Yesterday I was trying to think up something I needed in Z scale. Then I remembered my N scale crossing tower from Banta Modelworks and wanted one in Z scale. I measured the N scale tower and re-sized everything to Z. Then drew up some of the parts in CAD and etched them. About 3 hours later I had this: This was my first successful try at half etching with .005" thick brass. The floor and roof are styrene. The etched posts are backed up with stripwood. For shingles I scanned them from New Rail Models and re-sized the jpg down to Z scale and printed it out, they are just a sheet of paper. The figure standing in the tower is a N scale boy, I'll still don't have any Z scale figures. He is just a silhouette so it didn't matter much. I'm now that much closer to modeling the Erie in Z scale :teeth:
Criss, looks great. Whatever happen to your quest for Erie decals for F7. David, I wish you could etch also because I know you will come out with some neat shells for the geep.
For me the biggest hurdle in etching was re-learning CAD, for a while I thought the etch kit was wasted money. I'm glad I figured it all out, but etching can't cure everything. Robert's laser could make the scribe lines for the siding much better, probably could cut the whole thing with a laser. Since I'm still new at it I sort of tried this project just to see if it would work. John, Nscalesteve seems to be working on those decals. I'm gonna want to do up a couple GP7s now too. I don't think I'll ever run out of stuff to do.
You Need Some Stairs! Chris, Excellent project! I see you replaced the stairs with a ladder. Etching brass stairs with handrails is very possible. I etched the stairs and walkway in these photos in .005 brass. I then spent the next 5 hours cutting, measuring, bending, soldering, and re-soldering. The end result was two walkway/stairs that were used for a modern Z scale coal loader I was building. This all took place about a year and a half ago. Designing the stairs to work in CAD is easy. If your CAD will open a TurboCAD program, I can send the stairs program to you! Let me know! Hobo Tim
Tim, I don't know for sure if I can open it or not, only one way to tell ; ) It would be worth it just to see how it was drawn up. Mine will save as .dwg .dws .dwt. dxf plus it was able to open whatever CAD Skibbe had. BTW everyone, Tim has been nice enough to answer my many etching questions to get me rolling. Might not have even bought the kit if I hadn't seen him do it first.
CAD Stair & Walkway Drawings Chris, I sent you three saved versions of the Stair & Walkway program I have. Hopefully one of them will be open-able and use-able. You'll find the etching filled with all kind of goodies. I even had the grating etched into the brass. Was only .005" but worked perfectly. The only person to have ever viewed the walkway is Jeffrey White. The coal loader is pegged to go on a module of his in the near future! Hope the programs work! Good Luck! Hobo Tim
Tim - Those stairs look great! Being new to this tiny stuff after spending 30+ years in the larger scales and gauges, I am blown away by the amount of modeling being done in Z. Very impressive.
Chris that looks great! With the new gp's comming soon and that new found ability to create your Z scale buildings, you will be able to do the Eire in Z! You guys certainly have the skills!
