Craig, yes I have reached that point before on a project and I model a freelanced backwoods logging and mining railroad with no prototype! But, I have found that doing just as David has suggested, to solve the problem. A brief rest from the project can bring a fresh perspective to the problem. The plow is coming along nicely and I can’t wait to see it completed (after you take a break of course!).
Steve
Craig Townsend said:
Anyone else ever get the the point of frustration that you just want to pick up your model and throw it as hard as as fast as you can against a solid object, utterly destroying the modeling work of the last 4 years?
I’m about there. Today, when I was sanding and smoothing out yet another part, my slide glass window decided it need to form a major crack. Now I have to completely rip out a whole section to replace this window, and start the process of sanding again.
Along with some other minor compounding errors (the frame goes from 8’ 8" down to 7’ 11", thus off square), and early mistakes are causing me to really rethink the sanity of this project.
Anyone want to help shove this model into the abyss?
Craig
As has been said, take a break. That is why my 3 passenger cars took me 2 years to build. I took a some short breaks, and then a very long one, while I pondered how to form the roof ends. And this is why I have a siding full of unfinished equipment. I needed to walk away from them before I smashed them out of frustration.
Sometimes when folks see one of my completed projects, they say “I wouldn’t have the patience to build that”. I tell them that I don’t have patience, I just take a lot of breaks. Then I smile.
Shut up Rooster.
Edit fur typo
I have not thought about using a coke can for a plow. I drew up a O scale MTH Jordan Spreader and then scaled the parts up to 1:29 scale. The only problem is making the plow which is curved in two directions. If someone had a parts maker they could scan in the O scale one and make one up to scale, but I do not know anyone who can do it. After seeing your design, it might could be made out of metal. Glued together and painted.
These aren’t the best photos due to the lack of sunshine to take better outdoor pictures, but I think the interior weathering is progressing. I don’t really have any photos of the interior so it’s a guessing game on what colors everything should be. It might be a little bit too heavy on the control stand, but that’s how it turned out.
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4664/39302689724_afc02aa6a4_c.jpg)
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4627/39965568822_0cda49d0ea_c.jpg)
Oil tank for oil heater.
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4756/39965646992_5e6fd872ed_c.jpg)
Air tanks for storing the air for the pneumatic cylinders
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4748/28218220579_cd882e9f0f_c.jpg)
General layout of the interior
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4710/39948033602_930faf2241_c.jpg)
Front cylinders along with the oil tank (unweathered stage)
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4721/39081526735_e6b6d3ca7f_c.jpg)
I tried printing out a figure in strong and flexible plastic from shapeways, but the print quality was really low. The designer didn’t have this figure available in FUD, but I have another standing figure being printed in FUD to see if it is worthy of paint.
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4766/39979056211_697a4be6aa_c.jpg)
It’s hard to tell in this picture, but the ‘wood’ has been weathered with a variety of washes, and some chalk. Overall it looks pretty good. Too bad it will be hidden inside with very little light to see. I’m tempted to seal this and then shoot hairspray and then a lighten red and chip away the walking path.
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4701/39114040835_340ddb2851_c.jpg)
Wow Craig, that is looking great!
Labor of love for sure. My goal is to get the interior done before Feb 10th when I’m taking to the Portland RPM, but counting the number of evenings I have to work it, are less than 7…
The paint really makes it pop. You’ll want to build another one when you get done!
Fantastic attention to detail! Thanks for sharing. The prototype never had a cracked window?
Nice detail. Seems a bit late to go that route for a walking area, IMHO (https://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-cool.gif)
David Marconi, FOGCH said:
Nice detail. Seems a bit late to go that route for a walking area, IMHO (https://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-cool.gif)
Well my thought was two fold. One they never painted the wood floor, or the wood floor was painted when GN first built it, and over the years walking down the dozer had worn the paint down to the wood. The air tanks aren’t glued on yet, so a simple mask might work.
Ric Golding said:
Fantastic attention to detail! Thanks for sharing. The prototype never had a cracked window?
I ended up tearing the front out and am reworking it all… That’s partially why I’m trying to finish the interior, as the control stand butts up to the front window frames.
Burl Rice said:
The paint really makes it pop. You’ll want to build another one when you get done!
The paint does help a lot, and the weathering is fun too. I’ve been thinking that maybe the brass version will be built slowly while working on other projects. Say maybe a side wing here, front cage here, etc.
After reading about the baking soda and paint trick to make mud on military models, I thought my snow plow needed a touch of mud on the interior walkways. After all, if its snowing in the mountains, its probably raining in the lowlands where the plow is stored.
I took some old Polly Scale mud color mixed in some baking soda and stirred. The mixture turned out pretty good looking, so I stippled some around.
After the mud had been wiped off, so it just stayed in the wood grooves, I applied another layer right around where I’m going to have an open door, and a MOW guy standing. I then sprinkled the mud with more baking soda and blew the excess off to create the illusion of melting snow.
Looking good Craig.
Chris Kieffer said:
Looking good Craig.
I’m really hoping the baking soda doesn’t turn yellow after a while… I did try using some white chalk, but it didn’t have the same “grain” as the soda so it didn’t look very good. I have one more detail to finish on this half of the interior and I can start gluing things in place. Than on to the rear portion and the interior should be done soon.
Double post
Nice looking effects Craig. With the door open I see where the floor will be as visible as the exterior.
Any chance of a close up of the melting snow pile for texture ? (https://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-cool.gif)
Dave,
I will try and get a shot today up close, and maybe try a few other angles. These where quick grab shots as I left the workshop. I really need to get those figures painted.
That’s another cool weathering effect to add to the arsenal . Thank for sharing . I was just thinking as I’m looking at your interior , is it possible to make a stamp out of foam or something shaped like a 1/29th shoe print ?
