I couldn’t take looking at that gallon of paint and the amount of work I have left to do. There was something inherently wrong with them being here, but not together, so I did what anyone who is as A.D.D. as I am would. Alas, the pictures explain the rest.
(http://www.lscdata.com/users/don_pearson/_forumfiles/DSCF2369.JPG)
(http://www.lscdata.com/users/don_pearson/_forumfiles/DSCF2372.JPG)
The rock work looks good. So what did you do with the gallon of paint, Don ? 
Same thing we all do with paint, got a good bit on my self, and tracked it into the house…
…grinning…
Don,
Your layout and rock formations look great! I’m having trouble visualizing how you use the form, though. Could you spell it out for me? Thanks in advance.
Mario,
I form wire mesh in a shape I try (not always successfully) to fit to an area, then get the mold wet and place it where I need it. I stake the bottom behind the mold with short rebar so it doesn’t kick out with the stucco behind it, and use a 2X4 brace to hold the top in place. I mix the amount of stucco I think it will need and leave it just a bit on the loose side so it will penetrate the wire mesh when I shovel it between the wire and mold, then tap the mold with a small hammer to get the stucco set in the mold as much as possible. As it starts to set up (usually an hour or so, depending on the thickness) I pull the mold off and work any surfaces that pulled out with the mold (or just plain don’t look right to me) with the point of a trowel, cutting different depths and variations so it doesn’t look so uniform. It is important to pull the mold horizontally away from the rock face or it will tear the damp stucco to shreds. After another half hour I hit it with a straw hand broom to rough it up a bit, pulling upwards so the small horizontal ‘cliffs’ keep their integrity as much as possible. The next day I start hosing it down, usually for at least a week to get the lime off of the surface so the paint will bond.
I try to do no more than 10 linear feet on a day that I do work on it so that I can manage the cleaning of it without killing too many brain cells trying to remember what is what.
The first one of the two latest pictures posted show some of the deeper cuts I put in with the trowel point.
Hope this helps
Don,
Thanks for the info. Have you tried using a hand held sander minus the sand paper to help the stucco vibrate into the mold? It works very well. Thanks again.
Those cliffs are looking great!
Finally got a cool day and an afternoon with not alot to do, so got about 10 linear feet more of rock done. It has held up well through all the seasons so far, and I am sure will do well with a decent coat of paint…
(http://freightsheds.largescalecentral.com/users/don_pearson/_forumfiles/DSCF3219.JPG)
(http://freightsheds.largescalecentral.com/users/don_pearson/_forumfiles/DSCF3218.JPG)
In the foreground another bridge is coming this fall (hopefully) just this side of the turnout. This will give me the capability of two independent loops, ( an upper and lower) so I can sit and drink coffee and watch trains go. A passing siding is in the mix on the bottom of the second picture as well.
And a pic of the new bridge in its future home. Lots more to do in this area!!!
(http://freightsheds.largescalecentral.com/users/don_pearson/_forumfiles/DSCF3226.JPG)
Very cool Don, looks great.
Nice work
Nicky
Where are the smiles on this Forum ???
Nicholas Savatgy said:
Very cool Don, looks great.Nice work
Nicky
Where are the smiles on this Forum ???
Don’t know about the smiley faces but the rockwork looks terrific!
Because of the quality help (and the fact that I will have to test fit this bridge/trestle assembly in place several times before it is right, let alone staining and finishing it), I needed to be able to put it in place several times to ensure it and the rockwork play well together. I grabbed a straight 2X2, and used concrete tie wire to make it one complete piece, as well as put a handle on it for easy transport. Lots of work to do in this area still, and sooner or later it would have been damaged if left in place and worked around.
(http://freightsheds.largescalecentral.com/users/don_pearson/_forumfiles/DSCF3230.JPG)
(http://freightsheds.largescalecentral.com/users/don_pearson/_forumfiles/DSCF3231.JPG)
Nice bridge Don.
Looks like you have good help there. I see memories being created by the moment.
He is ‘the one’ who is will ing to help anytime, anywhere. I wish the teenagers had half his motivation…
He lives to see the G Scale Thomas run on the layout. I end up having a time getting my controller back from him though. I have had him ‘involved’ since he was 2.
The bridge and trestle are stained, sealed, and ready for final placement. I wish the rock was ready too…
(http://freightsheds.largescalecentral.com/users/don_pearson/_forumfiles/DSCF3246.JPG)
the bridge and trestle in the background are scheduled for rebuild as well.
Sweet!
