8th Scale Train Engine body question

[themodernartist]

I could sure use some input on this. I need to show scale like looking doors on this Southern Pacific "Slug". I could cut out the openings and then fill the openings back in with door panels like I have done with this Access Panel for servicing the electronics. Lots of work but it can be done! The access panel will be held in place with Dzus fasteners for quick release (non-scale but necessary) for maintenance. There are doors on both sides and the ends. What about some sort of etching or pressing in the lines with a chisel and hammer. The problem with depressing with a chisel, is that it might distort the long flat panel. Any ideas?
Peace,
Chaz (the elder)
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[shortbus]

If the doors don't have to open, you could make them as separate panels with studs welded to them. The attach them with nuts from the inside.

[Dawai]

If the doors "don't open, how will the tiny HOBO's get into the car for a free ride??"

I'd take pictures of what you want to emulate.. the door is on a slider on the rail on top, bottom, perhaps mount the rail and doors and not cut the hole..

[themodernartist]

The doors are flush with the rest of the sheet metal on the sides. This is not a car that carries freight but is a unmanned power unit that is hooked to a manned switch engine as per this photo. With no engineer, it gets it's commands from the switcher thus the name "Slug" I guess I could go the extra mile and have them hinged as per the original.
Peace,
Chaz (the elder)

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[bobadame]

You could soft solder some thin strips of tin to the sides to create seams or ribs.

[themodernartist]

Hey Guys,
I could still use some input as to how to scribe the 3 doors onto the sides of this locomotive. It needs to be deep enough so it will show after its painted and probably about a 1/32 or 1/64th wide. I am thinking of using an awl but I'm concerned it will not be deep enough and that I might over scribe and go out into the metal on the outside of the door size.
Any artist/craftsman/model builders out there?
Peace,
Chaz (the elder)

[Stretch]

I've not done this sort of thing before but I would only attempt to scribe this sort of detail with a straight edge as a guide - better still make / find a suitable template. I'd start with a normal marking out scribe and then perhaps borrow an engraving tool to see if that could be used to speed up the process a bit. Practice on scrap!

[Dawai]

Choices are:

Cutting:
(7:30 am edit, after second sleep.) well.. how about dremel or zip wheel cut out of door, then reweld or solder it to a backing sheet inside car? if you are real good, could not cut corners all way through and just score them.. (you are going to air brush this car? could just paint them on too)

Is the metal thick enough to "etch" with a acid or small sand blaster?
If so.. look up Rapidmask, a rubber sticky pad that etches and leaves fine detail. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GAr81iBQJ9w You can do miracles in glass etching.. (whole nother world)

You can blast names into tombstones, or cut beer cans with remarkable detail. (see beer candles lanterns on youtube)
I used a gravemax (air hammer engraver) years ago to work on guns.. but there's a lot more learning to that than I wanted to devote my time to. I was tattooing full time, very similar methods.

Embossing:
Presses? If you were local you'd be free to try out the urethane/embossing here.. I find I don't have enough pressure thou to do large areas, only a 2x2 in thick steel.

Hammer-dimple chisels: I'd build a rig that looked like a shoe-repair station to put the urethane backer on.. then clamp and chisel away.. I'm not real good at this, Copperetta.. over in Bama is much better.. thou like me she gets frustrated too.

Small things, well you need small tools. I was thinking about building a tiny ewheel to work on them soda cans embossing a while back. Then thought, gee I need to complete some of these other big things before I get distracted more. (the Dorie, hey, look something shiny syndrome)

[Rick (madera)]

You can cut the doors to size. Paint them a different color. Then use some small rivets to attach them.

[dmc1]

Cut out the exact shape of the door opening. Discard the cutout and make a new door with the gaps just as you want them to be. Solder the door in with a backing strip behind the opening. Epoxy rather than solder would probably work OK.

Dave Cameron

[themodernartist]

And.........We have a winner. I chose Dave Cameron's idea to cut out the openings and set the pre-cut door panels down into the body. Very labor intensive especially trying to keep from slipping and cutting into the body. I used flat bar stock clamped in place on each side and then used my newly purchased AirCat right angle cutting tool. I love this tool.
Thanks again guys.
Peace,
Chaz (the elder)

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