Quote from: Opa George on January 02, 2022, 07:30:54 AM
Good Sunday morning to everyone,

Quite house for the moment. Hot coffee and morning newspaper while potatoes and onions are cooking on the stove. My wife's entire extended family gathers at our house for Sunday breakfast about every other week after church since many of the local restaurants are closed or operate under reduced hours.  We've been doing this for the past two years and it keeps everyone in touch and gathering regularly.  They'll be by in about an hour.

It can be slightly challenging negotiating the wide range of political stances, but it's worth it and my wife really appreciates me cooking for the crowd.

This is my retirement year!  I got my social security set up and I'll be officially retired in mid-February. After 50 years of work, it seems mighty strange to know in a month and a half I'll no longer have a full time job.  Can't wrap my head around it yet.

Need to go turn those potatoes so they don't burn.

Have a great day, everyone.

--Opa George

Congratulations on your impending retirement. I did it last July and still haven't figured out what it is all about. Too busy to worry about it for now.

Jim

Happy New Year from the quiet one.

jim

Quote from: ReadingBob on December 28, 2021, 12:41:50 PM
Afternoon all,

John (Cuse) stopped by this morning to pick up a few detail castings I painted for him.  Many more to go.  I do small batches of the castings he left we me as I do some for whatever build I'm currently working on.  I need to wrap up the current build on my workbench so I can get started on the one for the build challenge.   

I miss wandering around the vendor room at the Expo's buying stuff I really don't need. 

Have a great one!

And to add to Reading Bob's comment, buying duplicates of kits that you already have.

jim

Merry Christmas everyone!

remember, if you stop believing in Santa Claus, you get underwear - NO TRAINS!

Vince,

The mold or comb is reusable. The vertical members are about .250 high. Depending on your scale you adjust accordingly.
Z scale is not something that I would do.

The plaster mix probably is a little thicker than cake batter, if you have a lot of runnoff then it is too thin.

Separation is with a razor blade or xacto knife, it comes out easy and no mold release is required.

I break them by eye and xacto knife. You want to break them up while the plaster is still a bit soft. If it hardens too much it will not break very easy.

This was from a clinic at the NER convention a few weeks ago in Massachusetts by Mike Tylik. I claim no originality.

Jim

here are some pictures i hope you can see properly

[attach=1]

[attach=2]

[attach=3]

Vince,

you have the basic process in your question.

get some .060 or thicker styrene, does not have to be a large square.

Cut some .040 strips and glue on edge with the desired height of the blocks.

Mix the plaster with a salt water mix into your cake batter  thickness and spread in the troughs formed by the upright styrene strips.

After about 10 minutes the plaster will set but not be too hard. Seperate the sticks from the trough and begin to break them off. that will give you the ragged edge. 

I will try to post pictures shortly.


Jim

Good morning gentlemen,

All this talk about retirement makes me feel like the new guy on the block.  Took the shingle down 1 month and 21 days ago.

Still haven't got this retirement thing down pat yet although i have done a bit of work on the layout.

One Saturday at a time.

Jim

Craig,

thanks for the information, never heard of Flux box, but will be looking.

Jim

mainj@comcast.net

Quote from: Keep it Rusty on June 09, 2021, 02:12:51 PM
Don't know about you Tom, but MN is melting me!

Hope everyone staying safe and well. Sorry I haven't been around much lately, life is just full-on right now! I've only had a few evenings here or there and they've been dedicated to playing with my laser. Good news is I've got most of my materials dialed in (power/speed) and they are cutting perfectly. Well, all except the plywood. Who knew that plywood and lasers are like oil and water?

Craig, what model laser did you buy?   
asking for a friend.   

I thought today is Wednesday, no one here?

Good morning people.

Great looking truck Bob. 


Jim

John,

Sorry to hear of your Mother's passing. It is a tough going as it progresses having lost both of my parents and mother in law in the past few years. In the end we still have the memories to cherish.

Take care.


Jim

Congratulations John on the new operator and Happy birthday to you.

jim