Hi,

I am trying some stuff out for my first winter dio (still in the planning phase) and in one of my modeling books (The Modelmakers Handbook) I found a simple way to make icicles.

This is probably well known but I still want to share it with you all, since so many are working on a winter scene for the competition.

I tried it and I love the effect, the only difference I did was to put some very fine dots of silver (very small (used a needle tip) and just 2 or 3) on the icicle, before I added a final varnish coat on it, it just gives that extra sparkle.



I hope that you can use it.

(:-)

I haven't tried the above method but I think it may be quite time consuming. I used a different method which I think is probaly quicker. When you buy a vehicle with windows or a window screen, keep the clear sprue they come on. Heat it over a small flame using the same method for making ariels. Let it harden and cut out the portions you want. Your icicles are clear and can easily be frosted if you want and it is easy to get the length you require.
I don't want to detract from the method above but thought I would share this different method.
Cheers
Robbo

Hi Robbo,

I also tried that methode, and you are right, it is a bit time consuming, but (in my opinion) they look more realistic then using clear sprue.

But then again, there is no good ore right way to do something, if you like it and it works that it is good enough, right ?!

good show to you boh i'll have to remeber them for later, watch in a month or two i'll be asking how to make them (:-) stug

I seem to recall another method for icicles, it works best for groups. Cut a piece of clear plastic scrap (bubble packageing) to the rough shape, then coat with layers of tube poly cement to build up the final shape.

Ronny,

great post. I was just figuring out how to do this on my contest dio.....sure gonna try this method !!!!

More useful tips 'n tricks in the book where this came from ?

Danny

Danny,

There are a lot more tips and tricks in this book.

It is a old book (1981) and several ideas are out of date, but they can provide some ideas even with the materials we use now.

Here is the content page of that book, and if you want to know something, just let me know and I scan it for you (goes for everybody of course).



#:-) #:-)

I hadn't even thought of putting icicles on my dio, I'm still not sure if I'm gonna really blanket it in snow, if I do I'll use the icicles, or if I'll just do a light coat.

Thanks for the idea!

I haven't done icicles in years, but i've used crazy glue gel on some sprue and let it drip down, and then trim it with an exacto knife...

I tried this method, but at stage 2, when I apply the polystyrene cement, I couldn't get it to run down..... the polystyrene cement wanted to run upwards instead of downwards.... What am I doing wron here ??

Danny look at you PM