I need some advice on how to construct scale windows that move?

Question

I am building a house to scale as a hobby, which i am enjoying very much, although i want to construct windows, do you have any ideas/suggestions on how i can do this?

Answer 1

May I ask to what scale ?? I'm a model railroader, and have built over two hundred scale structures in N and HO scales for my layout and several friends and club layouts.  In most popular scales, there are after-market window frames in plastic and wood for purchase at any good hobby shop with a railroading section !!

If THOSE windows don't work, they can also be modified with a razor saw, cement, and plastic stock.  I've also built windows for certain projects solely from plastic stock.

Things to have:  steel scale straight-edge, mini carpenter's square, VERY sharp X-acto knife, razor saw, and (for those of us who are older) magnifying spectacles.

I HAVE built several sash-windows that would work in HO scale.  I just duplicated the basic structure, and did ALOT of test-fitting.

GOOD LUCK, and I'd help more if I knew the scale.

Check with Model Railroader Magazine...http://www.trains.com/mrr/  there are also several books from the same publisher on building scale buildings.

Answer 2

You can use match sticks to build the frames and then either clamp some cellophane in between or glue it on.

To make it move you can stick in a pin on the top and bottom on the one side into the frame and then the window can swivel on the pins.

Answer 3

wood windows-balsa or match sticks work great,,newer vinyl windows-styrene. both readily available, easy to work with. as far as hinges,again , old style windows with hinges, or sliding windows?sliding windows are easy, just groove or glue some stock to both sides of a matchstick thinned down,,you now have a sliding window channel. hinges can be made from brass stock and mini pins, theres so many ways to do this yourself with basic supplies i don't see the need for expensive unrealistic looking windows from hobby shops.

good luck.