Build Challenge 2016: Bar Mills Dock House at Cundy Harbor

[ReadingBob]

Although I'm not really starting on this build quite yet I thought I'd start the thread and at least show you what I'm planning on building for the challenge.  It will be the Bar Mills Dock House at Cundy Harbor which is one of several structures included in the Cundy Harbor collection.  It's the one on the right in the picture on the box (although my flash washed out the picture a bit, sorry about that  ).


And here's what's hiding inside the box.


I'll have more updates when I actually start building this puppy.   

I'm building this one for John (Cuse).  I hope to get the Dockhouse done by the end of the challenge.  But I may get carried away and build the remaining structures too.     We'll see how it goes.     John had pulled out the parts from the boathouse and separated them from the carrier sheets.  They're in the baggie on the right. 

[S&S RR]

Sounds like a fun build - I will be watching.

[Zephyrus52246]

I'll be watching this as well, I always seem to pick up a useful tidbit or tip on your builds. 


Jeff

[jimmillho]

Bob,

Keep on building.......I will be watching cause I know you will excel 

Jim

[ACL1504]

Bob,

This will be another wonderful build by Reading Bob! Count me in on following.

Is this still the correct scale for John? Hee, hee, hee.

Tom

[Polux]

Wow!!! I love this one!!!
I asked for it on the model shop, but the kit never arrived
So, I will be following this one sure!

Just hope you build it very, very and very weathered....

[Janbouli]

Looks like a real nice kit , looking forward to the build.

[donatode]

I NEVER miss a ReadingBob build......

[S&S RR]

Bob,

This will be another wonderful build by Reading Bob! Count me in on following.

Is this still the correct scale for John? Hee, hee, hee.

Tom

I read some where that John was switching to S scale.

[postalkarl]

Hi bob:

Thats a great kit I will also be watching.

Karl

[GPdemayo]

I'll be looking in too.....

[ACL1504]

Bob,

This will be another wonderful build by Reading Bob! Count me in on following.

Is this still the correct scale for John? Hee, hee, hee.

Tom

I read some where that John was switching to S scale.

Actually, no he isn't. I posted a comment to him to hold off on the weathering of his new loco as next year he may be in "S" scale. Tongue in cheek comment as he changes scales as often as I redo my layout.

Tom

[Vilius]

Bob,

The Dock House is my favorite structure in the kit. I will be following.

Vilius

[ReadingBob]

Thanks for all the interest!  I did get started on this one this past weekend so here we go....

After clearing off my workbench for a new build the first thing I do is toss the old single edge razor blade I was using on the last build and pull out a new one.  I do the same with the blade in my X-Acto knife.  I may have to replace them during the build if the start to lose their edge but I always like to start with nice, sharp blades in the handles.  The only exception I have to this rule is the chisel blade I have in one handle.  I don't use that very often so it doesn't need to be replaced as frequently as the other two.   


Just to keep track of the walls while referring back to the instructions during bracing I wrote the number (per the templates in the instructions) on the back of each wall in pencil.  This isn't really necessary but it makes things a little easier during certain processes.


Next I removed the walls from the carrier sheets using my new single edge razor blade.


After the walls have been separated from the carrier sheet I lightly sand them on an emery board to 'square up' the edges.


I then started gluing the bracing in place per the templates.  For bracing that runs along the edge of the wall I used a square to make sure I lined it up with the edge and don't have any bracing extending beyond the end of the wall (not that I've ever done that before  ).


A little more in a moment...

[ReadingBob]

I put some weigh on the bracing to hold in place while the glue sets.


Then I trim the bracing to length using my single edge razor blade.


If the wood is too tough or my fingers too sore/weak to effectively cut the bracing with the razor blade I revert a chisel blade in an X-Acto handle for a little be better leverage/grip.


Finally. after the bracing was finished, I applied a light coat of Hunterline Light Gray weathering mix. 


That's all I got done this weekend.  More to follow if the Hurricane allows it later on this week.