Jim - Thanks! Hey, I think the Chief's portals look great - you did a fine job. Would you tell me what you used to make them?
Lisa
Lisa-n-NC wrote:Jim - Thanks! Hey, I think the Chief's portals look great - you did a fine job. Would you tell me what you used to make them?Lisa
Lisa,
I made the Chief's portals from 1" thick rigid foam insulation panels. I scribed the joint lines into the foam with a pencil (tip blunted), painted everything flat black, then added the gray stone color over that.
Jim
Modeling the Baltimore waterfront in HO scale
Jim - Ever tried using a clay carving tool? This is a picture I was going to post yesterday but had trouble with Shutterfly. This is another of my scratchbuilt houses sitting temporarily in front of a couple of bridge piers I made from some 1/4" project board made by Elmers. I removed the paper from one side and scribed with the carving tool. Then glued the painted sections to a 1x4" wood block that is supporting the elevated track. I like the carving tool (they come in various sizes) as it often leaves little chunks that look like uneven mortar joints.
I scribed lines in the paper covered foamboard for the house with a semi-dull hobby knife for a clapboard siding look. Ooops - looks like the strong winds we've been having has lifted the roof a little! (Haven't attached the roof yet - need to add a light inside!)
Your skills are pretty impressive! I've only used a pencil to "carve" foam. It also will rip out random chunks of material. Below is an example of a stone wall I did with the same techniques and materials:">
I really like those track supports! Extremely realistic and convincing! You are on your way to creating a fine layout. Keep posting photos of your progress!
Lisa-n-NC wrote: Here's a timber portal I made this week.
Here's a timber portal I made this week.
Now I feel guilty about having bought a couple of portals. That's a nice looking portal and looking at it close up, probably not extremely difficult to make once you get it squared up. Nice job.
I picked up one of these at Ace Hardware last week for getting things square. I've been makeshifting that process and this should help give me good sharp corners. I think it was $8.00 or so .
Ace is the place, Frank. But really, don't be so square.
Doug Murphy 'We few, we happy few, we band of brothers...' Henry V.
God bless TCA 05-58541 Benefactor Member of the NRA, Member of the American Legion, Retired Boss Hog of Roseyville , KC&D Qualified
Doug, I use that cheap craft store acrylic paint. Nothing fancy whatsoever.
Chief, if I can do scenery, anyone can! And because of you, I'm now able to take an engine apart and work on it!
jaabat wrote: And because of you, I'm now able to take an engine apart and work on it!Jim
And because of you, I'm now able to take an engine apart and work on it!
Me Too! - putting it back together however - that's another story . . .
Frank53 wrote: jaabat wrote: And because of you, I'm now able to take an engine apart and work on it!Jim Me Too! - putting it back together however - that's another story . . .
Honestly, Frank, that is sometimes the hardest part! I took a 2037 apart Saturday night. Getting the side rods and the steam chest all back together was more difficult than replacing the smoke element!
I admit, I don't work on my own trains - I should be, but I have so much else going on I do not have the time to learn the ins and outs.
I figure it will take me at least two more years building my layout., After that I'm going to start tacking sprucing these up one by one and learning more about maintaining them and doing repairs. I have a guy at the local hobby shop who does all of my repairs, does a great job and charges me hardly anything. I also have a fellow I met on MTJ who did some overhauls for me very reasonably.
Just another item on my long list of things to do.
JIM - Love that stone wall - GREAT job! Looks like you used the same technique for the chimney on the the station. Did you scratch build that too? REALLY NICE!
FRANK53 - I actually drew the pattern on heavy art paper (easy to square up and holds things together easily) and glued the wood strips to it. I like your gizmo from Ace. Good find. Also, I need to get a miniature mitre box soon!
DOUG M - Like Jim, I also use the acrylic craft paints - $.44 at Wallyworld. Good selection of colors, but I still mix and blend sometimes using a little $.99 plastic paint pallette. I thin them with a little water. I used a little brown and some antique gold thinned down for a "stain" on the timber portal. "Smoked" the top with some thinned black. Here's a picture of the scribing tools - got them at Michaels or WallyWorld - can't remember. There are 6 different size points.
CHIEF - Maybe I can help you with your scenery if you'd help me with my electrical/mechanical stuff???
My daughter (6 years old) and I scratchbuilt the station from a 1x4. The chimney is also made from foam.
NICE work GIZ on the portals.
JOHN CSX, Love the video and the commentary OOPS comment.
Here's one from last year that my wife wanted on....
laz57
Frank, I picked up one of those 90 degree jigs from Home Depot, they have them for about $9. Thanks for the idea. Lisa and Jim, I have gained some ideas from your fine work as well. I know a good bit about working on small motors and figure I will have little problems working on my engines except for the same problem I have with working on the layout....just doesn't seem to be enough time. Excellent work by everyone.
Dennis
TCA#09-63805
laz 57 wrote: NICE work GIZ on the portals.JOHN CSX, Love the video and the commentary OOPS comment. Here's one from last year that my wife wanted on....laz57
Laz : Thanks !! Also I remember the Easter doggy picture !! Good one !!
Thanks, John
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