ETCHING

[Tony Overton]

I've seen odd 7mm etched wagon plates created by others over time, which I understand used 0.25 or 0.30mm N/S, and the detail was very clear, very sharp and easily readable with a glass of course, and I would like to obtain something like them.
Your plates look very nice.

 

[Tony Overton]

Mine is to be a MR Diagram 838 cylindrical tank built between 1891 and 1899 used for either Creosote, Liquid Ammonia, or Gas Tar traffic. I'm not sure yet which of the three types I plan mine to represent.

I’m not so sure about scaling it upwards, Mike. 7mm is about the maximum I can accommodate – I know of two full size examples in existence today though, both slowly rusting away. It is slightly specialist, hence requiring various etched components; even the wagon number plates are a ‘non standard’ MR design.

 

[Stephen Freeman]

Another vote for PPD, very helpful and prompt

 

[neaston]

I have just fitted some plates from Seven Mill and the are 0.3mm brass and the wording is very clear
Nick

 

[AndyB]

I have just fitted some plates from Seven Mill and the are 0.3mm brass and the wording is very clear
Nick

Indeed - excellent examples there, with a cursory note (Severn Mill Nameplates 007" etched brass model railway plates.) - "Unfortunately, it has become more and more difficult to find professional firms of etchers who have the ability and patience to work to such tight tolerances as are necessary to maintain the superb quality that my customers have come to expect..."
Someone new to etching, hoping to achieve that kind of result, may be rather disappointed unless they have some very good guidance (or a lot of trial and error) and build a very close working relationship with their etcher as Chris has clearly done for over 30 years.

Andy

 

[Flymo748]

Indeed - excellent examples there, with a cursory note (Severn Mill Nameplates 007" etched brass model railway plates.) - "Unfortunately, it has become more and more difficult to find professional firms of etchers who have the ability and patience to work to such tight tolerances as are necessary to maintain the superb quality that my customers have come to expect..."
Someone new to etching, hoping to achieve that kind of result, may be rather disappointed unless they have some very good guidance (or a lot of trial and error) and build a very close working relationship with their etcher as Chris has clearly done for over 30 years.

If it's any help in assessing what is possible, these are some 4mm scale wagon number plates. Standard LNWR wagon plates for a Diagram 4 open wagon (i.e. one of the ones in the Ratio kit packs).

These were done by PPD in nickel silver, from artwork in Coreldraw. A five pence coin of the realm to give scale.

Cheers
Paul