Post by questor on Jan 30, 2018 15:53:07 GMT -5
I model O-Scale 2-Rail Brass 1st/2nd Gen Diesel Locomotives, where I am interested in casting and etching my own Brass parts.
For etching I take detailed O-Scale drawings from Magazines, OEM Plans, pics, etc., scan and convert them from Raster to Vector format, use a Vinyl Cutter/Plotter & vector software to create/print an adhesive mask, weed out excess cut vinyl for detail, and place the mask while covering excess over Brass sheet metal. The masked Brass Sheet is placed in a plastic container with Acid-etching liquid, agitated for a specific time, and removed from the acid solution. The acid is then neutralized and the mask removed to arrive at a completed and fully custom brass etching.
Regarding lost-wax casting my own 260 Brass parts, I'm still in the learning phase and seeking to acquire an industrial propane furnace for Brass casting on a small scale. I'm also waiting for increased printing quality from 3D Printers with better 3D modeling software and lower printer/filament purchase costs so I may create more detailed lost wax images for Brass casting. For the past several years, I have been acquiring scrap 260 Brass (ie broken outdoor brass door handles) to eventually cast my own Brass parts...
For etching I take detailed O-Scale drawings from Magazines, OEM Plans, pics, etc., scan and convert them from Raster to Vector format, use a Vinyl Cutter/Plotter & vector software to create/print an adhesive mask, weed out excess cut vinyl for detail, and place the mask while covering excess over Brass sheet metal. The masked Brass Sheet is placed in a plastic container with Acid-etching liquid, agitated for a specific time, and removed from the acid solution. The acid is then neutralized and the mask removed to arrive at a completed and fully custom brass etching.
Regarding lost-wax casting my own 260 Brass parts, I'm still in the learning phase and seeking to acquire an industrial propane furnace for Brass casting on a small scale. I'm also waiting for increased printing quality from 3D Printers with better 3D modeling software and lower printer/filament purchase costs so I may create more detailed lost wax images for Brass casting. For the past several years, I have been acquiring scrap 260 Brass (ie broken outdoor brass door handles) to eventually cast my own Brass parts...
