Westlake Publishing Forums

General Category => Modellers At Work => Topic started by: Marty J on February 11, 2019, 08:44:18 PM

Title: Von Leipnik's Interplanetary Transport Co.
Post by: Marty J on February 11, 2019, 08:44:18 PM
Hi All,
I have looked for years but not posted much.  Here is a photo of some brickwork I am doing for my bookcase / around the wall layout.
Regards
Marty

Title: Re: Von Leipnik's Interplanetary Transport Co.
Post by: TRAINS1941 on February 12, 2019, 08:19:33 AM
Welcome Marty.

What are you using for bricks and scale are you working in??

Jerry
Title: Re: Von Leipnik's Interplanetary Transport Co.
Post by: 1-32 on February 12, 2019, 11:36:02 AM
Hi Marty.
very neat brickwork.
cheers Kim
Title: Re: Von Leipnik's Interplanetary Transport Co.
Post by: Marty J on February 13, 2019, 07:01:01 PM
Hi Jerry and Kim,
I work in 7/8ths scale.   The plaster bricks are cast in a mold that I made awhile back.   The project stalled because I was never happy with the color.  I know that you can paint the bricks but I just didn't want to go that route.  First I tried adding a number of different paints into the plaster but the bricks always ended up too pink.  I then used artist paint powders but they were really messy and expensive.  The solution turned out to be concrete dye and it works really well.  Photo below.  I ordered it online and have been in the brick making business since.  While this mold works fine I have some improvements that I plan on implementing on the next version.
Regards
Marty

Title: Re: Von Leipnik's Interplanetary Transport Co.
Post by: Carlo on February 14, 2019, 06:27:28 AM
Hi, Marty J -

Are you still using plaster, or some mix to cast bricks?
Do you you the "red" color straight?
Carlo
Title: Re: Von Leipnik's Interplanetary Transport Co.
Post by: Marty J on February 15, 2019, 02:11:58 PM
Hi Carlo,
I just use the plaster-dye combination.  It gives best results when fairly "runny".  I don't vacuum mix the plaster but I do use a vibrating platform while pouring.
Baking afterwords helps with strength.  A vacuum mixer would likely increase the usable brick ratio - currently the yield is about 80%.
Regards
Marty
Title: Re: Von Leipnik's Interplanetary Transport Co.
Post by: Ray Dunakin on February 17, 2019, 08:56:34 PM
Excellent model masonry!