The Forum for Gauge 3 Model Trains

In the Workshop : Questions, Answers and Help => Best Tool for the Job? => Topic started by: Jon Nazareth on Nov 21 2013 17:54

Title: Master Lining Pen
Post by: Jon Nazareth on Nov 21 2013 17:54
Has anyone tried or can report back findings on the 'Master Lining Pen' from 'R L Moore Engineering?'

Regards
Jon
Title: Re: Master Lining Pen
Post by: John Candy on Nov 21 2013 21:51
Jon,

I bought one with 3 sizes of stylus in 2005 but have only used it once.
That was on an "0" gauge model which I donated to the Mid-Suffolk Light Railway Museum.

You can judge the result here http://mslr.org.uk/MSLRrailwaymodels2.html

I lined over gloss paint which, on reflection, may have been a mistake.....I think it might have worked better if I had sprayed first with satin varnish.

I found the head clogged frequently and tended to "blotch" and had to do a lot of "touching-up" afterwards with a fine brush.

The result was just about acceptable but I was hoping for better.

Probably it is a case of "practice makes perfect".

Regards,
John.


Title: Re: Master Lining Pen
Post by: Andy B on Nov 22 2013 06:24
Jon,
I have the 'budget' version from Peter Spoerer - http://www.peterspoerermodelengineers.com/90275/info.php?p=14 (http://www.peterspoerermodelengineers.com/90275/info.php?p=14).

I worked on the basis that the minimum line thickness required in G3 is so much bigger than that needed for the smaller scales, that his smallest stylus at 0.25mm would be fine.

I haven't actually used it for lining, but I have done a fair bit of lettering with it.
As John suggests, like all specialist tools they need a bit of practise. I found that good work planning helps - so you can keep using the pen and not leave it sitting there to dry out whilst doing the next bit of marking out, making a template, etc.
And be prepared to just ditch the paint that is in the pen and put the stylus in a pot of thinners.
Lighter fuel also makes a big difference to the paint flow.

I have only used it on a matt base so far - which from everything I've read is harder as the mistakes cannot be cleaned / adjusted so easily. Lining over gloss should be fine, without an intermediate varnish coat.

Finally, I would thoroughly recommend a copy of Ian Rathbone's book "A Modeller's Handbook of Painting and Lining" .

Andy
Title: Re: Master Lining Pen
Post by: Jon Nazareth on Nov 22 2013 17:16
John/Andy

Thank you for that.  I've looked on Peter's website and the cost of his basic kit is well below that of the first company that I looked at; £18 compared to £61.  I have a copy of Ian Rathbone's book but the bow pen has always put me off hence the reason I've started looking at lining pens.

Jon