Designing a shadowbox diorama

[Hauk]

Come to think about it, I DID take a shortcut with my model.
The prototype does still exist, and I had the opportunity to photograph it. But I decided not to try and measure it. Both because it would stretch the goodwill of the people that allowed me access to the workshop, and that I felt it was possible to estimate the dimensions from pictures and a good section drawing of the building. 

[Hauk]

Have we discussed what to use for steel wire in a model?

I need a product that will hang straight, nothing spoils the illusion like a crane hook that does not have the weight to pull a cable straight.

I think I will go for something that simulates a stranded steel cable, even if you look closely at the enclosed picture, it looks like they used something else for the crane.

[Bill Gill]

Hauk, I overlooked the toy-tool with hammer and bench with plastic pegs that inspired you to do all the rivets. Obviously it had a strong influence on you as a child

I have seen very thin stranded cable in the jewelry section of craft stores. Could a piece of it be hung vertically with sufficient weight to hold it straight and then keep it straight with thin cyanoacrylate glue before cutting it to the length you need?

[Design-HSB]

Hello Hauk, such cranes used to use chains mostly and a very nice fine chain, which I also like to use, is available here.

[Bernhard]

Look here: http://www.steba.org/
In the catalogue on page 32 there are very fine stainless steel ropes, which are composed of several strands. They are very flexible. I also used them for my bucket chain excavator.

Bernhard

[Hauk]

Look here: http://www.steba.org/
In the catalogue on page 32 there are very fine stainless steel ropes, which are composed of several strands. They are very flexible. I also used them for my bucket chain excavator.

Bernhard

Thanks a lot for the link, Bernhard! A lot of potentially useful stuff.

[Hauk]

Hello Hauk, such cranes used to use chains mostly and a very nice fine chain, which I also like to use, is available here.

From the picture it looks like they used netiher a wire or a chain. It looks more like a belt of some sort. But even if that is correct, it is so counterintuitive that most viewers of the model will think it is an error. So I will go for a chain or a wire.

And in my opinion, a very fine chain might look best.

[Design-HSB]

Hauk, I made various tests for my bridge crane. The original steel ropes are unfortunately too stiff if they have the exemplary strength. I also work successfully with these chains. However, not yet via rolls, these would have to be adapted to the chain profile in any case, this is the case with the original. As a rope, scale rope from an old radio is also new at E-bay. I dye the sail with pickle steel grey. As an example my bridge crane on my "Klosterstollen".

[Lawton Maner]

Bernard:

No excuse.  Never let girls distract from what is really important.

My note taking with cameras kept Kodak solvent for years.  There are 25 binders of contact sheets and negatives in my office going back to my college years. 

[Hauk]

I had hoped to make more progress during the holiday, but celebrating christmas takes some serious time

But here are a couple of images that proves that at least some time has been spent in the workshop:







And ff course my new year´s resolution is to get more modeling done!

[Ray Dunakin]

Wow! Looks like it was built by miniature steel workers in a miniature machine shop!

[Chuck Doan]

That is pure gorgeous!

[TRAINS1941]

Wow that is some excellent work!

Jerry

[finescalerr]

Most satisfactory. -- Russ

[Bernhard]

Nice work! The steel construction with the gusset plates is very impressive.
Bernhard