Question Brake wheels, ladders, etc.

eaelec Mar 17, 2021

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Do you have any use for a set like this?

  1. yes

    14 vote(s)
    87.5%
  2. no

    2 vote(s)
    12.5%
  1. eaelec

    eaelec TrainBoard Member

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    Last week I went looking for Micron Art set 91406 (see photo) for a project, no stock anywhere that I can find.
    I'm thinking of making a similar PE set myself with a few extra thing like stirrups. How many would be interested assuming the price was reasonable?

    Screenshot from 2021-03-17 12-57-09.png
     
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  2. Doug A.

    Doug A. TrainBoard Supporter

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    I would be interested...my thoughts:
    1. I would prefer some modern brakewheels to be in the mix if possible
    2. And yes stirrups since who knows if we'll ever see Atlas re-release the BLMA stuff. (here is the BLMA offering, for reference: https://www.walthers.com/freight-car-stirrups-7-styles )
    3. Not sure how feasible these would be in Z, but maybe consider coupler platforms as well. (BLMA N version for reference: https://www.walthers.com/freight-car-coupler-platforms ) Wouldn't be a deal-killer for sure, but often times there is space left in etching artwork so that would be a good filler item.

    I would be in, depending on the end-result and price. Can't say a good number at the moment but probably would commit to 5-10 sets.
     
    Last edited: Mar 17, 2021
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  3. ddechamp71

    ddechamp71 TrainBoard Member

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    I would be as well.. ;)

    Dom
     
  4. bostonjim

    bostonjim TrainBoard Member

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    I'm in also. It is always good to have scratch-building PE parts. They are the best scaled, in my opinion. Based on price I'll take 5-10 sets. Thanks for your efforts on our behalf. Jim
     
  5. bostonjim

    bostonjim TrainBoard Member

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    I second Doug on the coupler platforms. If possible, they'd look great. Jim
     
  6. Kez

    Kez TrainBoard Member

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    Yes, please!
     
  7. SJ Z-man

    SJ Z-man TrainBoard Member

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    The perforated coupler platforms are useful from Loading Ramps, etc. Make a pair of longer ones (maybe 2x), Smaller holes too.

    Also missing in the brass world chain link fences (to scale this time ! NOT 12' sections or 8' high before the barbs). Need Gates, Corner Bracing (some only have 1 pair of bracing and 3 panels (100' feet) and no gates !

    Micron-Art had the most versatile, best etch: https://www.hobbylinc.com/htm/mcr/mcr91405.htm
    The Narchitect is pretty good: https://thenarch.com/products/12-security-fence-wgates-barbed-wire-posts-140-z-scale-feet

    Gold Medal models 160-1, 2: http://www.hobbylinc.com/htm/gmm/gmm1601.htm http://www.hobbylinc.com/htm/gmm/gmm1602.htm
    Defunct Traincat: https://www.traincat2.com/images/models/1001807.jpg
     
  8. eaelec

    eaelec TrainBoard Member

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    The coupler platforms look easy to do, the only question would be material limitation. I was looking at using .02mm brass and if the spaces are too tiny it may not be possible etch holes in the grid.

    I have identified 3 styles of wheels I need for my project. If there are other styles you would like to see post a photo.
    Graphic1.jpg
     
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  9. rray

    rray Staff Member

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    I've dabbled in brakewheels a bit in my day. Over the past 20 years I have accumulated the worlds largest personal collection of etched brass brakewheels in every style and size for both N and Z projects. A few I bought but most I had to draw up in Corel and have etched. I have etched some myself, but my etchings always turn out poorly compared to Hobo Tim's, or Chris333's. I ended up trading my skillsets for others skillsets to get my brakewheel collection. I gotta make these last the rest of my life!
    Brakewheels.jpg
     
  10. Kez

    Kez TrainBoard Member

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    Robert, you have a real problem. :LOL:
     
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  11. bostonjim

    bostonjim TrainBoard Member

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    Hey, Buddy, Can you spare a brake wheel or two...? Too funny. I admire your optimism. Jim
     
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  12. eaelec

    eaelec TrainBoard Member

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    Doug:
    I found this picture of a 1 to 1 scale coupler platform. it looks to me that if I could manufacture one in true Z scale it would be invisible to the naked eye!
    360px-SMS_301-coupler.jpg
     
  13. rray

    rray Staff Member

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    Not invisible, yes you can see them. I raster them for my cars, and I really like the added detail. It's especially nice when light goes through the slots or holes. These are on some 42' drop bottom coal gondolas I made:
    platforms.JPG

    This is an MTL 40' boxcar, that I made a new roof and rastered roofwalk with slotted walkway. The light shining through the slots adds to the realism. Showing this roofwalk to illustrate that slots instead of holes type platforms are also doable, and add to the appearance of a detailed car.
    [​IMG]

    Here you can see how platforms on coupled cars help hide the couplers and make the cars look like they are closer coupled than say, the Marklin cars with 20 scale feet between cars:
    [​IMG]
     
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  14. gmorider

    gmorider TrainBoard Member

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    Outstanding results! You are quite the "raster" in your own right. Looks close coupled to me. :D
     
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  15. CNE1899

    CNE1899 TrainBoard Member

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    Rob,
    Man I sure can use some brake wheels, but I'm looking for 1890s to 1930s. That is what got me onto this site, I came across an image of brake wheels from your album.
    The little details do make a difference.

    Eric,
    Are you planning on having separate sheets for different items, ie, sheet of wheels, sheet of ladders, sheet of walks, etc.

    Scott
     
    Last edited: Apr 2, 2021
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  16. eaelec

    eaelec TrainBoard Member

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    Rray, what material did you use and how thick? I could not make coupler platform in the .2 mm brass I am using for the ladders and brake wheels unless I made them overscale or reduced the number of bars (or round holes).
     
  17. rray

    rray Staff Member

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    The rastered platforms were made from .015" white Polybak (AKA Laserboard). The brakewheels were etched from .008" brass sheet, which is the same as .2mm. The problem with making platforms from photo etched brass is the isotropic nature of etching, as it wants to etch in all directions equally, where the laser can ablate material in an anisotropic manner, meaning straight through in one axis.

    So etching a hole or slot is tricky in Z. You need to use .003" or thinner stainless steel, or be satisfied with larger holes or slots. If you have access to a fiber laser, then it gets easy.
     
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  18. eaelec

    eaelec TrainBoard Member

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    This is what I have so far, the set would be around 3.5 by 2.5 inches.
    PE_set.jpg
     
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  19. eaelec

    eaelec TrainBoard Member

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    Just arrived today from the Czech Republic...

    ladder_set.png
     
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  20. zedhed

    zedhed TrainBoard Member

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    Count me in if you are looking for customers.
     
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