Large Scale Central

Scratch building water tower

Modeling
#1

Well, now that my railroad has a small town, I decided to build a water tower to keep the steamers going round and round. I wanted to keep trying to build my buildings and structures with what was laying around the house and minimize my purchases.

After visiting Cape Cod Todd’s railroad and watching others (Ray D., Bruce C., Dave M, and many others) on this site I thought, why not try my hand at this thing called ‘scratch building’.

Here’s my adventure to share…

It all started with cylinder…

http://freightsheds.largescalecentral.com/users/threers/watertower/IMG_1428%20(640x480).jpg

Next step…to build the support legs for the water tank.

#2

The support legs were made from old pickets from the neighbor’s fence. They wanted to take it down and I asked if I could keep some of the pickets (for this exact type of project).

http://freightsheds.largescalecentral.com/users/threers/watertower/IMG_1430%20(640x480).jpg

I used Tightbond II wood glue and brad nailed the ends. I then glued on some cross braces…

#3

Hi Matt.
Looking good so far. The water tank was one of the first things I ever built for the RR. I used the coffee can because I wanted it to really hold water. In retrospect I wold have ripped the cladding thinner so it would be wrapped tighter.
A pretty simple build but it conveys the feeling.

Any plans to visit the Cape this year? There has been some nice additions to the RR.

(http://freightsheds.largescalecentral.com/users/capecodtodd/_forumfiles/odometercarandwatertank.jpg)

#4

We will be spending our time on the island this year. We still might take a day trip to the Cape, but not sure. Got to take in a Red Sox game (as we always do) and this year we’ll be going to the newly opened LegoLand in Summerville, MA. I thought if I used a plastic coffee ‘can’ it will last longer - didn’t see a reason to collect real water. Just another mosquito breeding ground that I didn’t want to have in the back yard. They were bad a year ago and it prevented me from enjoying the back yard and layout.

I’d like to see the new additions if we had the chance. Maybe next year we’ll have more time on the Cape to see.

#5

Great start - and it looks like a fun project. I’d recommend using some nails on those cross members.

#6

Welcome aboard, and into the world of scratch building Matt.

Like Bruce said use some nails on those cross members. If you have an air compressor, you can pick up a pin nailer at Harbor Freight for around $25.00. They more than likely come gas powered and electric or battery too.Some will say a brad nailer, but I find them too big at times.

I would also purchase Titebond III next time I bought glue, it holds up better outdoors.

#7

Titebond 3 is the best and a pin nailer will become your new scratch building best friend. I have that same coffee can in mine so you will be good.

By island do you mean Marthas Vineyard or Nantucket?

#8

Thanks for the tip Bruce and Dave. I was planning on putting nails in them. Just got to find shorter ones as to not shot the nail through the thickness of the posts. I do have a brad nailer - electric.

Todd, I mean MV. Renting the same house in Oak Bluffs we had about 4-5 years ago.

Here it is on the posts…coming along…

#9

Looks good. I did the same thing with my water tower except I used a metal coffee can. Been out for 6 years now and still holding together.

#10

I think I welcomed you already Matt but in case I didn’t …Welcome.

Nice use of materials start!

With the recessions in that coffee jar I personally would be half tempted to follow the lines with the planking then paint the tower in a 3 or 4 color scheme. But I’m feminine like that and have sipped tea (pinkie lifted) with the limp wristed folk “back in the day”.

:wink:

Welcome!

#11

Matt Kirichok said: we’ll be going to the newly opened LegoLand in Summerville, MA.

You should make the trip to Charles Ro (home to USA trains) in Malden on 662 cross st.

#12

Thanks Sean. I’ll have to plan that. I’m sure my son will be on my side when I explain what USAT is all about :-).

Now its time to start planking the container…this might take some time…

#13

Maybe you want to try the large “planks” that are the size of tongue depressors.

#14

Matt,

Here is a picture of my water tower I built a couple of years ago using those same coffee stirrers. I do not think tongue depressors is the way to go. They look too wide to my eyes.

#15

Matt Kirichok said:

Thanks Sean. I’ll have to plan that. I’m sure my son will be on my side when I explain what USAT is all about :-).

Now its time to start planking the container…this might take some time…

Neat Idea… We did the same yr’s ago and wanted them to hold water and work like your using plastic coffee container. the do hold water and won’t leak if sealed right.
We made 5 of them for us and guys in our train group.

We added a fishing bobber with a chain and pulley to show when the water tank was full to show on the gage out side of the water tank… Also, at the hardware store we picked up some small pipe fitting to work as the spot so when lowered it dump water.
Are are kind of crude with Ho flex track for the ladder, bailing wire, redwood strip and fishing bobber… Then clear coat the heck out of it…lol.

Maybe you can add this idea to make them work on yours too. They make a nice eye catcher when they hold water and able to dump water on the track… lol. Nice project you are doing…

#16

Matt.

A technique I’ve used in the past to wrap planks around a cylinder was to cut all boards, place closely together, and apply at least 3 strips of masking tape to the backside top, middle, and bottom. Apply glue to cylinder and wrap entire piece of siding and then clamp.

In your case, for outdoor use, avoid gluing where tape is applied.

Doc Watson

#17

Good idea Doc. Next time I’ll use this idea.

:wink:

#18

Here’s a photo of a scratch built water tank I built using this technique.

And here are 2 photos of a scratch built tank car also using the taping-of-planks method.

Hope this helps.

Doc Watson

#19

I’m interested in how you are going to make the dounspout, as I am in need of one for a tank I was give!

#20

Wow Noel those are really nice water tanks. They make mine look shabby but cut me some slack it was one of the first things I built. :wink:

Matt you need longer sticks or a shorter coffee can. I had to rip custom slats for mine.

Nice work Don! Is that some sort of sound module in that tanker? The sound of popping corks?

Sean if it doesn’t have ot be too fancy use copper pipe bits like I did.