PRR DB4 containers Who wants to make'em?

[Philip H]

Actually... etched brass around FUD may be overkill. Stand by for some possible news here...

Agreed.  Why not just etched brass as a foldable box with an etched overlay or two to add details?

[DKS]

Agreed.  Why not just etched brass as a foldable box with an etched overlay or two to add details?

There's an even easier way...

[Lemosteam]

And if David is thinking what I think he is thinking, it will be immensely cheaper than a brass etched kit...

[Bob Bufkin]

David about a year or so ago I asked if you couild do something like this. 

[DKS]

David about a year or so ago I asked if you couild do something like this.

Yes, you are right (and I wondered if you'd comment on it). It's all about timing. Nothing to do with who asks for what. A year ago I was not armed with as much experience making things such as this. Plus, my plate was overflowing at the time.

[Bob Bufkin]

Not complaining David.  Your stuff is getting better everyday and I'm glad you thinking about doing these. 

[chicken45]

There's an even easier way...

Do tell.

[bbussey]

Agreed.  Why not just etched brass as a foldable box with an etched overlay or two to add details?

Because FUD is good in regard to intricate relief rather than flat surfaces, and the hooks and other paraphernalia on top of the containers could be part of the FUD core that "pokes through" holes in the wrapper.  If a model with as much inset relief as the D2 can be cast cleanly, then a container master designed in such fashion can be as well.

[eric220]

Stand by for some possible news here...

Standing by with baited breath.

[Philip H]

Standing by with baited breath.

Crest has a toothpaste for that.   

[DKS]

Standing by with baited breath.

Crest has a toothpaste for that.   

LOL!

(It's bated breath, in case one doesn't get Philip's joke...)

[DKS]

Do tell.

Scratchbuilding!



I think sometimes a task such as this can get over-engineered, especially considering how small these things are in N scale; I think this doesn't become evident until you can see something of this size in the flesh. Now, could one of these be made better? Absolutely; I make no claim that it's the best one could achieve by any means. However, would it be cost-effective? That's where I have some serious doubts. I made this master in a couple of hours, in between cooking batches of crawlers. I would have spent the equivalent amount of time or more rendering artwork for etched metal and/or FUD parts. Then had to pay for one or both of those services. And wait for their delivery, and finally assemble/prep them. All of these added costs would have to be reflected in the final product price. I also have my doubts that FUD could have rendered the lift rings and other fine details as cleanly as they could be fabricated from styrene, wire and bits of etched brass fret.

For fun, I documented the process of fabricating the master. It began with a solid cube of styrene.



Drain holes were made on a drill press.



Metal bands were made from strips of plain old Scotch tape.



Lots of Archer rivet strips were added.



Wire was bent to make the lift hooks.



What's missing from the master are the lift rings on chains. These will be added to a series of sub-masters so they can be posed differently from one container to the next, for added realism; then the final molds will be pulled from these for production.

Assuming I bring this onto the market, I'd probably sell them in sets of 12, which would fill a gondola. I'm also looking at the possibility of making up decals for them, but don't hold me to this.

[Hornwrecker]

... and he sets the hook.

Another bunch of SPFs caught.  (What is a group of SPFs called?)

[Dave Schneider]

You mean you built something!?!
Quick question, how did you get it to turn from white to grey?! 

I like the scotch tape. Great idea.

Best wishes, Dave

[Chris333]

Dibs on the first full gondola set