Cliff:
As a nerd, I’m interested in the programming of this thing. You gonna share the code as you go? Though I’ve done some pretty low level coding in my time, it has been a while and I’ve never used a controller (arduino?), so it would be fun to follow along on that part.
Cheers!
That’s upper left going CW, not upper right.
Gee Cliff, this has become a major undertaking. A museum quality building with lights sound and motion. Gee, it makes me feel just so inadequate, being around folks like yous and doin as little as I does.
Well Cliff , my question is after you get this masterpiece done, are you starting another project? if you don’t you will go postal
on us, you have done a wonderful project that has kept our interest for almost 2 yrs.
GREAT JOB
Dennis
Dennis, thanks for the reminder that someday this too will pass, and there will be another project, haha! You bet, and thanks! The next projects will be smaller though; I’m finalizing the switch machine design I started a couple years ago but never finished. Also the model T rail car, based on a V&T one. After that will be the trestles for the layout; and then hopefully another big mine project. Or a chunk of Virginia City, not sure.
Thanks again Dennis, you’ve been a great help and your work is always an inspiration!
Jim Rowson said:
Cliff:
As a nerd, I’m interested in the programming of this thing. You gonna share the code as you go? Though I’ve done some pretty low level coding in my time, it has been a while and I’ve never used a controller (arduino?), so it would be fun to follow along on that part.
Cheers!
Hey Jim! You know, I used to love coding – Lisp, Vis Basic, various dbases – but unfortunately for us geek types, there’s none involved here. It’s all simplified with on-screen sliders & buttons in a FREE software package you download with the $27 controller. Total steal. Up to 12 servos, also runs relays and accepts inputs.
https://www.pololu.com/product/1352
In case you do want to hack at the code level though, the script is available in its own window, being dynamically updated as you adjust the user controls. It’s a lot of fun, and quite cheap.
Here’s a screen shot from the software,
Thanks for asking! (http://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-laughing.gif)
David Maynard said:
That’s upper left going CW, not upper right.
Gee Cliff, this has become a major undertaking. A museum quality building with lights sound and motion. Gee, it makes me feel just so inadequate, being around folks like yous and doin as little as I does.
Thanks David, my dyslexia is always kicking in…
Well, don’t feel too bad; if you saw the shambles some other areas in my life are, you’d cheer right up, haha! (http://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-foot-in-mouth.gif)
Yes, I’ve been kinda crazy on this model. Building models of the Comstock’s mines has been a dream of mine since I began researching them as teenager. So now in my old age that I’m getting to do it, for my first mine complex, I wanted to see what it would take to put in everything I thought I wanted. In my first posts, I estimated 2 years; so I’m grateful it will have only been 1.5.
But for future projects, I have to cut way back of course. If I was a 30 year old Powerball winner, things would be different… (http://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-laughing.gif)(http://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-foot-in-mouth.gif)
Cheers,
Cliff
Oh Cliff. That’s just cheating :-). But it looks pretty easy, so hard to argue with that!
Cliff Jennings said: Building models of the Comstock’s mines has been a dream of mine since I began researching them as teenager. So now in my old age that I’m getting to do it, for my first mine complex, I wanted to see what it would take to put in everything I thought I wanted. In my first posts, I estimated 2 years; so I’m grateful it will have only been 1.5.
Cliff,
I’m just thankful that you shared your progress with us on LSC! As you know I love my history and was fascinated with the old pics/ documentation you presented with this build. I’m no teacher but “If I was” I would give you an A+ with extra credit points on the accuracy and research of the build.
Whether you know it or not “You actually were the teacher” as you made me look and research things I had no clue about. Not to mention I love playing detective on them old historic pics.
Once again outstanding documentation/build!
This post has been edited by ROOSTER : Cliff has some of the best cut rock this beak has ever snorted
" Rooster " said:
The longer this thread goes on the more scared I become to click on it each time you post !!
Brutha Roostah, any day I can get you worked up is a good day. (http://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-tongue-out.gif)
But thanks. And I hope the grand finale in September won’t disappoint. (http://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-laughing.gif)
**Cliff Jennings said:**Brutha Roostah, any day I can get you worked up is a good day. (http://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-tongue-out.gif)
Amen !
Sorry I have nothing to show, but here’s what’s been going on for this project.
The wiring is complete, and I’ll start testing and debug, God willing, this Saturday. I’m really hoping I don’t cook anything important…
I’m working hard on the Powerpoint for the October lectures. This is a single talk that will be given to two different historical societies in Nevada, covering the research, site investigation and modeling of this ore dump area. Ugh, so many photos (historical, model, site investigation), lots of layers to the thing. I was feeling kinda overwhelmed, until last Sunday when I decided to tackle it and devoted the whole day to the thing. So it’s getting more under control now, and I’m relaxing a bit more. Long way to go though.
The final model installation will be a big deal. I need to get this sucker done and planted on the layout, and photo’d for some final lecture slides. That will require the excavation jig that I posted on a while ago, the excavation itself, and getting this final module out there, leveled and fitted. Oh, and the wiring and debugging and programming need to happen before all that.
So things are coming down to the wire. Lots to do this month and in September.
Thanks for your participation in this,
Cliff
I’m thinking Cliff is planning on blowing the damn place up! We/I wanna see the historical and site investigation photos.
Ho Lee Balls (Chinese guy wishing to purchase the model)
Rooster: has reported Cliff to the moderator for saying “sucker”
Thanks Rooster, I needed that!
You’ll see them, buddy.
An installation update. I made this excavation template earlier in the week.
Here’s the before excavation,
And the after. Turned out that I didn’t need to move much dirt, just build up the rocks mainly. I was really glad that I didn’t have to move the rock wall out, or move trees; things fit ok.
I still need to add sand and pavers beneath the OSB board, and get it all level.
===>Cliffy
Neat idea - looking forward to the true installation.
I wouldn’t make it too level - you probably want the rain to go away…(https://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-innocent.gif)
Thanks Bruce!
I missed the part where …ahhh never mind
" Rooster " said:
I missed the part where …ahhh never mind
The part where I finished the electrical? If so, I’m afraid that’s still underway Rooster. Just got the testing / debugging about completed, although one component isn’t quite behaving as described (the speed controller for the tram car). I hope to resolve that soon. But all the other bits seem to be working.
Then comes programming, hopefully next weekend, we’ll see. Then, God willin’, final installation sometime in early September.
Here’s how the test setup looks. All the electrical crap is contained on the (removable) trestle deck.
===>Cliffy
Cool. How about a video to show it all in action?
Edit to fix cheesy grammar!
