Photoetch Egg Crate Screen

[MrObsessive]

OK fellas, I'm narrowing down my choices of what's going to be my next all out detailed build for later this year. One of them (and it's in the lead in my mind), is a '57 T-Bird. It's not what you think though...........since the current one that's available is a tad undersized to my eyes (more like 1/26-27 scale), I'd like to base mine on Monogram's 1/24 '56 T-Bird, with of course some mixing and matching of body parts. I don't consider myself to be a scale bigot, but I'd like to have the '57 in scale and size with the '55 I did years ago, and putting the '57 body next to it--------just seems "small" to me.

What I'd like to know, is there a source of PE egg crate screen that I can use? I've checked over eBay, and it looks like Detail Master/MCG sells PE screen, but it's of the honeycomb variety, or the "circle" type for custom grilles. What I'd need is the egg crate style that all '55-'57 T-Birds had for the grille patterns. IIRC, Norm Veber of Replica's and Miniatures had a PE set for the '57 T-Bird. I just dropped him a line, but I don't think his set includes the grille.

Any help out there would be much appreciated!

[astroracer]

Check McMaster Carr for filtering screens. many sizes available and you should be able to get extremely close.

http://www.mcmaster.com/#wire-cloth/=10mh07h

Also check your big box store kitchen utensils for sifters and wire collanders. There is a TON of household stuff that can be repurposed into model car parts.

Look at office supply's for pencil holders and stuff like that.

 Also go to any craft supply store. LOOK at EVRYTHING! There is a TON of stuff out there if you just think about it and how to use it.

Mark

Edited January 10, 2016 by astroracer

[MrObsessive]

Thanks for the sources Mike! I see a size on the link you sent me, and I'll check that out. Funny, I was just in our local arts and crafts store just the other day for something, I hadn't thought about looking around in there for this. 

I'd really like to find something that looks "stamped" and not woven like the collanders and such.

Thanks again! 

[Ace-Garageguy]

 K&S used to do PE square mesh in various sizes, but it seems to be long gone.      

Jasmine Model did some for a while too, and there are many PE mesh kits for armor detailing.

Tetra Models currently does several sizes of generic PE square and hex mesh. 4 sizes. .3, .5, .8 and 1.0mm

       Available here (scroll to bottom)...       http://freetimehobbies.com/brands/Tetra-Models.html

Edited January 10, 2016 by Ace-Garageguy

[MrObsessive]

Thanks Bill! The pic you posted looks to be the size I'd need to replicate the grille in the T-Bird. I wish it were nickel plated though instead of brass, but no matter, I can work around that if I get it.

I do remember K&S carrying the screen, but their sizes were always too big IIRC.

[Crazy Ed]

Not sure if this size'd work but Crazy Modeler has a "Mesh" sheet that when reversed is flat squares - Crazy Modeler EP0085 General Use Mesh 

[Mike Chernecki]

How about keeping an eye out for a Danbury Mint 57 T-Bird? I think it came with an photo etched grille.  I am sure one will eventually show up on eBay as parts for cheap.

[Ron Hamilton]

Bill,

 

Norm's set did include the egg grate for the grille. I may have a set in my stash. Let me know if you need it.

 

Ron

[ChrisBcritter]

Bill, try some Eduard photoetched square mesh -  the 00 033 6x6 looks about right (how big is a .05 Euro piece?).

http://www.eduard.com/store/Eduard/Mesh-6x6-square-STEEL.html

[peteski]

Replicas and Miniatures (Norm) used to sell photoetched nickel-silver egg crate pattern.  Check the catalog.  I bought one for my T-Bird model (which is now buried deep in my stash, and the photoetch is packed in the kit's box.

[TimKustom]

What for the MCG detail set... I know it has what you're looking for. 

[MrObsessive]

Replicas and Miniatures (Norm) used to sell photoetched nickel-silver egg crate pattern.  Check the catalog.  I bought one for my T-Bird model (which is now buried deep in my stash, and the photoetch is packed in the kit's box.

I contacted Norm yesterday, and he tells me that it's no longer available, but he'll check around to see if he's got a set lying around somewhere. I see Norm all the time at the club meetings, so if he has one I'll get it from him. Time really flies! I know that Norm made this set as far back as the late '90's, as I used it for a '55 T-Bird conversion I did back then.

Has it been SEVENTEEN years now since I've built that 'Bird??

Thanks for all the links and tips fellas! I really appreciate it!

[Mike Chernecki]

What for the MCG detail set... I know it has what you're looking for. 

Please explain further, I heard rumors of a new T-Bird set in the works and a few others. Any release date?

[Mike Chernecki]

I contacted Norm yesterday, and he tells me that it's no longer available, but he'll check around to see if he's got a set lying around somewhere. I see Norm all the time at the club meetings, so if he has one I'll get it from him. Time really flies! I know that Norm made this set as far back as the late '90's, as I used it for a '55 T-Bird conversion I did back then.

Has it been SEVENTEEN years now since I've built that 'Bird??

Thanks for all the links and tips fellas! I really appreciate it!

Is the Replicas and Miniatures set based on the gorgeous Larry Boothe '57 TBird from 20+ years ago?

[TimKustom]

Please explain further, I heard rumors of a new T-Bird set in the works and a few others. Any release date?

I do not have release dates. I know that there are many sets in the works, including a '55-57 T-bird. I can say one had a part in a '70's TV show. One was an "Ace" in a dumb pet movie. Another one was a "Mr" on a 80's TV show...

[MrObsessive]

Is the Replicas and Miniatures set based on the gorgeous Larry Boothe '57 TBird from 20+ years ago?

I believe so Mike. Larry's T-Bird was what inspired me to get into superdetailing back in the mid '90's ever since I first saw it. He brought it once to the MAMA meeting back in 1994-95, and I was simply blown away by the work he did! 

What for the MCG detail set... I know it has what you're looking for. 

I'd like more info too Tim on MCG's set if that's what you're referring too.............I'm curious to see what it might include! If you meant about MCG carrying mesh screen, I've already checked Bob's site, and didn't see the right type I'm looking for.

[MrObsessive]

I do not have release dates. I know that there are many sets in the works, including a '55-57 T-bird. I can say one had a part in a '70's TV show. One was an "Ace" in a dumb pet movie. Another one was a "Mr" on a 80's TV show...

Well, hopefully it'll be out before the end of the year!

[TimKustom]

Well, hopefully it'll be out before the end of the year!

Should be safe to say it will sooner than that.  BTW, I'm building a '57 Bird. We could compare notes. This will be going in it, obviously not stock... 

 

Edited January 11, 2016 by TimKustom

[MrObsessive]

Wow! I can't wait to see that Tim! Mine will be more "conventional"........almost. Let's just say that I won't be basing mine on any one particular kit. Yup! I hope to do the whole boat of working stuff------doors, windows, suspension, steering, all that good stuff.

[peteski]

I do not have release dates. I know that there are many sets in the works, including a '55-57 T-bird. I can say one had a part in a '70's TV show. One was an "Ace" in a dumb pet movie. Another one was a "Mr" on a 80's TV show...

Vegas, Ace Ventura and Mr. T?  I pity the fool!

[MrObsessive]

Well just shows to go ya, when you get over the half century mark, things can change! One of the things that change (and not always for the better) is memory. It dawned on me that maybe I should go to the third floor of my house where all my kits are and take a peek inside the box of the AMT '57 T-Bird kit that I have. Sure enough, I have an unopened package of Norm's set for the T-Bird-------PE screeen and all for the grille! I don't even remember when I bought it from Norm, but there it is in 3D.

So in the words of the late, great Emily Litella..........

 

 

 

 

Just the same, thanks fellas for all the info and the great links! I still want MCG's set when it comes out as no doubt there will be other things on the fret that I can use. I don't plan on starting this build till later this year, but I figure now's a good time to start getting all the bits and pieces together. 

[TimKustom]

Kool. Norm's stuff is long sold out. Would like to see a scan of it if you get a moment.

FWIW, if I was "starting over" on mine. I'd start with the AMT '56 and graft the '57 quarters on (after "fixing" the quarters of course).

Putting all the '56 parts into the '57 body has been a lot of work... My interior will be kinda custom so thankfully I don't have to "obsess" about that.

[MrObsessive]

Tim, when I get a chance, I'll take a pic of the set and post it here. I have a similar idea with mine, 'cept I'm going to be using Monogram's '56 instead of AMT's. Yup! I know that they're two different scales but there's a method to my madness. The '55 T-Bird I did years ago was based on Monogram's '56, and since I want to do a "companion" model to it, AMT's '57 will seem "small" sitting next to it. I'm not usually a scale bigot, but in this case I want to make an exception because of what the subject matter is. 

It might just be my perception, but I always thought AMT's '57 wasn't quite 1/25.......more like 1/26-27th scale. Of course I'll have to do some "stretching and widening", but I kinda did the same thing when I built my '57 Corvette years ago and used some 1/25th body parts. 

[MrObsessive]

Ok Tim............here's a pic of the set Norm had.............

Still stapled up ready to use.............

Edited January 13, 2016 by MrObsessive

[TimKustom]

Cool. Thanks. The MCG has all that and much more.