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dgp1957
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Welcome to the Association, David.

 

You will find many 2mm scale locos sporting N Brass fixtures and fittings, so, the answer is a definite 'yes'.

 

The difference in scale between 'N' and 2mm is about 3%. You really need to be looking at a whole vehicle (or maybe steam loco coupled wheelbase) before the difference in scale becomes worth thinking about and even than many of us are happy to acept the compromise of running rewheeled 'N' scale vehicles on 2FS track.

 

Regards, Andy

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Hi just finished building one of Jim caley wagon kits, 7t open, does anyone produce transfers for the Caley in 2mm?

 

Also what do people use for bending and folding etch parts? I have a set of bars but their just too big to use, I struggled with an old metal rule, tweezers and finger nails lol

post-10125-0-95042800-1513107536_thumb.jpg

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Hi David,

 

Welcome to 2mm finescale.

 

I find a pair of flat nosed pliers help with the bending.

 

Hopefully others more knowledgeable in matters Caledonian will be able to help with the transfers - might be worth posting in the 'any questions answered' thread though.

 

Regards,

 

David V

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Hi just finished building one of Jim caley wagon kits, 7t open, does anyone produce transfers for the Caley in 2mm?

 

Also what do people use for bending and folding etch parts? I have a set of bars but their just too big to use, I struggled with an old metal rule, tweezers and finger nails lol

 

I suggest you get some Maun snipe nosed parallel pliers*. 

 

https://www.maunindustries.com/snipe-nose-plier-with-smooth-jaws/

 

https://www.shesto.co.uk/precision-engineering/hand-tools-1/maun-snipe-nose-plier-smooth-jaw-5in/

 

The parallel action means that sheet metal, and anything else, is held firmly by the whole surface of the jaws - ideal for bending small parts. The jaws are hardened so they won't get easily damaged when you are using a file.

 

I find them indispensable and seldom use any other pliers.

 

David

 

*Usual disclaimers.

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Hi David,

 

Railtec do CR wagon transfers, but they're quite expensive and a rather odd mix on the sheet (e.g. very few load and tare markings).  I've never used any transfers myself.

 

For bending, the 4" size of Hold-and-Fold is useful.  Also on Amazon.

 

I find running a knife along the bend line makes bending easier.  Just don't lean too heavily on the knife!

 

Jim

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Hi David,

 

Railtec do CR wagon transfers, but they're quite expensive and a rather odd mix on the sheet (e.g. very few load and tare markings).

 

Jim

 

Now there's a comment I don't see very often! The availability of a specialist artisan product for an even more obscure subject matter for somewhat less than a fiver was a pretty good deal I thought, but then this is a hobby of widely varying opinions and scopes of informed reference afterall. There's a "question or comment?" link on every product page where folks could get in touch and recommend suggestions/amendments so that products can evolve for everyone's benefit. But sometimes it's more fun to sit down with a cup of tea and trawl the forums in an insatiable quest for one person to develop both depth as well as breadth of knowledge of the vast universe of railway insignia from 1890 through to the present day :)

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Now there's a comment I don't see very often! The availability of a specialist artisan product for an even more obscure subject matter for somewhat less than a fiver was a pretty good deal I thought, but then this is a hobby of widely varying opinions and scopes of informed reference afterall. 

Sorry if I have caused any offence, Steve, but the expense comes from the fact that there is only one pair each of 'LOAD 8 TONS' and 'LOAD 10 TONS' on each sheet, so if you are building a rake of wagons you need to buy a sheet for each wagon.  They were discussed on the CRA forum a short time back and the general consensus was that the mix on the sheet wasn't particularly useful.  For example there are four 'LOCO's, but they are too small for the Dia 21 10T mineral wagons and the pre-diagram book ones, which had smaller lettering, were branded 'LOCO COAL ONLY'

 

When I started in 2FS there were no suitable transfers so I had to hand letter stock and I've just carried on doing that.

 

Jim

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Sorry if I have caused any offence, Steve, but the expense comes from the fact that there is only one pair each of 'LOAD 8 TONS' and 'LOAD 10 TONS' on each sheet, so if you are building a rake of wagons you need to buy a sheet for each wagon.  They were discussed on the CRA forum a short time back and the general consensus was that the mix on the sheet wasn't particularly useful.  For example there are four 'LOCO's, but they are too small for the Dia 21 10T mineral wagons and the pre-diagram book ones, which had smaller lettering, were branded 'LOCO COAL ONLY'

 

When I started in 2FS there were no suitable transfers so I had to hand letter stock and I've just carried on doing that.

 

Jim

 

It's useful info Jim. Now I know that I can evolve the sheet on its next print run to have wider appeal - or at least if I could get an understanding of what those markings looked like and their sizes. It just helps expedite that process if folk can drop me a line directly to let me know, otherwise the chances of me seeing it on a forum thread are actually pretty slim and I'll never be any the wiser. I've got a pretty solid knowledge of railway insignia from early 80s onwards, and prior to that I have to be guided by what I read, see, learn from others and what modellers indicate would be useful on a sheet. I've learned a lot in the past 10 years but I don't think it will ever be possible for one person to have the depth and breadth of knowledge of even most main topics.

 

It's entirely possible that the sheet in its current form was evolved with the help of someone who may have had a bunch of wagons which had most of the markings you mention already present and simply needed new numbers and brandings. I'm here to develop products that help as many people as possible, and certainly in some of the lesser modelled areas (CR being one) I need guidance in doing that because I just don't have the specialist knowledge that subject matter experts already have. Best I can do is put something out there, and if it can evolve in a constructive way then I'm all ears.

Edited by railtec-models
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Hi dgp1957,
 
Another option for a hold and fold is here:-
 
https://www.affinitymodels.co.uk/p124905/MASTER-TOOLS-PHOTO-ETCH-PARTS-BENDER-(L)--%2309931/b0-5003-5003

 

I have one of these and can recommend it (along with the shop, allbeit it is not a model railway shop).

 

I should add I have no connection with the shop other than it is relatively local to me and well stocked with paints, glues and modelling tools.

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Hi Railtech,

 

"The availability of a specialist artisan product for an even more obscure subject matter for somewhat less than a fiver was a pretty good deal I thought"

 

I will freely admit to not possessing Caley Jim's painting skills and will shortly have a few of his Buchanan Kit wagons ready for decaling.

I can rob the "tons" off other decal sheets if necessary.

 

The linked decals are listed as out of stock, any idea when they might be available?

 

Apologies to dgp1957 for dragging his thread off topic.

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Hi Argos, the last pack got purchased the other night which provides a timely juncture for me to enhance the pack based on suggestions. I've already added more 8/10 tons (along with 6 and 12 tons). I'd also like to add LOCO COAL ONLY based on Jim's suggestion but without knowing what size it needs to be, it'd be too much of a gamble. The LOCO / 16 TON / COKE and IRON ORE which are already on the sheet work out at 5.5" lettering - which is not something I would have come up with myself when designing the sheet but must have been on the advice of a customer, so if those are not correct then it's an open invite for people to speak up. I'm also tempted to add WAGON to that list which opens up the possibility of COKE WAGON, though that would then require LOAD 40 TONS, open up the can of worms of how many would be required and should the larger vehicles even have their own sheet (I try to keep sheets small, specific and relevant so that folks aren't forced down the route of having to purchase huge sheets when they might only use 25% of it).

 

As is so often the case when desigining decal sheets, it's an impossible task to please everybody all the time, so your suggestions with what would be useful as well as info on specific sizes would be to everyone's benefit.

Edited by railtec-models
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Also what do people use for bending and folding etch parts? I have a set of bars but their just too big to use, I struggled with an old metal rule, tweezers and finger nails lol

 

David,

 

Welcome to the world of 2mm finescale modelling! If you are used to working in larger scales, you might find it useful to acquire some new tools which help you manipulate and accurately bend the tiny parts often found in 2mm kits. I too have a a set of GW 12" ground steel bending bars which are useful for coach sides, but are more applicable to my S scale modelling than 2-mil.

 

I would suggest therefore, that one of your first new tool purchases for 2mm modelling should be a "hold and fold" device - such as those made by The Small Shop. These are American made, but in my opinion are the very best you can get.

 

The Small Shop tools are available from various UK suppliers, but the keenest prices I have found are from https://www.historexagents.com/#product-gallery (search under "Brands"). Based in Dover, Kent, Historex Agents are primarily suppliers to military modellers, but they have a fascinating range of useful tools and bits and bobs useful to us railway modellers too. They also do online ordering and PayPal payments, so easy-peasy to order and get the goods! (Usual disclaimer.)

 

The Small Shop bending tools come in a range of sizes. I would suggest the 4" version is probably the most useful one to get at first, or perhaps the 5". The Small Shop also offer a tempting range of other useful metal bending and shaping tools too, such as their 'Photo Etch Bending & Rolling Delux Brass Assist' (various sizes of rollers and a former base-plate) and their 'Wrangler Wire Forming Tool' (a stepped cone-shaped device) used for making rings in various sizes. Not cheap (and you could spend a small fortune), but remember you are buying quality tools that will last many years and certainly will do the job!

 

I also have a really superb Mission Models EM-001 'Etch Mate' (also American made for the military modelling market). This is the precision metal version made from aircraft-industry quality aluminium (not the later awful plastic version 3C MIO-21), complete with extended folding blades. Unfortunately, manufacture of the pioneering aluminium Etch Mate ceased about 10 years ago, but they turn up on eBay from time to time. Mission Models https://www.missionmodelsus.com now only supply paint etc.

 

While I'm talking about useful tools, I also have a Mission Models' MIO-6 'Grab Handler' (a metal stepped triangular clamping tool), intended for making square cornered grab-irons for tank models and railroad box cars, but an incredibly handy tool to have about the workbench. It is probably a bit too chunky for making 2mm parts, but useful in the larger scales. Again, these occasionally turn up on eBay.

 

Good luck with your 2mm modelling, it's a lot of fun and very satisfying! (particularly when you have the right tools)  :imsohappy:

 

EDIT 18/12/2017: add reference to 5" bending tool (as per post #16 below).and a few edits to clarify a couple of other points.

Edited by Phil Copleston
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The Small Shop bending tools come in a range of sizes. I would suggest the 4" version is probably the most useful one to get at first.

Hi

 

I bought a 4" when they first came out but found they weren't quite long enough for some jobs so upgraded to a 5.5" a few years ago. I cannot fault their usefulness but chose the size carefully otherwise you may find you need to buy a larger on later on.

 

Cheers

 

Paul

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  • 3 weeks later...

Hi

 

I bought a 4" when they first came out but found they weren't quite long enough for some jobs so upgraded to a 5.5" a few years ago. I cannot fault their usefulness but chose the size carefully otherwise you may find you need to buy a larger on later on.

 

Cheers

 

Paul

 

I went the other direction, buying the largest first. Eventually got a smaller one as well as the long beast was a bit unwieldly for smaller parts.

 

Chris

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Must admit I've never found the need for a hold and fold, a good quality hinge and descent pliers will do a similar job for pennies in comparison. For a similar price to a couple of these hold and folds you could buy a proper jewellers vice which is far more useful and, along with a set of parallel pliers will cover most jobs.

 

Jerry

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