installing screen in Ridgway stacks

[Fatbiker52]

Hi y'all. I have a modeling question regarding the Ridgway stacks. I mounted  two on my locos. They Keith Wisemann. They really make the locos look more period.
My question is this, the  stacks come with scalr brass screen. However, I need help forming the screen into shape. How do I do I do it?
Fred.

[Konrad Schreier]

I would make a paper pattern first, to establish the shape.  I would then take a scrap of hardwood and make a former that lets you shape the screen - your pattern can help test the former.  Some adjustment to the form may be needed to get the final shape.   You did not say if the Ridgeway housing parts are brass, but if so the screen can be soldered in place (I use a resistance soldering tool).  White metal can be assembled with epoxy.  JB Weld (long cure) is good for this, very strong (so less is needed), and any excess cleans up with water and an old paint brush.

Konrad

[Fatbiker52]

Thanks Konrad. I guess I'll have to dust off my old machinist skills. Lol. I will do as you suggest. The stacks and screen are brass from Wisemann.
Fred

[Mike Trent]

Fred, what scale are these, and do the tops fold or are they cast as one piece? I have done several in On3 and have had good luck using both acc and a good quality contact cement.

It's easier with good screen material. I think its best to cut off the top and work with the top only. Cut the screen a little wide, start with the flat top, and then use the end of a paint brush to bend the radius forward of the flat top. Carefully trim around the top. You can bend it down, use a fine tip sharpie pen to define the edges and carefully trim the sides. When you have the sides cut, you can then use the Sharpie to mark the front and carefully trim to fit. Be patient, you may have to do it three or four times before you get one you like.

If you are modeling in On3, you can sometimes find Overland ones available that are very nice, and can be installed pretty easily.

The cinder tubes also need to be shaped to fit properly on your locomotive. That's easy once you have the complete top mounted.

Be patient, you'll be fine. If you need to strip off the adhesive, just soak it a while in acetone and it will be good as new after a bath in water with a drop of dishwashing detergent.

[Mike Trent]

Fred, my brain is working a bit slow this morning. If this is On3, what you have is probably one of the old one piece castings from The Back Shop. It was originally cast for the old PFM Mogul back in the 60's. I've done two or three like that, but I've always cut the upper part off using a Dremel cutting disk. When it's done you can either reattach it using adhesive, or you can try using small hinges to see if you can get it to fold over.

[LWilliams]

Hello all, I've been a reader for sometime of your informative board and finally decided to join.
  I've done several of the brass On3 beartraps from precision scale, always soldered together and if you're frugal with the screen they include you can have enough leftover to make one of the cone shaped cinder catchers shown in photos of #21 and others. I always wrap the screen around a small diameter drill bit, say 3/16 or 1/4" and as mentioned above a lot of time and careful trimming pay off. Soldering can be tricky but it stays put, pre tin everything then I pinch my screen in to fit inside of the casting so when complete it follows the contour right without outside overlap. miter and trim the top, solder together then use a dremmel to trim the top smooth with the rest of the casting. Hardest part for me is getting the cinder chute in it's proper place around the boiler/under the handrail then  keeping it in that perfect alignment while soldering, it usually takes a couple of tries to get everything lined up for me but worth the time. I've included a couple photos (hoping I did it right to get them on here) of the results.

[Fatbiker52]

Thanks everyone. I am ordering a third stack for my last On30 mogul from Keith at Wisemann. I am going to use it to form the other two screens. Unfortunately I already install the first two on a Bachmann Connie and Mogul. Removing them at this point would kinda pain. Lol
Fred

[Jeff Young]

I love the Como (cone-shaped) spark arrestor!  You don't see those modelled often.

Cheers,
Jeff.

[Fatbiker52]

Maybe my no. 21 will get a cone. In my rr world these moguls have survived the torch and are in active use on my Kevlar Pass sub. I really appreciate the input. I am currently in the planning stages for the layout. Btw it will be in On30.
I am making a form from some wood to use to put the screen into shape. Let's just hope I can use my limited supply.
Fred