Creating cockpit switches for large scale models (1/32, 1/24)

[JakeEaton]

Hello gents,

Figured I'd share my relatively simple technique for creating effective looking switches.

1.

The key ingredient is paint and the thicker the better. For my project, I've been using the Citadel line (found in Games Workshop and most model shops specialising in table top wargames or miniture figurepainting) but I've also experimented with Humbrol enamels. Remember, the thicker the better as it doesn't take as long to build up the paint layers.

Your paint should look something like this:

As you can see, it holds its shape after stirring!! Thinner paint is fine but it'll just take longer to get 'thick' switches.

2.

Next, I liberally apply the paint to the end of splayed electrical wire (or, as I call it, the tree of switches)

You want to try to create a blob of paint at the tips of the individual strands of wire. This is quite easily done by loading up your paintbrush with paint and then dabbing. Depending on the thickness of your paint, it may take a couple of tries. Just let the paint dry a little and then splodge some more on the tip, allow it to build up gradually.

Handy tip: Stick the other end of the switch tree into a blob of plasticine or blu-tac to stop it from tipping over and ruining all your beautiful little switches.

3.

After reaching the desired thickness and look, use a blade and cut the switch off.

In order to make glueing them easier, use a needle and gently puncture the plastic where you're going to insert the bottom tip of the switch. This creates a little more surface area for the glue to stick to (if done properly, the switches take a surprising amount of pressure to pull off!)

You should end up with something that looks like this:

To help with getting the right scale and size of switch, it sometimes helps to cut and stick the switch on the panel and then complete the final layering of paint whilst it's applied to the panel. This stops the switches from becoming to big or small. The same applied for groups of switches. Once they're all stuck down, go over them once more with another layer of paint, making sure they're all uniform in size and shape.

I hope this helps and provides a rough guide for all those switch-makers out there!

Note: Make sure you make 2 or 3 times more switches than you'll need. They're easy to go missing! A good technique is after cutting the switches away from the 'tree' of wires, paint the next batch on the fresh tips. This allows them to dry whilst you're applying the first batch and should be ready for you when you come back for more!

[Mike]

Good tip... you can also achieve the rounded end of switches & levers in any scale by putting a blob of white glue on the tip of your switch, which is extra useful on PE parts, to give them 3 dimensions. The surface tension of the glue makes it stay in a ball, and when it dries, you just need to paint it.

keep the tips coming Jake

[JakeEaton]

Aaah yes Mike, I forgot.

I actually tried this when experimenting and for some reason didn't find it as easy. However, I was using the Games Workshop brand of PVA and I'm pretty sure that's thinned down with something. I think the PVA method is how ARC's 'Timmy!' does his wonderful 1/24 switches for his Bronco!

[Mike]

Yeah, I've got some "modeller's" PVA and it's really rather thick (bit like yours truly ) and globs up quite nicely...

..and if Timmy! uses a technique, you know it'll work - that man's a modelling god

[Gary West]

Great idea Jake. Probably has more use in the larger scales, but very effective

[seanrgb]

Great Tip

I may try this in the Future