I am working on assembling my N scale Red Wing Mill kit from Walthers and looking for some guidance on part of it. Over the back loading dock, is an awning that has 5 supports above it that attach to the building wall. These pieces are extremely small and hard to cut out of the sprues without them looking like crap (even with a small hobby knife). I was able to get 3 of them out so far. Now, my question is what is the best way to assemble this, since the glue for the supports and the awning will have to let the glue dry (presumably at the same time)? This seems like a nice little trick. The other alternative I was thinking of, is instead of putting the supports over top, putting them underneath as more L brackets like you see on many awnings. I unfortunately don't have any pictures available right now, but can post some tonight. Thanks!
When I did mine, I blocked the awning up from underneath till it dried, then added the support bars. Sorry, don't remember what I used to block it up, but knowing me, it was several things stacked to get the correct height.
From the looks of the kit the awning needs to be with a slight slope. http://farm1.static.flickr.com/58/202107281_c1a68b1984.jpg?v 0 So I would lay it on its side and use something to hold it in place while the glue dries in with it in the proper angle. Once that happens I would leave it on its side and then apply the support rods. Probably put a dab of ACC on each end and place into position on awning roof and structure side wall. The angle of the awning roof is the most important since it needs to either clear the top of a truck or a boxcar.
I suggested this approach because I did it for the Ice House or refrigerated storage awnings and it worked very well. Actually it was an improvement over the stock piece in the kit.
Thanks, guys! This helps a lot. I am going to work on the building this weekend. I am going to try putting it together on its side with the existing plastic supports and if those don't end up working, will do the brass wire. I'll let you know how it turns out.
Sorry guys, I haven't forgotten about this. I am waiting for some other replacement parts that were damaged and then will return to this building to finish it up.