| In O Scale: Building a sand house. A six part project. SEE BELOW. |
 | |  |
| Most Scales: How to easily fashion pipe unions and elbows. See below. |
| Helpful Hint #1, All Scales: To mix plaster for scenery get a small (6") rubber ball and cut it in half. Use each half as a mixing bowl. When dry, turn inside-out for a super easy clean up. |
I have been commissioned to build a sand house in O scale.
The tower tank and hardware is a limited set of Coronado castings no longer
available, so we'll also see how to scratch-build that in addition to building
the rest of the structure.
The tower tank and hardware is a limited set of Coronado castings no longer
available, so we'll also see how to scratch-build that in addition to building
the rest of the structure.
| Click on the Wide-Eyed Lionel to start this project. >>>>> |
| Most Scales: How to easily fashion pipe unions and elbows. |
Tools and materials needed: brass or copper wire or rod
for the pipe. Heat shrink tubing close to the diameter of the
pipe. A new #11 X-Acto or razor blade. A heat source.
for the pipe. Heat shrink tubing close to the diameter of the
pipe. A new #11 X-Acto or razor blade. A heat source.
Cut 1/2 inch length of shrink tubing. If close to diameter
of pipe ,continue, if somewhat larger place on rod and
shrink to fit, remove.
Slice a bunch of little rings and a few longer segments.
Three sizes are shown here.
of pipe ,continue, if somewhat larger place on rod and
shrink to fit, remove.
Slice a bunch of little rings and a few longer segments.
Three sizes are shown here.
Elbow needs slight adjustment, four types of unions
shown. After placement apply small drop of ACC to
prevent slippage. Slowly and carefully build up space
inside rings to represent the thicker union. The three
in the middle do not require this.
shown. After placement apply small drop of ACC to
prevent slippage. Slowly and carefully build up space
inside rings to represent the thicker union. The three
in the middle do not require this.
Paint and install. The bent pipe is for the sand house
tank delivery pipe, the one at the bottom as an example,
the unions will be removed and used elsewhere.
tank delivery pipe, the one at the bottom as an example,
the unions will be removed and used elsewhere.
Building a burned structure in Z scale or any scale.
In 1968 I built a burned station in N scale, something that just wasn't done. A picture of it along with
the first N scale bobber caboose, coaling station and steel reefer appeared in an issue of Model
Railroader Magazine. Recently someone mentioned building a structure and then setting fire to it. THIS
WILL NOT WORK gentle readers.
1- As a former firefighter, setting things on fire scares me unless it's done in a fireplace or outside on
the barbecue.
2- Fire is scale 1 :1 and whatever scale your building is in, IT WON'T WORK, as everything (roof, walls,
floor) will burn at the same rate (fast) and just ruin a good model.
This will show you a much better way of doing it. This technique can be used in any scale.
the first N scale bobber caboose, coaling station and steel reefer appeared in an issue of Model
Railroader Magazine. Recently someone mentioned building a structure and then setting fire to it. THIS
WILL NOT WORK gentle readers.
1- As a former firefighter, setting things on fire scares me unless it's done in a fireplace or outside on
the barbecue.
2- Fire is scale 1 :1 and whatever scale your building is in, IT WON'T WORK, as everything (roof, walls,
floor) will burn at the same rate (fast) and just ruin a good model.
This will show you a much better way of doing it. This technique can be used in any scale.
First, as in any scratch-building project, plan ahead.
Where did the fire start? How much of the structure
burned before it was brought under control? How long
ago did this happen?
In the example on the right it was obviously in the corner,
quickly put out, and happened some time before; there is
little water around and firefighters are still combing the
site for evidence but a window and a door have already
been boarded up.
Where did the fire start? How much of the structure
burned before it was brought under control? How long
ago did this happen?
In the example on the right it was obviously in the corner,
quickly put out, and happened some time before; there is
little water around and firefighters are still combing the
site for evidence but a window and a door have already
been boarded up.
Studs and joists will take more time to burn through than walls and most furniture. Because heat
rises, once breached, a roof will go quickly, leaving some burned rafters exposed. Normally the
corrugated roof would have been less damaged but it was a hot fire (this is a factory after all) and the
inside had to be easily seen.
It's OK, let's call it artistic licence.
rises, once breached, a roof will go quickly, leaving some burned rafters exposed. Normally the
corrugated roof would have been less damaged but it was a hot fire (this is a factory after all) and the
inside had to be easily seen.
It's OK, let's call it artistic licence.
Here the walls have been cut and assembled as
well as the floors. This structure is more fragile
than most because of the "missing mass".
Note the tall timbers in the corners, this is to show
the original roof line.
well as the floors. This structure is more fragile
than most because of the "missing mass".
Note the tall timbers in the corners, this is to show
the original roof line.
Sorry about the picture quality, this shows added studs,
rafters and joists. The burned areas have been painted
midnight black. Note that the window and door
openings on the back wall have not been cut out but
painted black above where smoke would have stained
the walls. On the right is the same area with inside
details added including bits of wood painted black,
scale coal and burnt machinery.
rafters and joists. The burned areas have been painted
midnight black. Note that the window and door
openings on the back wall have not been cut out but
painted black above where smoke would have stained
the walls. On the right is the same area with inside
details added including bits of wood painted black,
scale coal and burnt machinery.
Interior details
This is a view from the other side. Details like
the boarded openings and one of the three
firefighters sifting through the rubble make
the scene come alive. Add a fire engine to
complete it. >>>>>>>>
the boarded openings and one of the three
firefighters sifting through the rubble make
the scene come alive. Add a fire engine to
complete it. >>>>>>>>
I hope this has been informative and has decided you
to start on your own project, in any scale.
to start on your own project, in any scale.
| Building a burned structure in Z scale. Techniques that can be used in all scales. See bottom of page. |
This is it further along. Note
the slight damage to the
other roof, the boarded up
door and window, the
weathered walls with smoke
damage as well as the
obvious fire damage. Yet to
be added is the roofing
material, all the platforms
and most of the details.
the slight damage to the
other roof, the boarded up
door and window, the
weathered walls with smoke
damage as well as the
obvious fire damage. Yet to
be added is the roofing
material, all the platforms
and most of the details.
Let's build it together. Projects to sharpen your
modeling skills and heighten the fun.
modeling skills and heighten the fun.
More complicated joints are possible, for small wire like
.020 use rings cut from electrical wire insulation.
Questions? Contact me.
.020 use rings cut from electrical wire insulation.
Questions? Contact me.