Large Scale Central

Rick's Mik 2019

The MIK - Annual Build Challenge
#1

OK so here goes.

I have been saving this Gazette article for years and years and years, you know, a long time. I was always wanting to build this little guy but never seemed to find the time and/or inspiration. Well now at least I have the inspiration and maybe a little time and it will be fun to mix in with everyone else during the build.

Without further ado, the prototype. I’m quite sure this is a protected image so you don’t really see it here.

The detailed blue prints. I didn’t have a napkin handy so I used some shop towels, hope this doesn’t disqualify me I didn’t show the fine details of the journal boxes because I haven’t

found any in my junk boxes yet

A pile of what I have managed to find so far; wheels, axles and brake hangers. PVC couplings for the boiler. all the engine parts with drums and gears. couplers and some misc. detail parts.

Some HO scale metal roofing that should look pretty good on this and a couple of arch bar truck side frames that maybe I can cut the journal boxes out of. Oh ya, some Redwood and Pine for

all the wood parts. I should have everything I need, well that’s what I think now, we will see once the build starts.

#2

Coolio. Following… Sounds like you and Devon will be able to compare notes :slight_smile:

#3

Yeah that’s a cool little crane. Cant wait to see what you can come up with. Glad I didnt run you off the idea. There’s room for two cranes.

#4

Your right Devon, there is always room for cranes, or shovels, or tractors, or pile drivers, or log loaders, especially log loaders(https://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-foot-in-mouth.gif)(https://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-laughing.gif).

Did some more junk box digging and came up with a set of Shay truck side frames that I can rob the journal boxes out of to make pedestals for the crane wheels(https://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-laughing.gif)

#5

Day 1

Got off to a slow start today, only had about 3 hours to work on it, but here is what I have so far.

The pieces for the boiler, I got them cut and turned so they will telescope together to form the smoke box taper. I know it looks a little strange but I think it will work.

Here we are all glued up in stages so that it can be turned to form the taper. Just havta’ let the glue cure good before starting.

With that part on hold I turned to the frame and main deck. I cut the pieces and glued up the main wood frame. Now more waiting for glue to dry.

Might change horses mid stream and build this as a small “heel boom” log loader instead of a regular steam crane. I will see if I can find a picture of one to post.

More later

#6

Well, its only the first day of the Challenge and I’m already learning new tricks. I’m not sure it would ever occurred to me to fit the PVC together and turn it down the way you propose. Filed a way for future use. Thanks, Rick.

#7

I agree with Dan. Very clever. I don’t have a lathe, though, so may be out of luck using this technique…

#8

Here is an early “heel boom” loader like I will now be going for. Not many pictures on the net of the early rigs most are the more modern “Z” boom style. I will look through my on site resources tomorrow and see if I can come up with a clearer picture.

#9

Here are a set of steam and sanding domes I turned down using PVC couplings and pipe. It’s pretty interesting to work with. Gets hot and when it does it gets kinda greasy

#10

Exactly, you have to turn it slow and tool it gently but it works up very well as shown in your post.

Thanks for the picture.

Rick

#11

Wow, you other guys amaze me, how fast your getting so much done.(https://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-laughing.gif)

Well Day 3

A little progress to show, too many distractions pulling me away from this important work.

Cut the journals and suspension from the Shay side frames and added some backing so I could mount them to the sills. I found this set of brand new LGB spoked wheels in the junk wheel box and couldn’t resist using them on this. I know it isn’t correct for a western log loader but they look pretty cool(https://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-foot-in-mouth.gif)

The pedestals are all finished, the back side of the journals are filled in with Sintra and Styrene, drilled and the axel sleeves (brass tubing) inserted. Next steps, paint the pedestals, distress and stain the wood platform and get the couplers installed. Then mount the wheels and go on from there.

That gray looking stuff between the center sills is 2.5 pound lead sheet to add weight to the car down as low as possible.

Hopefully I can catch up with the rest of you speed builders.

Rick

#12

I dont know you look like you are holding your own. I love those journals.

#13

I like the spoked wheels, Rick. Don’t worry, you are way ahead of me. I just glued the end beams and side sills up tonight.

#14

Rick,

I have decided you have a seriously unfair advantage over me when it comes to us building the same thing. Your work space is far to organized.

#15

Devon, that is not entirely true, I’m just fortunate enough to have a lot of space to spread out in, that makes it look a lot more organized than it is(https://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-foot-in-mouth.gif)

The down side is I do a lot of walking trying to find what I was just working on(https://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-frown.gif)(https://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-foot-in-mouth.gif)

#16

Well Day 5 already, hmmm maybe too much project to little time.

Anyway an update.

Well the main car frame is pretty much completed. Pedestal journals, wheels, and couplers all installed,the brake shoes and hangers are from the Shay truck with just a hint of brake rigging added using brass rod and other things. As you can see I am not trying for a completely prototypical scale reproduction but something that seems to have the flavor of what a real loader would look like.

At this point I am keeping everything pretty simple with detailing, if time and enthusiasm allow more will be added. The blue gear is for the machine deck to revolve on. I had to buy a package of 3 of these a few years back when I built the Marion Shovel, glad to finally use another one. Unlike on the Marion this won’t be gear driven just decorative.

Got a start on the boiler, have a ways to go to catch up with Devon decorating the thing. I have built a half dozen vertical boiler projects over the years and detailed the bejeezus out of the boilers then closed them up inside a cab or shed so you could hardly see anything on them, so not sure yet how far down that road I want to go this time.

Hopefully some more to post soon

Rick

#17

Nice rick, thanks, real nice. Now I have to throw my boiler away and start over. That looks great.

The car is really nice.

#18

Day 7

A few things are coming together.

Putting the machine deck together. Styrene top and sides, another sheet of 2.5 lb. lead and a layer of 3/16ths ply for the bottom. With the 3 layers of lead in the car bottom now it should be pretty stable.

The rotation gear in place, the 3/16 stud goes down through the flat car to tie everything together.

Machine deck temp. installed on the flat car, turns smooth and is very stable. A little more work on the boiler and starting the water tank.

Getting a start on the boom. it is a scale 24 feet (1:20) from pivot point to tip block.

Enough with the pictures, gotta get back to work(https://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-foot-in-mouth.gif)(https://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-laughing.gif)

#19

Man,

My company is gonna get fired. Your is much faster.

#20

Coming along nicely, Rick. That thing may actually work when you get done. On another note, the other day I was putzing around on the net and came across a site that had some pictures of a blacksmith car that I though was good looking. Reading the caption, low and behold, there it was :“Tassitas the blacksmith is a figure made by Rick Marty.” The site can be found HERE. Small world.