Large Scale Central

Todd's official Mik's Build Challenge 2014

Modeling
#21

It was a good weekend with the Amherst show on Saturday but a poor weekend for working on the challenge. I did manage to work on the window design a bit more and settled on building frames for the 4 sides. Pictured is a window test fitted in with the frames painted dark brown. The grids will also be painted a dark brown. Next step is to cut the rest of the frames and paint them then assemble.

I was hoping to find some hinges for the doors at the train show but nope. Does anyone have a source for hinges that are near to scale and good for outdoors. I’m thinking brass dollhouse ones.

#22

Todd

For small hinges try a dollhouse supplier or ‘ROCKLER’ www.rockler.com, look for hinges used in the making of jewelry boxes. Very small, and usually better quality than the dollhouse ones.

Ron

#23

A bit more progress.

I was so impressed and inspired by Aaron Loyets idea to use a dremel to carve into plywood and paint to mimic a stone foundation that I gave it a try tonight. I use plastic wood for my foundations so the plywood or in this case masonite won’t sit in water and get ruined when it rains.
I scribed random “rocks” with my dremel tool, then sanded the face a bit to remove any burrs then gave it a paint with a dark grey which I then wiped off. I then used a medium grey and dabbed it on with a brush and dabbed it off with a paper towel. The final step was to add a touch of light grey. Tomorrow I will give it a shot of clear matte.

I am so pumped for the way this turned out. This is going to be my best build to date.

In the photo the side pieces are not done yet but after this photo was taken they were scribed to match the back piece and painted the same. Just the front is left to do now.

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

#24

Very Nice, Todd

#25

Todd
Look in Micheals or AC More’s in the wood area ,they have small wooden boxes with small brass hindges!

#26

Thanks.
I was thinking that Sean I will have to plan a trip to Hyannis for the hinges, both stores are there.

We received about 5 inches of light powdery very plowable snow this morning. The equipment is out getting ready and hopefully I can get a video today.

#27

Not much progress to report but the base is cut, the windows are in and I made 2 roof vents out of a 1.5" length of closet pole and a wood door pull. Next step are the bay doors attach the base, roof pieces and figure out the skylights.

#28

That foundation looks great, Todd, and I’m very interested in seeing how the windows come out. I wanted to try that kind of window with wire myself but haven’t had the chance. I can’t afford a couple hundred bucks on commercial warehouse-style windows, so I’m looking for an alternative for my engine repair house. Your building is looking really good, I like the shape of it and the clapboard siding.

I’m a Denver boy all the way, but I went to school in Boston and spent a little time on Cape Cod…there’s a lot of WATER there and I swear it seems like nothing ever dries out!!! Beautiful area of the country though, a whole different world from our Colorado.

#29

Thanks John. I agree with you windows are expensive so I have been experimenting with hardware clothe for the grids on windows for the last several builds. My first attempt I painted behind the window black then put a piece of plexi on it then the grid then used trim to hold it all together. I have put the grid behind the plexi but I think it looks better infront. It also looks better painted.

Here is the coal mine my first attempt putting in the grids. I think it looks industrial.

(http://freightsheds.largescalecentral.com/users/capecodtodd/_forumfiles/Coalandsandplant.jpg)
Here is another building where the grids were painted red then put behind the plexi. I think they look better on the outside.

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

I say get a roll of hardware clothe 1/2" x 1/2" grid and experiment with it.

Happy RRing

#30

Back to the build.
Working on the doors. I cut a piece of plexi to size then glued craft sticks onto it using E6000. The 2 doors at the top left are finished with extra bracing glued on with tightbond 3. The next step is to cut, paint and attach grids to the windows. The doors will be painted dark brown then installed. Still lots to do but coming along.

#31

This has that ‘Fits right in’ look to it Todd. Really nice build.

#32

Had a busy building weekend.

I wanted skylights but wasn’t sure how to make them. With lots of thought I came up with an idea to cut 3 wedges out of a 2x4 and glue them together.

The design worked for me so I went ahead and clad the sides with scrap clapboard that was cut out from the front door area. These will be false windows so I painted the “opening” black. I then made windows using the same technique I used on the side windows.

#33

Here we have the engine house with the base installed. I used hardi backer board and painted it top to bottom to keep the weather out. I scribed the base near the front to look like stone, the inside is painted multi shades of brown to look like wood. This building will be going on my raised bench so instead of lifting the track up I will leave it attached to the bench and simply drop this building on top. Also added was a trim header above the doors. This photo also shows the 2 roof vents made from a 1.5" closet pole and a bifold door pull.

I plan on leaving the rear roof loose so it can be removed to peek inside so I added 3 roof supports columns for looks.

This thing is really coming together now.

#34

Nice looking work, and some good original ideas on the skylights and roof vents.

#35

Looking very sharp Todd!..

#36

Thanks guys.
This challenge is a great oppurtunity to learn and try new modelling techniques. I really stretched my skills this time and I am so happy with the the way this is coming out. I feel like I am already a Winner! LOL

#37

Looking GOOD Todd,

I like how you pay attention to details.

#38

THE HOME STRETCH!
The build time is coming to an end and for once I am right on schedule. The front doors are all painted up and went on. I was so impressed that I called my wife down to see. I opened the doors for her to peek inside and then grabbed a piece of track adn slid that in t oshow her how it was going to go, closed the doors and OOPS, they didin’t clear the railhead… Crazy how I can measure 5 times cut once and it is still not right. The doors came back off and were filed to fit then put back on.
Speaking of doors I went to install the contest door and I think I had it upside down the whole time!! When it arrived on that flat car last month it was upside down and my guys thought it was supposed to be like that… LOL
Today we are getting rain from the big storm which will hopefully melt the ice out on the RR so I can get this engine house in place for final photos this weekend.

does anyone know of a place where I can print out signs like “employees only”

#39

Yeah winners all! Contest or no I’m glad I did the build too.

No way my coarse scale will win, but like you I don’t feel a loser!

Mount the door any way you like it.

You sound like a Boss, “the crew thought…” :slight_smile:

John

#40

Thanks Boomer. I found signs online that my wife has volunteered to reduce and print out for me. She is really good with that kind of stuff.

Yesterday I made some detail parts for the building like a pallet, barrels, and a ladder. I might have to get this building into place today for final photos since we are supposed to get 12 or so inches of snow tonight!
The build time sure flew by!