Some easy and helpful things you did not know. Fri, 10 Apr 2026 22:12:05 +0000 Fri, 10 Apr 2026 22:12:05 +0000 Platform1mrc.com http://platform1mrc.com/p1mrc/index.php?forums/hints-tips/ Mon, 12 Jan 2026 11:42:05 +0000 http://platform1mrc.com/p1mrc/index.php?threads/replacement-10-5mm-diameter-wheels-for-use-with-tri-ang-hornby-bogies.7121/ http://platform1mrc.com/p1mrc/index.php?threads/replacement-10-5mm-diameter-wheels-for-use-with-tri-ang-hornby-bogies.7121/ invalid@example.com (Jim Freight) Jim Freight
This affects e.g. Murgatroyd Chlorine tanks, Freightliner, Tierwag, Cartic 2, Lowmac and just about any Tri-ang bogie wagon of that era with point ended axles.

For some while romford 10.5mm wheels were the ones of choice as a drop in replacement but sadly they are very rarely available these days, I have tried other suppliers but they have...

Replacement 10.5mm diameter wheels for use with Tri-ang Hornby bogies]]> Thu, 18 Dec 2025 21:43:05 +0000 http://platform1mrc.com/p1mrc/index.php?threads/painting-an-embossed-brick-wall-a-technique.7102/ http://platform1mrc.com/p1mrc/index.php?threads/painting-an-embossed-brick-wall-a-technique.7102/ invalid@example.com (Jim Freight) Jim Freight


Jim ]]> 3 Fri, 07 Mar 2025 20:47:18 +0000 http://platform1mrc.com/p1mrc/index.php?threads/yard-lamps.6615/ http://platform1mrc.com/p1mrc/index.php?threads/yard-lamps.6615/ invalid@example.com (ianvolvo46) ianvolvo46
View attachment 43934]]> 4 Wed, 12 Feb 2025 00:37:13 +0000 http://platform1mrc.com/p1mrc/index.php?threads/making-replacement-buffers.6851/ http://platform1mrc.com/p1mrc/index.php?threads/making-replacement-buffers.6851/ invalid@example.com (gormo) gormo I don`t know if anyone else has tried this, but I`ve developed the following method over the last couple of years.
I recently acquired a Lima Class 27, originally as a source of spare parts , however I seem to be repairing it instead.
One of the things that needs fixing is a missing buffer head.

View attachment 47864

My method for creating a new replacement part is a follows.
Firstly measure the diameter of the original part with a pair of digital callipers, in this case...

Making Replacement Buffers]]> 8 Thu, 14 Mar 2024 10:05:21 +0000 http://platform1mrc.com/p1mrc/index.php?threads/slaters-sg38canl-gearbox-something-to-be-aware-of-when-buying.6606/ http://platform1mrc.com/p1mrc/index.php?threads/slaters-sg38canl-gearbox-something-to-be-aware-of-when-buying.6606/ invalid@example.com (Rob Pulham) Rob Pulham View attachment 43768

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Although I haven't fitted it yet I foresaw no real problems until I was looking at the final drive gear and the grub screw that retains it. This is something that I pay attention to as I have been bitten before and indeed this one is a replacement for one...

Slaters SG38CANL Gearbox - something to be aware of when buying]]> 4 Mon, 15 Jan 2024 16:59:42 +0000 http://platform1mrc.com/p1mrc/index.php?threads/anybody-making-their-own-electrical-pick-ups-advice-needed-please.6556/ http://platform1mrc.com/p1mrc/index.php?threads/anybody-making-their-own-electrical-pick-ups-advice-needed-please.6556/ invalid@example.com (York Paul) York Paul
Firstly I dislike sprung pick ups as they never seem to work well for me and are often visible inside the frames, secondly the 9F is a very tightly packed component model around the frames with inner frame bulkheads highly viisible, so I have to make my own wiper pick ups which can be descreetly formed and located against...

Anybody making their own electrical pick ups- advice needed please]]> 8 Mon, 15 Jan 2024 14:32:22 +0000 http://platform1mrc.com/p1mrc/index.php?threads/home-made-scrapers-and-soldering-tips.6554/ http://platform1mrc.com/p1mrc/index.php?threads/home-made-scrapers-and-soldering-tips.6554/ invalid@example.com (Rob Pulham) Rob Pulham
The discussion on Western Thunder started with a mention by a pro about getting his annual new Vallorbe files. The talk then went onto what does he do with the old ones (he uses them for whitemetal) and amongst the other suggestions I added that if you had a bench grinder you can make very useful scrapers from old needle files.

One of the members who had...

Home Made Scrapers and Soldering tips]]> 10 Sun, 10 Dec 2023 10:44:13 +0000 http://platform1mrc.com/p1mrc/index.php?threads/highlevel-kits-horn-blocks-for-ho-scale.6524/ http://platform1mrc.com/p1mrc/index.php?threads/highlevel-kits-horn-blocks-for-ho-scale.6524/ invalid@example.com (pjd) pjd
If so, is the standard 1/8in bore and "standard hornblock" suitable for all but the gearbox/motor connected drivers?

I have some kits for the AD60, D55, D59 to be built sometime next year so I am thinking of placing a order and having a friend in the UK bring them back to me.

I've not built a DJH kit chassis yet and have been reading various...

Highlevel Kits Horn blocks for HO scale?]]> 1 Sat, 05 Aug 2023 23:09:03 +0000 http://platform1mrc.com/p1mrc/index.php?threads/handy-hints-for-modelling.6423/ http://platform1mrc.com/p1mrc/index.php?threads/handy-hints-for-modelling.6423/ invalid@example.com (gormo) gormo I just received this video tutorial via the news letter from Justin at Scale Model Scenery.
There are some handy ideas in here and the tutorial is very clearly presented.
Enjoy...



Gormo]]> 2 Fri, 21 Jul 2023 19:43:29 +0000 http://platform1mrc.com/p1mrc/index.php?threads/re-shaping-a-worn-paintbrush.6416/ http://platform1mrc.com/p1mrc/index.php?threads/re-shaping-a-worn-paintbrush.6416/ invalid@example.com (Jim Freight) Jim Freight
Having found that even buying decent brand paint brushes they soon get ruined by acrylic paints I just buy packs of cheap ones now, sooner or later they all end up with splayed bristles and tidying them has until now being difficult.

Using scissors or a scalpel is difficult unless you can manage the bristles, however an idea I have tried...

Re-shaping a worn paintbrush]]> Mon, 27 Feb 2023 11:35:17 +0000 http://platform1mrc.com/p1mrc/index.php?threads/tarpaulins.6286/ http://platform1mrc.com/p1mrc/index.php?threads/tarpaulins.6286/ invalid@example.com (Andy_Sollis) Andy_Sollis
so, any suggestions?
I’m looking for something 1970’s style that would cover half a coach.]]> 3 Wed, 22 Feb 2023 22:43:45 +0000 http://platform1mrc.com/p1mrc/index.php?threads/weathering-with-wax-paper-vaseline.6280/ http://platform1mrc.com/p1mrc/index.php?threads/weathering-with-wax-paper-vaseline.6280/ invalid@example.com (Gary) Gary


Cheers, Gary.]]> 2 Thu, 16 Feb 2023 09:37:17 +0000 http://platform1mrc.com/p1mrc/index.php?threads/chipped-paint-effect-using-ak-interactive-pencils.6281/ http://platform1mrc.com/p1mrc/index.php?threads/chipped-paint-effect-using-ak-interactive-pencils.6281/ invalid@example.com (Gary) Gary
Again, this would be great for the larger scales although I think the HO/OO modellers could use this method, especially on timber fences, hordings, clap board etc....



Cheers, Gary.]]> 1 Sat, 17 Sep 2022 12:38:18 +0000 http://platform1mrc.com/p1mrc/index.php?threads/making-peco-clear-insulated-track-joiner-installation-easy.6139/ http://platform1mrc.com/p1mrc/index.php?threads/making-peco-clear-insulated-track-joiner-installation-easy.6139/ invalid@example.com (Dr Tony) Dr Tony Then i came up with the hack, it may have been done before, but I haven't read about it. Just simply use a thick texta and colour the flat bottom of...

Making Peco clear insulated track joiner installation easy]]> Sun, 03 Jul 2022 04:59:43 +0000 http://platform1mrc.com/p1mrc/index.php?threads/tarps-from-masks-possibly.6064/ http://platform1mrc.com/p1mrc/index.php?threads/tarps-from-masks-possibly.6064/ invalid@example.com (gormo) gormo Had a thought this arvo.
These disposable masks that we have had to wear for Covid are made from interesting material that might be useful for wagon tarps.


View attachment 34888

Once you cut the banding from the top, bottom and sides, you are the presented with three layers of thin material that, once airbrushed, would look like a canvas tarp.


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There are various methods on YouTube for producing tarps, so this material may be worth a try...

Tarps from Masks....possibly ?]]> 6 Fri, 03 Jun 2022 12:30:52 +0000 http://platform1mrc.com/p1mrc/index.php?threads/almost-38-000-000-views-wow.6048/ http://platform1mrc.com/p1mrc/index.php?threads/almost-38-000-000-views-wow.6048/ invalid@example.com (Chris M) Chris M 9 minute video on YouTube showing a interesting way of connecting 2 wires together. It shows 2 poor methods and 1 good one ... so go in about 6.5 minutes if you only want to watch the good method. It obviously works well with stranded wire. Thick single strand wire would probably not go so well.



The most amazing thing is how many views this got !!! By this standard Gormo's video's should get...

Almost 38,000,000 views ... wow !!]]> 3 Thu, 10 Mar 2022 10:29:43 +0000 http://platform1mrc.com/p1mrc/index.php?threads/a-beginner-grinding-lathe-tools.5930/ http://platform1mrc.com/p1mrc/index.php?threads/a-beginner-grinding-lathe-tools.5930/ invalid@example.com (Rob Pulham) Rob Pulham
Encouraged by another Guild member, Ian Middleditch who kindly described in a message how I might make a small form tool for making whistles, I have subsequently ground a few lathe tools of my own so needing to grind some more I thought I...

A Beginner Grinding Lathe Tools]]> Fri, 26 Nov 2021 21:15:57 +0000 http://platform1mrc.com/p1mrc/index.php?threads/tip-for-d-couplers-hornby.5761/ http://platform1mrc.com/p1mrc/index.php?threads/tip-for-d-couplers-hornby.5761/ invalid@example.com (Vinylelpea) Vinylelpea
Tip for D couplers Hornby]]> 5 Tue, 09 Nov 2021 14:18:30 +0000 http://platform1mrc.com/p1mrc/index.php?threads/how-to-video-on-the-use-of-glue-n-glaze-to-glaze-model-windows.5724/ http://platform1mrc.com/p1mrc/index.php?threads/how-to-video-on-the-use-of-glue-n-glaze-to-glaze-model-windows.5724/ invalid@example.com (Rob Pulham) Rob Pulham
Although I did a text walk through I thought it worth recording a short video to show the process a bit more clearly.

]]> 9 Mon, 01 Nov 2021 12:21:20 +0000 http://platform1mrc.com/p1mrc/index.php?threads/how-to-spray-acrylics-successfully-video.5740/ http://platform1mrc.com/p1mrc/index.php?threads/how-to-spray-acrylics-successfully-video.5740/ invalid@example.com (Rob Pulham) Rob Pulham The subject of spraying acrylics has popped up a few times recently, so when I found this I thought it worth sharing.

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