Nameplates required.

E

Enginehouse

Amateur Radio, 16mm/G scale railways
Having almost finished building a pair of locos, I am in need of some nameplates. Having regards to reading of past problems associated with some nameplate suppliers can anyone recommend a reliable supplier of plates at a reasonable price.
 
A quick search on the forum would reveal a lot of happy customers.
Narrow Planet http://narrowplanet.co.uk/ gets a lot of mentions. Tag Gorton recommends Guilplates. I bought my last ones from MDC plates, of which Tony Willmore (Rhos Helyg Loco Works of this forum) is an agent. If the names aren't unusual John Lythgoe may be able to supply them ex-stock http://www.johnlythgoe.com/ < Link To http://www.johnlythgoe.com
I'm sure you'll get lots of other suggestions reflecting peoples' favourites. But the above have been recommended in the past. There doesn't seem to have been any problems with name plates lately (fingers crossed).
Steve
 
Same reply as Steve.

Expect to wait 4-6 weeks for delivery from point of order as most are produced in batches to save metal waste.

NarrowPlanet = thin etched
MDC = Chunky Stamped
 
I favour John Lythgoe ( who will do one offs , but these are not cheap as the are craftsman quality ) or MDC, which are also very good. I did not like the ones I got from Narrow planet, in fact they will remain in the cupboard never to adorn a locomotive.
 
John Lythgoe no longer does custom plates, only his standard ones now
 
The narrow planet ones I purchased were finished really poorly they looked like they were painted by my 5 year old daughter. I ordered nameplates that were supposed to be 16mm scale but would have been large on a 16mm 9F. They sent me a drawing that was supposed to show me how the finished plates would look but there was no scale with it.
That said they may have improved with age, it was in their early days.
I am sorry to hear about John Lythgoe I was hoping to commission from him again.
 
I've used Narrow Planet several times. They are a good mix of quality and economy.
16mm is a later venture for them, having started in 4mm.
The brass is thinner than other makes, but this means the plate lies more flush with the panel.

Size can be an issue. They will make any size you specify, so care is needed.
I went for 8mm height, which is rather large, so I could understand someone being unhappy.
The answer is careful calculation of your requirements.
 
I know this may seem a bit naive but have you considered making your own using Ferric Chloride? It is relatively simple. Clean and cut out plate blanks and polish. Remove all traces of polishing materials. Apply letraset or similar letters to form name and paint back edges and frame with nail varnish an allow to harden. Mix up ferric chloride and drop plate in with letters uppermost and wait. The depth of the etch depends on the strength of the mix, the heat of the mix (don't recommend heating it) and the length of immersion. When satisfied with depth of etch (20 minutes to 2 hours usually) remove and wash well in water. When dry paint entire front with enamel paint and allow 24 hours to dry. Use 1200 grade wet and dry and rub face of plate gently until brass shows on raised parts. I then bake in the oven for 10 minutes at 180 degrees to cook the enamel which goes a darker shade.
I had a whole fleet of industrial OO gauge shunters with hand made plates but have sold them some time ago. I'll look to see if I have any old photos to publish.
Regards
Ken
 
Must say that I never considered making my own name plates. No excuse really. As a radio amateur I used to regularly make up boards for electronic projects. Worth a play on a quiet summer day, because as one of those inveterate "it will come in handy one day" hoarders I have quite a decent quantity of FC out in the shed.
 
I've had great service from narrow planet - the squares on the artwork are 1mm and 10mm..... Steve adjusted mine to exactly my spec as they were to cover fixed existing nameplates exactly - and exactly was what I got. First class.
 
Narrow Planet are fine - they deliver exactly as stated, but you do need to check dimensions carefully.

I would suggest that if there was a problem with the finish, they should have been returned - I would be surprised if they did not run a replacement set for you, all my dealings with them suggested a conscientious person behind the name.
 
Enginehouse said:
Must say that I never considered making my own name plates. No excuse really. As a radio amateur I used to regularly make up boards for electronic projects. Worth a play on a quiet summer day, because as one of those inveterate "it will come in handy one day" hoarders I have quite a decent quantity of FC out in the shed.
Click to expand...

Another Ham lol
73's de 2E0IJH J001EK
 
kenefd said:
I know this may seem a bit naive but have you considered making your own using Ferric Chloride?
Click to expand...
I've been down that route, but found it quite difficult to keep the Lettraset in a straight line.
Perhaps it was down to my hamfistedness.
4a3e37ed3ac34da2ab3d45b16ea0bc6a.jpg

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Some did come out quite well, but have long been scrapped in favour of Narrow Planet.
 
MRail said:
I've been down that route, but found it quite difficult to keep the Lettraset in a straight line.
Perhaps it was down to my hamfistedness.
Click to expand...

In these days of computer printing is it not possible to print some suitable blinding material, instead of wobbly Letraset? There's a much better selection of fonts.
 
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