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How to make track flags

PostPosted: Sat Dec 22, 2012 10:50 pm
by dreinecke
I'm a scenery geek. I admit it. One thing I've been working on are flags...not the triangles of paper that used to pepper my Aurora layouts that were glued onto toothpicks (although, I loved those!), ones that look like they are rippling in the breeze.

I saw someone on Slot Forum make these and decided to give it a whirl. You'll need some fairly thin styrene plastic, styrene or wood tubing for the flag pole, and a heat source. I personally use a cinnamon scented candle, since that seems fairly manly compared to the lilac ones I know Tubby keeps in his slot car lair :P

1) Start by gluing a piece of thin styrene plastic to a tube.
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2) Using a candle (scent of your choice!), carefully heat the plastic until it starts to move.
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3) As you can see, it will curl if you hold it long enough.
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4) When you get the shape you like, simply remove from the heat.
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5) I made these in less than 5 minutes for my pit structures.. Still need paint though.
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And there you have it! I'm currently making my track logo into decals and will put one on each flag, but I'm happy with the way they turned out!
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And here are the larger ones on my footbridge:
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Hope that gives you some ideas, and if you have any questions, feel free to ask!

Re: How to make track flags

PostPosted: Sat Dec 22, 2012 11:05 pm
by HomeRacingWorld
That is great work. Such a simple thing, but as usual the little things add up to a lot.

Thanks sir.

Re: How to make track flags

PostPosted: Sat Dec 22, 2012 11:40 pm
by Ember
Great job Mr R. Looking forward to seeing them all prettied up.

Re: How to make track flags

PostPosted: Sun Dec 23, 2012 9:30 am
by dreinecke
Bibbster - I never had the budget for the anything other than these as a kid:

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I had about a million of them at the time though as they really dressed the track up!

Re: How to make track flags

PostPosted: Mon Dec 24, 2012 1:57 pm
by JESIV
Very simple Very efficient. Now to find the materials and a burn kit, cuz I'm sure I'll set myself of something on fire :lol: .

Re: How to make track flags

PostPosted: Thu Dec 27, 2012 3:55 pm
by dreinecke
I'm not responsible for any injuries!

Let us know how they turn out and snap a pic!