Large Scale Central

Toddalin's Gallow's Humor

The MIK - Annual Build Challenge
#61

Thanks, that works. Lets try to see if it works on this end.

As I said way back…, while you guy received your stones in the mail, our aesthetics committee requires that all stones on the Tortoise & Lizard Bash come out of the same local quarry. Here you can see the guys at the quarry color matching the stones to finish out the stairway. After they are cut, they are rough polished and sealed to retain the color. Here you can see the guys color matching a piece to the standard, for this job, before final cutting and polishing. The stone on the left looks like a perfect match for the job.

#62

I cemented in the corners of the stantions this afternoon. I used hydraulic cement…, for authenticity. (http://largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-wink.gif)

I put masking tape on the ends of the stantions to catch the cement and set the stantion at a 45 degree angle in the vice. Then I used a piece of brass “U” as a spoon to trowel it into the groove. Then I add a couple drops of water and used a piece of small brass tubing as a roller to roll the cement into the groove and roll the air out. A couple snorts from the spoon followed by water/rolling and the stantion is turned in the vice to the next one.

Once it drys, I’ll use a toothbrush to clean off the excess from the faces. Because the cement is about the same color as the “quarried rock,” it blends into the face anyway. The cement “runoff” probably grouted between the stones if there were any substantial gaps.

#63

Excellent job on the color match. The guys deserve a beer. . .only one between the three of them.

#64

There are more pics of the quarry and crew but I didn’t get them up. Maybe tomorrow.

#65

I could never get this kind of precision with hand tools. I’m thinking a nice “festive” white for the structures and tan/brown for the wooden decking.

BTW, note that my table came out of the same quarry. Kept those guys busy for the longest time…

#66

yeah the laser would make things very precise. Wish i had access to them.

#67

Devon, lasers are nice. But then there is the thrill of making stuff by hand. And, I have been really looking close at full sized buildings for years. Almost all of them have little imperfections that would would not be there when reproduced with a laser. But would be inherently present when building by hand.

#68

There are plenty of “imperfections” when using the laser, as well as small chips in the acrylic from handling. And of course you can always include “flaws” in the “design” to be cut, either intentionally or unintentionally, in the programming.

But there is a certain satisfaction gained from actually doing things “hands on.” I just wish that my hands had the where-with-all to make these little parts over and over.

#69

Todd, I just wish my hands could handle small parts. I mean, without dropping them, over and over.

#70

I made the mistake of accusing a 3d printer modeler of “cheating” well he gave me an education. I have an appreciation now for all types of modeing. I love fabricating stuff from scratch from stuff in a junk box. I get a lot of enjoyment from it. But I think I could have an equal amount of fun with a laser or a 3d printer. They all have there challenges that when overcome are rewarding. Each to theirs

#71

When is the first hangin…I mean pinata game… Very nice looking Todd. I someday would like to get a laser cutter, but for now they seem a little out of budget…

#72

This shows the stantions with the cement grouting. I’ll have to touch up the paint from the grouting and a couple spots need a bit more grout.

This shows the effects of etching the acrylic for a grain. Maybe a bit heavy, but paint will tone it down.

And, of course… really.

#73

Good job on the stones. Mortaring the corners with cement really makes the stones look realistic. I like the wood grain effect. Not to heavy to me.

#74

Todd Brody said:

And, of course… really.

Really??

Ok, I read Aaron’s thread where this was discussed. You weren’t joking.

#75

RIP

1st customer?

#76

She was a “fast” woman who just wasn’t “Swift” enough.

#77

I love it and I am sure Dave will take this as a compliment.

#78

I put the structure on the railroad to get an idea of how it looks in it’s setting. Not bad, and certainly a one-of-a-kind item that you won’t see anywhere else. (My favorite type. (http://largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-wink.gif))

This also demonstrates another “flaw” when using the laser. (They are not perfect.)

If you look at past pics of the deck and landing for the stairs, they were nice and flat. The heat generated on one side of the piece during the etching process combined with the removal of material from that side, made the parts bow. I’ll now need to use a hair drier to try to flatten them out, rather than induce the bow into the structure.

It’s getting there.

#79

Todd, it looks even better on the RR. I can just see the crowds gathering now. What is the sign on the hanging tree for? Hanging schedule maybe? We’d hate to miss one. Are you going to provide an app that reminds us so we can get there early enough to get a good seat?

#80

Will probably be a reminder to “Please Tip You Executioner” or something to that effect. The complete schedule would be way too big to fit on there.