I have just uploaded eleven new brass signals to my
Signals Branch Shapeways shop. These signals are lost wax brass castings from 3D printed waxes. The brass signals are nicely detailed even showing the bolts that go through the post for the various signal parts.
If you click on an item in the shop you will see a larger picture of the item with a 3D icon. Clicking this icon will give a rotatable view that can be zoomed. Please note that the zoom will pixelate eventually but this doesn't represent the model.
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| 3D printed 27 ft Signal - Front |
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| 3D printed 27 ft Signal - Rear |
The tallest signals (27 foot posts) have a separate finial (pinnacle is the correct term) cast on the signal base with the other detail parts. This will need to be soldered or glued into the hole in the top of the post. The reason for this is that the tall signals with finials exceed the 3D printer maximum bounding box (print volume). Shorter posts have the finial cast in place on the post.
A jig has been designed into the signal base to bend up the critical operating rod from the counterweight lever to the signal arm.
The detail parts on the bass can be removed using a pair of transistor nippers but a cutting disc in a hobby tool could be used with care.
There are a number of holes to be drilled with a 0.4 mm drill bit for handrails and operating wires. The positions are marked by small starter holes, some of which may have cast as holes as this is on the limit of the process. If there are cast holes then these will still need to be drilled with the correct size drill bit.
The pivot hole for the signal arm is undersize because of the wall thickness design minimum for printing and needs to be reamed out with progressively larger drill bits starting with 0.7 mm and then 0.8 mm, 0.9 mm and 1.0 mm. The pivot shaft on the signal arm will need to be very lightly filed to clean it up as it may be slightly out of round. The pivot hole and shaft need to be carefully fitted for a smooth rotating fit. It might be necessary to use a 1.1mm drill bit but don't make it a sloppy fit. Being a brass on brass bearing, once the signal is painted a small drop of light oil is a good idea.
To complete this signal a White Strong and Flexible mechanism needs to be ordered and glued underneath the signal.
A ladder for the signal is also needed and a sprue of two 21 foot ladders printed in Frosted Ultra Detail acrylic material can be ordered from this Signals Branch Shapeways Shop. A sprue of 10 ladders with cast iron bases is also available. These ladders are relatively flexible so will withstand a knock.
If you wish you could instead purchase an HO etched brass ladder.
A suitable etched brass ladder and a ladder forming jig are available from Keiran Ryan Models:
http://www.krmodels.com.au/
Or from Peter Boormans Workshop:
http://peterboormansworkshop.com.au/
Also required are:
0.015" phosphor bronze wire for operating rods, handrails, etc. (Tichy Train Group have the wire - #1102 0.015" 12 straight 200mm lengths).
1 x #4 6mm screws
1 x 3mm I.D. washer
2 x 2-56 12mm screws - 4 for bracket signals (either Kadee #1709 1/2" stainless screws- preferred or #256 1/2" nylon plastic screws - come in KD5 coupler packets)
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| Completed Signal |
These brass signals are more expensive than the HO Fine Detail Signals (Frosted Ultra Detail) but may appeal to those modellers who like brass.
I have also recently added some
brass counterweight levers and
brass bracket signal bellcranks at the request of a modeller who kept breaking these when bending the operating rods around the ends of the levers/bellcranks to retain them when operating. I haven't broken any when doing this however these brass versions will eliminate the issue for those who wish to use them.
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| Brass Bracket Signal Bellcranks |
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| Brass Counterweight Levers |
As I add more HO Fine Detail signals to the range I will also add the equivalent brass versions.
I hope you find this post of interest.
