Specifications
Ace Products –
Specifications for Model Etched kits
Mission Statement – Our
Mission statement – “ Is to endeavour to make 0 Gauge affordable to everyone
who wants to model locomotives, and to scale models accurate in dimension and
including all external detail which could be seen in the proto type”
Chassis – All our chassis kits are mirror
imaged. This is done to ensure that the
axleholes will line up as the chassis is built. The drawings for 0 Gauge chassis are drawn
to full size and then scaled down to 0 gauge and then etched onto 28 thou
Nickel/Silver. Some chassis etches are also designed to
fold-up to suit standard 32mm gauge track but this is not done for every kit as
it limits the consruction of models to Scale 7 standards. The chassis etch generally includes all the
brake gear and springs. Other parts
included on this Nickel/Silver etch include the wheel balance weights, the
connecting and coupling rods. Motion
Brackets, Cylinder frames and the Ashpan.
Bogie frames and spacers together with trailing or pony trucks as
appropriate to the locomotive being modelled are also included. Brass
bushes for the axle bearings to suit Slaters or Walsall wheelsets are all part
of the chassis specification
Superstructure - The locomotive bodies and
footplates for our kits are also drawn initiallyto full size before being
photographed down to 0 Guage and they are then etched onto 20thou Brass
sheets. Overlays for parts with heavy
rivets detail are often provided half-etched to show such details or with half
etched locating holes for the builder to punch out rivet detail if needed. Separate etches are provided for the tenders
of locomotives as appropriate. The
boilers are etched on to 15thou brass so that they can be pre-rolled when
included in a kit
Castings – All of our kits include castings for the
detail parts. Most of these castings
are made for us by S.E.Finecast for them such as chimneys and domes etc., and
they are cast in white metal and then included in the kit to suit each particular locomotive
being modelled. Other fine details such
as Whistles, Ross-Pop safety valves etc., are Brass turned on the lathe. Some
kits have the main details cast in brass using the Lost-Wax process and these
are mainly included in our catalogue as Special orders as this is a more
expensive process.
General – As set out above the artwork for
our products is now prepared on AutoCad and each locomotive is drawn to Full
Size and where-ever possible from the Works Drawings. In order to make the finished model as
accurate to scale as possible we try to ensure that every external detail of
each locomotive is modelled
Instructions – Instructions are printed on A.4.
format and included an 0 Gauge drawing of the locomotive being modelled. A detail diagram showing how the various
components fit together to make the finished model is also included in most
kits g the edge of the part and then apply a clean iron (with excess solder
removed from the tip) to the top of the component until molten solder is seen
coming from the edges.