Living the dream.
Hello everyone, and welcome to the Labor Day (USA) long weekend!
This week I have a new tool to share along with some help from one of the amazing forum members.
My old (antique & worn out) disc sander failed a couple of years ago. It was a variable speed sander that would slow down to below 500 RPM, and was perfect for finishing thin basswood and plastic sheets.
I really don't know if it was supposed to go that slow, I have a feeling it was actually broken.
My search for something similar was fruitless. I could not find a benchtop disc sander that went that slow.
I decided on this WEN model, pretty much on price and reviews.
-Photograph by Kevin Parson
This thing is HEAVY! It must way 10 pounds more than my old one. That was quite a surprise.
I squared up the sanding table and tried it out.
-Photographs by Kevin Parson
The tool speed and power was impressive, but it is not suitable at all for truing up walls cut from basswood or plastic sheets. I needed to slow it down.
I started another thread about the desire to operate it at a lower speed. One of the awsome forum members, Energizer, had an unused tool speed control that he generously sent to me.
I plugged the disc sander into it and gave the tool a try. I did not have any basswood or plastic scraps readily available, so I had to try it with a scrap bit of plywood.
I think this will work just fine. The tool slowed down as soon as the plywood contacted the sanding wheel, and it should be usable with thin model building materials.
I am looking forward to seeing everyone's photographs for the long weekend. This thread can always be counted on to be the best of the week.
-Kevin
Kevin, I hope it works out. I believe you can turn the knob at a slower speed. Keep me informed. JOHN
Kevin, thanks for starting us out again this week, I don't know what I would use a tool like that for in my modeling pursuits, have fun with it.
The shops continue to put out new cars.
First is an Eastern Car Works General Steel Castings Depressed Center Flat Car, painted with Scalecoat II Black paint and lettered with Champ Decals. The New Haven had numerous cars like this servicing the small GE Transformer plant in Massachusets.
Next up is a Front Range 1944 AAR Boxcar kit, painted with Scalecoat II Boxcar Red #2 and lettered with a couple of different sets of Champ Decals. In 1946 the NYC started its Pacemaker Freight Service to try and recapture lcl freight service from trucks. The took the cars from Lot 737B and repainted them in the Bright Red and Gray paint along with outfitting them with Symington High Speed trucks (not roller bearing). But while the cars were being repainted and refitted, the NYC took 200 cars from Lot 773B and temporarily added the Pacemaker Freight Service logo to them.
Here is an Atlas C-425 and a Stewart U25B hauling a New Haven mixed freight along with one of the Depressed Center Flatcar with load.
Thanks for looking!
Rick Jesionowski
Rule 1: This is my railroad.
Rule 2: I make the rules.
Rule 3: Illuminating discussion of prototype history, equipment and operating practices is always welcome, but in the event of visitor-perceived anacronisms, detail descrepancies or operating errors, consult RULE 1!
Kevin. Thanks for starting WPF.
That is some piece of machinery.
Rick Good looking cars. It is nice to see cars modelled to the railroad. A reason why they are there.
For my contribution, not a lot.
I have done away with the duck under bridge and continuous run. It was good whilst it lasted, but became 'hard on the body' crawling under. I purchased a third controller and rewired the layout. Now the layout can be operated by one, two or three people.
Youngest grandson was not impressed until he realised he had six locomotives under his control instead of the usual one. He was also pleased at being able to run trains between ourselves and on our own.
I have yet to show my other grandchildren. Hopefully I get the same reaction.
A short freight train departing Leeds Sovereign Street Station.
IMG_2340 by David Harrison, on Flickr
'Bezel' shunting/switching at Clarence Dock Goods Yard.
IMG_2334 by David Harrison, on Flickr
David
To the world you are someone. To someone you are the world
I cannot afford the luxury of a negative thought
Kevin, Thanks for starting the WPF with some tool time.
Had fun personalizing a Tangent G43 gondola with plenty of grime and a nice labored look.
Thanks to all the contributors and viewers. Have a good weekend and a Happy Labor Day. Regards, Peter
Happy Labor Day weekend, time for a barbeque
Scene from Boothbay Railway Village layout
George In Midcoast Maine, 'bout halfway up the Rockland branch