So I took a walk down to the local builders merchant and spent three pounds odd on a 7" x 10" piece of glass. A piece of 4mm MDF, left over from an abandoned micro layout, was cut to size for the bottom. The two were taped together with masking tape (which helps protect hands from the glass edges) with a sheet of graph paper, to help when squaring things up, sandwiched between them. Job done.
Before assembly I used a diamond whetstone to lightly chamfer the glass edges.
I make no claim to originality, this idea was lifted straight from the Wills Finecast Illustrated Modellers Guide booklet, which dates back to 1982, cost one pound, and was written by Iain Rice, who had a hand designing the Wills scenic range. Rice has inspired me ever since.
Paul.
I quite often use a small 'clip frame' glass pane when cutting masking tape for precision lining, as it gives a nice crisp edge. This looks an excellent idea too Paul ;)
ReplyDeleteI did think of using a clip frame, but couldn't find one in town. Sometimes I miss Woolworths!
ReplyDeleteI have just used a piece of plain glass from an old flat bed scanner up until now but your idea with the graph paper makes good sense.
ReplyDeletelike most tips it's these simple but effective ones that are the best.
I'm a very simple person Frank!
ReplyDeleteThe graph paper is a very neat development of the idea, as Frank says, simple and effective. Your mention of Woolies brought back a long-dormant memory of a counter in the Ashton under Lyne branch, probably 1971, stacked with endless lines of Airfix kits,Humbrol paints etc. Can't see Wilkinson's doing that...
ReplyDeleteI have one of these I made when a cheap Wilko's picture frame disintegrated, fortunately the glass and MDF were undamaged. Mind you some of their frames cost little more than £3 to start with!
ReplyDeleteWhen the local Woolworths closed down I was hoping that Wilkinsons would step in, not that I like Wilko, but it is a cheap source of Araldite and other hardware odds. Instead we get yet another cheapo outdoor clothing outlet.
ReplyDelete