Modeling sheet metal

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

I would like to know how to make sheet metal for roofing? I would like to have some on some buildings and some for sale at the new lumber yard. Thanks for the help. Mike

2

Taking it that you mean the corrugated stuff…

  1. find a metal (cooking) foil that will hold its shape
  2. find a bolt with a long threaded element or some studding with a screw pitch that gives you the right centre to centre of ribs
  3. tape foil on a suitable base - tape at the ends between which you will run the bolt along the foil
  4. practice
  5. have FUN [:D]
3

You can buy it from evergreen(styrene) or campbell(metal), I believe others make it also. Some one makes a printed paper one you can cut up. For making it, Ive used aluminum foil and embossed it over a plastic piece I already have, then cut it to 2x4, or 2x8(scale feet) sze and glue to roofs. There was an article many years back where somebody used a fleacomb and embossed balsa wood. Ribbon wire from computers will also work, I’ve just accumulated a bunch of the stuff and when paint aluminum, you can’t tell it’s wire.

4

Here is a link to a very nice How To on our site, Trackside Modeler:

http://tracksidemodeler.com/index.php?topic=854.0

Though this for large scale, you should be able to use the same technique for any scale.

5

For large scale I find that the mid part of a lot of (UK) bean cans is corrugated at about the right size… don’t know about US cans…? Just be careful not to cut yourself!