Virgil Cane was my name and I rode on the Danville train
I like The Band, but I also like this rendition too.
yadda yadda yadda , what did I win?(https://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-money-mouth.gif)
Most of my work lately has been on refining the design using SketchUp but I have started mocking up windows and doors, taking inventory of what I have available, and gathering the styrene I’m going to use to build the rest of the windows and doors. I have also been looking at some of the practicalities of building, securing, and placement of the structure on the layout. It’s started to really dawn on me that after my vision issues of the last two years (my detached retina occurred while photographing the burned out wreckage of Miks 2018), I haven’t done any serious modeling during that time and I’m having to slow down and think things through. At the same time, I’m loving every minute of it!
Glad to see you back at it. Looking good…
Looks good so far, Gregory, and as long as you’re following rule #1, carry on (https://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-wink.gif)
This one’s going to shine. Nice work Gregory.(https://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-cool.gif)
Still working on painting and assembling the first floor. I went with Home Depot exterior samples. I was going to thin them and air brush them on but was anxious to get some color on that I just brushed it on to see what it would look like, and I am satisfied, so that’s that. Next steps are to assemble the baseboards and trim, using my own Craftsman-style home revival project as a guide. The second floor is designed and ready to cut out and put together. Because of the size of the structure, having a side access did not seem workable, so the second floor will be removable to gain access to the first. The biggest challenge for this will be the stairway and ensuring it won’t be damaged when during removal or installation.
Gregory Hile said:
…and gathering the styrene I’m going to use to build the rest of the windows and doors. …
Gregory…are you saying you’re fabricating these windows and doors from scratch? If you are I would really like a tutorial, after the Challenge is over of course. I’d do anything to be able to make windows like this. Half the reason why I don’t build more is because my windows are so basic and simple even when they do look half-way decent.
John, I’d be happy to do that but most of what I learned about making them has come from the master himself, Ray Dunakin. The windows you see here are actually from Grandt line, which I also use as references, especially for measurements. When I heard they were going out of business I went down and bought several different kinds. I only have a couple left of these sizes and design so I will probably just make them for this project and keep the prototypes handy.
One thing I did do different this time was with the paint. Normally, I would prime and then paint them using an air brush. One of Ray’s techniques is to use several layers of different color paints to reveal weathering and decaying paint. You can see this in his recent posts of his new building and it works great in the types of structures he models, such as old mining towns and the like. My farmhouse in real life would likely remain in a better state of repair and upkeeps so I was looking for variations in grain and color shades but more focused on one general color. So what I have been playing with is using one color of paint (in this case Vallejo Model Color Chocolate) intended for air brush application that is brushed and not primered. The result is a thin blotchy surface that builds up unevenly over time after a series of coats. We’ll see how it goes …
I am making the header for the doorways using the same basic technique and tools as for windows and doors. I am using .080 x .250, .040 x .100, and .040 x .156 styrene. I always scrape any styrene that I will use to resemble wood with my Ray Dunakin scraper. Even though the grain would not normally be seen the scraping removes the glossy shine and helps to facilitate the illusion of wood.
I have an 8 x 8 glass picture frame that I picked up at Michael’s for the work space, but they come in various sizes. They have a lip on the edges that I can rest the pieces against. I then glue the pieces together, using tweezers to insert really small pieces if necessary, and then hold everything against the lip with a machinist block until dry. The bottle says Testor’s Liquid Cement for Plastic, which works great, but I actually think I went through the bottle and it is really MEK (to be used in a well-ventilated area!).
looking good
Gregory, I would go broke buying glass for the work surface because I would have a brain fart and drop the machinist block.
Dan Hilyer said:
Gregory, I would go broke buying glass for the work surface because I would have a brain fart and drop the machinist block.
The bottom shelves of an old refrigerator were tempered glass. I’ve used one for decades.
John Caughey said:
Dan Hilyer said:
Gregory, I would go broke buying glass for the work surface because I would have a brain fart and drop the machinist block.
The bottom shelves of an old refrigerator were tempered glass. I’ve used one for decades.
As are glass top table. And another top would be those from stone.(https://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-cool.gif)
What patience you have to build those windows. They look great.
My patience will be tested Monday as I have to be on jury duty. I like the idea of committing justice but the timing surely isn’t great. Anyway, I got a few things done this weekend – added some color and some elevation. Not in the pictures but I layed out exactly where and how the chimney (oh yeah-- that!) will go, so we’re getting there.
Gregory Hile said:
My patience will be tested Monday as I have to be on jury duty. I like the idea of committing justice …
The Challenge, and your fine build, are more important than justice. When you get to the courthouse, pick your nose a lot and continuously mutter under your breath, “Guilty. Guilty I say. Guilty.”
John Passaro said:
Gregory Hile said:
My patience will be tested Monday as I have to be on jury duty. I like the idea of committing justice …
The Challenge, and your fine build, are more important than justice. When you get to the courthouse, pick your nose a lot and continuously mutter under your breath, “Guilty. Guilty I say. Guilty.”
Now that’s funny. I don’t care who you are. (https://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-cool.gif)
Well, I have thought of doing something like that but the fact is, I really wouldn’t mind being on a jury. The problem is all the waiting around beforehand, so I’m thinking of just loading everything up and bringing it along. I mean if Rod Stewart can bring all his stuff on a concert tour, I figure one farmhouse in the jury waiting room would be reasonable. I just need to figure out how to get my air compressor, painting tools, and knives, files, and saws past security. Will let you know how it all turns out …
Let me know how that works out for you. Can I sit on YOUR jury trial?