monogram on belly tank

i've had an idea for a while which is to put my initials on the belly tank side plates.

I intend to put the design on special transfer paper and once it is on the belly tank I will spray a clear varnish over the top to protect it.

Here is the design.



what do you think?

For those of you wondering why I havn't updated with any pictures on here or on my website lately it's because i've been very unwell and was put on half pay at work due to the extended absence.
i'm better now..

As a result i am now three kits behind still awaiting kits 8/10 and the boiler.
Not happy about it but there is nothing I can do..

I have spent the time revamping the website and hope to have the new version online later today.

it's been great seeing other builders start their own threads in the photos section documenting their own builds.
i'm very jealous of those getting a boiler.

i'm sure in a few years time we will be having our own steam ups and road runs along with meeting up at rallies.

I was talking to an STW sceptic the other day and told him to take a look at the forum.
He rang me back and said " there aint much competition out there for you guys "
I feel quite privileged to be part of this as i know the sceptics out there for prefab kit builds are going to be silenced the first time they see one of these role into the ring.

keep the pictures coming.

Nick

Hi Nick

I wondered why your website seem to be static, sorry to hear about your problems, hopefully you can put this behind you now and get back into the swing of things.

Regarding your monogram, I am sure this is something that could be put into a vinyl cutter and mae a template. This would enable you to lay it over the belly tank cover and spray paint it or brush paint it if the vinyl was adhesive backed.

Julia on this forum has one as she posted an item on Traction Talk about making the numberplate for her STW 4" Burrell agricultural. Maybe she can advise what is possible.

I think that if you did a transfer you would need to cut out the clear area betweene the letters otherwise it can be a problem getting the air bubbles out and I beleive the appearance is not so good when you leave the clear area of the transfer in place.

Finally, I am definately up for a DCC Road Run, we could cause quite a jam with the amount of engines there will be.

Brian

Blasted swine flu..
Back in the shed now trying to catch up on the fish tails on the rears and finish the belly tank lining.

I thought about using vinyl but i was worried about bleeding and it not looking sharp enough.

i've been experimenting with the transfer/decal paper and a laser printer with really good results.

As long as the final transfer is sealed properly with varnish the results are staggering.

Here is a good example of a transfer.
[img][/img]

I intend to colour the internal black parts of the monogram so they won't be clear plastic and carefully cut around the rest so hopefully I wont have a problem with the edges showing or air bubbles.

website is up and running again...

Very interesting Nick I had been working on exactly the same idea but also with star plates as well so I can change as the mood takes me. I have been paying close attention to the engines at various rallies to see what they do. My initals are either KPC or just KC and I was thinking about how to intertwine them to look like the showmans I've seen. Do you design yours freehand or get someone who has done it before to help you?

Glad to hear you back up to full speed looking forward to seeing your efforts. I also have had a number of sceptics pour scorn on the idea of the kits, one guy in particular I saw at three dos last year and he really p*ssed me off so I cant wait to roll up to him with the finished engine. I was talking to Steve when I got the boiler about the cylinder and its a very impressive piece of kit and from what I understand a much superior design to others out there by not using liners. Roll on 2012....

Kev.

I cheat and use a specialist font.

how about these.

OR

Thats the one!! (no2) Can you email that to me?? Is it pdf jpg or what??

I will look at having that signwritten. I may even have a go myself!!

Kev,

I've PM.d you

nick

Finally found a way of re producing monograms onto the belly tank plates.
With the help of Kevyn aka HighPressure I think the results speak for themselves.

Nick

Looks very good, I think you have varnished it to seal it too.

I noticed Kevin (Highpresure) has already had his monogram that you designed for him applied to his covers too. Looks superb on his engine in his recent pictures all assembled to the boiler. I cannot wait to be at that stage, hopefully later this year.

My wife has got a sewing machine that could do that on your overalls to match - or your handkerchief

Brian

I haven't sealed them yet as i'm not sure what varnish to use.
I don't want it to react with the vinyl used on the monogram.

It will need to be sprayed on too..

anyone got any recommendations?

Nick

Nick

Craftmaster do a non-polyurethane varnish, it's maybe worth calling them as they do have technical help available on the phone. Just be sure you know exactly what the vinyl used for your monogram is. It only talks about brush painting it though,however you only need the thinest of coats to seal it.

Otherwise, model shops have special laquers for sealing transfers on models but it may or may not be compatible with the paint you have used.

Good luck

Brian

Looks really good Nick, I'll let you know what the vinyl is when I speak to my signwriter, I was thinking about sealing it too to protect the edges. Be good to get some more kits.... as we now draw to the close of March. We're now in danger of not completing until well into next year perhaps missing the summer if we fall much further behind I do realise however the importance of the move and how it will affect production but it seems very difficult to make up lost ground.

Patience is a great virtue

LOL Pot kettle and black spring to mind

Another good saying is 'If the cap fits'