Rooftops are one of the most neglected areas on a structure but usually the most visible.  So why do so many modelers neglect to detail them?  I know in my case it is one of the last areas to be finished off on a structure.  When I get to that point, I am usually thinking about the next structure and want to be done, so corners get cut.  This is a simple and quick method to add a little bit of interest to your rooftops, so sit back while I teach you how to make Cyclone Vents in N Scale.

I was wondering the isles of a Michaels Craft store looking for something for another project.  While I was searching I ran into a bead the looked just like a cyclone roof vent.  It was only $2 or $3 for the package so I picked it up to see if I could make them work.  I had the beads sit on my work bench for a few months, I hesitated to add them to any of my buildings because I wasn’t sure when this style of roof vent came about.  In the last few weeks I was shown a photo of a roof of a building that was littered with them and the date of the photo was 1945.  I am modeling 1955 so I knew I was safe and could proceed.

Making Vents

The package of beads that I purchased had three different sizes of beads.  The largest being .193″ in diameter and the smallest measuring in at .129″.  In the photos of vents that I have looked at, I would guesstimate them to be about 18″ in diameter.  The smallest bead measures at about 20.5″ in N scale, close enough for me.

Step 1

Cut a piece of 1/16″ styrene rod to a length of about a 1/2″.  This gives you about  1/4″ extra to hold everything while being painted.

Step 2

Add  a drop of CA glue (super glue) to the end of the rod and glue the bead onto the end.  Allow to dry for a few minutes.

Step 3

Cut a little piece of .030″ styrene rod to fill in the hole on the opposite side of the bead.  Once dry, file it smooth if necessary.

Step 4

Paint it a stainless steal or similar metal color, once dry weather if wanted.

Step 5

Fix into place on your buildings roof with a little drop of CA.

This is a very easy project and you could easily mass-produce these quickly if needed.  One option that you might consider is to cut the rod (duct work) to varying lengths to add interest.  I have seen them range to being very close to the rooftop to having 4 to 6 feet of duct work.