20 replies to this topic

[lavenlaar]

Well - while im doing other things, i thought that i should at least do some buildings for around the track (when it eventuates). Whipped this up in a day, yet to paint and weather it, but this will be the GAOL




Still the roof and porch to go.

Brendan

[slotoz]

neat building - is that from balsa? looks a bit rustic is that the theme of you track?

[knoath]

That looks tough, Lav!
I can hear the clanging of the tin cups against the iron bars from here!!!

[Ontheflipside]

Great work Lav. You will be able to lock up all those Blue Oval whingers.

[slots]

Looks great Bren. More info on construction

[lavenlaar]

ok stu -

had some 9mm mdf lying about, took a guess-timate on the heigh in scale with a car (160mm i think it was) - drew up the plans on the mdf - and cut them out. Bunnings had a bag of balsa that is precut looking like timber / cladding @ $10 - thought was a little steep - but had nothing better to do. Stuck all the sticks along the back and sides - tried for a random look on the back, but thought that wasnt going to help on the sides. Its going for the western style look, in the township, but cause ive drawn the track up -i know how much room there is so the depth of the building is 100mm which will have an offset of 50mm from the outside of the lane. If anyone knows of any other pics / plans of the buildings from the Wild West era. PLEASE. that would be easy enough for an amatuer to construct. The front of the building will have an awning that will be supported by posts and a baulastrade across to tie the horses to. Anyone know what i could put on the roof ? I believe the roof had a tar coating or something. So next step to paint (lacqeur) weather it.
Cheers
Brendan

[X1/9]

[/quote]
Anyone know what i could put on the roof ? I believe the roof had a tar coating or something.
[/quote]

You could try wet and dry sandpaper (the black stuff). If you want a corrugated iron look, try peeling the outer layer off cardboard or, if you can get it, use corrugated cardboard. I've seen the cardboard painted silver and it looks like the real thing!
Cheers,
Martin

[lavenlaar]

UPDATE !

Painted with a new type of stain - comes in a tube as a gel. Not too happy with the outcome, this was brushed on then ragged off, and still came out dark. I suppose because balsa is porous ?????

But still really happy with my first scratch build I can only get better ! And when on the track with a bit of Woodlands scenics around may tidy it up a bit.







still yet to paint front and decide on roof covering, but that black wet dry may be a goer ! Anybody know how to do a stove pipe chimney?

Here's the next project as well half completed - rickety bridge.
300mm long



Brendan

[knoath]

They both look like great projects Lav.
The gaol is a bit dark, but looking good nonetheless.
Could you drybrush it to lighten it up?

The bridge reminds me of uksqueezea's effort, another great looking bridge.

Hats off to ya.

[lavenlaar]

thanks knoath

yeah wasnt happy with the darkness ... its only a jarrah stain. i know not to use this for future projects. This was brushed on thinly then ragged off immediately.

With the bridge i plan to put in little brass tacks (u know the round headed ones) on the end of each plank, have a large tree trunk for support on the sides made from dowels.

brendan

[Eno the Wonderdog]

A Gaol first?

Expecting drunken ruffians on the mountain??

LOL!!

[lavenlaar]

WOW - this stuff is addicting !!!
I've been at it again. Drew up the plan and scratch built this water tower in about 2 hours this afternoon.
Excuse the pegs - still making sure its going to be solid.

Still to cut out a cone tin roof and paint & weather

Brendan

[knoath]

Looks good!!!

How are you finding working with the balsa Brendan?
What are you using to cut it?

I have used a model knife but I think a finely serrated blade would be better...
Next time I'm at Bunnings I think I'll grab one... put it to the test.

Edited by knoath, 01 January 2009 - 10:32 PM.

[lavenlaar]

i use a model knife to cut half way then get the small coping saw out. that way some "chunks" may only come out of the bottom. But im yet to sand it back lightly too.
you can see a small amount of splinters on the ladder rungs.

brendan

[dangermouse]

I don't use balsa for my train stuff - I find it too light and porous so stains don't work out the way you expect as you have discovered - you can buy strip wood from hobby/train shops I think it is called bass wood

I use some thin pine sheet that I made by carefully separating the laminated layers of a piece of pine board. I think it came from a panel on the back of an old cupboard. Hopefully you know what I mean.

It ends up being the thickness of balsa. I can cut it to a range of sizes with a hobby knife / razor saw it is stronger than balsa, sands nicely, you can carve wood grain into it and it is a lot more robust than balsa.

Like what you did with the water tank - do you plan to put some bands around it? I used thin card on mine.

here are some pics of my scratch building of trains and buildings
http://homepage.mac....hotoAlbum3.html

and here http://web.me.com/dm...nBuildings.html

can send you photos of my water tank if you are interested...

As for cutting it (balsa or pine)- I use a razor saw - not sure if Bunnings will have them - got mine at the hobby shop for about $7 for balsa buy one with a lot of teeth (finer cuts) I also picked up a mini mitre box - not sure where but only paid a couple of $ for it, made of aluminium - send me a PM if you want me to email some photos.

cheers
DM

Edited by dangermouse, 02 January 2009 - 02:03 PM.

[lavenlaar]

Well nearly finished the bridge. Bought a new lacquer (a lighter one) came out just right - no perfect - just right.
Painted it up added some nails to give it a more realistic effect and 2 tree trunks for the sides of the bridge.




there you will also notice a tree
Thanks to the model train guys heres my rendition on their tall redwood tree

think it needs a few more branches

here you can see the bark texture - makes all the difference
this is using a 18mm Tassie Oak dowel and shaped


What you think ?
Brendan

[silver rocket]

Nice trees there i like what u did with the dowell to make it look like bark...................

I've been lookin thro the net for scenery ideas & came across this link Rocks

Looks like a cheap easy way to get great detail in rocks..........u could even use like a paper mache paste over the foam or anything that will dry hard. I'll be tryin it out soon i hope............

[skulldrifter]

Looks great!!

[lavenlaar]

silver rocket, on Jan 4 2009, 10:49 AM, said:

Nice trees there i like what u did with the dowell to make it look like bark...................

I've been lookin thro the net for scenery ideas & came across this link Rocks

Looks like a cheap easy way to get great detail in rocks..........u could even use like a paper mache paste over the foam or anything that will dry hard. I'll be tryin it out soon i hope............

Silver Rocket - i made a post about that site about 1.5yr ago here somewhere , needless to say with the title of FROCKS, the thread didnt stay on track very long.

For the dowel - check out my blog on SF HERE

@ Skulldrifter - thanks for the comments mate.

Edited by lavenlaar, 04 January 2009 - 06:14 PM.

[knoath]

Love the idea of the tree trunks at the bridge sides!
Yep... a few more brances will see you right.
Enjoying watching your work Brendan!

Checked the blog... the trunks look real close up!

Edited by knoath, 04 January 2009 - 04:38 PM.