shade material

I learned a method from a master modeler that might help.  You might try cutting discs from paper or cardstock (3x5 cards) depending on the desired thickness, then wetting them thoroughly with ACC glue.  This makes them hard, like plastic, but enables you to use the thin, easily workable material.

I've made round shapes for things such as tank tops by using a piece of brass tubing, of the right diameter, as a cutter, or punch.  I chuck the tubing in a drill, and lightly pass the end over a file to sharpen the round edge.  Then punch out what I need.  In the case of the shade, I'd make it a bit larger in diameter than the finish measurement, punch out a small hole in the center, slice a sliver of pie shape out, then glue together into the desired cone shape, with the small center hole for the lamp/wire.

Hope this gives you an idea or two.  (It may then be worth the ½cent!    )

HO Lamp Shades

Miniatronics makes brass lampshades for HO...  Here's the Walthers catalog page:  http://www.walthers.com/exec/productinfo/475-7211010

Evergreen Hill Designs makes HO Scale #660 Lamp Shades (pack of 6).

You can also look on e-Bay.

John Senior

acc and paper

Don, you're right. That is an old trick. When I was modeling in HO back in the days and all my engines were brass. I bought a HO old time Climax. It was a cute little vertical boiler with open cab and it just had a roof over the engineer. Well, I was excited to put it on the layout and see that little booger run. Well I put it on the edge of the layout and accidentally I knocked it over and the roof was demolished. I was devastated, I took a yellow legal pad, is all that I had and cut a piece of paper and cut it the size of the roof. Poured some drops of acc and shaped into the oval shape and then pour some more drops on it and let it dried. That thin paper turn hard as a rock and the Climax had a new roof. Once I painted the engine it looked like it had the original roof. So I testified that it works.

Lamp Shades

Great idea.  I will try this out.  I should have also mentioned that I am trying different light ideas and shapes.  The idea is to add as much variety as possible for a city scene.  I will post photos when I get a chance.

Thom

Article in Issue #5?

I am assuming you have seen Charlie's article on page 134 of issue #5 where he discusses making his own shades from styrene?

Lamp Shade Article

I had missed this detail in the article.  Thanks for the reply.  I am going to try all these ideas.  Thanks Guys!

Toothpaste tube

Get a empty squeeze tooth paste tube. cut the end off. clean it out. use a paper punch. If you punch where the white metal and the silver backing . I have then taken a 1/4 drill bit drill a hole only deep enough to create a v shape in a piece of wood. Put the blank that you punched out into the v. Press down into the v and blank with something v shaped.( I have used a 1/4 wood dowel with the end into a v shape) Nice lamp shade. Drill a small hole for the tubing to go into or put your light bulb with wires thru it.

Tom

Lamp Shades

Tom,

Are you referring to metal tooth pates tubes?  Who still makes these?  I only know th plastic tubes types.

Th

om

Lamp Shades

          tiehman        Here is an idea you may wanto try I have been making my own lamp shades using Sequins

                               they come in a few different sizes. Go to any large craft store I find that 8mm and smaller

                               are good for ho scale.                   ron netti

Lamp Shades

Do you have an pictures of the sequin shades?

Lamp Shades

I saw a few photos on the web where this guy had used shirt buttons with leds for a engine shed lighting, the led just goes through the holes in the button and then into a styrene box channel where he ran the wires, he had painted the buttons and they looked great, I just can't find the web address at the moment.

Sequins!

Sequins,what a good idea.  Available in many different sizes, some are already cupped, available in different shapes and plenty of colors, although I'm sure they are easily painted too.

Pictures would be great if you have some Ron.

Thanks for the idea.

Sequins

Hey guys        I will try to post some pictures in the next few days I have never posted pictures before so I

                       I will give it a try Hope it works         ron netti

Lampshade Photos

If anyone has lampshade/working light pole pictures, I would love to see them.  Thanks. 

Washers

Washers and putty or thick CA work well too except for showpiece models. You might need to try a few sizes and brands as bulb diameters and washer thicknesses vary. I think i used #6 for 3mm LEDs in a freight house.

Sequins are a good idea too as mentioned above.