Sneek Peek from Keystone Details- The Leslies are coming

[sirenwerks]

Any NP, SP or SP&S folks interested enough in Nathan P3 or more technically P24R1 horns?
The Nathan P24R1 had bells that were marked by size #1 being largest, so the NP horns had bells #2 and #4 facing forward, with bell #1 facing rear in the middle position.
I believe the SP&S's were the same but the SP may have had the same horns though the bells may have been oriented differently.

I can track down pictures of the NP's horns easy enough.

Yes. I need them for BN units.

[peteski]

@robert3985 Still waiting for the brass casting claims to be substantiated.... Seriously I would really like to be wowed.

I really would like to see some examples of brass N Scale parts that have a high level and quality of detail.  Anybody else?

John,
If you ever had a  chance to examine a brass N scale model, you would find many  lost-wax brass casting details. Those have been have been used in brass models since they were first made.  Also some plastic models too: Model Power 4-4-0 or 4-6-0 locos have the entire smokebox front as a single brass casting.  Here are some examples of what I have in my stash.
















This is a dual sealed-beam headlight casting.


Airhose casting.

[Lemosteam]

So for all the complaining I have heard over the years about surface quality on FUD and FXD parts, these castings are no better.  I must admit that the bell is quite nice. I assume these are N Scale right?

Sorry but the horns are meh. I bet I could make better by hand with tubing and a drill. To me they just look like elongated blobs of metal with no real, crisp definition. The GHQ casings in the L1 kit are much cleaner.  I wonder if the pewter simply flows better in the mold due to its lower melting point.

I really would love to try to spin cast myself, just for the fun. 

Many times I have thought of making a homemade centrifugal casting machine out of a box fan. It's the molds that intimidate me.  Not the hot metal or pouring, it's the damn molds.

[peteski]

So for all the complaining I have heard over the years about surface quality on FUD and FXD parts, these castings are no better.  I must admit that the bell is quite nice. I assume these are N Scale right?

Sorry but the horns are meh. I bet I could make better by hand with tubing and a drill. To me they just look like elongated blobs of metal with no real, crisp definition. The GHQ casings in the L1 kit are much cleaner.  I wonder if the pewter simply flows better in the mold due to its lower melting point.

I really would love to try to spin cast myself, just for the fun. 

Many times I have thought of making a homemade centrifugal casting machine out of a box fan. It's the molds that intimidate me.  Not the hot metal or pouring, it's the damn molds.

Meh? I suspected that would be your response John.

Yes, those are all N scale brass parts, so you know quite well how small they are. They IMO are as good as any plastic molded items, and much sturdier.

As for pewter, I doubt it would look much smoother or crisper-detailed (at such strong magnification), but if you have some, I would like to see close-up photos too.  Also, pewter is much softer than brass, so again we get into sturdiness factor.

To each his own . . .

[mu26aeh]

Where's the beating the dead horse emoji ? 

[peteski]

Where's the beating the dead horse emoji ? 

Not sure who this refers to: John or me?  John kept asking for photos of brass parts and I provided a bunch. John is not impressed - life goes on.

[Lemosteam]

Yeah, I don't ever recall a discussion debating the surface quality of brass vs. FUD! And while I was not impressed with the horns, I WAS impressed with that bell. I did appreciate the images regardless. It take a lot to have @peteski break out the macro camera!   

I'm actually surprised no drift spun (pun intended) off on the idea of a homemade spin casting machine.

[sirenwerks]

FWIW, regarding the lost brass bell, with the 3D printing there is the capacity to print with more detail, actually separate the bell from its apparatus. Yes, it would be more fragile but you shouldn't man-handle your toys anyway...

[Lemosteam]

Lol, Actually in FUD I could have the bell PIVOT on the bracket!