Taking a leaf from Kims Book Quote "Very Nice -its got to be the way to do it - just small areas one at a time -Barney (March 15)
The reply Quote " Hey barney - I don't think I would live long enough to do any thing bigger " all the best Kim (March 15)
First the inspiration from the Fantastic Book Industrial Railways of the South West by Michael messenger.
Corrugated sheeting / rust / junk all my favourite food - Diorama size 12in x 12in - Scale 1/35th
First up the Power house a 26 litre 6 cylinder Marine Diesel engine ( second hand from a Dredger) and a power generator for all the drive motors
All in the early stages of construction - the Diesel Engine uses at kit block all the rest is bits from the stock box - the Generator bits from the stock box - pumps and motors (not shown yet ) are mainly scratch built
The inspiration shot 1
The Diesel Fuel pumps have beeb tidied up a bit Plus a few other alterations on the manifolds
Engine in Primer with a few other bits for the small repair shop
The start of the Engine House / repair shed/ hopper and supports for the Trommel
All going quite well!
Stuart
I have been planning on building a diorama based on the photos from Michael Messenger's books for years , just haven't got around to it yet .
Two more photos
The first photo above looks familiar, Nick. You may have posted it a few years ago and all three are very inspirational.
Barney, you built a beautiful enginehouse diorama a couple of years ago. I can't remember whether you posted photos of the completed model. Even if you did I doubt anybody would complain if you posted a couple of shots to remind us.
Russ
Russ not sure were it is its either sold / binned and parts used on something else but most probably never finished and disappeared you must remember I am one of the biggest offenders of "Scale jumping" last one is the Ford Model T
In 1/16th scale it now sits in a box waiting a rethink !!
Barney
Still onward we go with the Trommel - mainly Plastic Card and Evergreen strips/ channel and I beams - endless packs of Master Club nuts /bolts and rivets still more to go also the second pump and motor an enclosed type with all the major cables and junction boxes - when the assembly of the Trommel is complete and painted it can then be fitted into the wooden structure with more support beams and then I can move on to the Ore Bin.
Barney
Most of the main pipe work is from the MiniArt pipe line set
The trial fit into the wooden structure it will be mounted on 12in x 12in beams and the all the pipes and electrics can be fitted - easer said the done but still nothing like a few lagers and few cheese and onion cobs to help stead-er the hand and eye-balls
Barney
Its just possible to see the installation of the Diesel engine and the generator all the loose cables and pipes are waiting for fitting to the compressor and cooling water (the unpainted guy with the flat cap is just to get an idea of size ) Barney
Great details, Barney, and what a prototype!
Cheers,
Volker
I LOVE that contraption and the entire concept of this diorama. Please finish that model and take a lot of photos. Most satisfactory. -- Russ
Quote from: finescalerr on April 01, 2025, 12:02:34 PMI LOVE that contraption and the entire concept of this diorama. Please finish that model and take a lot of photos. Most satisfactory. -- Russ
Then I'll have it off him in May.
Wow! Great work. I love small mines like this.
Barney, a beautiful realization. I like to watch!
Barney,
An impressive project and you seem to be moving along at lightning speed with it. Slow down so I can catch up! ;D
Stuart - But what I did not tell you I started in December 24 - and that was after a false start in 1/24th scale
So you should be able to cope from now on at a leisurely pace
Barney
Last bits on the Trommel still waiting for supply of "more" nuts /bolts and rivets
The wires at the back just visible are the main power cables to power the electric motors but can not fit them until Paint work is finished plus a few more water pipes small bore versions
Barney
It looks great even without paint!
What a great model! And it comes at just the right time: the price of gold is higher than ever. So start sluicing soon.
Bernhard
I LOVE that thing. Most satisfactory! -- Russ
Humbrol enamel Undercoat / primer coats on - now getting ready for a bit of colour what else "but green"
hope to achieve a reconditioned look in its early days but well looked after with a oily rag look
Barney
Amazing work. But how in the world were you able to come up with such incredible detail with only those few rustic photographs you posted at the beginning of your thread?
Stuart
The principle of trammels are the same even for modern types The ore is passed through a rotating tube which has graded grids on them and then water is pumped over the ore under high pressure or more like a "raging torrent"
the fine graded ore pass over filter beds and the gold sinks to the bottom thick matts are often used as well as the grids some of the ore grids use vibration as well as the high pressure water - managed to get some early and late brochures from companies like Dove who make quite modern versions there are some early UTUBE versions of trammels in action and Dove have some superb photos of later versions
The early contraption I posted at the start is actually a mine head but its just the look of it that gave me inspiration.
If its read-able the basics of a trommel
Thanks Barney. It's all perfectly clear to me now, you're just a mechanical genius!
Stuart
Some paint work done with a few bits of touching up left to do - some of the cables on a mission of there own to be sorted
Don't think I would like to walk under one of these beasts when in action with all the rattling and water dropping down
Barney
Most satisfactory. -- Russ
Great details! I'm always amazed when you show the painted models because they seem so much more detailed than before. Going this traditional way of modeling, i think, is a much better approach to items in use than via CAD, where it rather takes a lot of effort to get to a not 'artificial' or too 'static' result. You're a real master in modeling from scrap and one can see the fun, deep knowledge and enthusiasm you put into that. Not to mention your brave use of Humbrol colours ;) . Thanks a lot for sharing!
Volker
Volker Thanks- glad you like it
Barney
Wonderful work Barney. Looks like it would actually function.
Fantastic modeling! And thanks for the explanation and diagram -- very helpful!
Not to happy with a few things -Lighting suppose to be warm white but even with white balance settings appears very yellow a bit better in daylight - some alignment problems positions for heavy duty bolts - thinking of bringing the Trommel into the day light ! possible restart ! The upper deck now has the compressor shed in place
And fuel tanks for the deuce guzzling diesel engine
Barney
Having a rest
The upper deck
Are some small bulbs illuminating the machinery below? If so, they are probably causing the yellow cast because the main lighting is cooler. The modeling is wonderful. -- Russ
No Russ no other bulbs -they are LEDs actually of the warm white type 3v - but of course the reflection on the
"Beast Nemesis" is not helping much
Barney
It's a natural inclination to show all that hard work in the details and weathering out into full view, but keeping it within the structure, where it's meant to be is I think the best way. You know it's there, your fellow modellers on the forum know it's there, those who don't will examine the Diorama more closely and will probably be wowed by the detail.
In the real world, why would you put a trommel in a building? Especially one operated wet? If you want to keep stuff dry it's a different matter, but it's filthy. Doubtless a wet trommel system would leak/splash all over.
From experience, trommels and their associated screens and conveyors are dirty, noisy things in need of cleaning/maintenance. You need to be able to lift components out from time to time.
It's a very nice model, but placing it in a tight structure seems contrived to me, I'm sorry. If you do leave it there, a lot more muck is warranted :-)
I have several references / photos of trommels undercover as they were built using existing mine buildings one of which is the Hopper - the maintenance was done through hatches in the upper floor not yet fitted as the model is far from completion and yes the description of the working methods stat it was a dangerous place to work as - for the muck its not finished and at the rate I model I doubt it will ever be !
Barney
Taking a long sleep
I also think, strictly-speaking it is a pity to leave such a great model hidden in a building. On the other side (and from my current status as a military modeler) there are a lot of people that are building complete interiors to vehicles although it can barely be seen through the open hatches. So I agree with you – YOU know that it is there. And that is also satisfactory.
Here's another example of a trommel inside a building:
http://www.raydunakin.com/Site/Belleville_Mine_NV.html (http://www.raydunakin.com/Site/Belleville_Mine_NV.html)
(Note: At the time I wasn't sure what it was -- thought maybe a ball mill. Now I know better.)
Notice is hereby given that owing to the owner of Huffkin Mine , namely Fred Huffkin, defaulting on his mortgage repayments to the Shirtoffyaback Bank it has been forced to repossess said mine for future disposal. It is now being held in a " care and maintenance" situation whilst a decision as to what is to be done with it is made . This could mean that it will be held in limbo for some time to come . For the duration it will be held securely in the box it was delivered with the hope that a decision will be arrived at sooner rather than later.
Thank you for your understanding .
If , by any chance, you had shares or a financial interest in said mine. Ha,ha,tough . It's all mine now !
How do you always end up owning Barney's models? Something's fishy .... -- Russ
I was not going to say much about my disappointment with my model of Huffkins Mine or the remarks made by 1 forum member who I look up to for his absolute craftsmanship in the model world his models are more than exquisite in many ways and I always look forward to any articles he publishes on this Forum - So going on with my disappointment of my "attempt" at building a trommel and my research into were these dangerous working machines lived many of which where situated "inside existing buildings"mainly for cheapness I followed the practice of many mining trommels of which are situated in the UK see photos I took many years ago (with a proper camera that uses film) one of which in central Wales the other one in North Wales (a massive affair) using 2 Trommels both located inside the building - there are many other versions world wide all located inside buildings ! Most Dredgers especially in the Yukon Areas had the equipment located inside - So to say quote "who would put a Trommel inside a building and Normally they would put them outside and also more muck is required" is not really appropriate - also I did say I was not happy with the finish and thinking of a "restart and the model is nowhere finished But Nick understood my thoughts and made a offer - he ends up owning my models because appreciates the workmanship and the amount of research that I have put into Huffkins.
Barney do not disturb
A few shots of The North Wales version note the hopper and delict equipment on the INSIDE
Just to get things into perspective.
What Barney has built with his Huffkin's trommel is a bloody exquisite piece of modelling and what I paid for it didn't even cover his costs.Something that has crippled me with guilt and I hope to amend next time we meet by buying him a cheese roll, or two . He is also correct , by showing us some photos, that many were housed in existing buildings for protection against the elements.However, these were allowed to "breathe" , in as much as there was plenty of space around the trommels for the viewer to be able to get a good look at them .
Huffkin's trommel, however, is hiding its light under a bushel ,in as much as it is rather difficult to appreciate the full splendour of the modelling under the structure that it is housed in . That is the reason that it is now being held in a "care and maintenance" situation whilst a plan is formulated to display it to its best advantage . If it could be incorporated into some sort of layout that would be great , but I have little knowledge of there being any sorts of prototypes to draw references from . Any suggestions would be warmly welcomed . I suspect, however, that it is more likely to end up as a static model ,once more research has been undertaken .
Whatever the outcome, at least it won't now end up in the bin . It has been added to my ever growing collection of Barney reject models . One day I will open a museum .
Nick , The Keeper of the Kollection .
( I just need to add one or two of Chuck's rejects to make the museum a sure fire money spinner ! )
Thanks Nick Im looking forward to my Cheese & Onion cobs
Barney
Still asleep
OK - Now I'm confused. Wonderful modeling, but is it a "trammel" or a "trommel"?
Dave
Seattle Dave - look at page 2 it explains all (I hope) or watch Yukon Gold / Aussie Gold on free -view in the UK Quest channel
hope it helps
Barney