Next the windows
What is that green stuff I see on the ground outside your windows? (http://largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-wink.gif)
Very nice Rod. I was almost done building my version (using the plans in the Garden Railways mag) and then the Build Challenge came along. For mine, I’m going to make the sign look a neon light. I just have to put a few details and the roof on and I’ll be done. Keep up the good job. Yours is looking better than mine.
Err Dave, I dunno, it was here when we moved in… Lol
Matt I am using the Garden Railways plan too. How do you plan to make it a neon sign? I’d be interested in trying that. I will be lighting mine up inside and outside under the eves with Led,s.
Latest shot,
Nice building. It carries the feeling.
AND figure.
If you didn’t build her, where might one get her and other figures by the same company?
Rod,
Many years ago there was an article on building a movie theater, I believe in HO, but the technique will scale (I think). The process used a piece of clear acrylic, with the ‘neon’ gouged out. The sign was then edge light, the ‘neon’ being rough surface light up. I would think the process might be easier in the larger scale as the ‘frame’ that would hide the edge lighting would be larger and easier to blend into the main model. I don’t remember which publication it was in, but maybe one of our members who has the Model Railroader DVD might look and see if it is there. After some thought, this might be a perfect project for Chuck and his CNC router.
After watching Ray Dunikin do his thing with the fluorescent lights in his radio shop, I wonder if it would be possible to heat a small acrylic rod and bend it to the configuration you are looking for and end light that.
The last option I can suggets is there is a company making small ‘neon’ signs. I believe they are intended for smaller scales, but one of our members has been using them fairly successfully to ‘animate’ his city scene we use on club outings. I don’t know what the cost is or if you would be able to find exactly what you are looking for, but it is an option.
Good luck with your signs.
Don she was part of a set of Fujimi car accessorise.
https://www.wonderlandmodels.com/products/fujimi-124-figures-and-interior-accessory-parts/
Bob, thank you for your ideas. All worth a visit. I may take the easy way out, and illuminate a painted DQ sign with small spot lights.
For the neon effect, I’m using some 1.5mm of ‘neon glow’. It glows and gives the neon effect. Just have to be careful and not bend it too tightly. I bent mine a bit too much, but it still gives a neat effect and at least I like. If I have time later, I’ll post a picture later.
Rod,
here is a ‘with lights off- during the day - look’:
and a ‘with lights on - at night’ shot:
I need to see if I can fix the ‘u’ and ‘e’, but if not, then I’ll just say that the neon lights are old and need replacing (http://largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-wink.gif)
Hope that helps show what I’ve done to my sign…I also added a screen to the service windows.
Nice Matt. I’ve never come across this stuff before. I’ll have to search around.
Has it got a trade name?
Don’t know if there is a trade name. Got it off of evil bay. It is called: “NEON GLOW” fiber optic fiber lighting. I purchased 8 ft of it, which worked about about right for the Dairy Queen sign. I also got two ‘illuminators’ (LEDs in an attachment to stick the ends of the fiber optics into to light them up) free (and free shipping). Looks like that offer isn’t very limited because the seller I got it from is still offering it, even though it is still listed as limited offer. Enjoy your build and keep posting your progress. If I get further along, I’ll post a picture of my progress if you’d like.
I did a neon sign for my “Lolly’s Diner” building. There is a thread about it here:
http://www.largescalecentral.com/forums/topic/18803/lolly-s-diner
Might give you some ideas.
-Kevin.
Kevin that reall looks great. I read your thread and it has given me ideas for another project.
Nice work . Thank you.
Matt post more pics on your progress please.
Happy 75th anniversary DQ!
Now I really have to finish my build and place it in the layout