A Z-scale B&O CPL

[Jesse6669]

I will need at least two, probably four B&O CPLs for my layout and decided to give a crack at resin 3D printing them.  Having a copy of the B&O standards, I originally tried everything "to scale" but as one might expect the effort was wasted.  I thickened up some parts and tried some different supports and print orientation;  Here's the progression:



I have come up with what I think is a presentable model (below).  The signal heads/markers are separate pieces attached to the mast/ladder printed as one piece.  I'm still making some modifications, one idea being to mold in a hollow core into which I will insert a straight steel wire for stiffness and to hold the mast straight.  But that wire could also potentially serve as a ground for wiring up some LEDs into the signal head (which may be slightly crazy). 

 

[Jesse6669]

Here's the "kit" assembled on a 1mm dia steel mast.  I probably should use brass for the mast however--it'll be much easier to solder to when I try to light this thing, which will be a challenge..



Rear/side:

[Jesse6669]

I refined the design a bit to make it more sturdy and parts less breakable, and I'm happy with the result. 



I'm definitely ok with a 1mm dia mast as well--it looks sufficiently "thin" to me, especially at three feet.  Besides:  I need to fit at least two strands of magnet wire down the mast (one + red, one + green) so it needs some room. 

I needed to test the head design for installing the 0201 LEDs; The first design was endlessly fussy (aggitatin')... the second iteration made installation of the LEDs easier, by threading them from the front; They were secured with a drop of PVA.  To wire the signal with concealed wires, I planned to cut a notch in the front of the mast behind the signal head and run both positive wires down it, then solder the negative wires to the (brass) mast.  Here's the test with the regular warm white color LEDs:



PRR or N&W PLs anyone.. ?  Since I need B&O color lights, my idea was to make "lenses" with clear paint.  I got some Monument Hobbies PRO Acryl Transparent Red and Green and painted a "lens" in the signal head.  Here's the first test:



I am actually very happy with the colors;  Here's a test with the green paint and head/mast painted black:

 
 
So far so good, next up should be a "full" test with all the details added.  I have 4 of these to do and one practice and 4 extras are my idea.  I also need to dig out my smaller tip for the soldering iron.  The current one is a 2-3mm wide spade.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Dude, those are sick. Makes me want to build something Chessie focused just looking at them.

[Mark5]

PRR or N&W PLs anyone.. ? 

First - amazing work! 

B&O CPL targets are smaller diameter than the ones used on PRR/PC/Conrail/LV/N&W/Amtrak.

The PRR/N&W style targets were about 52" diameter (from memory, I would double check) and the B&O targets smaller at 42" diameter.

Mark

[robert3985]

Here's the "kit" assembled on a 1mm dia steel mast.  I probably should use brass for the mast however--it'll be much easier to solder to when I try to light this thing, which will be a challenge..



Rear/side:

You just need to use the correct flux.  I use Superior No. 30 Supersafe Solder Flux for brass, bronze, copper, Nickel Silver, but, for steel and stainless I use Superior No. 71 Stainless Soldering Flux.  Buy it here, along with 96/4 Tin/Silver Silver-bearing solder (5 times stronger than tin/lead solders): https://www.hnflux.com/

Cheerio!
Bob Gilmore

[chessie system fan]

These look great.