strip which is correct for the width, you should be able to make the steps by scoring and breaking the brass. You can put a second, lighter, score to give you the position of the flange.
Re: end steps
Posted: Fri Mar 06, 2020 4:52 pm
by Daddyman
Couple of photos here of a cast of an RTR backhead. Note in particular the thin shelf above the firehole door. (The regulator, by the way, is a separate fitting.)
20200306_164456.jpg
20200306_164416.jpg
I would use Bill Bedford's suggestion to produce 5 or so masters, and then cast them all at once, so that you're not wasting resin by mixing up the minimum amount just to cast 1 step. I can give you pointers on casting in resin if you want to go down this route - and if that's not teaching grandmother to suck eggs!
Re: end steps
Posted: Sun Mar 08, 2020 2:04 pm
by andrewnummelin
billbedford wrote:andrewnummelin wrote:Thanks guys.
I'm pretty confident that I would never be able to cut enough individual steps consistently by hand before deciding to take up a different hobby. So I think it will be a case of drawing them up and waiting until I can put enough (different) items on one sheet to make it worthwhile having a one off etch done.
If you use thin brass strip which is correct for the width, you should be able to make the steps by scoring and breaking the brass. You can put a second, lighter, score to give you the position of the flange.
A good suggestion, but there's still the fiddle of making and soldering on the bracket to support the step (unless one cheats and does not having them standing clear of the body).
Re: end steps
Posted: Sun Mar 08, 2020 2:10 pm
by andrewnummelin
Daddyman wrote:Couple of photos here of a cast of an RTR backhead. Note in particular the thin shelf above the firehole door. (The regulator, by the way, is a separate fitting.)
20200306_164456.jpg
20200306_164416.jpg
I would use Bill Bedford's suggestion to produce 5 or so masters, and then cast them all at once, so that you're not wasting resin by mixing up the minimum amount just to cast 1 step. I can give you pointers on casting in resin if you want to go down this route - and if that's not teaching grandmother to suck eggs!
A very nice piece of work.