While cleaning my layout today, I stumbled across an interesting problem. I’ve got an Atlas signal tower (this one) that I built, but I noticed that one set of window “glass” had come unglued. Of course, since the glass is glued to the inside of the kit, the piece fell inside the upper part of the tower. I can see it lying on the top floor in there, and it can be moved around, but I’m not quite sure how I can repair it without tearing the kit apart! Since it’s a small kit, I don’t even know if I could disassemble part of it without destroying the entire thing! Any ideas?
They’re cheap… buy another one…
Testors has a liquid “window” product and there is at least another product that I seem to remember in MR.
At my age I can’t even see the panes in n scale windows, unless it’s a store front.
I would think you ought to be able to “raise the roof” without too much trouble. And while you are at it, add lights, tower operator, switch levers, etc.
If that is not possible, you might hold the tower on its side so “glass” falls into place. But how to reglue it?
How about using a pin vise (NO, not a power drill!) to drill one tiny hole through the “wood” siding on the side near the loose window, and another on the opposite side. Later you can cover the hole with a light fixture, sign, etc. Something that looks like it belongs there. Turn the structure sideways to shake window into place, stick a stiff wire through the hole on opposite side to hold the glass in place, turn the structure over the other direction and flow liquid plastic cement through the hole on the side with the window so it bonds on one side of the glass in the azrea where the window overlaps the wood siding, an edge that is hopefully hidden.
If you are able to do that, you may someday want to model a scale size bottle and put a ship in it.
I’d go with removing the roof. You should be able to get a knife or even a small scredriver up under the roof, and pry it off. Any scratching or small damage you do with the blade will not be seen under the overhang. Chances are it will come off pretty easily.
The roof is probably the first thing to pop off. But aside from that, your question brought to mind ‘Micro Kristal Klear’ glue. Aside from its glue properties, it also has directions right on the bottle on ‘How to make windows’. Kristal Klear looks similar to ‘white glue’ but is far different. But on the bottle are the directions for making windows. They read:
FORMING SMALL WINDOWS (1/4" or smaller) After the model has been painted, use a toothpick to apply Kristal Klear around the edges of the window opening, drawing the material across to form a film across the entire opening. When dry, the film forms a very thin, clear pane of ‘glass’ Cleans up with water when wet.
I must admit, I have never tried this. Not now anyways, but when I read your question, and not wanting to tear the building apart, Kristal Klear came to mind. Good luck, I hope this helps.
Keith
Thanks very much for all of the advice, guys. Looks like all hope is not lost, as I’ve apparently got many options! [:)]
Of course, the lesson is not to glue everything together !! [:)]
In my Atlas tower I left the roof and wooden wall assembly as a separate part that could be removed to work on the interior details or lighting. Also, I figure if I want to change it to a different RR, all I need to do is get another kit and paint the upper wood part and roof the way that particular railroad did. That way the brick parts, the interior details, lights, etc. can stay in place and just the upper floor “shell” needs to be replaced.
Do you happen to have a bottle of Weldbond on hand? It is exactly the same formulation as Micro-Mark’s Window Glazing or any of the other liquid window formulas. Apply a small amount with a toothpick, stretch it around so it covers the entire window opening, and it dries clear like glass at 1/10th the price of something marked as being a “hobby” item. Weldbond is available at any Wal-mart, Ace, or big box home improvement store in the glue section.
Use a little styrene debonder and get some clear sheets from Evergreen scale. It’s much thinner then the regular widow glazing they give you in kits
You might want to take a look at the following item from Micro-Mark: http://www.micromark.com/HOBBY-PAL-VACUUM-PICKUP-TOOL,7954.html
I don’t know the relative sizes of the tool and the window, but if you can corral the window within reach of the tool, you can use the tool suction to pick it up and pull it against the frame from the inside.