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Building a Livery Stable (Done)

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  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: Rimrock, Arizona
  • 11,251 posts
Posted by SpaceMouse on Tuesday, September 1, 2020 5:43 PM

I chose this picture to show progress because it has teeth. Not Dracula or Woldfman teeth, more like Howdy Doody or Mortormer Snerd teeth. It's a Howdiclops. The short right tooth is a horse's nose. That's about all you're going to see of details. You won't see the ladder or the stable fencing.

I spent the morning yesterday working on inconsquential details.  You do get to see the boom for the block and tackle. I was mistaken when I thought I had some yellow static grass. I was going to make a few hay bales and decorate the hay loft before I put the roof on. I ordered some. Won't be here until sometime next week. Guess I'll have to do everything through the hay loft door.

By noon, I was done for the day.

Today I framed the roof and put up the siding. If the doors look odd, it's because I haven't trimmed them yet. 

Tomorrow I'll frame and side the addition. I'll also build the workbench area and put on the doors. We'll see how far I get. I expect it will be done on Thursday.

  

Chip

Building the Rock Ridge Railroad with the slowest construction crew west of the Pecos.

  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: Rimrock, Arizona
  • 11,251 posts
Posted by SpaceMouse on Monday, August 31, 2020 8:46 PM

The only reason I stained the interior of my livery is because I wanted to try out the stain using acrylic paint and water. Normally I just spray it down with Dullcote and call it good. If I want to stain another interior (not paint) I'll find a way to make adjustments--like use CA instead of Elmers.

It was an odd experience.

Chip

Building the Rock Ridge Railroad with the slowest construction crew west of the Pecos.

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Bradford, Ontario
  • 15,797 posts
Posted by hon30critter on Monday, August 31, 2020 8:11 PM

SpaceMouse
You can't see the pencil marks for cutting with dark paint/stain.

How about cutting the lumber before staining? That will cover all of the end cuts too. You will need to keep the parts sorted. I would suggest doing a chart showing all the different sized pieces and where they go. Then you can match the stained pieces to the chart before starting assembly.

You may want to do the staining/assembly in stages, i.e. cut the frame members, stain them and then assemble the frame. Then you can use the assembled frame to measure the siding etc....

It will take a bit longer but the staining will be much more even and the fit will be better.

If you are going to paint the building (as opposed to staining) then I would just build it and let the paint cover any marks. As you mentioned, different coloured trim parts, if any, can be added later.

Dave

I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!

  • Member since
    January 2017
  • From: Southern Florida Gulf Coast
  • 18,255 posts
Posted by SeeYou190 on Monday, August 31, 2020 8:45 AM

The only wood kit that I have pre-stained was my Campbell Talc Factory. Pre-staining worked out very well for me.

It did not have the roof on it yet when this picture was taken.

-Kevin

Living the dream.

  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: Rimrock, Arizona
  • 11,251 posts
Posted by SpaceMouse on Monday, August 31, 2020 6:09 AM

hon30critter
Have you considered staining the wood before assembly?

I have now.Big SmileBang HeadLaugh

Edit, having thought about it, I have done this in the past with things like trim etc. You can't see the pencil marks for cutting with dark paint/stain.

Chip

Building the Rock Ridge Railroad with the slowest construction crew west of the Pecos.

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Bradford, Ontario
  • 15,797 posts
Posted by hon30critter on Monday, August 31, 2020 12:10 AM

Hi Chip,

The frame looks pretty authentic.

Have you considered staining the wood before assembly? Once the stain is dry it likely won't affect the glue joints, and you won't have any spots where the stain can't soak in because of the glue.

My 2 Cents

Dave

I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!

  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: Rimrock, Arizona
  • 11,251 posts
Posted by SpaceMouse on Sunday, August 30, 2020 6:56 PM

Kevin--thanks.

ROBERT PETRICK

I think the 30-degree roof is sufficiently impressive, slope-wise.

I couldn't help but chuckle when you ran into the oldest problem in the architecture bidness: getting the design to fit the paper.

You might want to watch 'The Music Man' (old version with Robert Preston, not the modern remake with Matthew Broderick). Marcellus Washburn works in the livery stable right across from the tracks.

Good luck.

Robert 

 

I miss my drafting table. One of the things I had to give up when we moved to a smaller house. I'll see how available the Music Man is.

It's settled. I'm going with 30 degrees. Couple interesting things happened today. But wait, let's look at the picture first.

The first thing is I changed the design. Honest John added those three back stalls recently when his business started growing. So, the back isn't full barn, it's an add-on.

That's why the back isn't framed. I have to put on the siding before I can frame the add-on.

I have sort of a strange problem with the horse. I can't glue him to the layout and drop the livery over him because his head loops over the fence to look outside. Anyway, I have to figure it out before I put the hayloft floor, or I'll never get him in. At least that was what I thought as I was wrestling with the problem away from the structure. When I was staining the wood I noticed that even though I built the fence all around where the horse goes, the front and side were wide open because I haven't put the siding on yet.

Speaking of stain, what you see is an experiment. I wanted to try using a burnt umber wash at various strengths, and since no one is going to see the framing anyway, I figured I'd do some good testing. I think I like the thinner was better.

There was a problem though. The artists acrylics I was using was probably 15 years old and was not in great shape. It didn't thin well with water just broke onto clumps that I had to smash up like pancake batter. 

But the interesting part is that the wash disolved some of my wood glue bonds. Towards the end, it was coming apart left and right. I think I got all the parts that came loose with CA, but I'm going to have to double-check things before I move on. But I got to thinking, I use vinegar to soften the glue so I can easil scrape it off my glass workspace. I'm wondering if either the pigment or medium is acidic. I've never had a problem before and I've used lots acrylic paints before and never had a problem. I've never tried a diluted wash before.

I something occurs to you spit it out. I may not use it, but I'll lock it away for future use somewhere. 

 

Chip

Building the Rock Ridge Railroad with the slowest construction crew west of the Pecos.

  • Member since
    January 2014
  • 1,500 posts
Posted by ROBERT PETRICK on Sunday, August 30, 2020 4:28 PM

I think the 30-degree roof is sufficiently impressive, slope-wise.

I couldn't help but chuckle when you ran into the oldest problem in the architecture bidness: getting the design to fit the paper.

You might want to watch 'The Music Man' (old version with Robert Preston, not the modern remake with Matthew Broderick). Marcellus Washburn works in the livery stable right across from the tracks.

Good luck.

Robert 

LINK to SNSR Blog


  • Member since
    January 2017
  • From: Southern Florida Gulf Coast
  • 18,255 posts
Posted by SeeYou190 on Sunday, August 30, 2020 9:57 AM

I live in South Florida... even 30 degree roofs seem way too extra steep to me.

Looking forward to another of you amazing structures.

Smile

-Kevin

Living the dream.

  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: Rimrock, Arizona
  • 11,251 posts
Posted by SpaceMouse on Saturday, August 29, 2020 10:24 PM

MisterBeasley
I like some interior detail in structures, but scenes you can't see are just extra work.  You might think about whether the building might ever be viewed from another angle

Only if I move it, then it will be harder to see in.

Chip

Building the Rock Ridge Railroad with the slowest construction crew west of the Pecos.

  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: Rimrock, Arizona
  • 11,251 posts
Posted by SpaceMouse on Saturday, August 29, 2020 10:21 PM

hon30critter
Are you going to have a blacksmith shop (possibly converted to a tack shop if the scene post dates blacksmithing) next door?

Either next door or across the street. This will be the front of the layout on the industrial street. The frieght house, the retail lumber outlet, and the cattle pens are across the street on the rails. I'm hopiing to get a Bear Wizz Beer brewery if I can make space.

 

Chip

Building the Rock Ridge Railroad with the slowest construction crew west of the Pecos.

  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: Bedford, MA, USA
  • 21,483 posts
Posted by MisterBeasley on Saturday, August 29, 2020 9:45 PM

High-pitched rooflines are more typical of snow country, so consider your locale.

I like some interior detail in structures, but scenes you can't see are just extra work.  You might think about whether the building might ever be viewed from another angle.

It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse. 

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Bradford, Ontario
  • 15,797 posts
Posted by hon30critter on Saturday, August 29, 2020 9:42 PM

HO-Velo
Chip, To my eye 30 looks better, but the steeper slope of 45 looks at home in snow country. Regards, Peter

I like the 30 degree slope better personally, but either will look good.

Are you going to have a blacksmith shop (possibly converted to a tack shop if the scene post dates blacksmithing) next door?

Dave

I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!

  • Member since
    November 2007
  • From: California
  • 2,388 posts
Posted by HO-Velo on Saturday, August 29, 2020 8:36 PM

Chip, can't go wrong either way

Regards, Peter

  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: Rimrock, Arizona
  • 11,251 posts
Posted by SpaceMouse on Saturday, August 29, 2020 8:35 PM

Well, it's not snow country, hmmmm.

 

Chip

Building the Rock Ridge Railroad with the slowest construction crew west of the Pecos.

  • Member since
    November 2007
  • From: California
  • 2,388 posts
Posted by HO-Velo on Saturday, August 29, 2020 8:20 PM

Chip, To my eye 30 looks better, but the steeper slope of 45 looks at home in snow country.

Regards, Peter

  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: Rimrock, Arizona
  • 11,251 posts
Building a Livery Stable (Done)
Posted by SpaceMouse on Saturday, August 29, 2020 7:40 PM

My next project will be building a livery stable and I plan to do it with popsicle sticks and coffee stirrers. Lately my structures have been dusted rather than weathered, meaning the places were rather new. The boom and growth really only started 5 years ago. But the livery stable has been around since the town was still Dilderd's Junction. It only became Rock Ridge when Rock talked the people of the town how it should be re-named after the lumber mill he was going to build. 

All that's to say is, I'm going to beat it up a little. 

So here's the plan, as I drew it.

I'm thinking I'm going to change the roofline from a 30 degree pitch to a 45 degree pitch. To tell the truth, I was originally going to have it at 45, but when I did the math, it placed the peak off my paper. So rather than start over, I tried it at 30. I think 45 will look better. What do you think?

I haven't decided whether I'm going to build all the stalls or just the front one on the right, There's no way anyone will see the rest of them. 

First stop, the mini-table saw to size the lumber. 

Chip

Building the Rock Ridge Railroad with the slowest construction crew west of the Pecos.

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