In terms of laser cutting, I've only ever heard good things about York Modelmakers. Very pleasant people - I had a good chat with them about various things at the Ally Pally show last year.

The windows look good.

David, as you're going to etch the hinger bar for the hopper part of the window separately and you can't get the line thin enough to etch the top part of the hopper, how about this: etch the top part of the hopper and the hinder bar at ones piece that can then be glued onto the half etched recess that you've already drawn on the top half of the frame. That way you get the complete deal, and it'll be easier to line up unlike the straight bar that you've currently got.

Cheers

Tom

Tom, that's a good idea.. I'm worried about whether the two pieces would actually fit together closely enough around the join between the window frame and the hopper, as I'm aware that the etching process doesn't produce a perfect straight edge.. not sure how that would work out.

Actually, hold on a second - I think I get what you mean. If the original half etch is kept underneath, then perhaps any gap won't be too noticeable between the two pieces..

David,

That's exactly what I meant. The original etch serves it's window frame purpose, whilst simultaneously being a template. I was thinking that would make it far easier to fit than just a small straight bar which will probably be very awkward to align perfectly straight but probably annoyingly noticeable on the completed model. Does that clarify what I meant?

Tom

Tom, thanks - yes it does. I can't seem to upload photos to this comment, but I revised the art and have now sent away for a test etch. I have included a separate piece on the etch for the "inlay" for the top part of the hopper. It is half etched with a full etch "strip" to represent the bar, so hopefully it should be a close fit inside the half etched part of the main window.

Will post updates when I have the samples to see how it worked out! Thanks again for the input.