I have a building that I have kitbashed from some DPM Kits (3 Laube’s Linen Mill kits with the 3 window panels forming the front of the building and the 3 door panels forming the back and two sets of the ends bashed together forming the side). The problem I am running into is that I have some signboard letters (the kind that normally fit in the black fabric message boards) that I am using for a sign for the business. What I need to know is what would be the best way to brace the letters on the roof. Should I built a full framework to go behind the letters or would it be better to make it look like it is cable braced on the back? I would be unable to “cable” the front of the letters as the letters are on the edges of the roof. Any assistance, ideas or even pictures (models or prototype) that anyone can provide would be welcomed.
I’d make a frame out of girders if this is a relatively new building, or out of wood if you’re in an earlier era. You can get a package of girder shapes from Evergreen, or balsa wood strips from a hobby shop or craft store. Since we usually look down on our structures, roof details greatly enhance most models.
Given that I model a relatively modern time, I think girders might the best idea. However, with your term “girder shapes”, are are you referring to channels, I beams, or H beams and of what dimension? Given that I don’t have a LHB, I would have to order anything I need so having a better idea of what I need would be a great help.
OK, I went and looked at the one on our building. It’s got big plastic letters, so it’s probably close to what you’re doing.
There is a base frame, sort of a square grid, made of 12x6 inch I-beams. This is mounted flat, parallel to the roof, about a foot above the roof surface and supported by round 3-inch tubing. To that, they’ve mounted a vertical frame of 2-inch square tubing which supports the individual letters. The I-beams are painted gray, and the vertical portion is black.
Sorry, they don’t allow cameras in the building, so I can’t photograph it.
There was an article in the January, 1991, MR by Harvey Simon called Kitbash the Offices of The Sun. This was a multi-story building which was to represent the offices of the daily newspaper, The Sun. On the top of the building were two identical signs that read SUN. The lettering was 1 inch restaurant-board letters, which I believe are the type you are also using.
The article included a full size template of the sign support structure. The structure consisted of three vertical triangular assemblies joined together horizontally by three horizontal members. Each of the vertical assemblies looked like a 30-60-90 right triangle on end. Measuring from the drawing, the vertical piece of the assembly was 2-3/4 inches tall. From the top of this piece going downward at a 30 degree angle was another member about 3-1/8 inch long. This piece acted as a rear support to keep the vertical piece upright. You might need to adjust this length so that the vertical piece remains vertical. About 1-3/8 inch up from the bottom of the vertical piece there was a horizontal piece that joined the vertical member to the sloping back piece. Then there were two additional braces: one from the bottom of the vertical piece to the point where the horizontal piece joined the sloping back support; and one from the bottom of the sloping back support to the point where the horizontal piece joined the vertical piece. These two additional pieces formed sort of an “X” where they passed in the middle.
The vertical piece and the sloping back leg were formed from Plastruct 3/64 inch angle. The three remaining braces were formed from Evergreen 0.015 X 0.020 styrene. You might want to substitute an Evergreen 3/64 angle for the Plastruct so that you don’t need special cement to join the styrene to the Plastruct ABS material.
Anyway, each sign requ
If yo go check out Plastruct’s catalog I believe they have such frame work exactly for that use.
Were you referring to the Space Frame kit listed in the catalog? Otherwise I am unsure as to what you are referring to.
I ordered the mentioned back issue and received it today. Reading the part of the article regarding the sign, I agree that it looks fairly simple. I think I should be able to adapt the design to work with the letters in both words of the name of the business. I even think I can even use this idea to rework another restaurant-board letter sign I have on another building. Thank you for your assistance.