I began building the Master Creations HO Watt Moreland Waxworks (Kit #80) about one week ago. This will occupy real estate to the left of my Bandit's Roost module, covered elsewhere on the Forum. I hadn't originally intended to do a build thread, but thought a few progress pictures would help anyone else tackling this kit.
Below is where I am at with the main structure, which is described as an elegant Victorian residence that has been converted into a factory, with an added rail siding. I'll add building notes below each pic.
Side one (B Side) (slightly out of focus, sorry)
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/779-300320123538-437161886.jpeg)
Notice the tall brick structure on the other side of the rail siding from the house. This is called the "monolith," and it is a wonderfully unique feature. I did have to scratchbuild the "witches hat" roof since the original laser cut cardboard roof was missing. But for a 25-year-old kit that has passed through an unknown number of previous owners, I'm not upset by that. The monolith attaches to the main structure via a brick arch (which is hidden under the trestle). Getting the arch to fit was about the only place I had a lot of "fiddly" business, but it eventually worked out.
There is a very substantial and ornate chimney on this side, still under construction, against this side of the house. This is made from a wooden core, covered by embossed brick sheeting. The main structure foundation walls are also embossed stone walls over wooden forms. Every bit of everything is laser-cut, and so far fits nearly perfectly with a little filing and sanding.
The trestle bents are all one piece laser cut, with applied laser cut diagonal bracing and plastic nbw castings.
The entire deck surrounding the main structure is a single piece laser cut item, with individual boards, board ends, wood grain and nail holes all laser inscribed in.
Here is the other side (Side C).
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/779-300320123538-437171826.jpeg)
As you can see, this side sports another very large ornate chimney. The walls are all interlocking, which leaves tabs visible on the corners. I'm not sure if a solution to cover those corners comes later, but if not, I can easily sand away and paint to mask that.
I used spackling paste to simulate mortar on the embossed stone walls. Previous to installation and spackling, I had primed them and spray painted with a combination of Rustoleum "Khaki" and Rustoleum textured "Desert Bisque."
Some overall notes so far:
I had read poor reviews of Master Creations instructions for other kits, some indicating you are pretty much on your own to figure out where everything goes. Perhaps they "got it together" with this kit, because I found the instructions to be no worse than those from other kit makers popular on this forum. True, there are a few spots where I scratched my head, took a break, and came back to it, and eventually figured it out. If I went back later and re-read the instructions, I usually found I had missed an important word, or missed seeing a key part identified on an exploded view of the step.
I do wish they had used more high quality photos within the instruction book, though. I found myself searching online for high quality pictures of a finished kit to help me understand what a completed window assembly looked like, for instance.
This is a huge kit. I was astounded, upon opening the box for the first time, by the sheer quantity of laser-cut sheets of all types of materials. It advertises "no stripwood" on the box, and that is true. That also means that every individual part to be applied must be on a sheet somewhere, and will need to be carefully cut free of the carrier sheet. This has advantages and disadvantages. I like the exact cut and fine tolerances of the laser cut parts, but it was tedious to cut out, for example, the 58 separate rail siding ties. Of course all laser cut parts have burn marks on the edges, which means a lot of cleaning up of exposed sides.
I have found it helps to read ahead and follow assembly sequencing directions exactly. Some fits are so tight that a bit of brick siding applied too soon will cause headaches later when trying to attach a sub-assembly.
This kit is from 1995. For a 25-year-old kit, the laser cut sheets are very nice, although I think modern manufacturers might be using a better quality wood now. I have learned to be VERY CAREFUL in freeing all parts from their carrier sheets, as the wood seems softer than what I have been used to working with. Once glued in place, however, it seems sturdy enough.
My only big gaffe so far was in staining the trestle bents. I stained them while still on the carrier sheet, brushing on first my own A & I mix, and followed that with some Hunterline Driftwood. Probably too much stain all at once, because within minutes I saw them start to warp. And not just a slight warping, but big-time s-curve warping. I was afraid I had ruined them. But I sandwiched them between single pages of newspaper, but a very large and heavy book on top, then weighted the book further with 20 lbs of free weights, and let them alone for 24 hours. Luck was with me (clean living?) because the next day they were perfectly straight again, as you can see from the picture.
I'll continue to post some progress pictures of this kit, although I probably won't do a step-by-step, as I did for previous build threads.
--Opa George
Thanks for sharing George , off to a good start you are.
Those kits were certainly ahead of their time, pretty cool how you figured it so far!
I sent you a message, let me know what you think
Good stuff, George, thx. My only Master Creations kit is Muldoon's Distillery. As you said, the reviews of the company are not glowing. I have been thinking about whether I even want to build the kit or sell it off. I will chill and and pay attention to your effort to see how it goes before doing anything.
QuoteThe walls are all interlocking, which leaves tabs visible on the corners. I'm not sure if a solution to cover those corners comes later, but if not, I can easily sand away and paint to mask that
I'm pretty sure the Master Creations kits provide 8x2's or 10x2's to attach vertically at the corners. This should hide the tabs, and is actually more prototypically correct than the 6x6's we usually use as corner trim.
I bought this kit in Scranton at the expo in 2015 - along with SRM's Thorndike mills. They were my two big purchases. Actually, muldoons distillery is the only MC kit left that I'm hoping to own one day. I was able to buy the coachworks and the casket makers off NZ's trade me. It is VERY rare to see anything like this come up for sale in NZ and so I snapped them up - at a pretty decent price. The guy actually delivered them to my door! (he did also sell me another kit on the doorstep...)
Its good to know the instructions aren't too bad for this one. Your off to a great start, George. Please keep us posted.
Cheers, Mark.
I'll be following along with this interesting kit. I believe master creations is now called better than scratch (BTS). I just ordered the Mill Creek mine. I looked at the kit and instructions at Greg's house a couple of weeks ago and the instructions are literally a book.
The early master creations kits in the advertisements full page in the magazines were things of sheer beauty and demanded that you buy them. I saved them all in a binder.
When I was in HO I did buy one, received it and all those sheets, scared the hell out of me. Next thing I know it was on ebay and gone to a new home. Stayed with FSM kits and added SRMW stone roundhouse and then brick version and a few other of his designs.
mike HAIRBALL
George,
FYI, have contacted B.T.S. Structures a few months ago. He acquired the Master Creations' line of laser-cut, craftsman kits in HO, S, and O scales In 1998.
Was missing one small wall in an older Master Creations kit. Sent him photos of the box and the wall # and provided some info he requested in the instructions. B.T.S. has the kit files on his drive and he cut out the needed item and sent me the part in a week ! Great customer service !!!
Good luck on your build.
Tommy
That's a master stroke of good business ownership,. hats off to BTS !!
mike hairball
I'll be looking in also George..... :)
Great build George-after a 10 year absence from the hobby, I too went looking for this kit (remembering the really cool ads in MR from back in the day). After almost a year of searching one popped up on e-bay on a buy it now sale and I snapped it up. Unfortunately when I received the kit it was missing the instruction booklet. This too was after the sale to BTS and after contacting them they graciously provided a copy of the original instruction booklet -at no cost I might add. (Needless to say I have made a number of purchases of their products since). I haven't begun any work on this kit(other than temporarily wiring up the bat eyes controller board and lights-very cool)so I'll be following your build closely( I think one was started on a previous forum but I'm not sure if the builder ever finished it). Agian great looking progress.
Doug
Quote from: Janbouli on March 30, 2020, 02:39:15 PM
Thanks for sharing George , off to a good start you are.
Thanks very much, Jan. I'm enjoying it, for sure.
George
Quote from: JimMooney on March 30, 2020, 02:57:23 PM
Those kits were certainly ahead of their time, pretty cool how you figured it so far!
I sent you a message, let me know what you think
Jim, thank you very much for all the advice and help you sent. It is invaluable!
--George
Quote from: vinceg on March 30, 2020, 03:14:48 PM
Good stuff, George, thx. My only Master Creations kit is Muldoon's Distillery. As you said, the reviews of the company are not glowing. I have been thinking about whether I even want to build the kit or sell it off. I will chill and and pay attention to your effort to see how it goes before doing anything.
Thanks, Vince. I know you were working on Bandit's Roost. Although the instructions are a little more vague in spots, I would say the actual skill level needed for this kit is comparable, maybe even slightly easier than a FOS kit. I am sure you could handle it.
But if I hit any "deal breakers" in upcoming steps, I'll certainly document it.
--George
Quote from: mark dalrymple on March 30, 2020, 04:06:39 PM
QuoteThe walls are all interlocking, which leaves tabs visible on the corners. I'm not sure if a solution to cover those corners comes later, but if not, I can easily sand away and paint to mask that
I'm pretty sure the Master Creations kits provide 8x2's or 10x2's to attach vertically at the corners. This should hide the tabs, and is actually more prototypically correct than the 6x6's we usually use as corner trim.
I bought this kit in Scranton at the expo in 2015 - along with SRM's Thorndike mills. They were my two big purchases. Actually, muldoons distillery is the only MC kit left that I'm hoping to own one day. I was able to buy the coachworks and the casket makers off NZ's trade me. It is VERY rare to see anything like this come up for sale in NZ and so I snapped them up - at a pretty decent price. The guy actually delivered them to my door! (he did also sell me another kit on the doorstep...)
Its good to know the instructions aren't too bad for this one. Your off to a great start, George. Please keep us posted.
Cheers, Mark.
Thanks, Mark. Will do. You may be right on included trim to hide the joints. There are two full sheets of laser cut trim that I have not yet gotten to. The instructions have that close to the end. But even if not, I do have packets of Northeastern stripwood in those dimensions that I can use.
--George
Quote from: PRR Modeler on March 30, 2020, 04:37:02 PM
I'll be following along with this interesting kit. I believe master creations is now called better than scratch (BTS). I just ordered the Mill Creek mine. I looked at the kit and instructions at Greg's house a couple of weeks ago and the instructions are literally a book.
Happy to have you following, Curt. I have been eyeing up all the BTS mine and lumber kits. You could fill a basement in no time will that assortment of structures. I like those type of instruction "books!"
--George
Quote from: hairball on March 30, 2020, 07:26:16 PM
When I was in HO I did buy one, received it and all those sheets, scared the hell out of me. Next thing I know it was on ebay and gone to a new home. Stayed with FSM kits and added SRMW stone roundhouse and then brick version and a few other of his designs.
mike HAIRBALL
Mike, say it isn't true! With your mad skills you could ace this kit. Regardless, can't go wrong with those other two kit makers, though. I have yet to try a SRMW kit. I've followed a few builds and they look fantastic. Love your work regardless of scale, by the way.
--George
Quote from: tom.boyd.125 on March 30, 2020, 10:29:52 PM
George,
FYI, have contacted B.T.S. Structures a few months ago. He acquired the Master Creations' line of laser-cut, craftsman kits in HO, S, and O scales In 1998.
Was missing one small wall in an older Master Creations kit. Sent him photos of the box and the wall # and provided some info he requested in the instructions. B.T.S. has the kit files on his drive and he cut out the needed item and sent me the part in a week ! Great customer service !!!
Good luck on your build.
Tommy
Thanks much for that tip, Tommy. Gotta respect that dedication to customer service.
--George
Quote from: GPdemayo on March 31, 2020, 09:03:41 AM
I'll be looking in also George..... :)
Very happy to have you along, Greg!
--George
Quote from: NKP768 on March 31, 2020, 09:10:08 AM
Great build George-after a 10 year absence from the hobby, I too went looking for this kit (remembering the really cool ads in MR from back in the day). After almost a year of searching one popped up on e-bay on a buy it now sale and I snapped it up. Unfortunately when I received the kit it was missing the instruction booklet. This too was after the sale to BTS and after contacting them they graciously provided a copy of the original instruction booklet -at no cost I might add. (Needless to say I have made a number of purchases of their products since). I haven't begun any work on this kit(other than temporarily wiring up the bat eyes controller board and lights-very cool)so I'll be following your build closely( I think one was started on a previous forum but I'm not sure if the builder ever finished it). Agian great looking progress.
Doug
Thanks, Doug, and happy to have you following. I did see a beginning build somewhere--Googled it for pics. But you are right, it did not get much past the foundation. I got quite busy today with work and did not get much more done yet, but hope to have a few pics up tomorrow with some new sub assemblies completed and installed.
--George
I got some time to work on the Waxworks today. Below are some progress pics.
Here is the tower in beginning aspects of construction. You can see the finely crafted laser-cut trim overlay, which is an example of how many of the walls are trimmed.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/779-020420164651-43744954.jpeg)
The main entrance and tower are nearly finished. While the roof dries, I am starting to rough in the end office. The main structure has tabs to locate it to the dock base. I have not yet glued it in place as all of the windows need to be installed. So you will notice it in not sitting flush--just enough so that I can locate the shape of the hexagonal end office.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/779-020420164651-437451200.jpeg)
More pictures from various angles. Really taking my time on this one--some of the laser-cut parts are VERY DELICATE. Despite taking what I thought was proper care, I managed to break a few. Fortunately they are easily repaired.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/779-020420164651-437462288.jpeg)
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/779-020420164651-437472020.jpeg)
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/779-020420164651-437482018.jpeg)
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/779-020420164816-43749657.jpeg)
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/779-020420164816-43750113.jpeg)
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/779-020420164816-43751310.jpeg)
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/779-020420164816-437521261.jpeg)
Many thanks to Jim Mooney for advice on this build.
--Opa George
Very nice so far George.
George,
I've been following your build with interest, ok, lurking if you will. Jeff Grove started this kit and quickly gave in to the task. These builds/kits require a lot of patience and perseverance.
I have this kit in my stash and in fact mine is one of the several Special Editions they came out with. The SE kits have both lights and sound. The lights and sound come on at different times based on how you program the board.
One day I'll attempt to build mine. I did build the MC Franz Faulk Brewery and it was certainly a challenge.
You are doing an outstanding job on this one. Great work.
Tom ;D
Opa George - you're a around the point in this build I was years ago when I put it on the shelf to build something else (so Jeff Grove is not alone in giving up on this one). It's still on the shelf. ::) I think it'll stay there a while longer although you are tempting me to try my hand at it again. Afterwards I quickly sold the other Master Creations kit I owned to Slim (where is Slim these days?).
Keep up the great work.
Coming on a treat, George.
I remember giving my Fanny Schwann's confectionery two coats of paint to try to tone down those nailholes a bit. The trouble was the laser cutting had charred the holes and they stood out terribly.
Enjoying watching this kit come to life - it doesn't happen very often with MC kits - and they are such cool designs.
Cheers, Mark.
I made more progress today. On reflection, this is the ideal kit for these weird times. It really requires you to slow down, plan your build, read ahead for the tenth time, double-check parts, and so much more. I spent hours on it today, and it only shows a little progress, but there is a whole lot of work involved in that little bit. In that way, it is a very satisfying kit.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/779-030420153656-43753322.jpeg)
I placed a sheet of black showboard behind it, to hide the workbench clutter.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/779-030420153656-437641462.jpeg)
Most of my time was spent constructing the office, seen here head on.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/779-030420153656-437651114.jpeg)
The rear of the structure. Instructions say to hold off on any more chimney brickwork application until the mansard roof is in place. I am dying to get to those elaborate chimney tops, though!
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/779-030420153656-43766162.jpeg)
I like the view from this end, where the track enters the complex. The huge iron gate will be installed here across the trestle.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/779-030420153656-437671053.jpeg)
Here is a three-quarter view from this end, showing off the tower.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/779-030420153803-437682448.jpeg)
The front, head on, again. I keep getting slightly blurry images trying to photograph this head-on
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/779-030420153803-437691034.jpeg)
Three-quarter view from the opposite end.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/779-030420153803-437701135.jpeg)
I believe my next steps will be to work on the main structure trim, and the windows. The roof and dormers are a pretty complicated project, but the instructions look pretty clear.
Thanks for looking in!
--Opa George
Hey George:
Wow!!! That is really a cool looking kit. Love all the fancy coloring.
Karl
Looking good, George.
You're doing an awesome job. Its going to be such an eye catcher!
Cheers, Mark.
Looks good George. I pulled the instruction manual out again to follow along with your progress and I am amazed at all the the sub and trim pieces that go into the tower and office areas. Great job
Doug
Quote from: NKP768 on April 04, 2020, 05:49:29 PM
Looks good George. I pulled the instruction manual out again to follow along with your progress and I am amazed at all the the sub and trim pieces that go into the tower and office areas. Great job
Doug
Thanks, Doug. At the moment, I am involved in the main structure trim. This is one of those areas where the instructions get very thin. Essentially an exploded parts view of all four sides with all the various trim, doors, windows and etc identified. The instructions essentially say "go at it." (I am paraphrasing). But I enjoy the challenge of finding and identifying everything.
I laid out several dozen trim parts for painting -- I like to put them on an inside out loop of blue painters tape, then hit them with a rattle can of the chosen color.
By the way, as you can see from my color scheme I am using green as a base, red for most trim, and yellow for accents. This architectural style is a stick style Queen Anne, and compared to historical examples, I am being conservative in my color scheme. I am using Rustoleum camouflage "Army Green," "Colonial Red,"and "Lemon Grass." The roof shingles are in Rustoleum red primer. At the moment, it all looks as if it is newly painted. I will be weathering it a bit, but not as much as many of my other structures.
--Opa George
I've been working on the windows and trim. Below are some progress shots.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/779-060420165657-438192005.jpeg)
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/779-060420165657-43820336.jpeg)
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/779-060420165657-438211981.jpeg)
Trim is taking quite a while, as there is a lot of it. The double hung windows have been somewhat challenging as neither the pre-cut acetate nor the lower sash fit the laser cut openings. All require quite a bit of filing to get a nice fit. But it is worth the effort. That is one of the few places I have noticed a less than perfect fit on any of the laser cut parts. So I can't complain much about that.
I have taken to cutting apart the carrier sheets, where possible, to paint the tiny parts en masse. The corbels are a good example. Also, when working with them, I am only cutting out enough for a small section at at time as they are very easily lost.
Soon time to start the mansard roof!
--Opa George
Hey George:
Now there's A paint job. Very nicely done.
Karl
Thanks, Karl. I really need to get it outside for a few pics in natural sunlight. My old 35mm camera is struggling with focus issues anymore.
George
I finished the main building trim, with the exception of the brick panels on the upper parts of the chimneys. Now I know why the instructions said to delay finishing the brickwork until the roof was done. I began the roof, and getting the base in place over the chimneys and the tower was a challenge. It would have been nearly impossible with the added brickwork.
Much time was spent in prep-work on all the various roof structural parts, prior to assembly. The upright dormer sides are paired with upright supports laser cut to accommodate the curve of the mansard roof. There are 28 supports in all, and all are very tightly fitting tab-in-slot installation. My advice is to sand the tabs slightly, remove any burrs and exercise a lot of patience.
There is a top framework that fits over the uprights, and also fits tab-in-slot to align them. I made a point of installing the top frame before the glue set on the uprights, as a good bit of wiggling was needed to get them all properly in place. In the entire build to date, this has been the trickiest step. But I am happy with the result, seen better on the last photo below.
Here are progress pics of all sides:
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/779-080420085206-438221038.jpeg)
A few notes on the pic below:
1. I advise not installing the rooftop finials until you are ready for finishing steps. I have bumped the finial on the monolith nearly every time I move the main structure on or off the foundation base for work. It shows it!
2. You can see a slight irregularity in the top roof frame, at the point where it is joined to the end dormer uprights. After a lot of attempts at trying to fix it, I gave in to "good enough," as the glue was setting on all the other joints. I will simply need to sand that a bit. I don't think it will cause big problems, and will be hidden by the installed roof.
3. You may notice a curve in the left porch column (notwithstanding that it is not yet glued to the dock--the entire main structure is still free of the dock until I finish the roof). Each column is made up of 5 pieces. I assembled them several days ago, and when it came time to install the porch roof, could not find one. Drat! Where could it be? Believing it had accidentally dropped to the floor at some point, I carefully crept off of my work stool to find it. Like Ralphie looking for his glasses in the snow, I found it underfoot, completely crushed. What you see is my attempt to cobble it back together. I think I pulled it off---maybe?
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/779-080420085206-43832724.jpeg)
Here is a good straight-on view of the support structure for the mansard roof.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/779-080420085206-438332237.jpeg)
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/779-080420085206-438342271.jpeg)
View from the top showing all 28 supports in place (4 for each of the 7 dormers) and the top framework holding it all in alignment, ready for more work.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/779-080420085206-438351115.jpeg)
--Opa George
Really nice George.
Nice job, George. Also, very impressive engineering on the kit. Lots o' work went into the design of that baby....
Really enjoying this thread, George.
You are doing sensational work - and its paying off.
Cheers, Mark.
Thanks very much, Curt, Vince and Mark!
Indeed, this kit shows the most complicated design and engineering of any kit I have yet attempted. I got the roof on last evening and will post some pics shortly. All of the fighting with the roof supports to get them in place was worth the effort--I am very pleased with the result.
--Opa George
The waxworks is finally "under roof." Below are two progress shots. I still need to trim out the dormers and there are lots of small details to add, so for now, the main structure is still not glued to the dock and foundation.
You can also see that I bumped that darn finial again! Next build, no finials until the finishing steps!
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/779-090420121141-438361545.jpeg)
This view shows the top roof a little better.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/779-090420121141-438371511.jpeg)
Opa George
ha! very cool!
Looks terrific, George!
Cheers, Mark.
Very impressive George and it is coming along quite beautifully.
Thanks very much for sharing your build of this kit with all of us here. Don't see many of these built, let alone a build thread where we can follow along.
Outstanding,
--Paul
Beautiful George.
Damn thats complicated.
Hey George:
very beautifully done so far.
Karl
Very nice George, alot of unique roof lines.
Thanks very much everyone for the wonderful comments. I have the structure essentially finished except for a few minor details that I will add as I get it placed on the layout.
Here are some pics of the main waxworks building and the barn, which I had not yet shown, in the approximate location on the layout. Actual height in relation to each other still needs to be worked out. The barn in sitting at the module low point, but will actually be up on level with the main floor of the house.
For reference, this site is just to the left of the Bandits Roost module. The narrow gauge line that runs along the main street in Bandits Roost has a spur that will connect to the waxworks trestle.
You can see Bandits Roost in the background.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/779-100420153703-43838859.jpeg)
Main loading dock and trestle. I was sweating installation of the sign and gate, but it was surprisingly easy.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/779-100420153703-438401048.jpeg)
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/779-100420153704-43841810.jpeg)
The track is Peco HOn30 flex track.
I have a few structural adjustments to make, and a few "fixes" to hide some imperfections in the trim.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/779-100420153704-438421021.jpeg)
The level of architectural detail included with the kit is really nice, but I wanted a bit more. From the start as I worked with the kit, I saved the "dropouts," which are the small laser cut waste pieces that cling to the parts. These provided quite a few of the ornamental shapes that add an extra level of "gingerbread" to this Victorian mansion factory.
The instructions mentioned two balls that attach to the underside of the front door supports. These were nowhere to be found--probably lost in the 25 years that this kit changed ownership hands. So I used two appropriate beads from my miscellaneous detail stash.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/779-100420153704-438431078.jpeg)
Here is the office end. As I mentioned earlier, the barn will get some interior detailing and sit up higher, on level with the main house.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/779-100420153704-438431078.jpeg)
A nice shot of the rusted gate and waxworks sign. I started by spray priming these parts gray, then liberally dry-brushed with black to simulate iron, and followed with three colors of rusty brown for the rust. All but the primer (rustoleum) were cheap craft store acrylics.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/779-100420153808-43845439.jpeg)
The rear of the mansion. Nice shot of the roof ironwork--very finely laser cut detail.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/779-100420153808-43846429.jpeg)
I'll post some more commentary soon--am due in a work meeting shortly. I'll also keep posting as I add the painted detail castings and as I add terrain and scenery.
--Opa George
Looks wonderful, George.
A masterpiece in miniature.
Cheers, Mark.
Great George,
What a colorful, distinctive building. Very nice build.
John
That is one wild looking building George.....well done. 8)
Quote from: GPdemayo on April 12, 2020, 11:41:28 AM
That is one wild looking building George.....well done. 8)
Thanks, Greg, and everyone.
Just so you guys know, I actually reigned it in a little on my color schemes. ;) Many of these houses were pretty wild in their original colors. A lot have been repainted over the decades to our more conservative modern aesthetics. Here are two prototypes that provided inspiration:
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/779-120420175501-439051338.jpeg)
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/779-120420175501-439071877.jpeg)
I hit a minor bump today. In adding dirt fill under the rail trestles, I knew the wood base would give me trouble. I misted lightly with some wet water, added my dirt, then watered down white glue--trying to use as little as possible to avoid warping. I weighted the track and left it to dry.
An hour later I checked on it and noted the base had lifted only very slightly in a few places--not too bad--I could disguise it with additional scenicking. But then I realized that very slight lift under the monolith was magnified by the height, and at the top where the "WAXWORKS" sign attached, the cant was significant enough to cause the sign to bow out. Rats. I applied more weight and used a clamp to straighten everything, but I don't know if it will hold. We'll see tomorrow. Worse case scenario is I remove the sign and file off enough to allow for the change. So it's not a disaster.
--Opa George
George,
I love every bit of trim, scallop, and fancy work. But what really stands out to me is the masterful job you did on the gate! Fingers crossed everything dries out OK and you can proceed w/o any issues.
Thanks, Jerry! Time will tell on the base.
Everyone--In re-reading my earlier post, I think it sounds a bit cranky, but was certainly not meant that way and I hope no one thinks I was complaining. Strictly in fun. I love and appreciate all the feedback. This forum is the most supportive and friendly venue I've ever seen.
--Opa George
Looks like its been a while since I posted progress pics. I have spent several days painting detail castings. This kit came with a LOT of detail castings, in both white metal and brass. There were some I did not even realize were there until I sorted them for painting--they are so tiny. The winner of the lot is a brass sprue of coffee mugs--I did not know what they were until I looked at them with a magnifying glass. Amazing!
I've also been making plaster casts of walls and rock faces, to help this module fit into my layout. But to begin, I wanted to get the base web of cardboard strips and foam showboard covered with a plaster shell so I can apply ground cover. Having grown up using strips of newspaper dipped in a pot of plaster, I was looking for an alternative. I found it in plaster impregnated rolls. These are fantastic and I highly recommend them for ease of use. I used Woodland Scenics, but you can get a cheaper version that is just as good at craft stores and even medical supply houses (although my wife informed me for medical use, they now use fiberglass instead of the cloth mesh).
Below are two pics of the snow-white landscape before painting:
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/779-170420123030-43939676.jpeg)
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/779-170420123031-439401217.jpeg)
And here are two pics with a base coat of earth brown acrylic paint.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/779-170420123031-439412133.jpeg)
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/779-170420123031-43942107.jpeg)
On top of this will come a layer of all purpose sand from Home Depot, which I've found looks really nice as dirt, followed by various colors of ground foam.
--Opa George
Exciting stuff, George! Looking most excellent.
I was amazed by the number and quality of castings when I bought my first MC kit - Fanny Schwahns. I have plans to turn my waxworks into a mental asylum - perhaps in a bit more of a rundown state than yours.
Cheers, Mark.
Quote from: mark dalrymple on April 17, 2020, 04:09:49 PM
Exciting stuff, George! Looking most excellent.
I was amazed by the number and quality of castings when I bought my first MC kit - Fanny Schwahns. I have plans to turn my waxworks into a mental asylum - perhaps in a bit more of a rundown state than yours.
Cheers, Mark.
I love the old kits with beaucoup castings! I'll certainly be following a build of an asylum. That will be very cool.
--Opa George
Excellent job.
Jaime
George, when you go to Home Depot for their sand, take a stroll through the tile aisle and look at the colored sands from those two part grout systems. I've been using them to both mix in with my standard "dirt" and for things like roads where I want a different color. Then head to the paint dept and pick a couple paint chips that look close to your 'standard dirt'. Take those home and -look at them in the light in your layout room.- You'll be surprised how different a color looks at home from how it looks at the store. I did some experiments with a bunch of sample colors (Those little $3 containers of custom mixed paint) to pick the best match in my layout lighting for my own 'standard dirt'.
dave
Quote from: deemery on April 18, 2020, 11:25:57 AM
George, when you go to Home Depot for their sand, take a stroll through the tile aisle and look at the colored sands from those two part grout systems. I've been using them to both mix in with my standard "dirt" and for things like roads where I want a different color. Then head to the paint dept and pick a couple paint chips that look close to your 'standard dirt'. Take those home and -look at them in the light in your layout room.- You'll be surprised how different a color looks at home from how it looks at the store. I did some experiments with a bunch of sample colors (Those little $3 containers of custom mixed paint) to pick the best match in my layout lighting for my own 'standard dirt'.
dave
Thanks for the tip, Dave. I don't pass up opportunities to visit Home Depot!
George
Looks great, looks like you toned down the briteness a bit. Those photos of the real building were something else to see.
George hard keeping up with all these builds but I finally got to this one.
Beautiful build and love the coloring your doing.
Jerry
Thanks very much, Jerry and Lynn.
Yesterday and today I've been working on more terrain features, and with some of that in place was able to add the woodshed, cellar door and some more details to the main building. I also got my junk piles in, but decided I needed something small to fill the space between the bottom of the driveway and the barn. I found a Railroad Kits Dannen Feeds was about the right size.
The small additional structure represents the first home of the Olde Headde Automaton shop that, with the success of its mechanical men, moved production into the abandoned textile mill that overlooks the falls. Now it is used by the current owner of the waxworks for storage, although local folks think something more nefarious may be going on in there at night.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/779-200420162851-43954619.jpeg)
Overshot of the Waxworks complex. Grass, weeds and trees need to go in, after some more detail work. I have to work the Automaton workshop into the terrain--it is hanging in air on three sides.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/779-200420163137-43956414.jpeg)
Waxworks front.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/779-200420163137-43957647.jpeg)
Another overhead shot. The narrow gauge track will connect to the line that runs over the swamp in the Bandits Roost lowlands.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/779-200420163137-439582390.jpeg)
Waxworks barn workshop.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/779-200420163137-43959512.jpeg)
Looking downhill from the barn toward the end of the Waxworks driveway, and into my workshop.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/779-200420163137-43960756.jpeg)
Waxworks office--the vantage point from which the Waxworks owner watches for unwanted visitors.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/779-200420163221.jpeg)
So lots to do. The module is not fixed in place on my layout yet. Once it is, I can add the terrain that connects it to the Ragged Edge inlet. Then things will really start to come together on this end of the layout.
--Opa George
Incredible George.
Hey George:
Looks just great and I also like that barn. Is that A kit or scratch? Also like the iron Gate across the track.
Karl
Quote from: postalkarl on April 21, 2020, 08:23:56 AM
Hey George:
Looks just great and I also like that barn. Is that A kit or scratch? Also like the iron Gate across the track.
Karl
Thanks, Karl. The barn is part of this same kit, as is an outhouse--so three buildings in one kit. I built the barn first, per the instruction book, but did not post pics as I wasn't sure at that point I wanted to do a build thread. The roof louvers were the trickiest part. Also, the kit includes enough separately applied battens to cover each vertical joint between boards on the barn walls. I did not use them for two reasons: I did not like the look of the finished barn with the battens on (found a few pics on the web), and secondly I really liked the airy, see-through look of the walls. Without the battens, it reminded me of a lot of really old barns around my neck of the woods.
Thanks much for the compliments. I agree, the gate across the spur track is a key interest point on this kit.
--Opa George
Thanks very much for the comments. At this point, the module is ready to be attached to my layout. I need to start the surrounding scenery that attaches it to the rest of the landscape.
I added trees, bushes, more detail castings, and lots of etc. There is still more to do--there is ALWAYS more to do, that's the fun part--but aside from adding the finial castings, it is mostly done. I plan to add some piles of old wood and boards here and there, and debris under the trestle. I'm holding the rather large, bare earth area between the house and the barn for...not sure yet. In a month something ideal will suggest itself. Also planning for some small sheds between the edge of the orchard and the tracks.
Here are the pretty-much-done pictures. Some yellow wildflowers brighten the lower driveway entrance.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/779-210420162030-439612421.jpeg)
Another shot of the front.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/779-210420162030-43968491.jpeg)
Detail view of the junkyard and the old factory.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/779-210420162031-439691885.jpeg)
High shot of the driveway and the barn workshop area. The boys are getting ready to load some freight into the waiting truck.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/779-210420162031-439701873.jpeg)
Pulled back shot showing the foamboard frame to which retaining wall sections will be attached. Below (out of shot) is the Ragged Edge Boat Repair area. (Builders In Scale Tidewater Wharf buildings).
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/779-210420162031-439712183.jpeg)
--Opa George
Great job on a difficult kit George!
Karl, that barn is still made by Master Creations/BTS
http://www.master-creations.com/1420.htm
Its a masterpiece, George!
Love the daffodils.
Cheers, Mark.
Holy Mackerel! I never thought I'd see one of these completed. Wunderbare!!!! ;D Great job on a not so easy to build kit. ;)
Dido George, Beautiful job on the build....Dennis
That came out superb!
Quote from: SteveCuster on April 21, 2020, 05:37:29 PM
Great job on a difficult kit George!
Karl, that barn is still made by Master Creations/BTS
http://www.master-creations.com/1420.htm
Thanks much, Steve. I checked out that link and can verify it is the exact barn included with this kit. The laser-cut walls and laser cut interior framing make for a real showpiece and front-of-the-layout kit. The kit even includes the workbenches. With the large windows and positioning of the doors wide open, you can show off a lot of interior detail.
I did not make the roof detachable, as suggested and provided for in the instructions, and my model sits a good three feet back from the layout edge. Even so, you can still see much of the interior. A very nice kit.
--Opa George
Excellent scene, George. Very rich with interesting detail. Great job.
GEORGE stand up and take a bow, that is a beautiful finished structure. Looks as good as the original advert if not better.
Anybody seeing these pictures of your build is probably going to jump on one of it , if it appears on ebay. Same could be said for his other creations of that period. The guy ?? who designed and produced these originally had a real vision for modeling.
Think he decided he wanted to be rich and went into housing development in Arizona ? Our hobbies loss.
mike lynch....madmike3434 ....HAIRBALL
Wow this is really coming together nicely, your attention to detail is amazing. I really didn't realize there was so much to this kit. :)
Thank you everyone for all of the comments. I am very happy with how this turned out, but I have to credit a lot of support and great advice from everyone on this forum.
To anyone considering this kit, don't be intimidated by it's reputation. I did not find it to be significantly more frustrating or difficult than any of the other craftsman kits I have built to date. True, the instructions were not as detailed as an FSM or Builders in Scale kit, but were on par with a Fos kit. You just have to take your time. On a few occasions when confronted with a confusing sequence, I quit for the night and approached it fresh the next day. Usually that helped me figure it out.
I did receive good advice on a tricky step from a member of this forum. I am eager to repay that kindness. If anyone attempting this build gets stuck, I am more than happy to offer my advice or an explanation of how to do something. I did make errors here and there, but nothing that made a huge difference in the outcome.
Best regards,
Opa George
You've done a great job with this kit. Frankly, I always thought that structure looked kinda funky/fakey, particularly that tower on the other side of the tracks. But that's an opinion on the architecture, and not on the construction. I think you've done a great job with the kit, and how you've "planted" it makes it look a lot better than I would have thought when I saw the photo on the box...
dave
George, I am really surprised how your diorama worked out. When you put the whole thing together it is a fantastic looking project and your modeling work is just great.
Very well done! I have built a few MC kits and they were a struggle in the early days of my modelling. I have a few more to make which having been inspired by your superb efforts I will now re-visit. Thanks very much for sharing.
Mike :) :)
Thanks very much, Dave, Steve and Mike.
I agree with Dave that many of the kits by this company have a really funky style. That is a plus for me, though. My layout theme falls somewhere between my nostalgia for the romance of steam railroading and mild steampunk fantasy.
I'm brainstorming a way to model a dirigible in HO scale, but given a prototypical size would be between 9 and 10 actual feet long, that is probably not happening! ;)
--Opa George
Watt-Moreland Waxworks is definitely 'steampunk' long before there was 'steampunk'. ;D
dave
George you hit this one out of the park. Wonderful modeling!
Jerry
Great work. Beautifully finished.
Jeff
Hey George:
WOW!!!! very nicely done diorama.
Karl