Hilltown Entrepreneurs, Build Challenge 2016

[Zephyrus52246]

Thanks for following, guys.  I've used a sponge to lightly put some of the Sandstone and Grey paint on the windows and doors.  The first pic shows a laser cut piece that goes on one of the walls.  This is where laser cutting really helps, it would have been a pain to build this with stripwood.  I stained it with the Hunter's stain, then the green, then grey paint sponged on.  I think it will all tie together with an A&I wash.  The second pic shows a couple of windows and a door as well as the laser cut piece fitted.  I'm going to do the A&I before the window glass is applied, but I need to size and cut the window glass first.

Jeff

[Twopoint2]

Jeff looks good coming along nicely.

[MAP]

Looking good Jeff.  Thanks for all of the progress photos.

[Janbouli]

Nice paint job Jeff

[Zephyrus52246]

Thanks, Jan, Mark and Jim.     I've cut out most of the windows.  I'll show how I install them later today (I hope).  I've applied a black wash to the walls.  I made up a new batch of A&I, one teaspoonful of india ink (5ml) to a pint (474ml) of alcohol.  While mixing it, I noticed the "snap cap" leaked, so I poured it into an old, nearly empty alcohol bottle.    I used the wall which will be in the back of the building when place on the layout.  I have had problems in the past with the A&I lifting the paint, and it happened again here.  This didn't occur on my last build, because the paint was dry for 6 months (!) until I got back to it.  I used Vallejo black wash instead.  This is very concentrated, and I tried various dilutions and ended up with about 2ml in 30ml of distilled water (I think).  I put a couple of drops of Liquitex Flo-Aid in this as well. After putting it on, I thought it was way too dark, but after letting it dry overnight, it's pretty good.  In the pic, the upper pieces have the Vallejo (I needed a second coat on the bottom of the "plywood" wall.  The lowest wall has A&I to the right of the window (you can see where the green came off and onto the brush and thence the wall).  The left part of the wall has a more concentrated Vallejo wash--too dark, I think.  I should know by now to start light and add more layers of wash if needed.  Oh well, I could always use our new modeling philosophy on mistakes.  "Cover it with a bush!".   


Jeff

[Zephyrus52246]

Here's how I do the window "glass".  I use my calipers to measure the inside of the window (pic 1), then I flip it over and use the other side on the clear material.  Use an Xacto knife to make a mark even with the edge of the caliper.  Do this a few times along the clear material.  Note that the clear material is aligned with a line on the cutting mat, so I know this edge is straight.  The next picture shows my straight edge and a leather glove, just in case I slip with the knife.     Take the cut strip and test it to see the fit (Pic 4).  Then mark how long a piece is needed  for the upper sash.  Cut this, see if it fits, then mark it with a piece of tape (so you don't lose it, don't ask  .  Put a dot on the top of the tape to keep the orientation correct. (Picture 5).  Back after the break.


Jeff

[Zephyrus52246]

Position the glass on your Chopper, adjust the stop and you should have it then set to make windows.  I "Chopped" out the first one and it was slightly long, Probably from pushing against the stop.  I readjusted the stop and the next one fit fine.  Cut out extras, because you will lose one.  Or two.  Or more.   I then clean them with Windex and a lens cloth to get the fingerprints off them (picture 2) .  I then attach them with Future floor polish.  It dries clear, fills in any scratches on the window, and I don't have to worry about getting glue on the panes.  Grab them with the cool suction cup tool, dip them in the Future. (picture 3). Touch the edge to a paper towel and place the window in the frame.  Let them dry. 


Jeff

[MAP]

Great progress!  I've heard of using the Future floor polish for other applications, but not for gluing in the windows.  I'll have to give that a try. 

[ACL1504]

Jeff,

The build is looking very good. The window install seems a little labor intensive for me but I'm sure it is worth the effort in the end.

Tom

[postalkarl]

Hi Jeff:

Coming along nicely. Love the white peeling paint with the green trim. Keep up the great work.

Karl

[Zephyrus52246]

Thanks, guys.  Yes, Tom, it's kind of a pain to do it this way, but I've not had good luck with the Canopy glue nor the gallery glass.  I seem to get "bubbles" in the glass, or it slops on the front of the window frame.  That, said, I did do the small window with gallery glass and it turned out OK.     One of the glass panes "moved" and I didn't notice it until after it dried.  I pried it out and replaced it with a "tin sign" cut to fit the frame (picture one).  Next was cleaning the resin bases.  Some of these had sticky stuff (think transfer tape sticky) on their bottoms.  I removed most of this with goo and purple "super clean".  But it's on the bottoms and it won't really matter.  I then painted the centers with Rustoleum textured tan paint and then masked them and painted the edges with red primer to represent the bricks.  I then blobbed on some black wash in some areas of the bricks to break up the monotony of the color.  (pics 2 and 3).  There was a small spot where the tape pulled up the tan paint--of course right near where the garage door is  , so I overpainted it with some bleached titanium.  Then A&I was used to wash all the "concrete" surfaces down (Picture 4).  Then I used Robert's Mortar for the mortar lines.  Dab and brush it on, let it dry for a minute and wipe off with your finger.  I wipe it off lightly to leave some of the mortar on the bricks.  (Picture 5).  Next up, putting the walls together!


Jeff

[S&S RR]

It really looks great Jeff. I'm enjoying the thread.

[Janbouli]

Loving it Jeff.

[ACL1504]

Jeff,

Your walls look great and I love the mortar between the bricks.

I've not had good results with Robert's Brick Mortar. I'm guessing its the Indian and not the bow and arrow.

Tom

[Zephyrus52246]

Thanks, guys.  It's starting to look like a building!


Jeff