S7 scratch building

[airnimal]

Having made a small jig to solder up the bars for the cattle wagon so it match the spacings on the etched bars that I was given, I then looked at the photographs of the NSR cattle wagons. These show that the bars are a lot closer together so I decided to make another jig to reflect the difference. 

I really should have made the jig with one side adjustable so the soldered up bars could be extracted a lot easier. An adjustable jig would have been useful for different lengths of bars or even fence posts. 

 

[airnimal]

I have not been making wagons for a couple of weeks because I have been doing other things. 

As well as being out on the bike I have been making a building for my good friend Peter from a kit. 

This is a G.W.R weigh bridge hut from Intentio. It came to me without instructions so I am having to guess how it should go together.  

I have come across a few small problems like the odd corner brick cut out wrong or the wrong chamfer. Nothing that a bit of filler won't put right. 

Intentio web site suggests painting with Halfords grey primer then white gloss to seal the surface. Then spaying again with Halfords red primer before doing the mortar. I don't know if all that paint will fill all the brick courses so I might just spray with the red primer. 

The weigh bridge I have sprayed with Ford graphite grey and it has turned out well.

[airnimal]

I was unsure how I painted the station building and goods shed on my friend's layout as it was over 

5 years ago when I built them for him. He is building a couple of large goods sheds himself to go at the back of his layout and he is having trouble with the mortar courses. I was a bit reluctant to paint this small hut in case I made a mess of it but he say said to me just go for it. It is amazing how quickly one forgets how to do something when you don't do things regularly. 

I have sprayed his little hut with Halfords red primer and the when it was dry I made up a thin mix of interior wall filler to a very runny consistency. I applied it all over with kitchen roll and wiped it off straight away. The jury is out on the result but I will show it to him tonight because we are going out for a pint together. There is a couple of holes in the chimney stack that I don't  know the reason they are there and the last brick course at the top is missing from my box. It  could be my friend has lost it our if it came like this when he bought it. I will try and make up some replacement  parts for it.

[Simond]

Mike,

 

I have used the same technique on my laser cut buildings, I found a further wipe off and then touching some bricks with different shades worked for me.  The interior filler seems to impart a “ceramic matt” texture to the bricks.

 

regarding the missing bits, you might drop Phil a pm on WT (I’m not sure he’s on here) - he’s a helpful chap!

 

atb

Simon

[airnimal]

Simon,  it's fine. There was only a couple of bits that were missing or wrong and I can put them right without much work. I still have the lead flashing to do around the chimney and a bit more going over the colours. I will take it tonight when I have a pint with my friend and see if he is happy so far. 

We are having a beer tonight for my birthday tomorrow when I reach the grand old age of 70. 

 

 When I have been on my bike recently I'm struggling a bit with fitness and looking back it was only 4 years ago when I climbed the Transfargarasan Highway in Romania to a  height of 7,700 ft. And I rode the whole lot. Could I do now ?

[Argos]

Many happy returns Mike, hope you have great day tomorrow!

[Dave Hunt]

Happy birthday for tomorrow Mike and welcome to the septuagenarians club. Keep making those marvelous wagons.

 

Dave

[Simond]

Yes, many happy returns!

 

I’d be happy to do Transfagarasan on my bike.  photo below, snorts of derision are acceptable!  (Probably the blue one, the red one is designed for other things)

 

 

the building looks fine, I hope your pal is pleased.

 

happy birthday!

Simon

[Caley Jim]

Can I second what's been said above, both regarding the building and your birthday.  Being 4 years ahead of you, I'm afraid I have to report that there are often times when the spirit is willing but the body says 'Uh-oh'!    Anyway, you're only 20 by my reckoning - the first 50 were a practice run!

 

Jim

[Coal Tank]

Happy birthday Mike 

[MarcD]

Happy birthday Mike I'm have a pint of wild hare in salute of you as I type.

Marc

[NeilHB]

Happy Birthday Mike, hope you have a great day tomorrow! 

[Tom Burnham]

Have a good day - I'm a year or so ahead of you and it can be not too bad...

[Gypsy]

Happy Birthday Mike!

[wagonman]

Happy birthday from me too. Is this thread confined to septuagenarians? (I'm 75)

[Chrisbr]

Happy Birthday Mike (from a quinquagenarian)

 

regards,

 

Chris

 

[Andy Hayter]

Happy Birthday Mike.

 

Your work is an inspiration to me.  So my thanks for that as well.

 

Not a septuagenarian until later this year.

Andy 

[kitpw]

It looks as if birthday wishes are in order - I add mine here and look forward to more of your inspirational work in "S7 scratch building".  

Best wishes and many happy returns of the day!  Kit PW

[airnimal]

With so many best wishes make me a little embarrassed ! But many thanks for today. I hope I can keep going for some time yet. 

 

I have nearly finished my friend's building with just a little more work on it do. He was pleased with the result and then claimed he taught me everything to do with model making.  

[ian@stenochs]

Happy Birthday Mike.
 

 I had mine last week and got some rather nice bottle conditioned ale so I will raise a glass to you tonight.  

 

Ian

[BrushType4]

You've made a really nice job of that. Sorry to hear that some of the parts were missing/poor fitting. I'll double check the kits to make sure a manufacturing error hasn't crept in. 

 

 

[airnimal]

I must thank Phil at Intentio for pointing out to me my biggest mistake yet ! 

I put the chimney on the wrong side of the building. But because the fabulous fit of the parts and the fact that I had only clipped the roof on, I was able to push a rule up underneath and release the roof and turn it around without damage. 

My track record of kit building has never been great but the fit of the parts which just clip together is so good that I would recommend these kits without hesitation. 

 

I must thank my wife and children for all my birthday treats yesterday.  We went out into Cheshire for a meal with one daughter and her partner with the two little grandsons who were able to run around a field with a ball for a couple  of hours in the sunshine.  Better than them playing with computer games.

Number two daughter is coming tomorrow with her husband and two more grandchildren to stay for a few days. Number three daughter is in Australia so she may be awhile before we get to she her and partner when when she will have a new edition to show us along with the other grandson. 

[laurenceb]

Belated Birthday greetings Mike. (been playing catch up!)

[airnimal]

Very little  to report with the weather been so kind to us all. With family here I can only do a small amount in the workshop without getting into trouble. So up early while the rest are still sleeping I managed to make enough cattle wagon grills to do one wagon. I am pleased with the consistency and even spacing which I hope will look fine when placed in a model.

[Western Star]

Mike,

 

The 50 year old etch is on the QCAD waiting to go to PPD...  I appreciate that you have a workable solution, I shall leave the part on the etch so that you and I can see the result (ie. nice to know if there is an alternative to your jig-built).

 

I spoke with Chris either Thursday or Friday, he thinks that the Chesterton photo removes the block to completing the nameplate (ian Pope obliged with a corresponding digital scan).

 

regards, Graham