Tender Coal

[Matt/Wisc]

Hello all,

I'm new to scratch building. How is a Coal load made for a Tender? What is used to represent the Coal; how do you keep in place?

Thank you,
Matt/Wisc

[kstrong]

There are a few options for modeling coal. My preferred method is to use real coal. Find a lump, bash it with a hammer until it's small enough, then glue it in place. If you can't find coal easily, look for charcoal aquarium filter material. It's the next best thing.

As for keeping it in place, I have two methods I use. The first is to build a base for the coal out of styrofoam or something like that. Then, I spread black roofing adhesive over it as you would ice a cake. Dump the crushed coal on top of it, press it down a bit to set it into the adhesive, and let it dry. Shake off the excesss and viola! Instant coal load.

I'll also occasionally use the "tried and true" method of dilute white glue mixed over the coal load. Sometimes I'll mix the glue and the coal together like you would concrete, then spread it in place.

Later,

K

[Matt/Wisc]

kstrong,

Thank you for sharing your methods for producing Coal Loads.

Matt/Wisc

[Anonymous]

Instead of coal you could use aquarium charcoal, I did nice and shinny looking like just like coal.

Mikadousrp

[Anonymous]

A rather cheaper route might be to use cork.

I found bags of cork bits, all broken up into the original component. This I mixed with wood glue until all gooey. Allow it to take a basic shape similar to your needs and let it dry. Spray it with metalic black for the shiny effect of coal.



What do you think?

Matthew.

[Anonymous]

Adding a droplet of dishwashing detergent in your water/glue mix will help it to flow better over your coal. Otherwise, I agree with the suggestions above.

[kimbrit]

As daft as it may sound I paint the coal afterwards - coal black - it then looks better to my eye.
Cheers,
Kim

[John Busby]

QUOTE: Originally posted by kimbrit

As daft as it may sound I paint the coal afterwards - coal black - it then looks better to my eye.
Cheers,
Kim

Hi kim
Errm Why?? coal is sort of glossy anyway so even with the glue looks OK
well it does to me
Funny this came up I have a few bags of coal that arrived the other day.
Where's that big hammer!!
have to do something with those NSW Coal hoppers
regards John

[kimbrit]

Hi John,
I knew someone would ask that!! As I said, it just looks better to my eye and sometimes I have to paint over the other colour paint that's got on the coal!!
Kim