Large Scale Central

Snow Dozer Build

Modeling Rolling stock
#41

Bruce,

Special Shapes has 5/32 (.156") & 3/16" (.187") H beams in brass, along with Evergreen that has the same size in styrene. 5" scales out to .172" so when I order more styrene I’ll order one or two of each size and see what it looks like.

I’ve debated the whole build where to start with brass or styrene, and I choose styrene for a couple of reasons; one it’s slightly cheaper and easier to get the CFO approval; second this is my first major rolling stock scratchbuild and I wasn’t sure how well I could read the drawings and ‘translate’ into a 3D model and I’m comfortable working with styrene; and finally the most practical reason is that I don’t have any of my soldering stuff, or machine tools, or space to work with me at the moment. My wife and I moved from Washington State 4 years ago so I could go to grad school in Montana (now we are in S. Idaho, with me as a first year teacher) and my workbench for the last 4 years has doubled as the computer desk, sewing table, paperwork pile, school desk, etc. I’m hoping to find a more permanent job back in Washington so that we can set up our house again (and my work bench).

#42

Craig, I can sympathize. I remember “those” days - we had a one BR apartment and my workbench was in the “living room”. No computers back then so it didn’t have to do double duty. (http://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-embarassed.gif)

But, don’t think you always have to solder with brass. You can cut it using a miter box and use JB Weld or a similar adhesive to glue it to styrene, or brass, or whatever.

But, having said that, I know how nice styrene is to work with. It’s just not very strong.

#43

Bruce Chandler said:

Craig, I can sympathize. I remember “those” days - we had a one BR apartment and my workbench was in the “living room”. No computers back then so it didn’t have to do double duty. (http://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-embarassed.gif)

But, don’t think you always have to solder with brass. You can cut it using a miter box and use JB Weld or a similar adhesive to glue it to styrene, or brass, or whatever.

But, having said that, I know how nice styrene is to work with. It’s just not very strong.

I’ve already relegated this build to be a non-plowable of real snow version, but I still want to make all the blades, wings, etc move so that in the future if I do make it out of brass, I’ll have a better understanding of the process of how it all works. There’s a lot of pulleys, chains, pistons etc that somehow all come together and work. Plus, a brass model would be much strong overall for actual snow service. JB Weld worked great when I used it to build my frog for the #9 turnout to bond aluminum rail together, but I hadn’t thought of building an all brass model using JB Weld…

Glad to know that the older generation has gone through the poor, early married life with young kids stage! (http://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-wink.gif)I know it won’t last forever, but I’ve tasted life as a homeowner (currently renting our house in Washington out) so it’s very frustrating to me not to have a place to call my own.

#44

Craig,

How is this build doing? The snow is piling up.

Or, what have you been up to…building-wise?

#45

I know he has some additional drawings of it.

#46

Brian Briggs said:

Craig,

How is this build doing? The snow is piling up.

Or, what have you been up to…building-wise?

Brian,

No snow here in western Washington, but plenty of rain. Sadly I haven’t had a chance to work on it much since this summer, but I can try and post some updates on what I’ve got done. I’m trying to 3D print a couple of pieces that would be quite complicated to scratchbuild. I’ve been trying to track down more drawings to help me with the 3D designing, but those drawings are missing.

I’ve been pretty busy since August (moved back to W. Washington, started a new teaching job, and my wife had kid #2 a month ago ) with life, but I’m trying to tell myself to spend just a few minutes each day to work on this project. I thought I might be able to get it done for a RPM meet in November, but the RPM meet never materialized so the motivation went away. I spent last weekend rebuilding my workbench so hopefully I can start some more progress soon!

#47

Thanks for the update Craig.

It sounds like you’ve gotten pretty busy with life.

Congrats on your 2nd baby!

#48

"Dave Marconi said:

A note to the evergreen shapes. If you go to Evergreen.com …"

This past year did Evergreen shutdown, with someone else acquiring their url. or are they just revamping their website ? http://evergreen.com/

doug c

#49

Doug,

Evergreen is doing fine…Dave just gave the wrong address, it should be:

evergreenscalemodels.com

#50

Finally getting around to posting an update. I’ve constructed and cut out the back, side and interior walls out of .060" and .040" sheet to replicate the 3" thick wall. The reason I went with 2 sizes was that the interior walls could also be used as part of the framing of the windows. I’ve also cut out and framed the back wall windows, and side windows. I will try and post of picture of the progress this weekend. The next major step is to start cutting out the rest of the cab wall and gluing it up. Thanks to Brain, I’ve got motivated again to work on this! (http://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-laughing.gif)

I also bought a second hand resistance soldering unit so I’m almost tempted to buy some brass and get a brass model to the same spot and the styrene one…

#51

Craig

Congrats on the new addition !

#52

Well I just got some extra motivation for finishing this model today as I found out that a Railroad Prototype Modelers meet will be on May 21st. I’ve already marked it down on the calendar, so I’ve got a goal now to get this project moving along again! That leaves me a couple of months to get this project moved along.

I was able to find a 3’ stick of code 148 rail at a swap meet this last weekend, so now I can get that hurtle down with.

For those that have never heard of a RPM meet here’s a link to the PNW RPM. (http://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-laughing.gif)

http://www.northwestrpm.com/RPM_Meet.htm

#53

Oh OK that’s just stupid. Thanks Craig. I might have to attend this and bring the CR&N #3. Give me some motivation to finish it. Actually hope to have it done this weekend. Either way this would be a fun event to attend.

#54

Well Devon if you really want to have fun that weekend, take Friday off and come over to so that you can check out Dave Goodson’s layout and ops session on Friday afternoon (1-8pm)… Every 1st and 3rd Friday. I just might have to schedule a ‘mental health day’ on Friday afternoon and do the same thing. (http://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-wink.gif)

#55

Well that’s the beauty of it all I always have Friday off. So that sounds like a fun weekend. I might just have to put this on the schedule

#56

Devon Sinsley said:
Well that’s the beauty of it all I always have Friday off. So that sounds like a fun weekend. I might just have to put this on the schedule

I’ll go with you. Jarheads always need a Corpsman with them whenever they go outside the wire.

#57

That could work Steve. I put it on my calendar.

#58

Dang I just casually mention the RPM meet and now it sounds like a big deal… (http://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-tongue-out.gif)

Steve,

Have you been to Dave’s layout for an ops night ever?

#59

Sounds like I have a date for the prom. If I get clearance from dispatch Steve and I will be there.

#60

Dang now I have even more motivation to get this thing done now… There’s an expectation that you guys will want to look at it. (http://largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-undecided.gif)Humm maybe I could get a brass model started too by then. (http://largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-surprised.gif)(http://largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-undecided.gif)Nah that would be pushing it.