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General Category => Modellers At Work => Topic started by: Greg Hile on August 08, 2017, 12:00:06 AM

Title: Building the C & AV, or, What Have I Gotten Myself Into?
Post by: Greg Hile on August 08, 2017, 12:00:06 AM
So, I have been lurking around on the forums for years, my first layout having been destroyed in a flood around 2009 and reincarnated as my wife's flower garden. As I am now retired with a bit of time on my hands, I am starting in earnest to build the Carquinez & Alhambra Valley Railroad. I live in Martinez, California, a stop on the Transcontinental Railroad, the home of John Muir, the birthplace of Joe DiMaggio, and, strong rumor has it, the martini. As a history buff, I am loosely modeling early twentieth century Martinez (with a few liberties here and there).

My space is limited and phase one is a simple loop about 12'x30' just to get something up. It will eventually triple in length and go up the side of a hill. I model in 1/24 scale and have been designing several structures using SketchUp and other digital tools. I am devouring the work of the great modellers here, especially Ray Dunakin, and am really looking forward to participating a whole lot more.

In this and subsequent posts, I'll provide photos of the John Muir house, the original train station, the Alhambra Natural Mineral Water Co., the 1901 Contra Costa County Courthouse and Jail, and other original goodies, along with the progress of the project(s). If anyone watches 13 Reasons Why on Netflix, season two will feature the modern day versions of the courthouse and jail.

Title: Re: Building the C & AV, or, What Have I Gotten Myself Into?
Post by: Bill Gill on August 08, 2017, 05:38:38 AM
Hi Greg, Welcome to the forums. Sounds like quite an expansive project! I'll be watching along.
Title: Re: Building the C & AV, or, What Have I Gotten Myself Into?
Post by: Barney on August 08, 2017, 01:56:52 PM
Welcome - sounds good just take a deep breath and get in there
Barney
Title: Re: Building the C & AV, or, What Have I Gotten Myself Into?
Post by: Ray Dunakin on August 08, 2017, 09:25:41 PM
Welcome aboard! Nice to see someone else taking a stab at outdoor modeling.
Title: Re: Building the C & AV, or, What Have I Gotten Myself Into?
Post by: Greg Hile on August 10, 2017, 11:51:35 PM
Thanks everyone! What intrigued me about the water company building was the white on blue sign all around the building. To create that I plan on using my daughter's Cricut die-cutter to mask over the lettering. I didn't even know what a Cricut was until last week when I made a bunch of 2 inch vinyl dots for my granddaughter's Minnie Mouse push car. I will be checking out the capabilities and limitations of the cutter and would like to also be able to use the print and cut feature to create signs that could then be transferred to a styrene or PVC sheet.

I have also started creating foundations for some of the buildings out of the pink Foamular board available from Home Depot. One of the issues with foam core I have been looking at is the ability to paint it. When I created Minnie's mouse ears and bow out of 1" and .5" inch Foamular, respectively, I had forgotten about the need to paint it with latex house paint. I used Krylon rattle cans and while there was some reaction, it wasn't all that bad (not to mention the fact that (1) they were mouse ears, and (2) the kid is only 2 years old).

However, I really don't want to use house paint, so I started researching and looking for alternatives. Another paint that apparently will hold up is water-based acrylic. I did a test with some Tamiya black using just a brush and there were no problems. Tomorrow I will set up the airbrush and do a more extensive test. I also need to see if a UV protective top coat will eat through the acrylic and cause damage.

The reason for doing this is that I would like to paint sidewalks directly onto the foam board. We'll see if that is possible or whether I'll need a plan B.
Title: Re: Building the C & AV, or, What Have I Gotten Myself Into?
Post by: Lawton Maner on August 11, 2017, 07:13:46 AM
The Minnie Mouse Ears are right up Russ' alley.
Title: Re: Building the C & AV, or, What Have I Gotten Myself Into?
Post by: finescalerr on August 11, 2017, 10:20:08 AM
Don't make fun of my amazingly good taste, Lawton. When I ride around in a little polka-dot vehicle like that I'm a real chick magnet! Dogs think I'm cute, too. -- ssuR
Title: Re: Building the C & AV, or, What Have I Gotten Myself Into?
Post by: Greg Hile on August 11, 2017, 12:12:23 PM
LOL. See what I mean by wondering what I have gotten myself into? Russ, maybe you could come over and drive the car sometime. But you may have to deal with granddaughter Addison, and Wendy the dog for that matter ...
Title: Re: Building the C & AV, or, What Have I Gotten Myself Into?
Post by: Lawton Maner on August 13, 2017, 08:52:49 AM
Russ:
Yes, you are a chick magnet, just like my brother's 1976 Toyota station wagon.  It to is a chick magnet and a chicken coop.  ;D

Greg:
If you haven't noticed yet, Russ is fair game for all on the forum, as there is much going on in the world today which offers little humor.

But we all support and encourage great modelling.
Title: Re: Building the C & AV, or, What Have I Gotten Myself Into?
Post by: Chuck Doan on August 13, 2017, 06:41:42 PM
This should be a fun project.
Title: Re: Building the C & AV, or, What Have I Gotten Myself Into?
Post by: Greg Hile on August 14, 2017, 09:26:29 PM
Lawton and Russ: Yeah, I think I'm going to fit in very nicely here.

Chuck: Thanks. I'm really looking forward to it.
Title: Re: Building the C & AV, or, What Have I Gotten Myself Into?
Post by: Greg Hile on August 23, 2017, 11:19:31 AM
So, things are progressing here, slowly but surely. Work continues on finalizing SketchUp designs for several of the building projects. I tend to work on multiple designs and switch back and forth when I get tired of one or the other.

As for actually building stuff, my first project is the train station. The combined depot, freight, and station master residence has undergone many changes over the years (it is still standing but no longer in use) and it was difficult to come up with an accurate prototype, but here is the current version:

(https://www.finescalerr.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.gregoryhile.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2017%2F08%2FMartinez-Train-Station.png&hash=0539b4ab69827fdc2b0a0efb6b596da91911b1b8)

Still some details to add, including proper doors and windows, but it's enough to start cutting the foamboard and taping up a mock-up of the depot. One issue that came up was that of color. A  lot of prior research (and debate) has been done by the Southern Pacific HO folks. Fortunately, Tru-Color has released SP depot colors of Colonial Yellow, Trim Brown, and Moss Green. Unfortunately, my LHS was out of Colonial Yellow and was told by their distributor that it was back-ordered and wouldn't be available until September. It was suggested by the SP folks that CNW Yellow was the best substitute, so I bought a jar of it. Then, a couple days later, I got a call that the Colonial Yellow had arrived and ran down and bought some. Turns out the CNW Yellow was pretty close but it was a little lighter and more orangish than the true SP color.

I was always taught the old axiom "measure twice, cut once" but I didn't quite live up to that principle:

(https://www.finescalerr.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.gregoryhile.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2017%2F08%2FIMG_3521-e1503469871539.jpg&hash=336ae0e51b85b9c320703eb86dd1977df4f9eda8)
(https://www.finescalerr.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.gregoryhile.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2017%2F08%2FIMG_3520-e1503470289602.jpg&hash=07d4a78c40c241e539dc2f3c048d026cc0c0a41e)

I also started practicing scribing on a piece of scrap 1/4-inch foamboard. Rather than using Sintra, I am using Komatex foamed PVC sheets, which is available from TAP Plastics a couple miles from my home. It's cheaper than Sintra and I don't have to pay for shipping. I tried a couple of tools I had bought specifically for this purpose, but I ended up using the red-handled punch I found lying around the house one day. No idea where it came from or how it got there. I also tried out using hack saw blades with different sized teeth. to recreate wood grain.

(https://www.finescalerr.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.gregoryhile.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2017%2F08%2FIMG_3523-e1503473456749.jpg&hash=cdfd212370b3f50cdf069af47f57b47fac5cbfd2)

That's it for now. I'd love to get feedback from y'all ...
Title: Re: Building the C & AV, or, What Have I Gotten Myself Into?
Post by: finescalerr on August 24, 2017, 11:46:39 AM
Nice SketchUp drawing. It will be fun to see how all this develops. -- Russ
Title: Re: Building the C & AV, or, What Have I Gotten Myself Into?
Post by: Greg Hile on October 02, 2017, 12:11:29 AM
So here is an update on progress, and a question I could use everyone's help on.

First, the update. Work is continuing on the train station. The exterior walls with doors and windows have been cut out of PVC foamboard and the freight depot scribed and primed with Tamiya grey Surface Primer. The freight deck and ramp has also been cut out.
(https://www.finescalerr.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.gregoryhile.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2017%2F10%2FB4DB5F08-C35A-4F52-9F53-DB49C5443894-e1506923424362.jpg&hash=84ecafd934b864153d39dfe7847ea79bccd62070) (https://www.finescalerr.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.gregoryhile.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2017%2F10%2F72249EA5-EA7C-4CD0-B43C-2A4981365460-e1506923780269.jpg&hash=50a8d29bb4d7507316272ba366051ea23e5c137f)
(https://www.finescalerr.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.gregoryhile.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2017%2F10%2F3B27EB1F-8A6C-4A5F-83BE-66669EB62777-e1506924400662.jpg&hash=86c8013deb2592fd1f8e87c6722055b144fad30d) (https://www.finescalerr.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.gregoryhile.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2017%2F10%2F4CCABDD2-B9D6-4EDC-82E3-BC8689365D75-e1506924504704.jpg&hash=8f89ea8328782a24b2269bf3b603fccf69e9ed78)

I have also been experimenting with the Cricut die cutter on a few things. In the last month or so, there have been a couple articles in Garden Railways and one of the RR forums on creating strips of shingles. Here is my Cricut version. I created the vector pattern in Adobe Illustrator and then imported the resulting .svg file into Cricut's software. The strips were printed on 1/32 basswood and are 1 inch by however long I need them. The one shown below . My main concern at this point is how well and how long the basswood will hold up outside. It will be UV-protected and all that, so we'll see.
(https://www.finescalerr.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.gregoryhile.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2017%2F10%2F2C30C57B-06A8-4F50-B656-92B39A829091-e1506925410967.jpg&hash=09f8a7fdb8a2c6dd8d86b8a53f6ae53496d8a99a) (https://www.finescalerr.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.gregoryhile.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2017%2F10%2F397422B9-BB70-46F3-8DFD-2C3D3EA56695-e1506925246813.jpg&hash=59d86a5308504fa6a1c397c75182247d57196644)

I have also tried, without as much luck, to cut .040 styrene strips. Both the basswood shingles and the styrene strips are not cut all the way through but scored and then have to be separated from the stock (hence the hanging chads in the shingle gaps). I cut several widths of the strips, from .250 down to .125 (or perhaps even smaller -- I can't remember). The machine was able to score the strips but the strips had a tendency to curl when I separated them out.

The first photo shows the way in which the multiple strips are assembled for printing/scoring, and the second photo has, I believe, .156 strips of .040, with a commercial product on top and my strip on the bottom.
(https://www.finescalerr.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.gregoryhile.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2017%2F10%2F1EF399D7-2B6B-4543-B0FB-772DCFDEB8E9-e1506925958985.jpg&hash=b99738288c85e7a22e58734c4ae3bc03fb5f7d77) (https://www.finescalerr.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.gregoryhile.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2017%2F10%2F54690A71-C2F1-4F14-9C0E-C57C1C27ACC4-e1506926086936.jpg&hash=d344df29c07c87ec364a161ad5797bb567fae369)

And, just for kicks, here are a couple photos of the layout where everything will eventually go. The layout is in extremely rough form at this point. I threw some track up and I have set a few cars out for reference along with a couple of kits I have built. Eventually, the layout will expand out in three directions (four, if I can convince the wife that she doesn't really need a back lawn but don't hold your breath on that one).
(https://www.finescalerr.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.gregoryhile.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2017%2F10%2F8AE13AE9-587F-4F41-B377-55D66C6E06CD-e1506926390815.jpg&hash=1e1641f8184976d9bdd9599d8bc584cf18f7f724) (https://www.finescalerr.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.gregoryhile.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2017%2F10%2FEB0426C5-64CC-4969-8E10-CB680D6D4945-e1506926728270.jpg&hash=5aa49569032e8cde5da9aa7bb9b9c9a903ebe6dc)

Okay, here's where I need some help. Here is the latest iteration of the SketchUp file. The colors are standard Southern Pacific colors for that era. The brownish band around the lower portion of the building is not the same as the trim that goes around the doors and windows, et al. but is supposed to be a "dark yellow." I'm still working on figuring out exactly what "dark yellow" looks like, but what the railroad was mix the paint with sand to give it more texture and some greater protection from people, baggage carts, horse carriages, and the like.
(https://www.finescalerr.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.gregoryhile.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2017%2F10%2FMartinez-Train-Station-10-1-2017-e1506927044398.png&hash=927e40dd093497fa38fc322731a9f86dc51e58dd)

My question is: what's the best way to model the sandy texture? Because they sell prototype Southern Pacific colors, I will be using Tru-Color, which the manufacturer describes as an "acrylic solvent based" paint.

That's all for now. Thanks!!!

Title: Re: Building the C & AV, or, What Have I Gotten Myself Into?
Post by: Lawton Maner on October 02, 2017, 05:35:55 AM
Some years ago in one of he now defunct model RR mags, an author used baking soda in a salt shaker to texture concrete in HO.  A trip to your local craft store might yield some fine sand in a neutral color which may do the same thing in a larger scale.  I've done the same thing in 1:1 to make the front steps on my porch nonskid with builders sand when I painted the porch last year.  
Title: Re: Building the C & AV, or, What Have I Gotten Myself Into?
Post by: Bill Gill on October 02, 2017, 06:24:30 AM
Beach sand around here is also very fine in some places, much finer than "sandbox" or construction sand. Rinsing it well to rid the salt and other material might work. Sprinkling baking soda, diatomaceous earth (from pool supply store), or even maybe some of your local dirt, sifted through fine screen could give a plausible texture on top of just applied paint.
Title: Re: Building the C & AV, or, What Have I Gotten Myself Into?
Post by: Hydrostat on October 02, 2017, 12:49:33 PM
If there's a quarry nearby ask if you can have some of the dust falling down from the grinder. Sifted with various colanders you'll have a fine viarity of different grain.
Title: Re: Building the C & AV, or, What Have I Gotten Myself Into?
Post by: NORCALLOGGER on October 02, 2017, 05:00:20 PM
Since your working in a larger scale you might try one of the stone or pebble finishes in a rattle can from RustOleum (spelling) or Krylon then over spray with your color of choice.
Rick
Title: Re: Building the C & AV, or, What Have I Gotten Myself Into?
Post by: Bill Gill on October 02, 2017, 06:11:49 PM
The rolled roofing on this HO scale coal silo was cut from a paint sample card from Home Depot of a very finely textured paint. I can't remember the brand, but if you look at all the paint samples in the paint dept. you will fine a number of colors. The texture is very fine. A bit of that paint could work for you. If the color isn't correct, you can paint over it like Rick suggested.
Title: Re: Building the C & AV, or, What Have I Gotten Myself Into?
Post by: Ray Dunakin on October 02, 2017, 07:00:47 PM
Liquitex makes a "ceramic stucco" acrylic texture gel that I like. It can be spread onto PVC foam board to simulate stucco. And you can mix it with latex house paint to color it before applying, or paint over it after it's dry, whichever you prefer.

I get it from the craft store (Micheal's). It helps if you have one of their coupons.
Title: Re: Building the C & AV, or, What Have I Gotten Myself Into?
Post by: Lawton Maner on October 03, 2017, 11:12:56 AM
Ray:
Can you post a picture of the container.
Thanks,
WLM3
Title: Re: Building the C & AV, or, What Have I Gotten Myself Into?
Post by: Greg Hile on October 03, 2017, 02:35:16 PM
Good suggestions all of them. Thanks guys!

Lawton: here is a photo of the stuff Ray was talking about, and a photo of it applied to a test piece of PVC foam board.

(https://www.gregoryhile.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/9FD791FD-8E24-4B4D-9F4A-325EC4B51503-e1507066391248.jpg) (https://www.gregoryhile.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/1C74EF20-0A5A-4495-AE77-7467D13BC474-e1507066313200.jpg)

I also bought some colored sand from Hobby Lobby yesterday and will be testing it, the Ceramic Stucco, and the other suggestions ...

Greg
Title: Re: Building the C & AV, or, What Have I Gotten Myself Into?
Post by: Bill Gill on October 03, 2017, 05:17:55 PM
Golden also makes several acrylic mediums with various sized grit in them. Art stores and A.C. Moore carry Golden Acrylics and almost all have displays with samples of the different gels, pastes and mediums so you can see what the finish of each looks like.
https://www.dickblick.com/products/golden-pumice-gel-mediums/
Title: Re: Building the C & AV, or, What Have I Gotten Myself Into?
Post by: Lawton Maner on October 04, 2017, 07:20:13 AM
Thanks to both of you.  The breadth and depth of knowledge of this crowd sometimes scares me. 
Title: Re: Building the C & AV, or, What Have I Gotten Myself Into?
Post by: Greg Hile on October 04, 2017, 08:18:57 AM
Dang! I was just at Blick last Friday ...
Title: Re: Building the C & AV, or, What Have I Gotten Myself Into?
Post by: Greg Hile on October 05, 2017, 12:57:41 PM
Quick update: Thanks to everyone here and elsewhere who made suggestions regarding the texture issue. I tried out a number of them, including some colored sand I found at Hobby Lobby, and the best solution turned out to be Liquitex Ceramic Stucco. It achieved much the same overall visual effect as sand but it can be applied before painting rather than mixing it with or using a sifter to apply on wet paint, thereby giving me much more control over the process. In addition, the sand and other materials would rub off, whereas the stucco was far more permanent. I am sure there are other texture gels that would also do the trick. Kudos to Ray for the suggestion.

I also finally found a color sample of Southern Pacific Dark Yellow. Interestingly, I took it to Home Depot to match it and purchase a sample as some had mentioned and they were not interested. I have had attitude issues with the paint department at my local HD in the past so I didn't press it.
Title: Re: Building the C & AV, or, What Have I Gotten Myself Into?
Post by: Lawton Maner on October 05, 2017, 01:29:56 PM
Another reason not to shop at HD.  My local Sherwin-Williams store is my go to paint store.  They will mix me a 1 cup sized sample of almost any color I take them and I find the samples very useful when I model.  They will also provide exterior oils for me to take north to work on the East Broad Top cars because the Nanny State of Pa won't allow oils anymore.  They also have an acrylic exterior paint which sticks to the PVC mouldings we are putting on the car like your skin sticks to you. 
Title: Re: Building the C & AV, or, What Have I Gotten Myself Into?
Post by: michael mott on November 21, 2017, 08:58:43 AM
Hi Greg I see that you are working in 1/24th scale, I like this scale also, especially for narrow gauge models.

Michael
Title: Re: Building the C & AV, or, What Have I Gotten Myself Into?
Post by: Greg Hile on November 21, 2017, 09:14:12 AM
Yes, I like the scale, too, especially for incorporating more than just trains on my layout. I am just starting on a fire station/city hall that I designed. If you have a fire station, you need a fire truck ...

(https://www.gregoryhile.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/68567D6A-136B-4FD0-8BE5-4E9886AB276D-e1511293573217.jpeg)
Title: Re: Building the C & AV, or, What Have I Gotten Myself Into?
Post by: Greg Hile on December 09, 2017, 09:56:11 AM
For various reasons, progress has been a bit slow but I will have an update with photos soon. One thing I have been thinking about is an incident that occurred in 1904 here in Martinez, and no doubt in countless other locales at other times, as well: fire. A good chunk of downtown Martinez caught fire and burned to the ground (only to be rebuilt with unreinforced brick and finished just a couple months before the 1906 SF earthquake, but that's another story).

My question is how to model a burned-out building? Obviously, if it burned completely to the ground there's not much to model, and I don't want to make this a dominant theme throughout the layout, but maybe a structure still in partial ruins, or perhaps one that is still under construction post-fire.

Any thoughts?
Title: Re: Building the C & AV, or, What Have I Gotten Myself Into?
Post by: Lawton Maner on December 10, 2017, 06:32:25 AM
Once he finished the hoist, hire Chuck.
Title: Re: Building the C & AV, or, What Have I Gotten Myself Into?
Post by: Greg Hile on December 10, 2017, 09:00:06 AM
Best idea I've seen so far!
Title: Re: Building the C & AV, or, What Have I Gotten Myself Into?
Post by: Greg Hile on January 17, 2018, 08:29:26 PM
While progress on the train depot continues at a snail's pace, I have been drawn (quite willingly, I might add) into another quick project for the C & AV. I have been thinking about how to model a burned or partially burned-out structure on my outdoor layout. Another forum that I belong to has an annual challenge to build something under certain parameters. This year we are building whatever we would like but are to use, in the case of 1/24 scale, a 42-inch 2x4. We can also use whatever supplies we had on hand as of January 1 and can spend no more than $30 on anything else for the project. We have until February 13 to complete it. So I figured, why not?

As many of you know, the Carquinez & Alhambra Valley RR is loosely based on my town, Martinez, California, around the turn of the 20th century. On August 19, 1904, fire destroyed a two-square block section of downtown Martinez. Photos of the fire scene are below. 

(https://www.gregoryhile.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/8-19-1904.png)

(https://www.gregoryhile.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/8-19-1904-2.png)

Among the casualties (not in the photos) was Bennett's Livery and Stables, which will be the subject of my build. The upshot of the fire was that, as pretty much the only thing left standing was the brick safe of the Bank of Martinez, the area was rebuilt with unreinforced masonry just in time for the 1906 San Francisco earthquake but that's another story. The photos in this post came courtesy of the Contra Costa County Historical Society, which, ironically, is now located on the site of the former livery. Here is an undated photo of Bennett's.

(https://www.gregoryhile.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Bennetts-Livery-and-Stables.png)

Like I said, the fire was on August 19, 1904, so do I model the livery as of August 18, or August 20, or ??

Most of my work so far has been to mill the 2x4 down into scale lumber, but I have started some of the framing and am refining the project design using SketchUp Make 2017. I have no formal training in construction so this gives me the opportunity to work out the design flaws I know I will make. It also allows me to generate a cut list to determine what still needs to be milled, and, in all likelihood, how much additional lumber beyond my 42 inches I will need.

(https://www.gregoryhile.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/IMG_0229-e1516244627910.jpg)

(https://www.gregoryhile.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Bennetts-Livery-and-Stable-e1516245607965.png)

The link to the project is https://www.largescalecentral.com/forums/topic/27797/hile-2018-challenge-we-didn-t-start-the-fire-edition?page=1 (https://www.largescalecentral.com/forums/topic/27797/hile-2018-challenge-we-didn-t-start-the-fire-edition?page=1) and there has been a lively discussion about pin nailers if anyone is interested ...
Title: Re: Building the C & AV, or, What Have I Gotten Myself Into?
Post by: Ray Dunakin on January 17, 2018, 09:57:17 PM
Cool project.
Title: Re: Building the C & AV, or, What Have I Gotten Myself Into?
Post by: Design-HSB on January 18, 2018, 01:21:54 AM
 Greg great carpenter construction.
Title: Re: Building the C & AV, or, What Have I Gotten Myself Into?
Post by: 5thwheel on January 18, 2018, 06:48:02 AM
This is going to be a nice model. One question though. Did it actually have a flat roof? I'm seeing a 12/12 roof in the picture. More pitch than I'm seeing in the framing drawing. I'm just curious, but then again I do see some kind of a large exhaust (?) pipe on the roof in the photo. Very interesting project. Of course you are going to show your progress here? Very (funny) interesting notice the banner line strung to the tree from the building. Going to add that detail? 1/24 is a nice scale to work in.  Many years ago I produced some white metal horse drawn logging equipment, horses and oxen and a few loggers kits in that scale under the name of The Hudson Carriage Co.  The late Bill Roy took over the production and sales.
Title: Re: Building the C & AV, or, What Have I Gotten Myself Into?
Post by: Greg Hile on January 18, 2018, 10:00:27 AM
Thanks guys!

Bill, for some reason that now escapes me I was thinking that the center portion of the roof was flat, but, you're right, there's more pitch in the photo than in my drawing. Here are a couple other photos, including one from the other side of the building (I'd post aerial photos that could confirm it but the airplane hadn't been invented yet). I'm not sure what the pipe is. It seems a little high for exhaust but you'll notice that the building down the street in one of the photos below has the same object.

(https://www.gregoryhile.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/1041.png)

(https://www.gregoryhile.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/2456.png)

The photos are undated (and may not even have been taken at the same time) but I have a Sanborn map from 1888 that shows the livery, so it is at least as old as that.

I will be showing my progress and, yes, I'm going to try to add the banner and the tree!
Title: Re: Building the C & AV, or, What Have I Gotten Myself Into?
Post by: Hydrostat on January 18, 2018, 10:16:49 AM
Greg, nice start! Don't know, what your intention is: To me it looks like the front proportions of your building's drawing don't match the prototype. For my opinion the doorway seems to be nearly square in those b/w-pictures and so the upper wooden needs to be wider, too. This changes the building's nature a lot.

Cheers,
Volker
Title: Re: Building the C & AV, or, What Have I Gotten Myself Into?
Post by: Greg Hile on January 18, 2018, 11:12:17 AM
Volker, thanks for your input! Here is a very rough rendering of the building with sidings. Pay no attention to the framing showing through or the decor on the barn doors. I will also be modifying the roof, as well, but does that better help visualize what I am going for?
Title: Re: Building the C & AV, or, What Have I Gotten Myself Into?
Post by: Ray Dunakin on January 18, 2018, 07:00:19 PM
That tall "pipe" has a weather vane on top of it*, so I'm guessing it's just decorative. It could also serve double duty as a flagpole.

* Pretty easy to see in the first photo, but mostly invisible in the photo from the opposite direction due to glare from the sky.

Oddly enough, in the last photo the entire pole is invisible, but if you look very closely you can see some of the guy wires that support it.
Title: Re: Building the C & AV, or, What Have I Gotten Myself Into?
Post by: 5thwheel on January 18, 2018, 08:27:51 PM
Ray,I see the weather one pole but I was talking about what appeared to be a large pipe of some kind on the roof ridge.  but seeing from the other side it appears that is is some kind of apparatus, possibly wind mill driven on top of a structure.

Bill Hudson
Title: Re: Building the C & AV, or, What Have I Gotten Myself Into?
Post by: Greg Hile on January 18, 2018, 08:52:56 PM
Yep! I got curious about the dates of the photos and the other structures around the livery so I went down to the county historical society and looked at the Sanborn Insurance Maps because the one I had (from 1888) indicated that there was a skating pavilion west of the livery. By the 1891 the skating rink was now the Martinez Opera House, so I suspect the photo is from somewhere around 1890 or earlier.

Anyway, in looking carefully at photos of the livery again, I noticed the weather vane and was going to point it out but Ray beat me to it. The windmill might be something from the skating pavilion. Thanks guys!
Title: Re: Building the C & AV, or, What Have I Gotten Myself Into?
Post by: Bill Gill on January 19, 2018, 05:23:10 AM
I think the thing Bill Hudson sees in the first photo of the stables isn't on the stable. I think it's part of the windmill next door that is visible in the photo showing the other side of the stable. There is nothing on the stable roof in that photo that could be a vent or exhaust pipe.
Title: Re: Building the C & AV, or, What Have I Gotten Myself Into?
Post by: Lawton Maner on January 19, 2018, 06:37:06 AM
This shows the trials and tribulations of research. 
Title: Re: Building the C & AV, or, What Have I Gotten Myself Into?
Post by: Greg Hile on January 19, 2018, 09:51:50 AM
Quote from: Lawton Maner on January 19, 2018, 06:37:06 AM
This shows the trials and tribulations of research. 

Which is one of the things I find most compelling about modeling.
Title: Re: Building the C & AV, or, What Have I Gotten Myself Into?
Post by: 5thwheel on January 19, 2018, 01:40:39 PM
I agree with you Bill G.  Kind of a strange looking windmill.  I am guessing it was used to pump water for the Livery. I notice a pipe coming down from what appears to be wooden water tanks. I guess this was part of the livery stable,note the person and horse but the wall. Very interesting project.
Title: Re: Building the C & AV, or, What Have I Gotten Myself Into?
Post by: Ray Dunakin on January 19, 2018, 07:17:11 PM
That windmill looks very peculiar to me as well. I would be very curious to see a better view of it.

Title: Re: Building the C & AV, or, What Have I Gotten Myself Into?
Post by: Greg Hile on January 19, 2018, 08:21:39 PM
That's one of the reasons I went back to the historical society yesterday. So far I haven't found anything but am continuing my research. Here is a blow-up of the 1888 Sanborn map.

(https://www.gregoryhile.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Sanborn-1888-e1516421685798.jpg)

It shows the livery on the SW corner of Escobar and Ferry so I am assuming the other building in the photos is the office and the I.O.O.F. Hall, or just the Hall. On the other side is a vacant lot and then the skating rink (other sources refer to it as a skating pavilion). In the earlier 1884 Sanborn map, the site is described as the I.O.O.F. and the livery is there but under construction, and in the later 1891 map the vacant space on the other side of the livery says "corral" and in place of the skating rink is the Martinez Opera House.

And so the journey continues. There are also 1897 Sanborn maps at the county library and I will head over there next week to see if they shed any more light, as well as other resources.

I blew up a couple of the photos to show the windmill and what appears to be a sign. Can anyone make it out?

(https://www.gregoryhile.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Next-Door.png)

(https://www.gregoryhile.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Windmill-e1516421873416.png)
Title: Re: Building the C & AV, or, What Have I Gotten Myself Into?
Post by: Greg Hile on January 26, 2018, 12:58:27 PM
All righty then, I did some further research and things are starting to make sense now. I was able to better date the photos of the livery after I found a similar photo in a book at the county library.

Here is one of the original photos I posted and below that is the 1865 photo:

(https://www.gregoryhile.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Bennetts-Livery-and-Stables.png)

(https://www.gregoryhile.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/IMG_0248-e1516998192872.jpg)

The people are different and the tree has a lot more foliage than this photo, but the structure is virtually identical, so they weren't taken at the same time, but most likely rather close in time. I had estimated these photos came from the 1890s, but it turns out the photo in the book was from 1865. This would also explain why the Opera House is not there and why the Sanborn maps show the livery in a slightly different location, as Mr. Bennett rebuilt the livery at some point on the street corner next door.

The upshot of it all is why I say that my layout is "loosely" based on Martinez, California at the turn of the 20th century. Note, however, that the 1881 Sanborn map shows the I.O.O.F. Hall as "under construction," so maybe I wasn't so far off after all.

A report of my progress on the build will come a bit later.

Title: Re: Building the C & AV, or, What Have I Gotten Myself Into?
Post by: Bill Gill on January 26, 2018, 05:05:50 PM
Greg, yeah, sometimes doing the research is as much fun as building the layout/diorama/models :)
Title: Re: Building the C & AV, or, What Have I Gotten Myself Into?
Post by: Ray Dunakin on January 28, 2018, 10:41:23 AM
I often enjoy researching for my models.
Title: Re: Building the C & AV, or, What Have I Gotten Myself Into?
Post by: detail_stymied on January 28, 2018, 11:08:49 AM
ditto. so many things I didn't realize I was interested.
Title: Re: Building the C & AV, or, What Have I Gotten Myself Into?
Post by: Greg Hile on January 28, 2018, 05:48:46 PM
I have finally started to make some real progress this weekend. I have almost completed the main level framing. The facade, rafters, and other components are being assembled and will be attached soon. I temporarily clamped some of them together to examine the fit, and so far everything seems to be coming together relatively nice.

(https://www.gregoryhile.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/20180129_003950898_iOS-e1517188172226.jpg)

(https://www.gregoryhile.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/20180128_060223496_iOS-e1517188507903.jpg)

(https://www.gregoryhile.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/20180129_003329895_iOS-e1517188589669.jpg)

I need to start on the various doors, windows, and hardware, especially for the sliding doors. Once the framing is completed, I can also start on the exterior, staining, weathering, and detail work.

And the best part? I've only managed to shoot myself with the pin nailer once, and it didn't even draw blood!
Title: Re: Building the C & AV, or, What Have I Gotten Myself Into?
Post by: Greg Hile on January 29, 2018, 01:11:13 PM
Here's a couple shots of the exterior I started on today. I forgot I had these strips laying around and used up what I had. Now I need to mill 64 more of them ...

(https://www.gregoryhile.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/IMG_0261-e1517259969402.jpg)

(https://www.gregoryhile.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/IMG_0262-e1517259781487.jpg)
Title: Re: Building the C & AV, or, What Have I Gotten Myself Into?
Post by: Bill Gill on January 29, 2018, 02:09:10 PM
Nice framework. That's going to be quite a building. What kinds of wood are you using for the frame and siding?
Title: Re: Building the C & AV, or, What Have I Gotten Myself Into?
Post by: Greg Hile on January 29, 2018, 02:10:56 PM
Thanks! The framing is redwood and the fencing is cedar.
Title: Re: Building the C & AV, or, What Have I Gotten Myself Into?
Post by: Ray Dunakin on January 29, 2018, 09:40:10 PM
Great start!
Title: Re: Building the C & AV, or, What Have I Gotten Myself Into?
Post by: Greg Hile on January 29, 2018, 11:13:20 PM
Quote from: 5thwheel on January 19, 2018, 01:40:39 PM
I agree with you Bill G.  Kind of a strange looking windmill.  I am guessing it was used to pump water for the Livery. I notice a pipe coming down from what appears to be wooden water tanks. I guess this was part of the livery stable,note the person and horse but the wall. Very interesting project.

Yes, it is a very interesting structure. So far I have not been able to find any other photographs of it or information about it, but it has piqued my interest.

BTW, it took awhile to notice it, but there are two more people in that photo. Kinda creepy if you ask me ...
Title: Re: Building the C & AV, or, What Have I Gotten Myself Into?
Post by: Greg Hile on January 29, 2018, 11:16:40 PM
Thanks Ray!

On the other forum, someone said it was too bad it would all go up in smoke. Well, it doesn't necessarily have to all go up in smoke, but I do want at least some of it to go. My initial thoughts on this project stretch back over the last few months, before I considered doing it for the Mik's Challenge, and it was always intended to be a structure that was either under construction or partially destroyed.

The challenge for me has largely been how to preserve and maintain it, not only the wooden structure but also the surrounding rubble, debris, and detritus, on an outdoor layout. It was by sheer coincidence that I, independent of each other, came across an article on the 1904 fire and photographs of the livery and then put two and two together. Anyway, I'm still working out the logistics and I'm open to suggestions! In fact, HELP!
Title: Re: Building the C & AV, or, What Have I Gotten Myself Into?
Post by: Greg Hile on January 31, 2018, 11:16:32 PM
Here is the latest. I've started to assemble the various components. I've also started the windows and the doors. I'm not having much luck finding the hardware for the sliding doors, so I'm thinking I might have to design and get something 3D printed quickly. Tomorrow I will start some tests on the exteriors. A well-weathered whitewash is primarily what I'm looking for.

(https://www.gregoryhile.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/IMG_0265-e1517469224108.jpg)

(https://www.gregoryhile.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/IMG_0267-e1517469301134.jpg)
Title: Re: Building the C & AV, or, What Have I Gotten Myself Into?
Post by: Greg Hile on February 03, 2018, 05:58:25 PM
So here's the latest. Some of the guys over at LSC have mentioned that it would be a shame to (1) cover up the framing with siding, and (2) reduce the whole thing to ashes (although they seem to have no problem requesting a live You Tube feed if I do). Regardless of how well I did with the framing, it does seem a shame to totally reduce it to ashes, so I won't. One of my personal heroes was the late Steve Jobs. Jobs had an obsession with the quality of things unseen. That's why the inside or the backside of an Apple computer was a work of art as important to him as the more visible design. Just because it can't be readily seen doesn't mean I don't know it's there, and I try to follow that notion in my modeling.

So when it is completed and fully documented, I'm going to attempt a partial burn of the structure. Then, after the Challenge is over, I'm going to go back at some point and do some additional detailing of what's left. I always did want a partially built or partially destroyed building, and since it turns out that the livery stable was already torn down and rebuilt next door by the time of the 1904 fire anyway, I am seizing on the "loose" modeling of the city after all!

As for the latest progress, I finally got a chance to start on the exterior siding. I brushed on a basecoat of burnt umber, gray, silver and white. Then, after it was dry, I applied FolkArt Crackling Medium to the siding. I spent a good bit of time beforehand looking at the Ranger Crackle Paints thread here and it turns out I couldn't get any of the Ranger product until after the Challenge was over, so I did some further research and the FolkArt stuff seemed to be the best alternative out there.

After letting it dry for about 30 minutes and while it was still a bit tacky, I brushed on a thinned wash of white. The crackling effect takes effect when the top coat dries. The close-up below gives an idea of where things stood about 15 minutes after application of the white and we'll see it looks like in the morning when it is fully dry. I'm not particularly thrilled with the color and I still need to do some additional weathering.

(https://www.gregoryhile.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/IMG_0274-e1517708924646.jpg)

(https://www.gregoryhile.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/IMG_0276-e1517709408848.jpg)

(https://www.gregoryhile.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/IMG_0275-e1517705773119.jpg)
Title: Re: Building the C & AV, or, What Have I Gotten Myself Into?
Post by: Ray Dunakin on February 04, 2018, 08:47:34 PM
I think the paint looks great. Reminds me of many old barns and sheds I've seen that have been sloppily whitewashed.
Title: Re: Building the C & AV, or, What Have I Gotten Myself Into?
Post by: Greg Hile on February 06, 2018, 11:37:13 PM
What this town needs is a good 24-hour a day train store!

Getting closer. I started on the clapboard siding, added the top layer and put down the subroof. I have shingles ready to add and once I finish the clapboard I'll be able to paint and weather it. Then, windows and doors and we're pretty much done.

The wife went to bed early, it was warm in the garage workshop, and the plan tonight was to finish the clapboard and do the base coat, but I ran out of the .030 wooden rods needed to elevate the one side of the clapboard siding. I did lay down a couple rows of shingles (cut out by way of a Cricut die-cutting machine) but I didn't want to get out the pin nailer with its loud compressor that might wake up the wife, hence the green tape for now.

So, we'll pick it up tomorrow ...

(https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4710/39415934914_bf31999f80_d.jpg)  (https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4632/39415936864_c18b56972c_d.jpg)

(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4760/40129674401_52f55396ca_o_d.jpg)  (https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4658/25257872397_907d152484_o_d.jpg)

(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4765/40129674671_20b491f631_o_d.jpg)  (https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4756/25257872257_d18389495b_o_d.jpg)

(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4621/40129674181_6a3ff16229_o_d.jpg)
Title: Re: Building the C & AV, or, What Have I Gotten Myself Into?
Post by: Lawton Maner on February 07, 2018, 07:37:56 AM
     First, the white wash looks as if Huck Fynn was the painter.  Good job!
     
     Second, can you please show us and end view of the siding to give us a better idea as to your use of the dowels?  Could you use square stock instead?  If so, get yourself a Barnes table saw, buy your lumber at a local full service lumberyard and cut the middleman out.  Once I bought mine a decade ago the cost of model supplies dropped through the floor.

     Finally, the blow by blow of the build is quite informative.
Title: Re: Building the C & AV, or, What Have I Gotten Myself Into?
Post by: Greg Hile on February 07, 2018, 10:17:07 AM
Thanks! I hadn't thought about it but Huck Finn was the look I was going for. The facade will be similar but not quite as much Hucky.

As for the process, I start with a backer board. In this case it was 1/16 basswood, but in the future I think something thicker would be better as it had a tendency to curl. Anyway, the first strip (again 1/4 wide, 1/16 basswood) gets glued flat at the bottom. Then the dowel is placed next to the first piece. I usually put glue down for the second board and kind of smear the dowel along with it. Then the next piece is layed on top of the dowel with the other edge flat on the backer board.

I used .030 dowel because I had lots of that size styrene laying around and used it for the test pieces, but I don't see a reason why square stock couldn't be used instead. In fact, I may have no choice as I may have already bought up the .030 dowels my LHS had.

BTW, are you referring to a Barnes table saw or a Byrnes? http://www.byrnesmodelmachines.com/tablesaw.html

(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4766/28356884539_6706bb9aae_z_d.jpg)

(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4720/28356885829_c3bf189e31_z_d.jpg)

(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4667/28356884869_71cc65121b_z_d.jpg)
Title: Re: Building the C & AV, or, What Have I Gotten Myself Into?
Post by: Greg Hile on February 20, 2018, 11:14:09 AM
Finally finished the project and here are some of the results. The structure was always intended to be highly distressed and the rear of the building was intended to be a patchwork without the clapboard siding.

(https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4620/40322053231_edcc814159_c.jpg)

(https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4710/25451010017_3831befcb7_c.jpg)

(https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4628/40322056421_6d87f2b711_c.jpg)

(https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4766/39610864894_072a4c9e9b_c.jpg)

(https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4659/40322057701_c38a998657_c.jpg)

(https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4712/25451001857_61b9722e46_c.jpg)



And, finally, the fire. At the request of my wife, who had the good sense not to trust me with matches, I spoke with a friend of mine who is a technical theater director and has lots of experience with special effects. First, I thoroughly watered down the one side of the building I didn't want to burn and then placed a votive candle and, when that didn't work, one of those fireplace log starters on the other side of the building.

It took quite a while for the structure to really take hold, but when it did, things went quickly and I took the garden hose that was standing by and put the fire out.

(https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4677/39596784264_92ef73a2b3_c.jpg)

(https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4671/38499008500_e5f9ff0170_c.jpg)

(https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4649/40308543791_6f819ec277_c.jpg)

(https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4694/26436303038_c780a4210a_c.jpg)

(https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4659/25437474207_fed045e249_c.jpg)

Here is a link to the video: https://youtu.be/c9t3-gJmHq8 (https://youtu.be/c9t3-gJmHq8)

I also have a color version if anyone is interested.

As for materials, I pretty much used all of my 42 inch 2x4. I also had some rough cedar on hand for the sidings. The shingles were 1/16 basswood strips that I had run through a Cricut die cutting machine several months ago (more on that later). I also purchased a couple bags of strip wood for the clapboard sidings, and a couple packages of .020 basswood rounds for the elevation of the clapboard. All of the paint was from supplies on hand. The sliding mechanisms for the barn doors I got at a swap table from the BAGRS annual meeting, and the crackle medium from Michaels. The "tree" was actually a weed from our front yard and the sign I created from Affinity Designer out of simple copy paper.

Because of the nature of the competition, which limited the resources and time to complete the project, and because of the ultimate goal of a burned out finished product, I did not undertake as much detail work as I would otherwise have done, but I was pleased by the outcome.
Title: Re: Building the C & AV, or, What Have I Gotten Myself Into?
Post by: Ray Dunakin on February 20, 2018, 10:52:10 PM
I must confess to feeling a touch of anguish at seeing such a fine old barn come to a fiery end.

Title: Re: Building the C & AV, or, What Have I Gotten Myself Into?
Post by: Greg Hile on February 20, 2018, 10:57:44 PM
Yeah, I know, me, too, but I do intend to keep it on the layout. I also learned a lot about working with wood, not to mention how to dig out the splinters in my fingers! Not too many splinters working with plastic ...
Title: Re: Building the C & AV, or, What Have I Gotten Myself Into?
Post by: Design-HSB on February 21, 2018, 03:42:50 AM
A special type of modelling that I have never seen before. Learned something again.
Title: Re: Building the C & AV, or, What Have I Gotten Myself Into?
Post by: Lawton Maner on February 21, 2018, 06:53:18 AM
The link posted is the one.  When I bought mine, Kappler lumber stock dropped 20% ;D
Sad to see the final product, but art has its price.
Title: Re: Building the C & AV, or, What Have I Gotten Myself Into?
Post by: Greg Hile on October 30, 2018, 01:23:54 AM
I was revisiting this thread and thought I might bring everyone up to date. I have not been modeling much this year, primarily due to an eye condition, but hope to resume soon. I've got several old and new projects and ideas, so I'm looking (pardon the pun) forward to being back at full modeling speed.

There is also an unfortunate development with regard to my burned-out livery stable. As you know, I had intended to preserve it and keep it on my layout. This spring, however, our gardeners came to do their annual super clean-up at a time when we were out for the day. I came home to find that they had, indeed, cleaned up and threw the whole thing away. Could. Not. Believe. It.
Title: Re: Building the C & AV, or, What Have I Gotten Myself Into?
Post by: Bill Gill on October 30, 2018, 06:01:02 AM
OUCH!
Title: Re: Building the C & AV, or, What Have I Gotten Myself Into?
Post by: TRAINS1941 on October 30, 2018, 08:20:56 AM
I have no idea why anyone would spend that much time building something and then turn it into a heap of ashes!!!!

Jerry
Title: Re: Building the C & AV, or, What Have I Gotten Myself Into?
Post by: Greg Hile on October 30, 2018, 08:49:34 AM
Believe me, Jerry, you're not the only one who has thought that! My layout is loosely based on my adopted home town of Martinez, California around the turn of the 20th century. Fire has played a monumental role in the history of the American West and Martinez is no exception. A fire destroyed a large swath of downtown Martinez in 1904 and my project was to acknowledge that incident. It was planned from the start and I even consulted with a technical theater friend of mine to control the burn so as not to destroy the entire structure.

Would I do it again? Absolutely, and, in fact, while it has slipped a few notches on the priority list, I fully intend to. Will I give the gardeners (who are actually very nice people and have taken care of us for a long time) explicit instructions NOT to mess around with the layout? Already have.

Greg
Title: Re: Building the C & AV, or, What Have I Gotten Myself Into?
Post by: Lawton Maner on October 30, 2018, 11:28:11 AM
You and Banksy have something in common.  Next time, set it on fire after the auction.  ::) ;D :D
Title: Re: Building the C & AV, or, What Have I Gotten Myself Into?
Post by: finescalerr on October 30, 2018, 11:39:51 AM
You think you have problems. Most of my finished, unburned models look like yours did after the gardeners demolished it! -- Russ
Title: Re: Building the C & AV, or, What Have I Gotten Myself Into?
Post by: Greg Hile on October 30, 2018, 12:00:20 PM
Hey, if I could get $1.4 million for one of my creations ...
Title: Re: Building the C & AV, or, What Have I Gotten Myself Into?
Post by: Greg Hile on January 18, 2019, 09:22:40 PM
I'm back! Yesterday's eye surgery went well and while there is still some swelling and the vision is a bit blurry, there is already a vast improvement and it will continue to improve over time. So I've got some catching up to do and I'm anxious to really get back at it. And from the look of things, there is some incredible modeling going on!

As for me, while my vision issues have largely precluded any significant modeling over the past year, I have been overseeing the renovation of our mid-century modern suburban home into a Craftsman revival. Working on this project has been incredibly valuable experience for my modeling work, despite the splinters!

I'm about to start the annual Mik's Challenge over on the LSC forum and will be building a sort-of Craftsman home with a twist. Next door to the livery stable from last year was this weird water pump, windmill thingy that I will also be adding to the project, minus the creepy people hidden in the photo. The prototype of the home belonged to a very prominent family in Martinez, which I will reveal at a later time.
Title: Re: Building the C & AV, or, What Have I Gotten Myself Into?
Post by: finescalerr on January 19, 2019, 01:01:14 PM
I'm glad the surgery went well and I hope your eye will be better than ever. -- Russ
Title: Re: Building the C & AV, or, What Have I Gotten Myself Into?
Post by: Ray Dunakin on January 19, 2019, 05:59:33 PM
I'm glad to hear the surgery went well and that you are recovering nicely.
Title: Re: Building the C & AV, or, What Have I Gotten Myself Into?
Post by: Bill Gill on January 20, 2019, 05:40:12 AM
Good to hear the surgery went well. Looking forward to seeing what you work on next.
Title: Re: Building the C & AV, or, What Have I Gotten Myself Into?
Post by: Design-HSB on January 20, 2019, 07:47:40 AM
Hello Greg,

being able to see well is extremely important in our hobby and wish you all the best for further recovery.
Title: Re: Building the C & AV, or, What Have I Gotten Myself Into?
Post by: Greg Hile on February 16, 2019, 01:21:55 AM
Well, good news and bad news. I have finally been released from the docs for my detached retina and subsequent lens insertion, three days before the one-year anniversary of the detachment. I now go to the optometrist for glasses in a couple weeks.

The news wasn't all good, however. After the last surgery my vision had improved but was distorted. I was informed that the distortion was permanent and would likely not get any better, so I don't know where that leaves me in terms of finescale modeling. I guess time will tell.
Title: Re: Building the C & AV, or, What Have I Gotten Myself Into?
Post by: Lawton Maner on February 16, 2019, 01:43:22 AM
Since most of the members of this forum have a distorted view of the world, you will still fit in well.  On a serious note I am sorry to learn of the problem and hope you rise to the challenge and keep slugging along and embarrassing us with the quality your work. 
Title: Re: Building the C & AV, or, What Have I Gotten Myself Into?
Post by: Design-HSB on February 16, 2019, 02:33:33 AM
Greg,

I can understand you very well, because I have also had an eye condition for decades and am therefore a regular with the ophthalmologist.
Hopefully your trained skills will be enough to let us continue to share in your beautiful models.
Title: Re: Building the C & AV, or, What Have I Gotten Myself Into?
Post by: finescalerr on February 16, 2019, 10:32:11 AM
One of our best modelers is blind in one eye. -- Russ
Title: Re: Building the C & AV, or, What Have I Gotten Myself Into?
Post by: Greg Hile on February 16, 2019, 03:13:26 PM
Thanks all, I needed that. It's been a tough week. One of my other passions is ancestry research, and on top of all this vision stuff, I discovered that a somewhat distant cousin of mine was Richard Nixon. Related to an American president and it had to be Tricky Dick.

In any event, I do plan to keep on modeling and most likely with one eye closed. We'll see (no pun intended) after I get new glasses.

Greg
Title: Re: Building the C & AV, or, What Have I Gotten Myself Into?
Post by: Ray Dunakin on February 17, 2019, 09:00:36 PM
Sorry to hear about the setback, Greg. Maybe they can correct it with glasses?
Title: Re: Building the C & AV, or, What Have I Gotten Myself Into?
Post by: Greg Hile on February 17, 2019, 09:43:53 PM
We'll see what the optometrist says on March13, but the ophthalmologists seem to think the wavyness will be permanent. The funny thing is that my distance vision is better than it ever was!