The Curmudgeon (Mike) and the Punk (Dustin) Build the SWSM Deer Creek Mine

[S&S RR]

Mike thanks for sharing your technique - I really like the affect you get by adding the grey chalk to the the A&I stain. Do you use the board with the nails sticking out of it?




Dustin - don't let him get ahead. Those retired guys with all that time on their hands.


Enjoying the builds guys.  Looking forward to your continued progress reports.

[PaulS]

Mike,
Thanks so much for the information on the graining and the staining of your boards, very much appreciated.  Like you I have had limited success with the brass and steel brushes as well as the file cards and razor saws.  I may just give your back end of an Exacto blade a try on my next project....   And I think I have a good idea what that project may be, thank you !!


Also, your framing and tipple bents look very nice and love the coloring you achieved ...  Looking forward to all the wonderful modeling from all on this build thread.  Keep up the great work all.


Thanks again,
--Paul

[coors2u]

Mike, as always fantastic work. The grey looks so good. I've got quite a bit more done myself. I have been struggling with the bin gates. I had a look in my mind and just couldn't get it to turn out that way. I'll have an update soon.

[Mike Engler]

Hey Dustin, it probably will look great to the rest of us. As Elliott used to say when he got a little frustrated on a build "I'm going on to the next step- it's only a f*****g model!

[coors2u]

I have made some progress myself. I have been working on the bin gates. I wanted them to look used but not to rusted. I feel as if they would also have a faint greasy look just due to how they would have operated. I have a paint that I like a lot. It is called Mr. Metal Color. Dark iron to be specific. This paint is unique in that it is buffable once dried. Sounds weird I know. I used this as the base color. I took a guess that the bins would have been made from iron or steel. The picture shows one that is buffed and one that hasn't been yet. Also the paint goes on really thin so it doesn't cover all of Brett's casting details.

[coors2u]

Here are few pics after a little chalk. I dry brushed it also with transparent orange iron oxide. These are the beginning steps. I had to add several layers a little at the time.

[coors2u]

I also wanted them to have a worn metal look. Whatever came out of the gates would have wore on the metal. This is a pic of checking the color against the tipple.

[coors2u]

Here is what I finally came up with. Its as close as I can get to what I was thinking.

[coors2u]

Next I added all of the truss rods. I used my Iron paint again. I like that I could add a sheen to the rod. I can always hit them with a little chalk if it doesn't fit the overall look later.

[coors2u]

While waiting on things to dry here and there I built the landing. It was pretty straight forward.

[coors2u]

So, here is where it stands right now. All the bin gates are attached. Truss rods run. I have to build some steps next. Then I'll move up a level to the tipple house. I have already started sanding the walls for the tipple house.

[S&S RR]

It looks great Dustin! I'm enjoying the thread - thanks!

[Mark Dalrymple]

Looking very nice Mike and Dustin!

Enjoying watching this build come together.  I'm back in NZ now - hoping to stretch bed time a little later than 8pm next week!  Then there will be time for modelling.

Cheers, Mark.

[ACL1504]

Both builds are looking very good, great in fact.

Tom

[Mike Engler]

Most of you are aware that Dustin's mother passed away last week. Our prayers and sympathy go out to Dustin and his family. May she rest in piece.