Recommend deck material?

[johnpenn74]

Can anyone recommend something to simulate deck material?
JP

[VO4454]

John,
Google search "Fram air filters". then click the image button. I don't know if the webbing on the backs of the filters is close to the style you need. If it is you could go a quick oil change shop and get a lot of old air filters for nothing but your time of pulling them from the garbage can or ask them if the would save you some.

Vic

[Trainman4602]

There are two possibilities.

One would be expanded metal. it come in various sizes. Two, miniature grating. If you Google these to you will find something suitable. If your fussy about it another alternative would be to 3D print some and have it zinc spin cast.

[jcbrock]

From the way-back machine which is becoming less reliable every week, don't have time to check, but I recall there was an article (think it was by Ralph Andres for his Yellowstone and I think it was in Modeltec) where flat wire from street-sweeper brooms was being cranked through a set of rollers to form offsets. The offset wire was then soldered to straight pieces. I remember it because it was such an oddball source.

[jkimberln]

I can't see exactly what the configuration of that deck material looks like. I think it might look something like the deck I made for my 1 1/2" scale GATX 103AW tank car. I can go into how I made these if you are interested in the pattern. Tedious but not difficult.

[jkimberln]

picture didn't attach.

[Rich_Carlstedt]

From the way-back machine which is becoming less reliable every week, don't have time to check, but I recall there was an article (think it was by Ralph Andres for his Yellowstone and I think it was in Modeltec) where flat wire from street-sweeper brooms was being cranked through a set of rollers to form offsets. The offset wire was then soldered to straight pieces. I remember it because it was such an oddball source.

Hey John, nice memory my friend ! I didn't think anyone would recall that !
The issue was February of 1998 and was titled
"Authentic Looking Steel Safety Walks"
I used Street Sweeper brushes ( ask your local town maintenance for discarded brushes)
To achieve scale walks
Photos of the silver soldered walk are below
The walks are so strong, its incredible

http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj22 ... 1fcb56.jpg

http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj22 ... a6900f.jpg

I don't have pictures of my straight sections which the OP said he wanted for his tanker.
John, maybe if you go to the St Croix track and photograph Tim Olsen's running boards ( K 28?) , the Op can see what straight ones look like. I made them for Tim using the same process.


Now if you want a decent crosshatch pattern and don't mind plastic and wood, here are the steps I made on my caboose.
I used the plastic grid that come under a Pizza, to keep it from messing with the cardboard box.
Lay it on plywood or steel and spray several heavy coats of primer, then a top black paint coating for realistic appearance.

http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj22 ... 0004-1.jpg

Rich

Finding the right Pizza Vendor is a tasty experience. Not all use this pattern
If you can't find one , PM me and I'll send a piece

Couldn't get the photo's to show, so link is included --sorry

[jcbrock]

Not a very good memory Rich if I didn't remember it was you that wrote the article.

[Rich_Carlstedt]

To: John Penn

PM sent
Rich

[dnevil]

Lee Wright described how he made walkways for a grain car from etched brass:

http://lees-trains.folkenroth.com/cyl-hopper3/

Daris