Where do you get your etched works / loco nameplates from?

[Jamie Davis]

Hello all. Just putting up  this post to ask, where do you source miniature builders plates / nameplates for your locomotive models..? I am looking for a set of Tralee and Dingle plates for a model. I was planning on going to the UK based Light Railway Stores website and customise some of their selection to resemble the plates locomotive 5T had in her running preserved years. I've now discovered they dont ship to Ireland anymore, due to Brexit I imagine. So that leaves the question. Where can I find etched plates for my models that are either made in or ship to Ireland. Thanks all. Photos attached of the plates I wanted to replicate. Cheers.

[Galteemore]

Diane Carney worth a try ? 

[GSR 800]

Light Railway Stores do excellent custom etching, everything from name, number and works plates to headboards

[Horsetan]

1 hour ago, Jamie Davis said:

.....I was planning on going to the UK based Light Railway Stores website and customise some of their selection to resemble the plates locomotive 5T had in her running preserved years. I've now discovered they don't ship to Ireland anymore, due to Brexit I imagine.....

 

59 minutes ago, GSR 800 said:

Light Railway Stores do excellent custom etching, everything from name, number and works plates to headboards

 

Hmmm......

[Mol_PMB]

Etched nameplates are very small and flat, would fit easily in a letter. Get them sent to a friend/relative/fellow forum member in the UK first? 

[GSR 800]

3 minutes ago, Horsetan said:

 

 

Hmmm......

Very strange indeed, considering they shipped to me last year.

 

[Horsetan]

Just now, GSR 800 said:

Very strange indeed, considering they shipped to me last year.

Probably didn't want the hassle of international post anymore.

[GSR 800]

2 minutes ago, Horsetan said:

Probably didn't want the hassle of international post anymore.

Website still says international shipping is offered, may not be up to date, though.

 

[Tullygrainey]

I tried to order from Light Railway Stores a few months ago having often used them in the past. Got right to the end of the ordering process without any trouble but was then told that they didn't ship to my address (Northern Ireland). I'm assuming the Brexit regs are to blame. I've had the same difficulties recently with a number of other suppliers who made it clear on their websites that Brexit regs were the reason.

[David Holman]

Shame to hear about that. Light Railway Stores are very good value for such things. There are alternatives,, so try an internet search. Fox Transfers do some, but not sure about custom jobs.

 Depending on what size you want, Sister's Plasticard do some fairly small letters, so it is possible to make your own.

[Mayner]

It may be feasible to custom/home etch to your own designs, etchant and resist may be available through electronic hobby or component stores.

Some hobby electronic suppliers produced home etching kits. Resist (thats used to protect the area to remain after etching) drawn on with a pen or an iron on film and etchant (usually ferric chloride) for etching.

Stewart Hine published an article on the home etching of number plates and other custom etching in Model Railways magazine during the early 70s. Still relevant for home etching if the edition with the article can be located.

 

[murrayec]

For one or two off items it is best to go to a suppler, there is a steep learning curve to home etching and it takes a lot of trial n error to get it right. 

This publication is a great introduction;-

Most of the materials are inexpensive, except for the UV light box which is required for exposing/transferring the artwork to the resist on the metal to be etched.

If one is considering this, stay away from the spray on resist available in the electronic stores which is rather hard to control. Using a film like 'Puretch' is far better and will help to keep your sanity!

Eoin

[Flying Snail]

For those of you etchers based in Ireland (Dublin specifically), how do you deal with the waste etchant? Do the local authority's' bring centres accept it? I know they take household chemicals, but ferric chloride is hardly a household chemical, is it?

[murrayec]

48 minutes ago, Flying Snail said:

For those of you etchers based in Ireland (Dublin specifically), how do you deal with the waste etchant? Do the local authority's' bring centres accept it? I know they take household chemicals, but ferric chloride is hardly a household chemical, is it?

You can add sodium hydroxide to brake it down into a liquid of a low pH and a sludge, the liquid can be disposed of in the drain and the sludge has to go to the local authority hazardous waste bin.

Thats the other thing doing home etching- one is using hazardous stuff, also the etching process gives off hydrogen gas, not huge amounts but best to have a window open!

Eoin

[Flying Snail]

Thanks Eoin - thats very helpful.

 

Good job I don't smoke!!

13 minutes ago, murrayec said:

Thats the other thing doing home etching- one is using hazardous stuff, also the etching process gives off hydrogen gas, not huge amounts but best to have a window open!