Large Scale Central

Waverly Southern Mik's Build Challenge 2016

The MIK - Annual Build Challenge
#61

Thanks guys. Although the windows were a PIA, I’m quite pleased with how they turned out. Now comes the hard part … rough framing for the window openings. That is what I am dreading most. A lot of custom cuts because there slight variations in each window.

Todd, thanks for the shortcut with the diffuser material and hardware cloth. I will certainly be entertaining new ways to build windows on future projects. I did make an extra one this time that I can use to make molds for casting should I find myself needing the same size window and I find the courage to actually attempt casting.

Now I’ve got to figure out how I’m going to get all that’s still left to do done. Time’s a getting short.

#62

The WSRR crew was busy again this weekend. Mr. Paws met with Uncle Munson and R.E. Mington to go over the schedule and remaining tasks and to remind them that the deadline for substantial completion is only a week away. Stockholders and other distinguished guests would be visiting to review the new structure. Mington assured the boss that he would have the engine house ready. Uncle Munson reminded Mr. Paws that they would need to order another load of tin from Taylor Tin Works if he wanted the entire roof covered with the same material. The chairman understood the need and noted he would not hold the crew responsible for failure to complete the roof by the deadline. He said he had already explained to the visitors that the roof would not be complete when they were onsite but the crew would finish it once they ordered and received the next shipment of tin.

Over the weekend, the crew managed to get the rails and floor installed and put a finish on the flooring.

They were also able to get the lumber cut to frame the rough openings for the windows and for the exterior walls.

R.E. Mington kept the track in gauge while installing it with the homemade gauges shown below.

After the long weekend and all the hard work, Mr. Paws and R.E.Mington took a well deserved nap!

#63

Thanks to some long evenings, I have been able to get the windows installed on one side of the engine house. It is finally starting to look like something other than a stick box. Unfortunately, I won’t have time to work on it anymore until Saturday. Lots to do. Still have 3 windows, siding and tin to install. I doubt I will have time to get the workshop attached before the deadline. I am ok with that, however. I do not have enough tin to finish anyway so I will add the workshop later. I hadn’t planned to cover the walls on the interior, but the more I look at it, it would make a huge difference in the overall appearance. If I have some time before Tuesday, I will try to add something on one of the walls just to get an idea of how it would look. We’ll see. I am making progress, just don’t know if I’m moving forward …. if that makes any sense.

#64

Well that is looking great. Even with Dave’s great cast windows I would have to say if we had an award for windows you’d have my vote. A lot of work but they sure look top notch. The joinery looks very precise or your hiding mistakes well. They appear to all be well fit.

#65

Looking good… Is that thing made from White Oak? And Black Walnut for the windows?

Keep plugging along… It’s really about the build, not the challenge.

#66

Thats coming along great Dan.(http://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-cool.gif)

#67

At first I thought the shed was too small, but now I see where you were going with this. It works. The windows are a great addition. I’ll be watching with interest to see how you finish out the interior? With all those windows, it would seem you have to do something. The flooring looks good; I like the dark stain.

#68

That looks great! The wood, the craftsmanship and those great looking windows!

I think when it is finished you should put a handle on the roof and make it a tote for your 3 truck shay. The building will be too nice to stay outside so why not bring it in. You could build a spot on your RR where the building/tote goes, put it in place open the door and out comes the shay to play.

While it sits indoors on a shelf on display you could have lights inside so folks could peek in the windows and image the crew is working on the shay.

Keep up the good work

#69

Todd Haskins said:

I think when it is finished you should put a handle on the roof and make it a tote for your 3 truck shay. The building will be too nice to stay outside so why not bring it in. You could build a spot on your RR where the building/tote goes, put it in place open the door and out comes the shay to play.

While it sits indoors on a shelf on display you could have lights inside so folks could peek in the windows and image the crew is working on the shay.

This is a very creative idea. the size of it is perfect. Form and function.

#70

I like it a lot!

I’d leave it open inside and use shelving between the uprights for parts and detail bits… oil cans and candy bars.

John

#71

@ Devon: Thanks Devon. I do like the windows myself but they were a pain to build and I probably created more sawdust than I have wood in the windows. They are certainly not perfect due to me not thinking ahead far enough to prevent having to make multiple setups on the table saw. As you probably know, once you move the fence or miter gauge, its difficult to set it up exactly the same again especially when working with dimensions where 1/64” sticks out like a soar thumb. Thankfully, once all the siding and trim work is installed, most of the errors will be hidden. I will make more windows like this in the future because I think they look good and to prove to myself I can do better. I will also give casting a try also.

@ Dave: The framing is mostly red oak but the flooring, siding and trim is/will be white oak. I made the windows out of some scrap walnut I had laying around the shop. Why? Well, I had it, it was free, it was the correct dimensions and I thought it would provide a nice natural contrast to the rest of the building. My initial goal (still my goal) was to draw ones attention to the windows and roofing. We’ll see if I can achieve that in the end. I know I won’t get it 100% complete by our deadline, but I think it will be far enough along that one can imagine what the finished product will look like. This past weekend I began to rush things and then realized that no matter what I could not finish so I went back to taking my time and enjoying the work.

BTW: Although I never had the opportunity to know Mik, I greatly appreciate him starting this challenge and everyone else carrying on in his absence. This has been an enjoyable process and I really hate to see it come to an end.

@ Ron: Thanks Ron. It has been a great experience and provided me with the confidence to tackle even more complex projects. I have several builds waiting in the wings once this one is complete.

@ John P: You saw the same thing I did once I started adding windows. I can’t leave the interior bare because it would become the focal point. I will cover it with something just not sure what or how right now. My plan is to get the wall that has all the windows on it now covered before Tuesday. For the floor, I took a page out of your book and used ink. I first brushed on a 2:1 mixture of terra cotta ink and then covered that with a 10:1 dilution of black. I thought it turned well. I probably spent 2-3 hours experimenting with the different colors and dilutions. Thanks for your help with that.

@ Todd: Thanks Todd. I like your idea about the tote. I will see if I can’t come up with something. This structure will definitely not stay outside. Being my first WSRR build, I will make sure it is protected. I do plan to add lights. I like what Devon did with the lights in his build. I may do something similar. I’ve been looking for items to make the light shades with. Wouldn’t want to copy Devon’s exactly.

@ John C: Thanks John. Your idea about the shelving will definitely be used in the workshop addition. Now that I think about it, I may include a few cubby holes on the long wall with all the windows. Thanks for the suggestion.

Following up on John’s idea, I see all these detail parts you all use in and around your buildings. Where do those come from?

#72

Nice!

Edit: cause I kinda have a Heisler/Shay fetish

#73

Dan Hilyer said:

BTW: Although I never had the opportunity to know Mik, I greatly appreciate him starting this challenge and everyone else carrying on in his absence. This has been an enjoyable process and I really hate to see it come to an end.

Come to an end. . .Oh no my friend I can tell your hooked. It doesn’t end you obsess about it for 10 1/2 months agonizing over what the next one will be. Its torture. I might be just a tad obsessed with the challenge.

#74

“Times a tickin, Mr. Mington, times a tickin”, stated Mr. Paws. “What’s the status of the new engine house?”

“Well sir, the crew has managed to get the siding on the exterior wall opposite the workshop, the interior siding on the same wall, four sets of shelves installed (Many thanks to whoever put that idea into the boss’s head!!) and the tin on one side of the roof”, explained R.E. Mington.

“Are you going to be able to finish in the allotted time?” asked Mr. Paws.

“Unfortunately, no” said Mington. “There have been too many interruptions to my schedule and that has put us drastically behind. Tomorrow we plan to get the remainder of what tin we have left installed, the rear wall covered and the two remaining windows sided and trimmed. I’m not sure we will have much time left for any other progress. Once all those items are complete we still have to prep the building for viewing by our special guests” replied Mington.

“You would have been much closer to completion if you hadn’t gone off hunting two days this week. What am I supposed to tell our guests when they arrive and find an incomplete structure? Questioned Mr. Paws.

“You can always tell them the truth!” stated R.E. Mington. “Or you can tell them that you intentionally had the crew leave it in the current stage in order for the guests to have a better understanding of the construction methods utilized in the building of the WSRR’s new asset.”

“I think we will go with the latter explanation” exclaimed Mr. Paws. “I am glad I thought of that!! Now you and your crew get back to work and no rest until the deadline.”

Half the building has had tin installed. What you see here is all but the 13 sheets of the original allotment. The remaining sheets will be installed on the opposite side tomorrow. We will place another order from Taylor Tin Works once the challenge is over.

BTW: the roof structure is removable, thank goodness.

Below is a better view of the siding installed. I had intended to add battens but I think I will leave it as it is now. I like the looks of it without the battens. I have not decided on an exterior finish yet. I kinda like the natural wood. We’ll worry about the later.

The crew was able to get one interior wall covered. I like the way it turned out.

Here is a side view of the same wall. The side you are looking through is where the workshop will be added. If we have time we may attempt to get some of it framed so you can get a better idea of what the finished building will look like.

Thanks to John Caughey, the maintenance crew will now have a few shelves to keep tools and other need items close at hand. Still need to add a few more shelves, but you get the idea. Now I just have to figure out where to get all the little detail parts that I see in your models.

#75

That is coming along Very nice Dan. Did yo add lights to it?.

#76

Hey, that interior looks great Dan. Like the built in shelves. Looks like it’s a sturdy little brute. Good thing, it has an important job to do.

#77

Ok, I’m done and have final, not complete, photos ready but now our internet has crapped out. I’m making this post from my cellular device. I’ll try to get them posted when I get to the office later this morning.

#78

Another great pile of sticks! It sure looks good. Well done.

#79

I really like the photos you put on the build challenge judging thread. The onion stack on your shay looks good over the usual diamond. Did you have to cut your engine house doorways so it would fit? If the shay fits just about everything else on the market should as well.

I still think you should leave the back open and use this building as a display tote.

Well done.

#80

Yea, it looks like he had to notch out the door header for the Shay to fit.