Expertise

Here at Forge Model Works our expertise in model making is founded on a combined 55 years of modelling, both of railways and military models too.   This work has covered an amazing range of scales and gauges, from 1:200 models through to model railways in N, OO, S4 and various gauges in 7mm and 16mm scale.  Modelling has, at heart, always been a craft as well as a hobby and hand painting, cutting, forming, sculpting is still very much part of our skillset.

A model railway locomotive crossing a model trestle bridge with model railway scenery in the background

We do however also have the experience of technology to bring accuracy, repeatability and innovation into our modelling portfolio.  Our core technology is computer aided design (CAD) which we use to design and visualise models as well as drive manufacturing processes.  It’s great to be able to visualise models in great detail in 3 dimensions before committing to production and it is a great way to review models with clients before manufacture, whether one-off or batch production models.

A close op of a computer aided design image from Forge Model Works showing the door of a building with a high level of design detail

We don’t have every manufacturing process in-house but we work with some great companies who we rely on to produce components when we can’t.   Our key skill is design, and design for production in whatever material is best to achieve the required end result, whether woods, metals or plastics.  Here is an overview of the processes that we work with:
•    CNC machining and turning
•    Laser and water jet cutting (of all sorts of materials)
•    Photo-etching
•    3D Printing
•    Injection Moulding
•    Casting
•    Welding, soldering, adhesive bonding

One focus of our business is the production of our own range of model railway products while a compatible but separate focus is the production of one-off or batch production models for clients.   This area is where our ability to take a client’s idea, then design, visualise and manufacture a model is of greatest benefit.  We apply our expertise to enable clients to model something that would have otherwise been too difficult or too time consuming to make themselves.  It also doesn’t have to be complicated, we can make a simple 3D printed lamp bracket just as well as a more complicated building or item of rolling stock!