Diecast Vehicle Parts

I would think that you should start looking for another box van for parts. Do you realize how little demand there would be for such parts? Even from Corgi. They have to have a large assortment of cars and trucks to sell them in the first place. Then, when they discontinue a model for a new one, where would they store the thousands of teeny tiny parts?

If you think generic parts may work, try Don Mills Models. I know he makes some in 1/48 scale which should be close enough.

Vandalia guy,

Wow. Not really helpful and I feel like I just got chastised like an idiot for asking. If that is all you could come up with please don't waste any more of my time responding to anything I post ever again. I would actually appreciate it if you would add me to your block list.

Thanks Richie. That is the info I was looking for.

If you look on the UK Ebay website there are sometimes parts ,I managed to get the Diamond T wing mirrors.James

Thanks James. I will try that. US eBay didn't have anything. 

if you have access to parts from another box truck why not buy some resin and cast your own, or try one of the many 3D printing services out there.  they may have what you are looking for...unlikely you are the one person needing them, maybe someone else has done the work for you!

@Mike D posted:

Hi,

I just bought another Corgi Budweiser box van and it is missing the horn and mirrors. Is there an O gauge detail parts manufacturer that makes truck and car details for vehicles in 1/50 scale?  I tried to contact Hornby, owner of Corgi, and haven't heard back. Covid shutdown perhaps. I need another parts source should things not pan out with Corgi.

Thanks,

I know scratch building is an activity for dinosaurs like me, but some things can simply be "made". Styrene, sharp knives and small files for something non-functional like vehicle horn and mirrors. Spray it aluminum and polish it a bit with a cloth. That factory model vehicle "chrome" looks fairly clunky anyway.

Evergreen styrene - it comes in sheets, rods, tubes...readily available. Glues with plastic cement, like Testors.

Just a suggestion.  

@D500 posted:

I know scratch building is an activity for dinosaurs like me, but some things can simply be "made". Styrene, sharp knives and small files for something non-functional like vehicle horn and mirrors. Spray it aluminum and polish it a bit with a cloth. That factory model vehicle "chrome" looks fairly clunky anyway.

Evergreen styrene - it comes in sheets, rods, tubes...readily available. Glues with plastic cement, like Testors.

Just a suggestion.  

I do some scratch building from time to time. I thought about doing this as a last resort. A little brass rod, some styrene and a repurposed locomotive horn will give me a decent outcome. I am hoping for some ready made items to make this process quicker and less painless. I already have some scratching building projects in various states of completion, so I don't really want to start another project that won't get finished right away.

P.S. I have been a fan of your Williams Scale Hudson that you detailed. I am not quite at your level yet.

Look in the Scenery forum and see what Lee Drenen has done with some his models using Don Mills parts. Some really spectacular work.

@Vandalia Guy posted:

I would think that you should start looking for another box van for parts. Do you realize how little demand there would be for such parts? Even from Corgi. They have to have a large assortment of cars and trucks to sell them in the first place. Then, when they discontinue a model for a new one, where would they store the thousands of teeny tiny parts?

I only see the guy's honest suggestion, his best guess and then a dose of reality.Though rather blunt sounding, imo it can be read without emotion, and no real malace; or with it, maybe some patronizing tone at best, but still just facts some folk may not consider.  It's really up to reader's state of mind how it reads. It did start with the best avenue likely to get you parts cheap and fast.

Take a plastic model sprue and stretch using heat to get the taper, then cut: you have a bugle.  Drill another chunk of sprue to accept the bugle; round the other end. You have a diaphragm case and bugle now.

You can make car antennas and windshield wipers/arms with some super glue. 

Or sand a dowel into a taper. (+ Exhaust..or tube for exhausts, wire for pipe, thread strands for motor/dash/light wires.  Glue on the thread, dry/semi-dry to shape, cut, apply for tough ones)

5 min JBWeld can be wet finger molded/sculpted with tools, etcafter about 2 min., until you see stress cracks starting.(similar to Clay drying out)

I replaced a nose on this swan below with model putty. (I think I prefer the JBW, at least at first. Putty takes months to harden well imo. It doesn't sculpt as smooth either.

Mirrors, wire, super glue, and a snip of aluminum foil box teeth; to shape

The smokestack on this kids Vulcan is about 1/8" tall, JBW rolled in two fingers and snipped with scissors, patted flat on top with my finger. A horn wouldn't be much harder imo; I think it looked like a horn for a while while being rolled.

Dollar store toys may yield some good parts additions as well.

A few thoughts...

Don't give up on Corgi.....yet.  We (LHS) have sold a lot of their products, and they've been helpful/responsive when we have a question/need.  Not always able to provide a part, but at least reachable and responsive to the inquiry.  You're probably right in this current situation......covid-19 has disrupted a lot of communications.

Secondly, if the main vehicle is one of which they made in many  paint/lettering schemes...and the production dates from not that long ago..., the details you seek may not be that scarce.  Sometimes items like those side-mount rear view mirrors, being fragile to package/ship installed on the vehicle, were provided as separate plated parts in a small baggie to be installed by the purchaser.  If that was the case for your vehicle, there's a better chance that Corgi retained a repair supply for customers.

Lastly, search for another forum which focuses on vehicle collectors....and post your inquiry/need.   Realize that Corgi's and other die cast vehicle manufacturers' largest market is not us....accessories for our train hobby.  They have their 'York-type' events too.....worldwide!  Die cast vehicle collecting is a whole hobby unto itself.  And those people are probably as determined and passionate about finding the unfindable as are we!  I'd pass along such a forum link, but I haven't had the occasion to dig one up...and save it.  Also, you might inquire of some of the sources in the "Scenery Source List" in the Layout Building category of this forum.  Perhaps they might be of help.

Don't give up!  You can't be the only collector/hobbyist that's run into this situation.  Things are more challenging for older models.....pre-war, especially...but I'm guessing that there's a solution for you.  You just have to find the right keystrokes to get there!

FWIW, always....

KD

@Adriatic posted:

I only see the guy's honest suggestion, his best guess and then a dose of reality.Though rather blunt sounding, imo it can be read without emotion, and no real malace; or with it, maybe some patronizing tone at best, but still just facts some folk may not consider.  It's really up to reader's state of mind how it reads. It did start with the best avenue likely to get you parts cheap and fast.

I understand what you are saying. I try not let emotions get involved. I don't see any malice. Everything after the first sentence, which was helpful, was a waste of time and completely unnecessary. I did consider that Corgi may not have the parts. That is the whole point of this topic. To find alternate sources. I don't need a lesson in marketing/manufacturing or whatever it would be called. I just need other options.

Corgi does actually carry parts. I just got a response from them last night and they don't have them for this particular model. Anyhow, thanks for your input on this subject. Good job on your projects.

It looks like Don Mills has parts that will work with a little tweaking. So thanks to those that mentioned him.

@Vandalia Guy posted:

I would think that you should start looking for another box van for parts. Do you realize how little demand there would be for such parts? Even from Corgi. They have to have a large assortment of cars and trucks to sell them in the first place. Then, when they discontinue a model for a new one, where would they store the thousands of teeny tiny parts?

I agree 100%.