Bending Photo Etched All Weather Window

[philippe.whyte]

Hi Everyone,

On the surface, this seems like a very simple problem, but I'm looking for some advice on bending photo etched all weather windows.  I'm a fairly inexperienced modeller so perhaps I'm just doing something stupid that someone can point out to me.

I'm working with Gold Medal Models part number 160-61.  The problem is that I'm unable to get a nice sharp edge on the bend between the side and end windows. On my first go I tried using smooth jaw pliers but I ended up sort of mangling them up.  I decided to buy a dedicated photo etch bending tool, an SMS001 from The Small Shop.  This was an improvement but I'm still not able to get a nice sharp edge on the fold.  Here is one of my attempts that shows one of the worst bends but I think illustrates the problem best.

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Here is my setup:

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I've tried to be as careful as possible when bending and getting the razor blade right in place to support the brass.  It seems with the force required to make the bend, the weakest point is turning out to be in the corners of the window opening.

Any tips or advice would be appreciated.

Philippe
Modelling BC Rail, North Vancouver, ca. 1987

[Wutter]

Hi Philippe, welcome to Railwire.

I think you will want to bend it the other way; you want to use the tool to clamp on the inside of the front panel window part and then fold the 4 "tabs" up. Of course with the very last tab you will be left with no room so you will have to do it the way you have it set up right now. I also usually do a few score lines in the halfetched area so it there is an edge it wants to follow when folding.

You should be able to flatten out the all weather window again just by clamping it under the SMS tool and then trying the above to see if it helps you.

[Mark5]

Thanks for posting this ... in theory I need to add these to a lot of my locos.

Mark

[philippe.whyte]

Hi Philippe, welcome to Railwire.

I think you will want to bend it the other way; you want to use the tool to clamp on the inside of the front panel window part and then fold the 4 "tabs" up. Of course with the very last tab you will be left with no room so you will have to do it the way you have it set up right now. I also usually do a few score lines in the halfetched area so it there is an edge it wants to follow when folding.

You should be able to flatten out the all weather window again just by clamping it under the SMS tool and then trying the above to see if it helps you.

Hi Alvin,

Thanks for those tips!  I'll definitely give it a try.

Philippe

[craigolio1]

I experienced the same issue. I held the side (maybe the end? The smallest part...) in my smooth jaw pliers with the tip of the pliers at the half etch. Then with the tip of another pair of pliers I pushed on the frame it self until it folded down and lay flat on the tip of the pliers I was holding the side with.

I hope that made sense. Basically I applied all of the force to the weakes part that I wanted to move.

Craig

[philippe.whyte]

So I gave this another try tonight.  Made some score marks in the half-etch with a no.11 blade and placed the part in the bending tool as you suggested Alvin.  The result was an improvement, but still not 100% satisfied. 

What suddenly dawned on me as I was working is that when using the razor blade to bend the part, there isn't adequate support under the window frame to bend it up past around 30-45 degrees. Most of the force appears to be transferred the portions of the part farthest from the clamping point and on the sides.  I think this is at least partly due to the fact that the razor blade is flexible and it's too wide for this particular part.

To attempt to get around this, I tried using my Micro Mark "micro-knife" (with blade dulled to prevent scratching the bending tool) by trying to apply pressure onto the part close to the clamping point.

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I think this is essentially accomplishing the same thing you suggested with the pliers Craig.  The force needs to be applied directly to the window frame near the clamp point to bend it properly.

The result is a much cleaner bend.

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It needs just a slight bit of tweaking with smooth jaw pliers and I'll be happy with it.

Thanks again for all the help!

Philippe

[OldEastRR]

That is a really cool thread title. Is it about bending a outdoor window pane that somehow had a photo etched on it..?. very intriguing. I had to look.

[BCR 570]

Philippe:

This all-weather window seems to have a large solid surface on either side of the window openings which I am not seeing on the prototype.  I am just wondering if the Loco-Motives plastic part might be a better option for you?  I can supply one if needed.

Tim

[wazzou]

Philippe:

This all-weather window seems to have a large solid surface on either side of the window openings which I am not seeing on the prototype.  I am just wondering if the Loco-Motives plastic part might be a better option for you?  I can supply one if needed.

Tim

Very common on the Milwaukee Road @BCR 570

[philippe.whyte]

Very common on the Milwaukee Road @BCR 570

Hi Tim,

The part in the photo is not the one I plan to use... it was just a practice part meant for another loco that happens to be on the same photo etched fret.

That being said, I've never seen the Loco-Motives part.  I'd be interested in taking a look at it.

Philippe

[BCR 570]

Hi Philippe:

Here are photos of the part (:Loco-Details, not Loco-Motives) all-weather window:






And installed:




Tim

[Mark5]

Hi Philippe:

Here are photos of the part (:Loco-Details, not Loco-Motives) all-weather window:

Tim

Thanks Tim! So I guess these are unobtainable now. 

Something like this would be useful in 21st century N scale.

Mark

[BCR 570]

Haven't seen them in stores for ages.  Probably something one of our 3D printing specialists could whip up for us if needed . . .

Tim

[nscalbitz]

Haven't seen them in stores for ages.  Probably something one of our 3D printing specialists could whip up for us if needed . . .

Tim

... thereby voiding any need for "bending"... 

[Mark5]

Haven't seen them in stores for ages.  Probably something one of our 3D printing specialists could whip up for us if needed . . .

Tim

That would be great if it can be done.  Multiple prototypes - I wish I had gotten close ups back in the day ...

NW SD35: http://www.railpictures.ca/upload/nw-sd35-1518-was-the-other-engine-used-on-the-independence-limited-with-southern-fp7-6141-a-train-of-private-cars-that-came-to-toronto-for-the-nrhs-convention-it-was-said-that-one-of-the-u-bo

NW GP38AC http://www.railpictures.net/photo/635167/


https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=42074.0

Mark