It has been dead here for about two weeks. Oddly, I've been working on a massive project for nearly three months now. It's a an HO scale model of the Southern Pacific Type 22 depot at Goleta, California. I had photographed the structure in 1991 and knew the siding width is 8 inches. My old pal, Doug Heitkamp, found three or four common standard dimensions to help me solve a few problems and, after a month and a half, I had produced what seems an accurate 1:1 scale plan.
Another friend and former contributor to my publications, Ed Morris, has been creating digital composite photos of HO scale SP models over shots of actual locations and wanted me to make him a depot kit. All my SP models are HO scale, too, and a 1:48 model would be nearly three feet long so I decided to create a pair of HO kits. I have spent the last month and a half determining theoretical window mullion and other critical component sizes, doing many laser test cuts to identify problems, and then drawing and redrawing laser plans for those tiny HO scale parts.
I held off mentioning any of this because all I have to show are a dozen CAD drawings and one photo of a test mockup. But since none of you has posted anything recently ....
Below are part of a colorized version of the HO scale drawing I used as the basis for many laser cut components and also a photo of a test build of the freight end wall. The freight platform will fill the confusingly blank area between the ground and the trim.
That's why I've been quiet. Has anyone else been busy?
Russ
Well Im trying - mainly to finish stuff I started ages ago - The saw mill project is on hold for a bit and have gone back to some 1/35th SMALL MODULES
its the only way I will finish anything now days This is an addition for "Nobby Clarks" tat yard ( see Nobby Clarks Emporium )
I do think this forum helps others and myself if comments are made eg - How did you do that what did you use and so on - it certainly needs that sort of encouragement - (I don't even mind that's a load of rubbish if you say why ! ) as long as it is Constructional criticism it helps us all to continue I know times are bad for us all at the moment world wide - But putting the odd little "lets call it article" on the forum is worth a lot to us all
A few shots of what Im up to at the moment a small repair shed- On a 16in x 8in base Will start a proper article Very soon !!
shots 1-2 the base roughed out - The start of a battery box loco will be derelict at the end of the rail
3 the main building started
4 a battery box waiting for detail a small generator and hinges for shutters and doors for the paint shop
Barney
Russ forgot to say very nice neat CAD drawings
Barney
Russ, the CAD drawings and test build look great!
Barney, nice start on the module. About the white tubes under the track -- are those going to be pipes of some sort?
Ray the plastic tubes the large one is a drain pipe from the upper ground and the thinner one will be for an electric supply for the workshop
the pipes will be a galvanised finish and partially buried in the ground work
Barney
Hi, Russ ! Nice clean work so far. I also didn't want to bore you , so I lurked in the background.
Quote from: finescalerr on February 04, 2023, 12:29:53 PMI held off mentioning any of this because all I have to show are a dozen CAD drawings and one photo of a test mockup.
Although I have been very busy too, all I could contribute were some CAD updates. The vehicle has been redone in most parts and is virtually finished. But so far no printed parts, therefore no progress on my modelling desk that would be of interest :-\
(https://images20.fotki.com/v1638/photos/4/3824994/16426959/Zusammenstellung_gesamt-vi.jpg)
That truck looks terrific! -- Russ
Russ, I'm still looking in. Have two projects waiting for stuff before can go back to work on them.
A lovely truck more please
Barney
Been struggling with the disparity between the theory of acrylic paint being resistant to enamel thinner and the reality :-(
For real fun, try artists' odourless thinner on ALPS decals that someone coated with Floquil matt varnish. "Oh bother" I said, or something along those lines.
I have been working on the construction of a Hulett Ore Unloader for months. The first parts for the 1:32 scale model have also been made. I will soon report about this project here in the forum.
0000_Seite_1.jpg
0000_Seite_2.jpg
Bernhard
Quote from: Krusty on February 06, 2023, 11:20:23 PMFor real fun, try artists' odourless thinner on ALPS decals that someone coated with Floquil matt varnish. "Oh bother" I said, or something along those lines.
You know the feeling then...
I popped down the road to the local PPG agent yesterday and got some clear lacquer. They wanted to sell me a litre minimum, but when I told them why I wanted it they GAVE me around 200ml. I'm using auto lacquer for most top-coating anyway so this should give me a really robust finish and seal in the decals well. First test seemed fine, so fingers crossed.
If you need those ALPS decals replaced I'm doing a batch of proper (1200dpi CMYK+white) full colour decals soon so drop me an email.
Quote from: Bernhard on February 07, 2023, 05:28:56 AMI have been working on the construction of a Hulett Ore Unloader for months. The first parts for the 1:32 scale model have also been made. I will soon report about this project here in the forum.
Strictly speaking, all what I am doing right now is peanuts in comparison to your project... :o
That Hulett drawing is very impressive. Still, our forum isn't a contest ... so what are you working on, Peter? -- Russ
How big will that Hulett be in 1/32 scale?
QuoteIf you need those ALPS decals replaced I'm doing a batch of proper (1200dpi CMYK+white) full colour decals soon so drop me an email.
Thanks Lawrence: the offer is appreciated. Fortunately it was someone else's model, about 300km away. ;D
Quote from: Ray Dunakin on February 07, 2023, 10:16:02 PMHow big will that Hulett be in 1/32 scale?
Ray, the model will be 295 mm (11 1/2") wide, 1'770 mm (5'-9") long and 660 mm (2'-2") high (swing arm in horizontal position).
And here's a little preview: these are most of the individual parts for the drives on which the Unloader rides along the dock.
IMG_3219.JPG
Bernhard
Quote from: Bernhard on February 07, 2023, 05:28:56 AMI have been working on the construction of a Hulett Ore Unloader for months. The first parts for the 1:32 scale model have also been made. I will soon report about this project here in the forum.
This is going to be legendary!
Can´t wait for the separate thread.
Between Bernhard and Frithjof, not to mention Helmut, Volker, Lawrence, and a few others, I think I'll go hide under a rock. -- Russ
No room under this rock Stuart and Myself are already under it -!!!!!!
Barney
Here certainly no one has to hide! Everyone here does excellent work in his field, which I personally admire very much. These different facets make the hobby and this forum so interesting.
Bernhard
Some amazing projects going!
I have only worked on some further CAD files for my Fordson tractor. A right angle starting crank and the gear shifter. And a hitch extender.
Thanks for the post, Chuck. Most of us would be happy just to be able to draw such a detailed machine but, as we all know, your model will easily surpass it. -- Russ
Hi,
I continue to work on my project "Quai des Antilles" which I will exhibit next October in a French exhibition.
I still have a lot of work and I am less active on the forum.
QuoteI have only worked on some further CAD files for my Fordson tractor.
Great work, Chuck. I'm a big fan of these tractors. I have saved the pictures, maybe I can use them for an upcoming project.
Bernhard
Here is the second test assembly of the rear wall of the HO scale Southern Pacific depot in Goleta, CA. Over the last couple of weeks I've spent several hours with the laser and three times that amount with the CAD program. -- Russ
Russ, What are you finding most challenging with the CAD program?
Chuck that's a starting handle mechanism Iv not seen before - but then I look and a lot of small narrow gauge diesel/petrol locos use that system The Fordson drawings are looking good to
Russ very neat bit of drawing /cutting
Barney
I'm still working on my 1:1 project , with a bit of luck we'll move into it this year .
Bill, I've had no trouble at all with the CAD program. It's really terrific.
The time I spent on the computer was to prepare several components of the basic drawing as "mini-kits" and then, after a test cut, to adjust dimensions to account for the width of the laser beam or any other error. A single window, for example, requires a few minutes to revise and if one has an error, then all will. I also discovered discrepancies between the restored depot I photographed 32 years ago and early 20th century photos so I redrew those details to be historically correct. Get it?
Russ
Thanks, Russ. From time to time my son has thought about getting a laser, or maybe a CNC router. When you said you'd spent three times as much time on your CAD program as your laser I wondered if getting the two to communicate might take extra effort.
Your results, on the other hand, are looking really good. It looks like you've perfected cutting without leaving burned edges
In the case of my "amateur level" laser, CAD files, PDFs, and even JPEGs import perfectly. I've never had the slightest glitch. The CAD software itself, Q-CAD, cost about $40 (for total ownership, not a subscription) and outperforms my version of AutoCAD Lt in every way.
As I hope was apparent, I want my design to be as perfect as I can make it and that takes a lot of time. I have no skills as a professional draftsman, engineer, architect, or any other helpful discipline. It's all trial and error.
Russ
Two projects here... work continues on the Victory. Lots of scroll saw work. Now have the deck areas rough-cut out in 13 of the 18 frames and 1 frame with the sides cut as well. Some of the cut frames are in the photo below. I chose to make all the long sweeping cuts first to avoid changing blades several times per frame. Once all the long cuts are made, I'll change to a finer blade and make all the curvy side cuts. Last cuts will be the notches for the longitudinal deck stringers. Won't cut those until I mill the stringers from Maple and finish faring the deck beams. Also made a modification to the throat plate in order to accommodate a different blade holder, adding a second hole and brass insert.
FrameCutting1.jpg
The main project right now though is a CG animation of a new, recently patented, chronometer escapement and watch for an independent watchmaker client. Below is a sample frame in "clay" from the escapement explode sequence. The entire animation is rendered in "clay" first as a pre-viz to test the motion and other elements prior to adding the appropriate materials and rendering the final.
Frame563TestWeb.jpg
Quote from: finescalerr on February 08, 2023, 12:25:33 PMBetween Bernhard and Frithjof, not to mention Helmut, Volker, Lawrence, and a few others, I think I'll go hide under a rock. -- Russ
Russ, I don't think anyone has to hide here, but I'm very happy when my work is so well received.
We continue on the Xrot R12 and many other projects at the same time, we have just constructed a chimney and placed it on the roof.
We work on the Xrot every week on Wednesdays, I support a model railway friend here.
(https://www.buntbahn.de/fotos/data/7179/medium/20230216_213928.jpg) (https://www.buntbahn.de/fotos/showphoto.php?photo=133898)
The vent of the Xrot R12, 10 mm high and 15.6 mm diameter. THE chimney itself is made of a 0.5 mm brass sheet, rolled by hand around a round metal. The brim at the top is a milled 0.5 mm ring. The collar below is originally a 5 mm high brass ring. The ring was adapted to the roof shape by means of sandpaper glued to the roof. To adapt the upper shape, the sandpaper was glued into the roof inside. Since the ring also had to be rounded at the top, this was done in the lathe at a very slow speed with a file. Everything together was soldered to the roof with the flame in the proven way. For this purpose, a corresponding hole with a compass on the roof was torn first. A hole was drilled into the roof with a step drill and the rest was adjusted classically with a file after the crack.
This little project gave me the most fun in the past months. From a favorite movie "The Great Race" and a personal hero, Professor Fate! 1:87 scale
Nice job. Looks like Moderna could use it to give COVID shots. -- Russ
Quote from: Rail and Tie on February 17, 2023, 07:50:49 PMThis little project gave me the most fun in the past months. From a favorite movie "The Great Race" and a personal hero, Professor Fate! 1:87 scale
I love it! What a fantastic replica of Prof. Fate's ill-fated rocket!
"Push the button, Max!"
Spent some time re-visiting an old project, the Epsom salts monorail loco. When I was planning it 12 years ago (!), I was going to use a die-cast Fordson. The top heavy weight of that tractor made a model problematic due to the spindly design of the prototype, so I set it aside. But now I can 3D print most of the tractor and weight will no longer be a factor. So, maybe it will go further up on my unfinished model list. Maybe.
The overriding question is when you'll find time to build it. -- Russ
Quote from: shropshire lad on February 16, 2023, 12:06:12 AMI'm still working on my 1:1 project , with a bit of luck we'll move into it this year .
Nearly missed this joke
My main project after finishing the book has been looking for an atelier, which is quite difficult in our town, but there's a silver lining at the horizon. So my modeling work was rather virtual - I spent the last 4 or so weeks 3D-constructing a four axle boogie car (No. 31) of the Plettenberger Kleinbahn, more or less reverse engineering it from some pictures and very few measurements. This is what I got so far:
PKB-31-Todt-1956-animiert.mp4
B/w picture taken by Reinhard Todt 1956, Wolf Dietrich Groote collection.
Please don't ask, when or how I'm going to build it, but I had fun constructing it :D . Next project are the bogies.
Cheers,
Volker
Clever!
Quote from: shropshire lad on February 16, 2023, 12:06:12 AMI'm still working on my 1:1 project , with a bit of luck we'll move into it this year .
Now that's impressive!!!! ;) Jerry
Yes, really impressive CAD work!
Bernhard
You seem to be making satisfactory use of your time. -- Russ
Very slowly preparing details for the hardware store on the C&VRR (HO scale)
Repainted and added spokes to a Woodland Scenics bike
shortened a tall Central Valley step ladder and added spreaders
painted tank and dial from an old Revell kit
scratchbuilt kerosene heater
added handle and painted the toolbox
Difficult, fiddly work with good results. -- Russ
Very nice work Bill.
Jerry
Thanks, Jerry.
Beginning around late December I've been working on the HO scale Southern Pacific depot I mentioned at the start of this thread. It has required a few test cuts and assemblies and, of course, I made a couple of (dozen) mistakes. I thought you'd enjoy seeing some. -- Russ
Looks like you're getting pretty good at it.
Good preparatory work. Now we are looking forward to seeing the finished building!
Bernhard
I have been fumbling around with this HO scale model of the Southern Pacific depot at Goleta, California since late December. I drew plans from photos I shot in 1991 and laser cut nearly every part from Strathmore cardstock. As I showed in my last post, it has been necessary to redesign and recut many parts more than once and I have no idea how many hundred hours I've devoted to this project so far. I spent the last two days cutting and test fitting sub-roof panels; the final parts will be from 1/32-inch thick basswood. When it's complete, I'll probably title the post "Depot from Hell". -- Russ
Russ, Hell is in Michigan rather than California, but aside from that geographical gaff the depot is looking really good.
On page one of this thread you showed a colorized version of your plan drawing. The colors match the partially assembled model posted just above here and the colors are remarkably uniform and saturated. Did you cut them from precolored stock? If you printed the colors, how did you get them so even ?
The vast majority of the model is Strathmore 300 Series Bristol Smooth. I found an SP color chart online and matched the colors as closely as possible in Affinity Photo. Then I used the bucket tool to "pour" the color onto a sheet of paper and printed it with my Epson inkjet.
I scurried off to the laser with the colored paper and told it to scribe the board lines at a very low power and cut out the parts at full power. Although the colors probably look perfect in the photos, the printer is not perfectly consistent and the texture of any given sheet of paper also can affect the shade. The results may be close but rarely an exact match.
I recut the walls so many times I finally just accepted the imperfections of the laser and printer and forced myself to shrug off the lovely imperfections I contributed.
If it turns out well, this project may end up providing a degree of satisfaction and education but no fun.
Russ
Well that is a fine looking building. Hell you should be real proud of it!
Jerry
Looks great! It'll be a very impressive structure when finished.
RUINED.
Some ash from a laser cut part fell on a wall panel (can you guess which one?) and left an indelible stain, enough to spoil the model. Since it was a lost cause anyway, I tried to minimize the stain by dusting with some powdered pastel chalk. Somehow the soft watercolor brush I used roughed up the far too delicate surface and, of course, the pastel color also didn't match the wall. The only solution is to trash the whole thing and start again from scratch ... with basswood for everything but window sash, trim, and shingles.
Russ
Bummer!