I like it, Jon. Looks very close to the pictures I have.
(http://www.jbrr.com/Pics/RollingStock/LogSkeletons/IMG_4379.JPG)
lightly âsandâ them with steel wool until you get the shade you like
Keep them the color they are. I love them so far. Details will really make them stand out. You should have the next 2 weeks back indoors. Weather looking more like January.
Mik said:Great idea. I was going to try sandpaper, but steel wool will probable work better. Thanks.
lightly 'sand' them with steel wool until you get the shade you like
For everyone else who voted to stay as-is. I think they are only too dark in spots. Iâm not quite looking for silver Next batch will get a lighter coat with a brush. The first few I did I flooded with an eye dropper. Brush offers much more control.
Shawn - Maybe next week Iâll get back to it. The rest of this week will be spent packing for York.
Another thread back from the dead.
I never did finish these cars, but with Shay #5 back in service there is some motivation to get back to them. Everything is in a box waiting for the Mojo to strike.
I figured out the bunk ends with a simple bend in a short section of brass bar stock. I was hung up on getting the bunk hangers, the straps that go over the bunks, bent at a reasonably consistent rate. Back then I was trying to hand bend brass. Today, I might just try and convince someone with a 3D printer to make me a run of them. Once painted, who cares what the material is.
If you want to bend the brass reasonably consistent, make a jig. BUT, as you stated, maybe it doesnât really matter? How about strip styrene?
Thanks. At the time I experimented with styrene and wasnât happy with the bends. I really liked how brass was looking, but consistency was tricky. I had an idea to make a stamping jig, but never worked it out.
Fast forward 10 years and I have a tool at work that is basically a mini press. It has a removable die to round corners. If I can come up with a strong enough design for a bending die, the machine would be perfect.
Jon, thanks for resurrecting this build thread. I like the cars you produced. Might build some myself one day. If you decide you want the straps printed, let me know. Iâll be glad to do that for you. Just send me a design/sketch and I will knock ââem out.
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Thanks for the offer Dan. I need to finish a few projects that others have kindly made parts for before I take advantage of your offer. Nothing makes you feel as lazy as looking at a box of parts someone custom made so you can finish an old project that is sitting around gathering dust!
I just hope this yearâs MIK is âfinish a MIK entry from a previous yearâ as I do have a few!
No worries, Jon. Offer will be there whenever you get back to work on the log cars.
I had already worked out a brass strip bend to make ends for the bunks, but never went beyond a pair of prototypes. Tonight, while looking for a picture from a CT Antique Machinery Assoc. show, I ran across this used on the wood rack in their sawmillâŚ
That would be a fairly easy cut in styrene or brass and the rail reinforcing the bunk adds some interest.
More stuff to ponder!
Jon,
I havenât went back and re-read your whole build thread so if this has been discussed I apologizeâŚ
The âcheese blocksâ on the ends of the bunks were adjustable in and out by chain links fastened into a notch so they could cinch down on the logs that were loaded on a car. Then they were able to be âknocked offâ so the logs could roll off the car bunks.
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