Hello all,

Bought two sets of these for a Dapol 'Western'.

http://www.precisionlabels.com/l52n.html

Quite surprised by what I got though. Seem to be foil stickers that I have to cut to shape myself, then press onto the model. Not at all what I was expecting. Unlike transfers, the backing outside the nameplate is black, so you have to cut them exactly right otherwise they'll look rough. I've tried a small set of dissection scissors but ruined one nameplate already. Getting the cut exactly outside the edge of the nameplate, let around smoothly curving round the corners, seems impossible.

Am I missing something obvious?

They weren't all that expensive, just under £6 for the two sets including postage, but I'm really disappointed. Perhaps I should have got Shawplan etches?

Cheers, NeMo

NeMo

You could try using a ruler lined up against the edge of the label and use a scalpel or a sharp modelling knife to to run along the ruler to cut the label. Repeat on all four edges and then carefully nibble the corners to get the curves. I've not actually used these labels but have used a similar technique on other metal foil labels to good effect.

Bob Austin

Thanks both; will have to get new scalpel blades from work tomorrow. The ones in my dissection kit are surely too blunt. Have a metal ruler somewhere, too.

One reason I got the labels was the option of "proposed" 'Western' names. So mine might end up D1094 'Western Legend' which I felt sounded pretty cool!

Cheers, NeMo

Quote from: NeMo on October 14, 2014, 06:09:02 PM
Thanks both; will have to get new scalpel blades from work tomorrow. The ones in my dissection kit are surely too blunt. Have a metal ruler somewhere, too.

One reason I got the labels was the option of "proposed" 'Western' names. So mine might end up D1094 'Western Legend' which I felt sounded pretty cool!

Cheers, NeMo

Good luck

Post a photo of your no doubt excellent results.

Bob Austin

Hi NeMo,

Austinbob has it right... Use a steel rule and a VERY sharp scalpel blade. Score gently three or four times rather than cutting right through in one go because too much pressure can cause the 'foil' edge to wrinkle.

Put the ruler on the outside, not on the nameplate (and also be a little careful pressing or rubbing the nameplate surface) because the surface can rub off.

It might be worth a light spray of varnish before cutting.

I bought a bunch of these to rename a handful of Westerns.  It was a very cost effective way to do it for some of my old Farish ones, including D1088 Western Zephyr.  I was pleased with the results after messing up a couple to begin with.  Thankfully spares were included with the order free of charge.

Recently, though, to rename three shiny, new Dapol Westerns, I figured I could splash out and try Shawplan etches.  They are a work of art.  I haven't used the N gauge ones yet, but the O gauge set is perfect.

Mark

I believe Shawplan do at least some of the nameplates for Dapol - if so then this should be a good indicator of the quality you get - superb!

Cheers,
Alan

It is always worth asking Brian at Shawplan if you are after a nameplate not listed on his website as he quite often has "spares".

I would thoroughly recommend Shawplan nameplates (most if not all of the etched plates which Dapol and Farish use are from Shawplan).

Cheers, Mike

By way of a follow-up. Wrote to John Peck at Precision Labels for some help. His reply was amazing. Not only explained how to use the labels, he's also sent alongside some waterslide transfers for me to use if I fail with the labels. 

So, want to make sure that anyone else who reads this thread and thinks they're going to struggle with Precision Labels, they're good people to do business with, and helpful if you get stuck!

Nice to know these sorts of people are out there. 

Cheers, NeMo

NeMo

Its great when you find a supplier or retailer that is helpful - and an awful lot are really good.

Maybe the N Gauge Forum should start a 'good supplier/retailer index' to record peoples positive experiences and assist other members in getting good service

Bob Austin

Quote from: NeMo on October 15, 2014, 06:14:14 PM
By way of a follow-up. Wrote to John Peck at Precision Labels for some help. His reply was amazing. Not only explained how to use the labels, he's also sent alongside some waterslide transfers for me to use if I fail with the labels. 

So, want to make sure that anyone else who reads this thread and thinks they're going to struggle with Precision Labels, they're good people to do business with, and helpful if you get stuck!

Nice to know these sorts of people are out there. 

Cheers, NeMo

Hi NeMo,
I also got waterslide ones from Precision.  Sorry, i didn't think to mention it in my earlier post. John had written to me to let me know that the waterslides are not completely flat as you would expect decals to be... The silver is raised and actually looks really good.  These are also a lot cheaper than etches, and if i recall correctly, i used more of these than the label type in the end. The actual film is relatively delicate compared to say decals in an Airfix kit, but i think i only lost one of several that i used.  I would recommend a light spray of varnish on these, once dry, as handling can wear the silver surface.
John was very helpful for me too, and he can do custom stuff as well.
Mark

Can we have a picture of 'Western Leg end' when you're done please! 

Never tried it myself but in the aero modelling community they suggest a light spray of acrylic varnish over fragile water slide transfers whilst still on the backing sheet.  This can strengthen the decal.

Ozymandias on this forum can do some nice name plates ,He made a pair for me named after my grandson Alfie,if you want actual etched nameplates made I would also recomend a firm called Narrow Planet not an instant delivery but very good again had a pair named Squirrel as a memorial to a family friend who passed away two years ago will put a picture in my with my album Alfie.