Source for cast window pieces?

[Skammer]

I'm about to rebuild my CPR Standard No. 2c station in styrene (HO scale). I have the actual plans for this station type and it has many windows, in the following sizes: 20x24; 30x24; 20x48; 30x48.

I'd very strongly prefer to use premade windows, like the ones from Grandt Line or Tichy. But they don't seem to have any of these sizes.

Can anyone help me find a source for windows of this size? Failing that ( ), any suggestions for scratchbuilding these without going blind or slitting my wrists in frustration?

 

[nachoman]

well, you could compromise, and use the closest size you can find. Another source of windows would be to find a kit that has the same size, and take the windows from the kit, and use the rest for the scrap box. But you are right, building individual windows would be a pain. making some kind of jig and assembly line process would simplify things, but it would still be a pain.

kevin

 

[CalFlash]

I often have cut out the mullions in Grandt or Tichy windows and re-arranged them if the overall size is correct.

 

[doctorwayne]

You can also cut the Grandt Line windows apart, remove the excess, then glue them back together. In my post in the Photography forum, called "Hope you get a 'lift' out of this..." (it's on page two), the windows in the crossing watchman's elevated shanty are mostly resized Grandt Line offerings. If you need to shorten the height of a window, it's easier to hide the joint if you cut the window apart just above the sill. When you glue things back together, place the pieces, backside down on a sheet of glass: this will keep all the pieces in the same plane. Push the pieces together, then apply liquid cement (I use lacquer thinner) with a small brush. When the bond has set you can lift (or scrape if you were too liberal with the glue) the window from the glass. A single-edged razor blade is the best tool for doing the cutting.

Wayne

 

[shaygetz]

Can you post a pic? I have a large scrap box just bloated with windows, maybe I got something in there you can use.

 

[Skammer]

You can also cut the Grandt Line windows apart, remove the excess, then glue them back together.

That's not a bad idea, Wayne. I'll have to take another look at the Grandt inventory and see if there is anything that might work.

 

[DanRaitz]

Campbell Scale Models also makes windows. Take a look at what they offer.
The window and door part numbers are in the "900" series.

 

[Skammer]

Thanks for all the ideas. This is what I did. I took some Tichy attic windows (#8023) and cut away the frames. These are 28" x 26" which is close enough to the 30" x 24" I needed, and the same configuration (three panes wide by two high). To make my 20" x 24" windows, I sliced out one column of panes and joined the frame back together to make it 2 x 2 panes.

To make my 30" x 48" and 20" x 48", I did as above and joined two windows one on top of the other. I had to move around a mullion in the bottom frame of the larger window but it wasn't too bad.

Instead of having to do this surgery on 20+ windows, I'm trying something new (for me) - I'm making a mold of my 4 window masters and I am going to cast as many resin ones as I need. If they work out, I'll post some pics.