Does anyone have any suggestions on scratchbulding reflective headlight buckets? I need to create ones that are about 1/4" in dia. or a little bigger, and 1/8". the lenses I can figure out…
Thanks![:D]
I’ve made some for an Esci 1/9 scale Harley WLA…
I sanded a domed profile on the end of a small-ish wooden dowel, then coated the sanded end with superglue - then sanded and polished that, to get a smooth, hard surface - I didn’t want end grain marks in the plastic I was about to mold.
Then I heated styrene sheet over a stove element and stretch formed the plastic over the dowel (which I had attached to the benchtop with a small vice).
All that was left was to cut down the dome to the correct size. I drilled a small hole in the apex of the dome and glued a small, polished piece of clear styrene rod in the hole to replicate the glass bulb.
I used Model Master buffing aluminium for the reflector lens surface - it probably isn’t as “bright chrome-like” as I’d like, but it’s better than what was provided in the kit.
I scratched some from ‘string end ornaments’ from a jewelry crafts store. They are for laceing onto the end of string then tying a knot at the end of the string so the ornament won’t slide back off. Plenty of sizes and shapes to choose from. Many are polished steel already.
For the reflector inside the bucket, I find the correct size sequin disc ornament, and push it inside.
Then fill in with 24 hour A/B epoxy clear glue, for the lens. Pour in until it forms a slight convex bubble top. Use the longer setting stuff so the bubbles will escape before it sets.
They look real to me, although one of the ‘lights’ I did forteen years ago is now turning amber.
I hope that was not confusing. sorry I don’t have pictures for you.
What kind of vehicle is it? Are the light sqaure, or round, or other? Have you seen those doll eyes (the ones with the jigle eye balls)? I have popped open the those and removed the black iris. The clear and white backing are vacuformed plastic and can be used for headlights. They’re available in different sizes. For the most part, I kitbash other sources. Hope this helps.
You might have to salvage them out of a rally car kit or motorcycle kit[:-,]
I like leemitcheltree’s technique. I’ve heard it referred to as “heat & smash”, where you heat the plastic and smash it over your form, so it takes the desired shape. You can quickly make as many as you want. It’s a good technique to learn, like stretching sprue. I use stretched sprue all the time. If you can master a few basic techniques there’s nothing you can’t make. Try it.
Oh yeah, I have a link with pictures:
http://www.squadron.com/old/thermaform/thermaform.htm
It works with any kind of plastic. I like to use styrene take-out food containers…