This kit and another FOS kit was given to me by Pam. This garage came with one of Doug's large kits and not sold separately. Apparently Doug got lots of requests and he released the garage as a single kit. I'm glad he did.
I copied the following four photos of the FOS site.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/24-030625155922-554481485.jpeg)
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/24-030625155922-55450563.jpeg)
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/24-030625155922-554491350.jpeg)
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/24-030625155922-55451500.jpeg)
The kit looks to be pretty much straight forward but I can see an issue right off.
Here are the contents of the kit. There is a bag of stucco mix (Durham's Water Putty), a bag of plastic and white metal castings, a floor base, wood trim and the four walls with the two gable end pieces.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/24-030625155922-554521215.jpeg)
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/24-030625155955-554531324.jpeg)
The four walls have a slot and tab configuration.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/24-030625155955-55454361.jpeg)
You can see in the next photo the two walls don't meet flush on the corner.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/24-030625155955-55455140.jpeg)
Since the garage is a stucco covered structure this, to me, this is a major issue. The amount of stucco needed to fill the gaps between the slot and tabs is not what I envisioned.
Here are two close up photos of the problem.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/24-030625155956-5545681.jpeg)
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/24-030625155956-554571746.jpeg)
I do have a radical solution to fix the problem and I'll cover it in the next few posts. Probably tomorrow afternoon.
Anyway, Jerry will like where I plan to place the garage.
I've purchased the property across from the Piney Woods Atlantic and Southern RR Station. This lot will be cleared once the contract is signed with the local miscreants from Tahope.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/24-030625160017-55459312.jpeg)
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/24-030625160017-55458378.jpeg)
Tom, you should put a "coming soon" sign on that lot....
dave
Of course I'll be following Tom.
Neat kit, Tom. I'll be watching.
I wouldn't exactly call that a major issue. I would either glue together as is and fill with a filler before adding the stucco or trim a little off the back of the tabs until a good fit is achieved. I'd start by checking the two side walls to make sure they are the same length. I'm keen to see how you tackle the problem. The side wall of my grain exchange kit that was sanded so thin at one end of the side wall that all the window detail had been sanded off and the wall was literally paper thin, was a major issue...
Cheers, Mark.
Tom, have fun with this build.
I'm surprised the wall joint is that far off.
I know you'll have a good fix for it.
Howdy Tom, that's a great looking kit and promises to be fun to build. Good luck! ~mike
You know I'll be following along on this one, Tom! Looking forward to your solution to the misfitting wall.
Great looking kit. I'll look forward to how you solve the corner issue, in case I need to get one of these in the future.
Jeff
Hello Tom, that's a nice looking little kit. I'm sure that it will look good in it's new home. I'm looking forward to seeing how you do the stucco walls. I've always had issues with that detail myself.
The 1st thing that caught me eye was that barrel and stove pipe on the exterior? What the heck is that?
Wonderful kit Tom!
Quote from: Philip on June 04, 2025, 10:21:25 AMThe 1st thing that caught me eye was that barrel and stove pipe on the exterior? What the heck is that?
Wonderful kit Tom!
Could that be some sort of fume collector? There'd have to be a fan inside (and one like our airbrush booth fans, that won't blow up the building when evacuating gas fumes....)
dave
Looks like a detail put there just to add "something" ??? to the scene looks to me like something from inside that should vent out
Quote from: deemery on June 03, 2025, 04:43:18 PMTom, you should put a "coming soon" sign on that lot....
dave
Dave,
Yes, but this will be an old "use and abused country garage". So, it will look like it has been there for years.
Tom
Quote from: PRR Modeler on June 03, 2025, 04:57:02 PMOf course I'll be following Tom.
Curt,
Happy to have you along for the ride.
Tom
Quote from: Mark Dalrymple on June 03, 2025, 05:53:48 PMNeat kit, Tom. I'll be watching.
I wouldn't exactly call that a major issue. I would either glue together as is and fill with a filler before adding the stucco or trim a little off the back of the tabs until a good fit is achieved. I'd start by checking the two side walls to make sure they are the same length. I'm keen to see how you tackle the problem. The side wall of my grain exchange kit that was sanded so thin at one end of the side wall that all the window detail had been sanded off and the wall was literally paper thin, was a major issue...
Cheers, Mark.
Mark, Cheers,
No, it's not a major issue for me but, for others, it may be. Trimming off the back of the tabs won't fix the problem. The tabs need to be longer to fit flush with the other wall. Also, sanding the slots to make the tabs longer is also not a viable solution.
My solution is quite simple and I'll show it after answering the other posts.
Tom
Quote from: Rick on June 03, 2025, 06:00:46 PMTom, have fun with this build.
I'm surprised the wall joint is that far off.
I know you'll have a good fix for it.
Rick,
I'll have fun with this one. I'm more excited about the scenery around it than just building it.
As I mentioned to Mark, my solution is very simple.
Tom
Quote from: friscomike on June 03, 2025, 06:07:16 PMHowdy Tom, that's a great looking kit and promises to be fun to build. Good luck! ~mike
Mike, Howdy,
I really like this kit and it will be a perfect for the Piney Woods area. I'm happy Doug released this one as a single kit.
Tom
Quote from: ReadingBob on June 03, 2025, 06:16:37 PMYou know I'll be following along on this one, Tom! Looking forward to your solution to the misfitting wall.
Bob,
Happy to have you on this one. I'll be following the FOS gun shop build. I have that one also.
Tom
Quote from: Zephyrus52246 on June 03, 2025, 06:20:10 PMGreat looking kit. I'll look forward to how you solve the corner issue, in case I need to get one of these in the future.
Jeff
Dr. Jeff,
This is a kit that will fit on any layout. It will be just what the Piney Woods area needs.
Tom
Quote from: nycjeff on June 03, 2025, 08:04:34 PMHello Tom, that's a nice looking little kit. I'm sure that it will look good in it's new home. I'm looking forward to seeing how you do the stucco walls. I've always had issues with that detail myself.
Jeff,
Thanks for following along. The stucco walls won't be that hard. I'll be sure to do a SBS of the process.
Tom
Quote from: Philip on June 04, 2025, 10:21:25 AMThe 1st thing that caught me eye was that barrel and stove pipe on the exterior? What the heck is that?
Wonderful kit Tom!
Philip,
I can take a SWAG (Scientific Wild Ass Guess) as to what it may be.
I had a 1947 Ford four door sedan while in high school. It had an oil bath air filter over the carburetor. It got as dirty as the motor oil, so they both got changed at the same time. I believe the pipe/barrel is a type of oil air filtration system.
Doug had this on the Flat Iron District kit as well.
Tom
Quote from: deemery on June 04, 2025, 11:58:16 AMQuote from: Philip on June 04, 2025, 10:21:25 AMThe 1st thing that caught me eye was that barrel and stove pipe on the exterior? What the heck is that?
Wonderful kit Tom!
Could that be some sort of fume collector? There'd have to be a fan inside (and one like our airbrush booth fans, that won't blow up the building when evacuating gas fumes....)
dave
Dave,
My only guess is an air filtration system. There certainly was no EPA back then.
Tom
Quote from: KentuckySouthern on June 04, 2025, 01:18:45 PMLooks like a detail put there just to add "something" ??? to the scene looks to me like something from inside that should vent out
Karl,
Yes, it could be that. It is a neat detail to have next to the garage.
Tom
The walls in this kit are MDF, Medium Density Fiberboard. They are an HO scale 8" thick. I placed an 8X8 piece of scale lumber next to the wall and it fits flush.
I used a sharp new #17 blade and cut off all the tabs on the four walls.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/24-040625150435-554601437.jpeg)
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/24-040625150435-55461879.jpeg)
I sanded the ends of each wall on a piece of Aluminum Oxide 120 grit sand paper. I didn't apply a lot of pressure, just enough to remove the rough ends.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/24-040625150435-554622340.jpeg)
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/24-040625150435-554631315.jpeg)
The wall are still the same length, minus the tabs.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/24-040625150435-554641397.jpeg)
Back in a few.
Now I have a nice flush corner fit on the walls.
Nothing is glued at this time.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/24-040625150457-554652203.jpeg)
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/24-040625150457-554662241.jpeg)
Problem solved. Done for today.
Simple solution that works and will be covered by Durham's. ;D
That works, Tom.
You seem to have misunderstood my fix. I would, in essence, cut a rebate in the back of the wall reducing the thickness of the tabs, but not reducing their length.
Cheers, Mark.
Nice fix Tom!!
Jerry
Tom, easy peasy.
Nice fix Tom. I did that once with a Bar Mills kit that wasn't cooperating.
Looks like I'm late to the party! I'll be checking in watching your wonderful work as build another fine structure. Nice fix on the walls and corners.
Quote from: PRR Modeler on June 04, 2025, 03:57:50 PMSimple solution that works and will be covered by Durham's. ;D
Curt,
Thank you, much appreciated.
Tom
Quote from: Mark Dalrymple on June 04, 2025, 04:03:45 PMThat works, Tom.
You seem to have misunderstood my fix. I would, in essence, cut a rebate in the back of the wall reducing the thickness of the tabs, but not reducing their length.
Cheers, Mark.
Mark, Cheers,
I did understand what you meant. I just thought this way was easier than reducing the tab thickness.
I do appreciate the tip though.
Tom
Quote from: Rick on June 04, 2025, 06:58:05 PMTom, easy peasy.
Rick,
Yes, it was. Thanks for stopping by.
Tom
Quote from: craftsmankits on June 04, 2025, 11:23:43 PMNice fix Tom. I did that once with a Bar Mills kit that wasn't cooperating.
Thank you, it was an easy fix. I did consider taking Marks approach but thought this was quicker and easier.
Tom
Quote from: Larry C on June 05, 2025, 08:19:19 AMLooks like I'm late to the party! I'll be checking in watching your wonderful work as build another fine structure. Nice fix on the walls and corners.
Larry,
It's never to late when the party is still in progress. ;D I appreciate the compliment and following along.
Tom
I glued 8X8s flush to the end of side walls. I then glued 12X12s flush to the inside of the end walls.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/24-050625172554-55492100.jpeg)
When dry, I glued the walls together using two metal squares and quick grips to hold the walls square until the glue was thoroughly dry.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/24-050625172554-554931332.jpeg)
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/24-050625172554-55495918.jpeg)
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/24-050625172555-554961886.jpeg)
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/24-050625175149-55497958.jpeg)
Keeping it all on the level.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/24-050625172554-554942196.jpeg)
Done for today.
Tom, that level is the hardest working tool on your bench. ;) :)
You're structures wouldn't dare not to be level! :o ;D
Hello Tom, a simple yet elegant solution to your wall tab corner problem. Looking forward to the rest of your build. A well worn country service station- should be interesting.
Quote from: Rick on June 05, 2025, 06:25:49 PMTom, that level is the hardest working tool on your bench. ;) :)
Rick,
It may not be the hardest working tool, but it is the most used tool. 8)
Tom
Quote from: PRR Modeler on June 05, 2025, 06:42:49 PMYou're structures wouldn't dare not to be level! :o ;D
Curt,
I'll level with you and agree, they better not be off level. ;D ;D
Tom
Quote from: nycjeff on June 05, 2025, 07:58:53 PMHello Tom, a simple yet elegant solution to your wall tab corner problem. Looking forward to the rest of your build. A well worn country service station- should be interesting.
Jeff,
Thank you. It did solve the problem.
Tom
This morning I spray painted the four walls on the garage.
In the past, I've used regular rattle can primer from ACE Hardware to prime structures. However, on this build, I chose to go with Tamiya Light Gray spray paint. Tamiya is a model paint and Ace is a 1:1 paint and sprays on thicker.
For the garage, I didn't want to fill in the mortar joints on the walls. The stucco will cover the areas of the walls that don't have the cinder blocks showing.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/24-060625143721-55498373.jpeg)
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/24-060625143721-55499286.jpeg)
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/24-060625143721-5550023.jpeg)
The blocks under the stucco are what we call 8-8-16 blocks. Meaning they are 8" high, 8" wide and 16" long. I measured these and they are a scale 8" high but are just under 16 scale inches long. Close enough for government work.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/24-060625143721-55501196.jpeg)
I opened the bag of parts, filed and cleaned them getting ready for painting.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/24-060625143721-555022286.jpeg)
After studying the photos of the garage, I decided I wanted a little steeper pitch to the roof angle.
I cut two new gable ends. You can see in the photo the pitch is steeper. You can also see I don't have the kit gable exactly centered on the new one.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/24-060625143748-555031731.jpeg)
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/24-060625143748-555042459.jpeg)
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/24-060625143748-555051173.jpeg)
Adding the stucco to the walls will be next but I won't get to it until probably Sunday.
Done for today.
Great progress Tom. I'll have to give the Tamiya spray a try.
Looks great Tom. I really like the gray color also.
Jerry
Tom, I'm wondering why you offset the pitch.
Just for a different look?