First up is to make a paper template

My friend Brian Baron sent me some photos of some narrow gauge locomotives that he took last weekend. Using those photos and Photoshop 7 I was able to make a paper template of the snowplow. Next up I will be making a Rivet design to match the prototype. This will be a double etch project. The first etching for the overall design and then the second etching to place rivet detail.

Dazed

Whew! I read the OP as you made the plow in the pic. Looked like 1:1 scale to me. I was waiting for you to say "in N scale" and really blow me away with your realism. And the backdrop is amazingly convincing

Then the first-in-a-series reply appeared resetting the real-o-meter.

Don't forget to cut the plow openings in scale acetylene torch style just like the prototype!

I figured that would throw people for a loop

I thought I would post two photos on the same post, However the second photo was huge so I needed to edit it to fit on screen. Not used to posting photos on the forum.

Rob Teed

Rivet Decals

Rob,

Have you considered rivet decals?  That plow looks like it would be pretty simple to build out of brass sheet, and you could add the rivets afterward.  That might be simpler and faster than etching the parts.

Rivets

Hi Ken,

I might try the rivet decals, I am going to etch up a few of these and the first one will be etched mainly because I have everything I need on hand. I wouldn't mind trying the  decals  so I can compare the results.

Rob Teed

Artwork for the first etch

Ready for the etch tank. I used a sharpie marker to touch up a couple of spots and got carried away. Ended up covering almost the whole part. I have had some artwork where the toner didnt adhear well so figure this cant hurt.

Templates

The old MDC 3n1 kit for the Goose has a decent template for making snowplows.

First Etch

I etched two and they both came out great. Now to resist the temptation to bend one up! Need to ad rivet detail first. Curious to see what it looks like. I can use one of three different methods, Etch, Punch or use the new Decal Rivets. I don't have any of the decals so that would have to wait. I could etch them but that will take a fair amount of time. I could punch them but have never done that. I wonder if I could make a punch and chuck it in my drill press????

Rob Teed

Riveting conversation

Rob,

I have made a fairly successful punch using a small nail filed to a round point (a scribe point would work as well, but I'm cheap) in a pin vice.  I lay a sheet of paper on a hard surface and then press the point wherever I want a rivet.  The paper deforms just enough to form a rivet head, but not enough to let the punch penetrate the metal.

They're pretty good, but I think the rivet decals or punch and die sets do a superior job (at a higher cost).  The decals are my new go-to for rivets, except in situations where a decal simply will not work for some reason.

Rivets

Rivet punch

Hi Ken,

Were you able to get the rivets to appear uniform? Thats why I was thinking of putting a homemade punch  in my drill press.  

Started to bend it up. I will need to solder it before going much further. Then it will need a few more bends. I'm wondering if I could paint over the rivet detail thats applied at this point? Just a thought. I will etch this tomorrow after Durand Railroad Days.

snow plow

Hey Rob. That's looking really cool. Nice job on the etching

Thanks Bro, I would etch

Thanks Bro,

I would etch you one if you were in On30. I am going to Durand Railroad Days. Watch for video on my channel.

Rob

Hand punching rivets

You tell me. That's HO scale, .010" brass.  The size and sharpness of the point defines the diameter of the head, and the thickness of the paper defines the height.  I found that the point needs to be a lot sharper than you would think - think scratch awl or compass point sharp.  The sharper the point, the more defined the rivet and the les the material around it deforms.  I used a straightedge to guide the long rows, but the staggered rows were done free hand.

Rivet punch

Very nice Ken. I need to try that. Looks like they came out great!

Rob Teed

First plow

I have etched in rivets but will need to highlight them, The rivets on the prototype were quite small. I noticed that the plow point above the coupler pocket was too long so did a little cosmetic surgery. Overall I'm quite happy with the way its turning out. Right now the snowplow kind of "snaps" onto the bolster beams and it stays on with a little friction fit.

A short movie of my On30 2-6-0

Shoud the front

Should the front of the plow be more level with the railhead

"Should the front of the plow be more level with the railhead?" Yes, I havent made anything to afix the plow to the locomotive. At this point its just a friction fit. I need an overhead photo of the prototype plow so I can see what is supposed to be behind it. When its all done it will remain at a level  distance from the railhead.I also cut off the point above the coupler pocket so it looks much better too.I like the Dragon.

Thanks for commenting, never can be sure if anyone is interested in a project like this.

Rob Teed