Chris Kieffer said:
Don’t worry Cliffy, if it costs to much another member of your household will “pinch it off” for you. (http://largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-laughing.gif)
Ah, that’s why my mom has no idea what I am spending on my hobby…
Fortunately, I have a small “personal budget” that layout projects are funded by. Unfortunately, it’s the same budget I use for work & travel expenses… so Chris, that should fully explain the burritos. (http://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-foot-in-mouth.gif)
And being a frugal boomer, I’d hate to miss the better deal. So that’s why I’m considering an alternate material for sheathing and shingles, colored ABS. Colors and thicknesses are limited, but I think I can get the two colors I need (for “barn red” walls and green shingles). I have samples coming, so we’ll see. The main problem will be, I think, clean laserable engraving & cutting. It will be like the styrene probably: raised edges, less distinct engraving (vs. acrylic). But if it works, the ABS will be a $90 purchase, vs. a $400 purchase for acrylic.
I may do a mix. Green acrylic for the roof, due to potentially better UV resilience; and barn red ABS. Still evaluating. I almost went with a wonderful HDPE, correct thickness and great color selection, and dirt cheap. Even a slight texture. But PE is practically non-bondable; and the only true adhesive I found (Scigrip PPX5) costs $190 a can!! So heck with that.
In the mean time, I’m working on the core. It took quite a while prepping and fitting the bits for the main module, due to how many parts are involved. But I was pleased that, with few exceptions (where I screwed up with laser focal length), everything indeed fit together. It was fun!
Next step is to glue all the parts for each segment together (4 modules, body and roof, 8 separable assemblies). I was going to haul everything out to the layout for a check fit, but will forego that until the adhering is done. I don’t trust the blue tape, and it would suck if a module exploded en route. At this point, if anything doesn’t fit, it will be the concrete that changes. 
===>Cliffy
Where’s Oscar and his “Like” button when ya need him…(http://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-cool.gif)(http://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-wink.gif)
Thanks Ken!!
Looking great Cliff,
I probably missed it back down the line but is there some reason your not considering wood as a siding?
This is looking terrific, Cliff. The visual complexity is pretty cool. It will make a conversation piece on the layout for sure…
Nice job!
Maybe a tan base color for when the paint fades and peels…
Thanks Jim, I’m glad you like it!
Rick, thanks; and I guess I didn’t explain about the wood, good question. I’m using colored plastic sheet in an attempt to be low-maintenance. But I’d like to experiment with thin plywood at some point, and engrave the boards.
Gracias John, and for this the paint will mainly be interior (for light blocking), and under the eaves. Probably the biggest peeling will be on the exposed base perimeter; I may end up covering that with sheet material of some sort.
[later…]
Things went well with the cementing, except when I ran out… dang, I forgot to order more. I’m using Scigrip #4, which is applied with a needle applicator bottle. With the parts taped together, you run the needle along, and the cement flows by capillary action between the surfaces. Kinda fun.
I had a few minor setbacks on the project, but I hope they’ll be resolved soon. I’ve been reconsidering my material selection for sheathing, due to cost; ran out of cement; and I had a major blowout with the water coolant line on the laser. Serious hosing of the electrical bits, but I’m hoping for good remediation.
In the mean time…
I’ve begun to look at the mine’s roof catwalks. These were pretty extensive, and permitted access to all the stack bases, the roof in general (for fire fighting purposes), and the all important flag pole in the front.
This is just the catwalks. Between all these were stairs. And to get up to the roofs were several stout ladders.
Pecking away… trying not to be bummed…
===>Cliffy
PS, I’m gauging all this from several historical photos. And the more I model it, the more I think I’d be scared poopless walking on all this!! I guess that’s why they called these things “catwalks.” Emphasis on “cat”.
Gee, its fun sitting here, Butt Modeling, and watching a real craftsman at work.
You’re a too generous David, but thanks!!
Blank post again…
I’m speechless …it’s an open canvas where your options are endless
Cliff
Is this going to get the mandatory rooster weather vane?
Thanks very much Rooster!
And great point Sean, thanks for the idea!
Ozark Miniatures has them. I plan on drilling bullet holes in mine. (http://largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-sealed.gif)
Very cool! I need to get one…
Gee, the more I look at it, the more it looks like blue ice to me.
David Maynard said:
Gee, the more I look at it, the more it looks like blue ice to me.
You mean like carved from a chunk that fell from an air plane?(http://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-wink.gif)
I agree. Believe me, I regret buying the stuff, should have bought opaque black! (http://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-yell.gif)
The design of the various catwalks and ladders is finally done, here’s some shots.
Since I sometimes do basic architectural modeling, I generally need to follow rules on hand rails, permissible stair rise & run, landings, etc. So I kept having to remind myself that none of those rules were present in 1880! (http://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-foot-in-mouth.gif)
Chris Kieffer said:
Ozark Miniatures has them. I plan on drilling bullet holes in mine. (http://largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-sealed.gif)
Chris, I couldn’t find it. What does Ozark call it?
[edit] OK, I found it finally:
http://www.ozarkminiatures.com/scripts/prodView.asp?idproduct=330
