Large Scale Central

Virginia City central mountain project

Modeling
#121

This morning I wanted to even out those roads coming off the mountain, now that I’ve decided to make those flats have diagonal bases (with each building going up a step). The saw-tooth look looks dumb. But my conduit stubs were already getting buried, and need extending for sure if the road mortar was going to be even thicker there.

So I took some 7/16" styrene tube, shoved it into the semi-buried conduit. Then I put a short piece of conduit the styrene. After mortaring all around, it’ll be like a single piece of conduit. Later on, I’ll remove the styrene tube and trim the conduit extension close to the newly raised ground level.

After that, I was able to build up and even out these roads. Then I kept going through the main city area.

Looks like another day of mortar work is needed, then a couple days of cleanup. Then staining, track replacement, and finally back to the installation of the 1st four flats.

Thanks for watching,

===:>Cliffy

#122

Is it done yet … (https://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-wink.gif)

#123

Sean McGillicuddy said:

Is it done yet … (https://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-wink.gif)

Hmm Sean, filling in for Caughey, I see.

You Scottish guys…

(http://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-tongue-out.gif)(http://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-foot-in-mouth.gif)

#124

Mark Hadler said:

About 5 years ago I discovered ErgoKneel mats and finally have the relief that I was always searching for. I probably have about 5 of them in various sizes. You might check them out.

Thanks you for this. I’ve been using cheap kneeling pads from the garden departments at the big box stores. They are OK, but crush fairly quickly. I have the wearable hard face pads which I cant use on a hard surface or it causes my hips to hurt from trying to keep my legs from kicking out. I also have a pair of wearable soft pads that feel good on the knees, but the straps dig into my legs. So I ended up using only portable kneeling pads. I went and looked on Amazon and purchased one!

Cliff - Your work looks awesome. There is something about hardscape that never goes quite according to plan, but engineering the fix can be as much fun as the initial plan!

#125

Jon Radder said:

… I have the wearable hard face pads which I cant use on a hard surface or it causes my hips to hurt from trying to keep my legs from kicking out…

Cliff - Your work looks awesome. There is something about hardscape that never goes quite according to plan, but engineering the fix can be as much fun as the initial plan!

Thanks Jon, much appreciated!

I didn’t like the face pads either, I could never see what I was doing. (http://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-foot-in-mouth.gif)

#126

Cliff Jennings said:

I didn’t like the face pads either, I could never see what I was doing. (http://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-foot-in-mouth.gif)

True that, but it doesn’t hurt as much when you fall on your face!

#127

you guys are merciless!

#128

I got back to the mortar work today, and was glad it only took 6 bags. It’s more of the same, except the small access hatch over the area where some plumbing and wiring come together.

You’ve seen the hole before, and here it is with a second mortar coat and the hatch mesh set on it.

Here’s the mesh on top of a plastic bag.

And here’s the mesh with a double-coat of mortar, and the outer hole edges built up to meet the hatch surface.

We’ll see tomorrow how well I did the edges — and perhaps how badly I locked the hatch in, which I hope I avoided by how I angled the bag as I built up the inner and outer mortar.

That thing that looks like an anus (I just realized that, seeing the pic) is where you put your finger in. To pick up the hatch.

Here’s the overall last section, which included the entire end of the mountain to the right.

After all this, I did some misc mortaring in areas that needed a bit of help, and started putting stuff away.

Tomorrow morning I plan on finishing the hatch and getting the big cleanup underway.

BTW, those knee pads worked like a champ! I didn’t know I was wearing them, except to realize my knees never hurt when kneeling on rocks & etc., or after all the skin abrasion from the mortar getting through my levis never happened.

#129

Keep a supply of gloves and lubricant around, Cliff! Looking… er… good! Yeah, good!

#130

Jim Rowson said:

Keep a supply of gloves and lubricant around

Explanation?

#131

Rooster;

Explanation: “That thing that looks like an anus (I just realized that, seeing the pic) is where you put your finger in. To pick up the hatch.” (Gloves and lubricant - such as a urologist would use for a prostate exam. At 74, I am all too familiar with the procedure!)

Way too much information, David Meashey

#132

Holed it in one, Mr. Meashey! (https://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-laughing.gif)

In the final coat of the hatch today, I made it look less, um, buttcrackey. Main thing this morning though has been starting the cleaning effort, which involves not only cleaning the layout & paths, but also touch-up chiseling and a complete wire-brushing of all the mortar. This pic shows the difference, right / upper side having been cleaned.

Running the chisel lightly over the surfaces and then wire brushing removes all the little sharp bits, but leaves the texturing (from stippling and brush-streaking) intact.

I’ll be at this cleaning thing tomorrow some, and all next weekend.

Cheers,

===:>Cliffy

#133

Now that you’ve started this build Cliff, have you cleared it with the codes officer with all the proper permits?(https://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-cool.gif)

It is looking great no matter what they may say

#134

David Marconi,FOGCH said:

Now that you’ve started this build Cliff, have you cleared it with the codes officer with all the proper permits?(https://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-cool.gif)

It is looking great no matter what they may say

Thanks David, and you bet, my wife (Linda) gave it the thumbs up, because of all the area that no longer needs weeding. Had to get that permit for sure before breaking ground, haha!

#135

Got more cleaning done this morning, with about 4 hours more for that (next weekend).

Cheers,

Cliff

#136

Looks really great Cliff, what are you going to use for color?

Maybe you said and I just missed it.

#137

Very nice! Your relentless work ethic inspired me to bust my butt as well for the last three days getting my storage shelves built. Day off tomorrow will be spent relaxing on the lake. Want to join me? It’s only like what - 6 hours each way?

#138

Wow Cliff you are making quite the mountain side for your building fronts.

Dennis

#139

Rick Marty said:

Looks really great Cliff, what are you going to use for color?

Maybe you said and I just missed it.

Rick, thanks for asking, it’s a watered-down deck paint, in a few colors, applied with cheap pump-sprayers.

#140

Jon Radder said:

Very nice! Your relentless work ethic inspired me to bust my butt as well for the last three days getting my storage shelves built. Day off tomorrow will be spent relaxing on the lake. Want to join me? It’s only like what - 6 hours each way?

Thanks for the invite John, sounds lovely and relaxing!

I’m glad my work could provide some inspiration for you, thanks very much.