Post by hlcx4300 on Jun 18, 2013 19:16:18 GMT -5
Hey All,
This is a repost of my last topic on the issue of making window screens. . .
After seeing many modelers ask the question on how to model rock screens, I have decided to share my method for this. Back in the 1970's due to vandalism and crew members getting injured from objects being thrown at open windows, Railroads started adding rock screens to most all of their cabeese for crew & window protection. Even in the modern day, window screens are still used on many cabs and even a few locomotives. My material of choice for this is simply coffee filter mesh! This material is very fine and can even be used on N Scale models!
First, purchase a coffee filter, ( Make sure this is the brass mesh filter and not the fabric mesh! ) I got mine from Walmart for about $3, Try not to pay more that $6 for one. Using a sharp hobby knife, cut out the mesh from the plastic filter and then clean up the edges with a pair of scissors. Next, carefully drybrush silver paint onto the mesh to give it the metallic appearance of the real material and then let dry. Cut out the desired amount of screen needed and then fine cut the edges of the material to eliminate excess wire flashing. Usually the screens are mounted on flat metal sills, You can create these sills with either fine brass wire or thin styrene strips. Before you install the screens to the model, lay a bead of CA adhesive on the area where the screen will be placed using a toothpick or fine tip applicator, Make sure to get every inch of the area covered so the screen stays in place and doesn't pop up creating gaps between the sill and the screen itself. Let the glue dry and your good to go! Now your crews riding in the back of the train will be safe from thrown rocks and other objects! Below are a few images of the mesh material plus a few examples of the flat sills and mesh installed on a few examples! Hope this helps...
This is a repost of my last topic on the issue of making window screens. . .
After seeing many modelers ask the question on how to model rock screens, I have decided to share my method for this. Back in the 1970's due to vandalism and crew members getting injured from objects being thrown at open windows, Railroads started adding rock screens to most all of their cabeese for crew & window protection. Even in the modern day, window screens are still used on many cabs and even a few locomotives. My material of choice for this is simply coffee filter mesh! This material is very fine and can even be used on N Scale models!
First, purchase a coffee filter, ( Make sure this is the brass mesh filter and not the fabric mesh! ) I got mine from Walmart for about $3, Try not to pay more that $6 for one. Using a sharp hobby knife, cut out the mesh from the plastic filter and then clean up the edges with a pair of scissors. Next, carefully drybrush silver paint onto the mesh to give it the metallic appearance of the real material and then let dry. Cut out the desired amount of screen needed and then fine cut the edges of the material to eliminate excess wire flashing. Usually the screens are mounted on flat metal sills, You can create these sills with either fine brass wire or thin styrene strips. Before you install the screens to the model, lay a bead of CA adhesive on the area where the screen will be placed using a toothpick or fine tip applicator, Make sure to get every inch of the area covered so the screen stays in place and doesn't pop up creating gaps between the sill and the screen itself. Let the glue dry and your good to go! Now your crews riding in the back of the train will be safe from thrown rocks and other objects! Below are a few images of the mesh material plus a few examples of the flat sills and mesh installed on a few examples! Hope this helps...
