Okay, this time I did a search before asking [:D]
Anyone got some simple ideas/instruction on how they scratchbuilt their HO lampshades for exterior lighting?
Try this on the gereral disscusion forum
http://www.trains.com/community/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=67050
I would also be interested in how to scratch build lampshades, especially for table lamps. Robert, I appreciate the reference to the thread but that only tells us to go out and buy a lampshade, but hey, that actually might be the best idea. But it is fun making stuff ourselves.
Unless you are entering a model in a contest that requires all scratchbuilt parts, it’s pointless to try scratching such a tiny item as an outdoor lamp shade, especially when they are commercially available for just a few cents each. I’m an avid scratchbuilder but would never even conside such a task. At around 1/8-inch in diameter, you can hardly even see them, let alone easily make a good looking one!
CNJ831
You’ve got a good point, CNJ. I have looked around the craft stores for ideas like tiny (can a guy use that word) beads or sequins but I haven’t found anything that works.
Robert, thanks. I did check that thread out first but the lampshades aren’t scratched.
I guess I’ll wait until my wish list piles up enough to include store-bought shades when I next order stuff from “out there” somewhere.
Thanks again!
CNJ, you make a good point. As a counterpoint though, I’d offer that such a line of thinking might as well preclude scratchbuilding anything that is commercially available. [:)]
Not much fun in that!
walthers has the small HO brass lampshades on sale now for less than three bucks for 10. I just ordered 30. I file the tip off and enlarge the hole ever so slightly to accept a 3mm LED and it looks great.
A tad large but they put out a nice natural cone of light. And they are so easy to put together. I also have them mounted on brass poles.
I did experiment with brass washers. I put a punch in the center and tapped it with a hammer to make a cone out of the washer. It looked OK but when compared to this store bought lampshade even the small brass washer thickness was too obvious.
Terry
[8D]
Not in my case! The building in the pix below is 99% scratch. The lampshade over the loading door aint! [;)]
CNJ831
LOL! Point taken!
How about using a sequin?
Available at any craft/fabric store, cost next to nothing, available in various sizes, colors and materials, and there’s already a hole in the middle for a bulb.
I trust that you photographed the building outside or else you’re a better tree maker and cloud painter than a structure builder, and that’s saying a lot.
Jetrock, I like it! Thank you sir!
Believe it or not I new a guy that used acorn shells, the top half that falls off. A little large for HO, but for out door lighting they worked great, and ther’s plenty of them now.
I’ve taken a hole punch and punched thin aluminium round discs, then as suggested earlier, took a nail and hammered a hole, which also formed a cone shape for the shade.
WTRR