Large Scale Central

Toddalin's Gallow's Humor

The MIK - Annual Build Challenge
#81

I’ve been trying out various ways to color the “wooden” acrylic and this is what I find seems to work best.

With the heavy texture of the acrylic, I first lay in a layer of tan acrylic “patio” paint that has been diluted slightly so it gets in everywhere.

Then I go back with a medium brown that has been diluted a bit more, brushing “with the boards.”

Then I go back with wrought iron black that is diluted even more (to a black water) and lay this in, tipping the piece back and forth to rid the excess.

Also, I was successful in removing the warps in the acrylic with a hair drier and flat weight. (http://largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-laughing.gif)

#82

that came out nice the grain has nice depth

#83

Thanks. The deck came out even better.

I came up with a plan that will use my remaining blocks. It worked out perfectly right down to the very last block. (http://largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-smile.gif)

#84

This shows how the deck came out. It looks just like my “wormy chestnut” buffet. I really couldn’t be much happier with it.

#85

With all of the rain that we have been having lately, the executioner informed me that it would be nice to be able to reset the mechanism, and dispose of the body, if he didn’t have to stand in the mud.

As such, the builders used the last of the stones to make a patio below that portion of the platform. This will be really tight, but should just fit when the excess acrylic is trimmed away.

I also painted the framework and stairway in an almond color (spray) this afternoon. It was what I had and the color works OK.

#86

Today I attached the deck to the framework and the lever to the deck. I finished attaching all of the stones and cut out the TAYOR for the other two headstones that I painted as marble. I also had to repaint all of the stonework because the cement grouting had taken off some of the paint. I laid in a dilute layer of acrylic paint to cover the brown, but the stonework lost a lot of its contrast (http://largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-embarassed.gif). It is probably more realistic now, so I also toned down those pieces that didn’t need grout work.

I also went over and cut new stantions for the hand rails on the laser. I wasn’t happy with those on the stairway (too tall) and those for the deck were made for 3/8" decking that I was going to use, rather than the 3/16" that I ended up using. The only difference is that they would have protruded just a bit lower than the actual decking and I could have lived with it, but the stairway stantions bugged me too much. Who says you can’t make mistakes with a laser?

Also worked on some of the accompaning figures and things that will now go with the vingette. I am trying to decide whether to automate it, but time doesn’t allow that for the challenge. A solonoid could easily spring the trap door (and I have one), but it would be difficult to get the trap door to reset. This will be unlike any gallows that anyone has previously seen and you won’t find a prototype. My structure will have to live outdoors getting watered daily.

#87

The decking and the stone cam out great. How did you get the marbling effect on the stone? Wondering minds want to know!

#88

OK now this just put you party gallows over the top. I am sure this will be the only gallows with a stone patio.

#89

Dan Hilyer said:

The decking and the stone cam out great. How did you get the marbling effect on the stone? Wondering minds want to know!

I use four colors of Patio Paint, white, light grey, dark grey, and black. Put them into cups and a cup of water. Work about 4-8 tiles at a time.

Wet the tiles with a brush so water remains.

Lay on the black so it flows out. Keep the brush and black in the cup wet and keep adding a bit of black to the brush as you move on to the next tile.

Go back and do it with the dark grey, but more “blobbing” and less dilution. Where it hits really wet areas, it spreads like oil on water giving a cool effect.

Go back and do it with the light grey but even less dilution.

Finally do the white.

You don’t want the colors to actually mix so much as co-exist on the piece.

When done and dry, you can go back and tone it down/blend it by using a very dilute mixture of black and grey, (couple drops in a bit of water).

Wait until you see the way the headstones came out only using black and white. (http://largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-cool.gif)

#90

Very Nice!!!

(http://largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-sealed.gif)

#91

The crew was out working on the gallows today. The sacks are used to simulate the weight of a person for the setting of the trap door and length of the slack in the rope to be used in the hang. Only the stantions and handrails to go. After all, we wouldn’t want anybody to get hurt on the way to being hung.

Also, it looks as if the first customers have been selected. That Taylor gang was Swift, but their leader, “Tim” was a real tool.

Details of the stairway and headstones.

This shows the marbling technique used to do a piece of used burlwood to be used for “waterboarding” from a piece of clear acrylic. This is just “fawn” and “brown.”

#92

Geez you guys don’t like the Taylor clan do you

#93

We have been very generous with the Taylor gang. Each will receive a tailor-made neck tie while they wait.

#94

You mean while the hang out

#95

Now you’ve got the spirits!

#96

The headstones look great and oh, BTW, thanks for the how to on the marbling. I’ll have to try that one day. I hope we will get live coverage of the “Grand Opening” so to speak. We all might have to get some “Con Rail” equipment and start transporting all of our condemned convicts to you for “processing”.

#97

I worry that they will break their necks falling off those rough cut slab steps, on the way up! That could really spoil all the fun! (http://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-surprised.gif)

#98

That’s why there will be hand rails.

#99

What? No ball and chain jewelry?

When yore hands be tugged way down… and the doomed shuffle on…

#100

It would be a shame to have one of them Taylor boys spoil a good fiesta/hangin’ by trippin’ on the stairs and crackin their noggin. I second the hand rails. We appreciate a good safe hanging.