Waiting for the next batch of parts from PAP, I have done a little old fashined schratchbuilding.
Since I model a railroad with electric engines, I need poles for my overhead wire.
The full-size ones look like this:
(https://www.finescalerr.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.folk-rovere.org%2Fmj%2Fbilder%2Fpole_web.jpg&hash=0c29d3aedfbae1cb49fb9e6486c583796f72a554)
As I need a bunch of poles, I wanted to build one with as little fuzz as possible, and solid enough to be usesd on a layout.
As it happened, I did not use any "model" parts, just different sizes of metal wire, strips and a length of wooden dowel. the most fancy tool was my tiny Proxxon lathe, but since I used just freehand machining wth files, you could use a electric drill instead.
It was sfun to do things rather simple for once, and I am quite happy with my first overhead pole:
(https://www.finescalerr.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.folk-rovere.org%2Fmj%2Fbilder%2Fstolpe1_web.jpg&hash=2aaa2a9489176ca5dbd634afe47d5397e4797763)
(https://www.finescalerr.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.folk-rovere.org%2Fmj%2Fbilder%2Fstolpe2_web.jpg&hash=767796527e9b7e3ecc6081dea587575d58f6637a)
All for now, Hawks.
What will you use for the catenary lines? A couple of modellers over here are now using EZ Line for the wiring so that accidents are reduced during operation.
Beautiful work on those fittings!
Cheers,
Dallas
Very nice. Will you be drawing power from the overheads, or will they be for appearance only?
Quote from: Ray Dunakin on October 25, 2010, 05:41:00 PM
Very nice. Will you be drawing power from the overheads, or will they be for appearance only?
I will use them for appearance only, but I think I will feed power to the overhead wire just to get sparks. So the ovehead wire will be metal of some sort.
-H
I like your poles better than the originals. -- Russ
A single pole on a display base is aethetically pleaseing, but a technical problem, if you're planning to string a wire on it! ;)
Seriously, I've considered this and figure I'd make a Plexi display case, dril small holes on either side, and run the wires to the holes. Haven't tried it yet so don't know how it will look. Might look cool, might look stupid.
Dave
Sweet little project and nice brass work. I like the simple elagance of the one pole on the display base.
A bit concerned that the texture on the pole might still be a bit "nubby" or with small fuzz bits in the grain...but I look forward to seeing it all stained and finished.
Marc
Thanks for all the nice comments! I agree that the pole is not very carefully weathered. Its just a 5mm wood dovel roughened up with some ver coarse sandpaper and given 2 coats of silwerwood.
I am actually wondering if I should blast the whole pole assembly with my new air eraser. Two birds with one stone, preparing the metal for the blackening chemicals and aging the wood.
I also took a picture of pole and engine to getter, it is interesting to broaden the canvas so to speak, I have had a nasty tendency to focus on very small features in the overall picture. But personally I fee that the elements are adding up nicely.
(https://www.finescalerr.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.folk-rovere.org%2Fmj%2Fbilder%2Fhele_bildet_w.jpg&hash=7d27babc699c3f7d60f1ebbbbbbb0d99d9e245f7)
By the way, would you be awfully surprised that one of my main reasons for converting from US Colorado H0n3 to ugly 0-scale boxcabs was the work of the late Bob Hegge? It suddenly struck me how much I owe the Croocked Mountain Lines for inspiration.
That pole looks even better seeing it in context with the boxcab.
Wonderful work Hauk!
Philip
Very nice Hauk... Came across this thread http://www.buntbahn.de/modellbau/viewtopic.php?t=4976 (http://www.buntbahn.de/modellbau/viewtopic.php?t=4976) over on the Buntbahn forum from a chap building an electric loco. His pantographs are nicely done too. You may already have seen this, but if not, check it out.
Paul
Quote from: Roughboy on October 27, 2010, 11:09:16 PM
Very nice Hauk... Came across this thread http://www.buntbahn.de/modellbau/viewtopic.php?t=4976 (http://www.buntbahn.de/modellbau/viewtopic.php?t=4976) over on the Buntbahn forum from a chap building an electric loco. His pantographs are nicely done too. You may already have seen this, but if not, check it out.
Paul
I have seen the start of that thread, but not looked at it for a very long time, so I have missed the pantograph part. Thanks for the reminder!
-Haavard
Håvard..........another jewel! You might want to ad a "roof" (see your prototype picture) the rusty little cap that will prevent your pole from rotting, so typical here in Scandinavia. Looking forward to see the final weathering!
Anders ;D
You call that "SIMPLE"?
Great job, Hauk.
I also enjoyed Mr Hegge's articles.
Those parts look nice. How many are you going to need?
Electric RR modelers have to basically lay two sets of track. I recently bought a book on the LA Railway, and the overhead wires and supports look like dense steel netting in some of the downtown areas.
Quote from: Chuck Doan on October 28, 2010, 03:35:11 PM
I also enjoyed Mr Hegge's articles.
Those parts look nice. How many are you going to need?
Electric RR modelers have to basically lay two sets of track. I recently bought a book on the LA Railway, and the overhead wires and supports look like dense steel netting in some of the downtown areas.
I have no idea if I ever get around to building a layout. But I found the pole/outrigger to be surprisingly easy to build, so I don´t think the overhead will be the main obstacle. So how many I will build, no idea.
But I know that I will try and make some form tools for the different ceramic isolators i need. I need at least 3-4 different types, and lots of them. Especially for telephone and telegraph lines. On some stretches of track the poles had a small crossarm near the top. There was two telegraph lines on the arm itself, and one directly on the top of the pole. It looked nice, and I think I will repeat it on the poles for the diorama I have under construction.
(https://www.finescalerr.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.folk-rovere.org%2Fmj%2Fbilder%2Fdiorama.jpg&hash=2af635dced1010588203d9b95c61942f6e7a7940)
Uh-oh! You're going to give Jacq a run for his money. Nice work so far. -- Russ
Quote from: finescalerr on November 02, 2010, 11:47:23 AM
Uh-oh! You're going to give Jacq a run for his money. Nice work so far. -- Russ
Can´t see him shaking with fear quite yet! But thanks for the thumbs up.
The great thing with this forum is the mix of praise & criticism, and I really hope some of the postings lately will not stop people from offering constructive criticism.
Back to the really important stuff: isolaters.
In the picture below, you can see several types on just one pole:
(https://www.finescalerr.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.folk-rovere.org%2Fmj%2Fbilder%2Fstolpe_overst_web.jpg&hash=1c6e60df29e61c8e498371ef80b2c325ed801121)
The question is, have anybody seen something readymade that could be used for any of those isolators? For the powerlines on top it could be plastic, but the isolators on the running lines should be metal, me thinks.
Alternatively, have anybody had success grinding their own profile tools for machining? (My little lathe is a bit underpowered to use profile tools, but I know that there will be a *big* package (http://www.wabeco-remscheid.de/images/product_images/original_images/10400V_1.jpg) under the tree this year!)
Keep the comments coming, especially criticism!
Regards, Haavard
You can make form tools quite easily with just a lathe and hand tools. First turn the 'negative' image of the form you need on a larger diameter piece of tool steel, drill a hole up the centre and part off. Then cut out a 90deg section out of your tool and make a nice cutting edge. Then harden the tool steel - this might not be needed if you are using CZ121 brass for the parts.
Then mount your form tool on a modified tool holder using the hole and turn away.
I can make some drawings to explain better if you need them.
This is probably wrong but these plastic beads could be the right shape - http://en.dawanda.com/product/5677410-50pcs-Antique-Acrylic-Flat-Oval-Beads
Or these metal beads - http://en.dawanda.com/product/12922670-15-bicones-cuivrees-5mm
Just looking. Not really sure of the diameter of the insulator so not sure what size bead you could use.
Quote from: davej on November 06, 2010, 04:40:16 AM
You can make form tools quite easily with just a lathe and hand tools. First turn the 'negative' image of the form you need on a larger diameter piece of tool steel, drill a hole up the centre and part off. Then cut out a 90deg section out of your tool and make a nice cutting edge. Then harden the tool steel - this might not be needed if you are using CZ121 brass for the parts.
Then mount your form tool on a modified tool holder using the hole and turn away.
I can make some drawings to explain better if you need them.
Great tip, Dave!
It also triggered my memory, I now remember that I saw an online article on turning wheel profiles using a homemade pofile tool.
You must excuse my ignorance, but how do you harden tool steel? Heat, I would presume, but up to what color, and do you quench after heating?
I also wonder if you have a source of tool steel in suitable diameters.
-Regards, Haavard
Quote from: artizen on November 06, 2010, 05:00:23 AM
This is probably wrong but these plastic beads could be the right shape - http://en.dawanda.com/product/5677410-50pcs-Antique-Acrylic-Flat-Oval-Beads
Or these metal beads - http://en.dawanda.com/product/12922670-15-bicones-cuivrees-5mm
Just looking. Not really sure of the diameter of the insulator so not sure what size bead you could use.
Cut in half, those metal beads are almost a dead ringer for the insulators on the running wire! Question is, is the bronze material possible to solder, and is it really more work to turn your own if you have to mout the beads in a lathe for cutting.
But a creative tip, indeed!
Regards, Haavard.
I'd suggest turning a pattern on a lathe and casting them.
Then your measurement will be exact. Those button would be easier.
Nice looking lathe haavard!
philip
Quote from: Philip Smith on November 06, 2010, 08:34:39 AM
I'd suggest turning a pattern on a lathe and casting them.
Then your measurement will be exact. Those button would be easier.
Nice looking lathe haavard!
philip
I have conisdered casting, but with a formtool I think you could turn a bunch of them in a short time. Even castings would have to be cleaned up and centerdrilled for the mounting rod.
BTW, Here is the link to the article on turning wheels with a homemade form tool:
http://www.clag.org.uk/bill-newton1.html (http://www.clag.org.uk/bill-newton1.html)
Regards, Haavard