PE Catwalks?

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noplate
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PE Catwalks?

Post by noplate »

I'm looking for a source for photo etched 1/96 catwalks, but the kind normally found on ships... Specifically those that look like this:
catwalks.JPG
Can anyone help with this???

In a severe pinch I can use the railroad catwalks, but man I'd sure prefer accurate ones!

:help_1: :please:
dave

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les
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Re: PE Catwalks?

Post by les »

Scratch build your own out of plasic strip.
Any ship larger than a Destroyer is a waste of metal.
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DrPR
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Re: PE Catwalks?

Post by DrPR »

Dave,

I have been experimenting with making my own 1:96 photoetch catwalks. So far the results have been less than perfect - frustrating!

Phil
A collision at sea will ruin your entire day. Aristotle
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JIM BAUMANN
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Re: PE Catwalks?

Post by JIM BAUMANN »

Have a look at PE railing for architectural models 1/100.

have you a specific width...?

I think I know where I have seen similar

late now--will look tomorrow for a link/picture

JIM B
....I buy them at three times the speed I build 'em.... will I live long enough to empty my stash...?
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DrPR
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Re: PE Catwalks?

Post by DrPR »

I have seen some pretty nice stock PE catwalks for HO scale locomotives and cars. They are straight but I need catwalks that circle the top of smoke pipes (funnels) .
A collision at sea will ruin your entire day. Aristotle
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noplate
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Re: PE Catwalks?

Post by noplate »

Okay, I feel bad for not monitoring this thread more closely. Some answers: width should be somewhere near .25", call it 6 to 7mm.

I need lots and lots (and lots) of catwalks for this project - building from strip plastic is certainly possible, but not what I would choose, except if backed completely into a corner.

I've purchased a length of model RR catwalk intended for the top of a box car. The diagram at the top shows its design. I can and will use it if I have to, but I'd sooo much prefer accuracy.

Architectural model PE... hmm, that I'll have to look into.

Anyway, a belated thanks for the responses!
dave

Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like a banana...
Groucho Marx
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noplate
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Re: PE Catwalks?

Post by noplate »

I've been researching this under the assumption no ready-made PE is available for marine catwalk. The architectural route could work if I wanted to spend time cutting up fencing. :heh:

Decision: make my own PE. Investigating solutions leads me to believe I can do this with only a moderate investment. Bonus prize is I can then tailor-make each catwalk to order instead of doing cut-and-paste.
dave

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DrPR
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Re: PE Catwalks?

Post by DrPR »

Dave,

Home made PE was my solution. I still have some learning to do! Keep us posted on your progress. We all need to learn to do photoetch at home!

Phil
A collision at sea will ruin your entire day. Aristotle
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noplate
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Re: PE Catwalks?

Post by noplate »

I toyed with this many years back, but could never make it work to my satisfaction. Reading up I think I can make it work this time! The first step is to order supplies...
dave

Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like a banana...
Groucho Marx
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noplate
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Re: PE Catwalks?

Post by noplate »

While awaiting delivery of my PE "kit" from MicroMark I went ahead and assembled a test stencil. I made it usable with generic catwalk and inclined ladder so it will be instantly usable if it comes out well.
Test PE Stencil.JPG
Any comments or criticisms? If I'm on the wrong track I want to know now!
dave

Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like a banana...
Groucho Marx
commodore4
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Re: PE Catwalks?

Post by commodore4 »

I just recently finished up helping do the presentation model of the U.S.S.WISCONSIN by BaD shipmodels for NAUTICUS .The catwalk problem was just as serious here as well .I took MODEL RR catwalk material and used ONLY the outside of the catwalk On the inside I used very thin brass strip .I did them in pie shaped units .You can use superglue to do this .Build them on waxed paper .That way you won,t stick them to the workbench . commodore4
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noplate
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Re: PE Catwalks?

Post by noplate »

That could work, or something similar. My project is HO (1/87) scale, so the trick is finding parallel-slated material large enough to play with. Thanks.
dave

Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like a banana...
Groucho Marx
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