I finally decided to start the build challenge. For the longest time I wasn't entirely sure what I wanted to build but I knew it had to be something I needed on the layout.
I choose KC's Workshop Bonney Wrenches. However, my version will be a kit bash to fit my desire to have something different and also to fit in the area I have a real estate site available.
This structure is one the F&SM.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/24-210220175347.jpeg)
More in a few.
Here is the basic kit Kenny manufactured.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/24-210220175253.jpeg)
The kit comes with no instructions but honestly they aren't needed for this kit. Four walls, a coupla, roof and doors and windows and you are off.
There are no casting as shown in George's version. Jimmy D. is the go to guy for all things FSM casting related if you want ot build it as showmn on the FSM.
WWW.railroadkitss.com.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/24-210220175306.jpeg)
More in a few.
Mr. Crump also has a great sense of humor. He equates the difficulty level of this kit at two Xacto knives.
Included in the kit is a sheet of great looking signs. Unfortunately I won't be using them for my build.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/24-210220175320.jpeg)
In prepping for this build, I did a search for all my Xacto knives. I found many all over the place but I think a few are still missing. 8)
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/24-210220175335.jpeg)
Love the kit - will be fun to watch this.
Tom:
One of my favorite FSM buildings. Is it still available from the Manufacturer? Will be following along.
Karl
Tom,
I picked this up from Ken when it was available so I'll be watching closely. I'm waiting to build mine until I know exactly where I am going to place it on my layout. That way I can swap ends if necessary to make it better suit my available space.
You know I'll be watching. I don't recall seeing this one before (aside from on the FSM). This'll be fun. :D
I'll be looking in..... :)
Quote from: vinceg on February 21, 2020, 06:27:17 PM
Love the kit - will be fun to watch this.
Vince,
Thanks for following along. It should be fun to build as well.
Tom ;D
Quote from: postalkarl on February 21, 2020, 07:10:18 PM
Tom:
One of my favorite FSM buildings. Is it still available from the Manufacturer? Will be following along.
Karl
Karl,
I like the F&SM building as well and this is a great little kit of it. I think this kit is now out of stock but contact Kenny at KC's Workshop to find out for sure.
Thanks for following along.
Tom ;D
Quote from: jerryrbeach on February 22, 2020, 07:51:33 AM
Tom,
I picked this up from Ken when it was available so I'll be watching closely. I'm waiting to build mine until I know exactly where I am going to place it on my layout. That way I can swap ends if necessary to make it better suit my available space.
Jerry,
I've always liked this structure on the F&SM and I'm very happy Kenny decided to add this to his kit list. However, I must tell you I'm planing on kit bashing this so it won't be a stock build of the original kit.
Mine will have a second story for either an office of on site apartment for the owner. I haven't decide yet what type of business it will be but I have a couple ideas in my mind. I'll share the decision later when I actually get started.
Tom ;D
Quote from: ReadingBob on February 22, 2020, 08:16:11 AM
You know I'll be watching. I don't recall seeing this one before (aside from on the FSM). This'll be fun. :D
Bob,
Thanks for following along. Also, it was good to see you this afternoon.Enjoyed lunch as well.
Tom ;D
Quote from: GPdemayo on February 22, 2020, 09:13:23 AM
I'll be looking in..... :)
Greg,
Thank you kind sir. This will be fun to kit bash.
Tom ;D
This afternoon I started to clean the wall sections. I used a new #17 Xacto blade to remove the small window blanks.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/24-220220162713.jpeg)
When removing door openings that are close to a narrow wall piece, be very careful not to break the narrow wall piece. In the next photo you can see where I'm cutting the area where the laser stopped. When pushing down on the blade, it causes stress on the weakest part of the narrow wall piece. The red pencil shows you the weak point of the wall when cutting. This is where it most often breaks if not careful.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/24-220220162727.jpeg)
This bit of information comes to you free of charge as I speak from experience in breaking narrow wall sections.
Continued -
I don't plan on using the cupola so these two pieces go back in the bag.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/24-220220162738.jpeg)
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/24-220220162749.jpeg)
Continued -
One thing I do, I've mentioned this in past builds, is to keep the door and window blanks. If you are scratch building or plan to, these are great to assist you in door and window locations. I also use them as templates for outlining and then cutting the openings on a scratch build.
I keep them in a small plastic box, er, in this case a small Dixie cup until I find the small plastic box.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/24-220220162800.jpeg)
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/24-220220162812.jpeg)
More tomorrow afternoon.
Quote from: ACL1504 on February 22, 2020, 04:55:47 PMThis bit of information comes to you free of charge as I speak from experience in breaking narrow wall sections.
Very good tip. I've lost track of the number of narrow strips I have broken off.
--Opa George
Tom,
Somehow I missed the tip to keep the window blanks in your previous threads. Got it this time, yet another great idea I'll be able to use.
Quote from: Opa George on February 23, 2020, 06:18:39 AM
Quote from: ACL1504 on February 22, 2020, 04:55:47 PMThis bit of information comes to you free of charge as I speak from experience in breaking narrow wall sections.
Very good tip. I've lost track of the number of narrow strips I have broken off.
--Opa George
George,
Thank you, I've repaired my share of broken wall sections over the years.
Tom ;D
Quote from: jerryrbeach on February 23, 2020, 07:59:27 AM
Tom,
Somehow I missed the tip to keep the window blanks in your previous threads. Got it this time, yet another great idea I'll be able to use.
Jerry,
I haven't mentioned it in all my build threads, senior moments and all that. 8)
Since I couldn't find my plastic box, I mentioned it here. I find the blanks really come in handy when cutting in new door or window openings.Tom ;D
Since my last post, I've gone in a totally different direction with this kit. Actually, I'm not going to build KC's kit but I will scratch build one to fit my space and suit my need.
This is a very nice kit and perhaps I'll be able to build and use it else where on the layout. However, as mentioned, going to do something different.
I want to have a scrap yard with an old two story structure on the property. I remember back in 1963 I was at an old scrap/auto salvage yard scrounging around for parts for my 1947 Ford flat head 8 sedan. Just inside the gate was a white two story building. The lower portion had a bay on each end to cut and removed parts on cars. The other end was more like a garage but really didn't do repairs.
Between the two bays was a small single office with a screen door. Off the office door was a set of stairs to the second floor. The second story served as an apartment/living quarters for the owner and his wife.
The building was all white with gray asphalt shingles. I'm not sure they ever cleaned any of the windows.
For my bottom portion I've lengthened KC's by 22 HO scale feet for a total length of 73 scale feet.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/24-290220165227.jpeg)
For the second story I kept the same length as the kit at 51 HO scale feet.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/24-290220165239.jpeg)
More in a few.
Tomorrow I'll decide where I want the bays, doors and windows.
Here is a look a KC's walls and my scratch walls on the lower portion of the photo.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/24-290220165252.jpeg)
Here is where the junk and scrap yard will be located. Seems like I already have junk there.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/24-290220165306.jpeg)
I'll scratch build a chain link fence around the area which will include the track.
Hey Tom:
Looks like your off to a good start. This is one of my favorite F&SM buildings.
Karl
Karl
SCRAP YARD! I love scrap yards. Glad I got an early front row seat for this one.
--Opa George
Quote from: postalkarl on March 01, 2020, 11:15:34 AM
Hey Tom:
Looks like your off to a good start. This is one of my favorite F&SM buildings.
Karl
Karl
Karl,
This is a nice kit and even better kit bash. I appreciate you following along.
Tom ;D
Quote from: Opa George on March 01, 2020, 12:45:03 PM
SCRAP YARD! I love scrap yards. Glad I got an early front row seat for this one.
--Opa George
George,
As I progress with the build I think you'll really like what I have planned. Happy to have you in the front row.
Tom ;D
This afternoon I spent time getting the front wall doors and window cut in.
I forgot to mention earlier that the second floor walls are as high as the first floor. I plan to cut these down after I determine how I want the second floor to look.
I cut in the two bay doors equal distance from each end leaving a good amount of space in between.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/24-020320165543.jpeg)
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/24-020320165556.jpeg)
More in a few.
Notice in the photo below the two bay doors are hanging over the bottom portion of the wall? This structure will be in a junk yard with mostly dirt. I'm using a 6 X 6 post as a base so I have something I can work around with scenery.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/24-020320165610.jpeg)
When the 6 X 6 is placed next to the bottom of the wall, it all fits flush.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/24-020320165641.jpeg)
Continued -
I'm using a 4 X 4 between the two wall sections.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/24-020320165625.jpeg)
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/24-020320165655.jpeg)
Continued -
For the next step, I need to walls to be flat and square. I used a few weights to hold it all in place.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/24-020320165705.jpeg)
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/24-020320165716.jpeg)
Continued -
Now that the two wall sections are flat and secure, I can place the stair stringer against the wall to determine where it will fit on the lower front wall section.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/24-020320165729.jpeg)
I used the stringer as a guide and traced the bottom portion on the exterior of the front wall section.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/24-020320165741.jpeg)
At this point many are saying, "Why did he mark the pencil line on the front"?
The answer is quite simple.
Continued -
When the stairs are installed, the pencil line won't be seen. Most importantly, it gives me the reference location on the wall so I get the angle correctly.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/24-020320165755.jpeg)
I turned the wall over and measured to the middle and drew in the door using one of my old door blanks.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/24-020320165832.jpeg)
More in a few.
I like using a metal square with cutting short straight lines.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/24-020320165818.jpeg)
The bottom line is the one I cut as I want the office door to hang over the same as the two bay doors.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/24-020320165844.jpeg)
Back in a few. Time to grab a Diet Pepsi.
Now the office door is cut in and the stair stringer is just where I wanted it. This plan came together. Now the owner of the junk yard can leave the office, go upstairs and perhaps partake in some afternoon delight. :-*
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/24-020320165855.jpeg)
The front window was measured and cut in as well.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/24-020320165908.jpeg)
Front wall is now finished.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/24-020320165921.jpeg)
Done for today.
Excellent Tom. Hope to see you Saturday.
Tom,
As usual, thorough explanation and great execution.
Hey Tom:
It's looking real nice so far.
Karl
Hey Tom:
You may not know this. I'm not sure. Those small squares are not windows they are small vents. There are three along the top of the sign on the front wall as seen in the FSM pic. Looks like you are adding a 2nd story am I right. Can't wait to see what you do with this.
Karl
Quote from: PRR Modeler on March 02, 2020, 06:54:27 PM
Excellent Tom. Hope to see you Saturday.
Curt,
Thank you my friend. I'll see ya Saturday.
Tom
Quote from: jerryrbeach on March 02, 2020, 08:11:04 PM
Tom,
As usual, thorough explanation and great execution.
Jerry,
Thank you, much appreciate the comment.
Tom ;D
Quote from: postalkarl on March 03, 2020, 02:38:53 PM
Hey Tom:
You may not know this. I'm not sure. Those small squares are not windows they are small vents. There are three along the top of the sign on the front wall as seen in the FSM pic. Looks like you are adding a 2nd story am I right. Can't wait to see what you do with this.
Karl
Karl,
Thank you for the compliment.
I knew the vents were high on the front wall. Yes, I did mention in a previous post that a second story will be added. I'm anxious to see how it turns out as well. Either way, this is a fun build, er, kit bash, er, I really mean scratch build. :P
Below is the photo I took in 2016 when visiting the F&SM. You can clearly see the three vents.
Tom ;D
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/24-030320171843.jpeg)
I finished cutting in the door and windows for the first floor this morning.
This is about where I want the windows located.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/24-050320170441.jpeg)
I drew center lines on the rear of the wall section.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/24-050320170349.jpeg)
Continued -
A test fit to make sure they look like they fit here.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/24-050320170724.jpeg)
I then cut in a small attic window along with the regular windows.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/24-050320170554.jpeg)
This is when I realized I cut in the windows on the wrong wall section.
Continued -
OOOOOOPS ;)
I decided to save this wall by making it the south end wall with two large bay doors.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/24-050320170613.jpeg)
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/24-050320170625.jpeg)
Continued -
In order for the door to look like they fit better I trimmed off the small side of each door.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/24-050320170638.jpeg)
I then sanded them flush.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/24-050320170703.jpeg)
Continued -
I didn't like the double door look so I sucked it up and cut a new wall section.
I went with a single door instead.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/24-050320170828.jpeg)
I also cut a new lower end wall.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/24-050320170715.jpeg)
Continued -
I centered six double windows and one single window on the rear wall. This wall will be next to the highway.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/24-050320170735.jpeg)
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/24-050320170746.jpeg)
Continued -
This is where the building will fit on real estate set aside for the junk/scrap yard.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/24-050320170815.jpeg)
This photo was taken with the large double bay doors.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/24-050320170801.jpeg)
Tom,
I like the single window in the center of the wall that breaks up the paired windows. Nice touch. And, I like the single door in the end wall better, sometimes a "save" isn't the best way to go.
Quote from: jerryrbeach on March 05, 2020, 08:14:51 PM
Tom,
I like the single window in the center of the wall that breaks up the paired windows. Nice touch. And, I like the single door in the end wall better, sometimes a "save" isn't the best way to go.
Jerry,
I like the single bay door also. The "save" will be saved for another scratch build. I like the single widow in the center better than another double. The good news is that I didn't need to cut a new wall section to figure that one.
Thanks for the feedback, much appreciated.
Tom ;D
I finally got all the windows cut in on the second floor. Now I can add some nail holes and bracing prior to painting.
Bottom floor -
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/24-120320172940.jpeg)
Upper floor -
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/24-120320172908.jpeg)
Looking good Tom. It's starting to come together.
Hey Tom:
Looking good. Keep the pics flowing.
Karl
Nice job Tom. I appreciate you sharing.
ed
Quote from: PRR Modeler on March 12, 2020, 07:49:50 PM
Looking good Tom. It's starting to come together.
Curt,
Thank you and yes, it finally is starting to look like a structure.
Tom ;D
Quote from: postalkarl on March 13, 2020, 08:57:36 AM
Hey Tom:
Looking good. Keep the pics flowing.
Karl
Karl,
Thank you, much appreciated. More photo in the coming days.
Tom ;D
Quote from: engine909 on March 13, 2020, 02:59:58 PM
Nice job Tom. I appreciate you sharing.
ed
Ed,
Thank you as well. Good to see you and you are very welcome.
Tom ;D
Today I spent several hours adding the wall bracing.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/24-130320170847.jpeg)
Tom,
That looks like a clinic on how to brace clapboard walls (with precision). ;D ;D ;D
Quote from: jerryrbeach on March 13, 2020, 07:18:59 PM
Tom,
That looks like a clinic on how to brace clapboard walls (with precision). ;D ;D ;D
Jerry,
Thanks, I do have some photos of the bracing and why I do it this way. I was just to tired to add it to yesterdays thread. I'll do it later this afternoon.
Tom ;D
This morning the Judge, Curt, Greg and I had a discussion on bracing. I told them that I like to over brace the models as this is humid Central Florida. At times it can be just down right hot and muggy.
I have air and heat in the train building but when working on models I just have the door screen down and use a fan. However, it can still get hot in here. I turn on the AC when I can't stand it any longer and then I get a temperature change. Therefore, I have a tendency to over brace.
On this structure I wanted a horizontal brace at the top of each first floor wall. I'll explain later in the build process. For my bracing on this building I'm using HO scale 10 x 10's and not the standard 8 X 8 bracing. The lower long walls are just under 10.5 inches. This is one reason I wanted at top horizontal brace.
I measured from the top down a scale 8 X 8 and drew a line. The horizontal bracing was glued to the bottom side of the line.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/24-140320164905.jpeg)
Already time for a cold Diet Pepsi so back in a few.
I try not to over apply glue to the bracing. If so, when weights are added, the glue oozes out. If not cleaned, the extra glue will interfere with the side walls and vertical bracing thus not giving me a good tight fit.
To clean the extra glue from the joint I cut a piece of scale 8 X 8 at an angle. Any sharp angle will do.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/24-140320164838.jpeg)
I then run this angle end along the line to remove and oozed glue. When the glue on the end of the angle dries, I just cut a new angle.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/24-140320164851.jpeg)
Continued -
Very few kit manufacturers recommend or show any angled bracing at the gabled end of the walls. Usually the bracing consists of three or four vertical braces at the gabled ends.
If at all possible, I like to add the bracing along the top edge of the gable.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/24-140320164918.jpeg)
Once the brace is glued and dry in place, I cut it at the angle of the outer edge as shown. I use a #17 blade and cut as straight down as possible.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/24-140320164929.jpeg)
If you want to figure the angle be my guest. Me, I'm not a rivet counter so the degree of the angle holds no interest for me.
What I know is the angle cut is the angle I need to marry the cut brace to the underside of the one glued in place.
More in a few.
I then flip the brace over and glue it to the underside of the other brace. As you can see the angle is very close. I appears not to in this case as I didn't cut straight down. However, it is still a great fit.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/24-140320164946.jpeg)
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/24-140320164958.jpeg)
No one will see the bracing but you know you did it where years from now the building won't be leaning sideways. 8)
More in a few.
If you have a piece that wasn't long enough for the other angle you can use a new brace.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/24-140320165014.jpeg)
Place it along the wall and make the cut at the outer top as shown.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/24-140320165041.jpeg)
Continued -
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/24-140320165051.jpeg)
The same applies to the vertical bracing cuts also. Cut at the angle, reverse the brace and glue in place. You can see how this brace fits on the left side in the above photo.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/24-140320165027.jpeg)
Here is how they look when finished - this is a repeat photo from yesterday.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/24-130320170847.jpeg)
Staining and painting is next.
That gable bracing also provides more surface for gluing the roof to the walls.
dave
Quote from: deemery on March 14, 2020, 05:51:27 PM
That gable bracing also provides more surface for gluing the roof to the walls.
dave
Dave,
Yes, correct, I forgot to mention that. That alone is reason to brace the top edges of the gables.
Tom ;D
That's bracing that will keep the building standing thru out worst hurricanes. Good progress Tom..... 8)
Quote from: GPdemayo on March 14, 2020, 09:58:07 PM
That's bracing that will keep the building standing thru out worst hurricanes. Good progress Tom..... 8)
Greg,
Thanks, it should hold for most anything now. 8)
Tom ;D
To ensure I get the best 90 degree angle on the bracing, I use a small 90 degree angle weight to check the alignment. Of course, this only helps if you do this while the glue is still wet.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/24-170320170725.jpeg)
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/24-170320170737.jpeg)
More in a few.
I'm behind on the thread updates but I'm getting to them a little at a time.
After all the bracing was done, I added weights and let them hold the wall sections down over night while the glue dried. It isn't always necessary but these walls were longer than normal so I didn't want the wet glue to soften the braces and as it dried, pull the walls out of shape.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/24-170320170749.jpeg)
Quote from: ACL1504 on March 17, 2020, 05:12:04 PM
To ensure I get the best 90 degree angle on the bracing, I use a small 90 degree angle weight to check the alignment. Of course, this only helps if you do this while the glue is still wet.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/24-170320170725.jpeg)
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/24-170320170737.jpeg)
More in a few.
Yo Tom,
Great idea on using the 90 degree angle blocks on the structure for bracing. I realized when I saw your photo that I never seem to check the squareness of my bracing. That might explain why I sometimes get structures that seem a bit off at times.
Btw, what's your basic dimension on this bad boy? I'm guessing about 72x24x24.
Quote from: Bruce Oberleitner on March 18, 2020, 01:37:41 AM
I realized when I saw your photo that I never seem to check the squareness of my bracing. That might explain why I sometimes get structures that seem a bit off at times.
Same here , i just measure the length of the bracing I need and slap it on. Maybe next time I'll do it the Tom way .
Quote from: Bruce Oberleitner on March 18, 2020, 01:37:41 AM
Quote from: ACL1504 on March 17, 2020, 05:12:04 PM
To ensure I get the best 90 degree angle on the bracing, I use a small 90 degree angle weight to check the alignment. Of course, this only helps if you do this while the glue is still wet.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/24-170320170725.jpeg)
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/24-170320170737.jpeg)
More in a few.
Yo Tom,
Great idea on using the 90 degree angle blocks on the structure for bracing. I realized when I saw your photo that I never seem to check the squareness of my bracing. That might explain why I sometimes get structures that seem a bit off at times.
Btw, what's your basic dimension on this bad boy? I'm guessing about 72x24x24.
Cousin Bruce,
I've been using the block for a few years now but never showed it in my build threads. I'm not entirely sure why but it seems to help.
The basic foot print on the bottom half is 22.5 X 73.5 scale feet.
Tom ;D
Quote from: Janbouli on March 18, 2020, 05:24:56 PM
Quote from: Bruce Oberleitner on March 18, 2020, 01:37:41 AM
I realized when I saw your photo that I never seem to check the squareness of my bracing. That might explain why I sometimes get structures that seem a bit off at times.
Same here , i just measure the length of the bracing I need and slap it on. Maybe next time I'll do it the Tom way .
Jan,
I like things to be neat and square and I think it also helps. I feel better at least. Apprecaiate you checking in.
Tom ;D