Jim Rowson 2023 Mik challenge build: Bank of Durango

[WaverlySouthern (Dan Hilyer)]

Now, if we could just get Dave to give us the Challenge 5 years in advance we could all take advantage of Mother Nature’s tried and true weathering skills Jim, to me, the shack looks better now than when it was “new”.

I appreciate and enjoy your “low tech” modeling. Everything you build has a sense of authenticity to it and looks like its been there for ages.

[Devon_Sinsley]

@WaverlySouthern

Jim, to me, the shack looks better now than when it was “new”.

I was thinking the exact same thing. The broken chunk of roof is priceless.

[Jim_Rowson]

FYI: I did try the salt technique in a Mack truck model and it worked decently well, exposing organic shaped rust spots:

Delivery truck for Mackenzie's Mercantile

Did the salt thing today. The process is: wet an area sprinkle on salt (I started with coarse and went to fine… not sure which is better) let it dry airbrush on the top coat. you will lose some salt, don’t despair let the top coat dry use a toothbrush (preferably not one you plan to use on your teeth later) to remove the top coat over the salt Result: [image] [image] The various pieces aren’t actually attached yet, but it is possibly going to look like a truck when I’m done: [image]

[Jim_Rowson]

Built the mold to create the rock walls for the building.

I have also selected most of the rocks to form the pressure reducing arch above the round top window. There are some similar rocks for above the door and other window.

These rocks are bigger than those used for the bulk of the wall. Hopefully they will stand out a bit.

Next step is to get all the plugs of various types placed in the mold. Things like:

• windows and doors
• slots in the front and rear base for wooden beams that will be used to create the wooden walkway at the front
• small holes through for lights that will shine on the sign and down onto the walkway.

[Devon_Sinsley]

Those rocks are not to big Jim, your town is just full of really big burly men’s men who could lift them.

Can’t wait to see this come together. Did I miss something? Mold? are you casting something and I missed it? Or is your mold a form on which to place the real rock? Also not sure if it was intentional or not but the top center stone is the correct shape for a key stone. Not having any idea of the level of your knowledge of these things ( I sure don’t have much) but I do know that the top center stones are wedge shaped so that as the pressure pushes down on the arch it “drives” the wedge into the arch actually making it tighter and stronger. So that was a very good choice for the top center stone.

[Jim_Rowson]

@Devon_Sinsley : I am using a Ray Dunakin technique that I have used twice before. The most recent time was for my not finished Casey’s Saloon foundation. Link below:

Casey's Saloon on the Durango & Jasper

I’ve started a new project, a saloon for the town of Durango named after my son Casey. Here’s a sketch (wow, I’m bad at that!): [image] Here’s where I intend it to go, near the worker shacks and across town from the general store: [image] [image] The paver that is sitting on the dirt near the track is one of 6 that will be buried and form the solid base for the saloon. On top of that base I’m going to create a 5 inch tall retaining wall/foundation for the wood saloon above. I’m planning …

I also used this for my dynamite shack.

Rock dynamite storage house build

On the Durango & Jasper we have a gold mine. It is inspired by this 1980’s HO layout by John Olsen: [image] So far we have the 2 level trestle roughly in place. Here’s a shot after the initial install of lighting within the mine entrance: [image] It seems like this mine needs a lot of details. I’m starting by adding a rock building to store dynamite, to be placed at the far left side of the above photo on a rock ledge. There will be wooden steps leading up to it from the upper trestle level.…

It is an outside mold that holds the rock in place while you pour the cement behind it.

Pretty easy to do, once Ray showed how.

[Devon_Sinsley]

I like that. I just went and looked at the first thread you posted and that is a cool idea and will be borrowed. I want to make a rock church and this will be way easier and probably look way beeter than how I was going to do it.

[Jim_Rowson]

Not huge progress today. Got the front wall plugs and special rocks in place.

[Pete_Lassen]

Now to remember how much or how little water is needed to get the mix right, hope you are better at writing stuff down than I am. Good luck cannot wait for the unveiling

[Jim_Rowson]

Before one can write it down, one needs to measure it. Fail at step one…

[WaverlySouthern (Dan Hilyer)]

@Jim_Rowson

Not huge progress today

Any progress is good progress I can’t wait to see how the arch turns out, looking good so far.

[Jim_Rowson]

Looking for 3D printing help. I have a design but when my daughter/soon-to-be-son-in-law moved from Florida to Colorado, the Prusa we own is not in functional shape. For some reason, they seem to be fixated on post move stuff that doesn’t involve the printer. So self-centered

So, I’m looking for somebody who has a working 3D printer who can render my bank sign for me. I’m happy to pay for filament and shipping out of my $30.

Here’s the sign:

It is about 6" in the longest dimension. There are 2 versions of thickness. I’m going to paint it, so no worries about filament color.

Anybody willing to help? PM me your email and I can send the .stl file

Thanks in advance…

[WaverlySouthern (Dan Hilyer)]

Jim, send me the stl file or cad file and I will be glad to do that for you. I’ll PM you with my email address.

[Jim_Rowson]

Thanks Dan. Email sent.

[Pete_Lassen]

Hey Dan, since you are doing bank signs, You wanna print up my bank sign too??? Of course I need design work too, not as computer savvy as Jim is! LOL
I am kidding !!

[WaverlySouthern (Dan Hilyer)]

Any time you need any 3D printing or design work, just let me know. I will be glad to help.

[Devon_Sinsley]

Sounds like Dan beat me to it. But if anyone ever needs a resin printed part I am game.

On another note, the wife and I are on a mini vacation to South East Idaho. We drove through the semi ghost towns of Nevada and Virginia cities, Idaho. I saw this “downtown” Bank and it totally screamed at me “Jim’s challenge build”.

[Jim_Rowson]

Thanks, Devon. Boy, that looks like the Church of the Almighty Dollar to me. I love the “BANK” sign. Kind of like my “JAIL”…

[Devon_Sinsley]

@Jim_Rowson

love the “BANK” sign.

Nothing like stating the obvious right. Why waste time with fancy names when you can just say “BANK”

[Devon_Sinsley]

Jim said “church” so that makes it okay. This is in Lauren, Id.