SRMW H.W. Myers & Son build

[postalkarl]

Hi Dave:

Yeah the paperbands are thin. I forget the width I'd have to check it out. I use 3m 465 tape to attach them.

Karl

[Zephyrus52246]

John, the Micro Mark tool looks interesting, I'll probably have to get one.     I tried using a comb to align them, but all I had was a plastic one and it didn't work very well.  I put the silo on my lazy susan I use for airbrushing and basically spun it and moved the threads with my fingers.  I think it looks okay, not perfect. 


Jeff

[S&S RR]

John, the Micro Mark tool looks interesting, I'll probably have to get one.     I tried using a comb to align them, but all I had was a plastic one and it didn't work very well.  I put the silo on my lazy susan I use for airbrushing and basically spun it and moved the threads with my fingers.  I think it looks okay, not perfect. 


Jeff

Jeff

I think they look good. I have never seen them perfectly straight in the prototypical world. It's all about having the right tool for the job - I think a Doctors fingers are better than an Engineers for this job.     The build is looking great.

[Zephyrus52246]

I'm back to the brick structure since I have the attention span of a gnat.  Maybe more than some Gnats.     The mortar on the stones is thinned white paint.  I then put a dilute A&I wash over everything.  The instructions note to use white chalk for the mortar.  Clear some of it off with a damp towel, apply more where you need, etc.  Used a bit of a dark brown and a tiny amount of rust to vary the brick colors as well.  I hadn't done it this way before and think it looks OK.  Maybe faded the bricks a little more than I'd like.  I'll let it sit a couple of days and decide if I want to drybrush over the bricks a tiny bit to bring back the color more. 


Jeff

[gnatshop]

I have the attention span of a gnat.  Maybe more than some Gnats.        Jeff

Hmmpphh!  Gnats have a great attention span!  They'll keep buzzin' around your face and
distractin' you forever! 
If you have this problem, take affirmative action:
   

[Bntrainmaster]

Jeff,
Great looking job. You have done a great job on the silo's. Those bands can be very tedious. Thanks for sharing.

[Zephyrus52246]

Thanks, Bart.  I've got one half of the windows done in the brick building.  Of course I couldn't find the window material  .  I used some mylar I have from the art store instead.  I found that even though it was sealed with pastel sealer, I was able to gently use a wet finger over the bricks to remove some of the white, so I didn't need to drybrush the bricks to bring the color back.   Then there's the parts to finish off the roof/celestory.


Jeff

[postalkarl]

Hi Jeff:

Looks good. You should try Onetime Spackle (Lightweight Stuff) for your mortar on your next model. I think you will really like it. Not to mention the time you will save.

Karl

[Zephyrus52246]

Hi, Karl.
I have some Spackle here for the next brick project.  I wanted to try the chalk since it was new to me.  It's OK.  To put the roof on there are cardboard cutouts to place inside the end walls.  I put the roof on to adjust the height for these while gluing them in.  I braced the roof (though the instructions don't mention to).  Then built the clerestory, again there are cardboard cutouts for the ends to build around.  I braced the pieces as they tended to warp (the size is overkill, but it's the only size I had).  Finally added the tarpaper/parapet caps.  The instructions say to put the tarpaper on the parapets as well, but I think it looks funny and I have very little of the tarpaper left.  I need to add the signs and a entrance roof next.


Jeff

[S&S RR]

Looks great Jeff!

[Zephyrus52246]

Thanks, John.  The entrance roof and signs are on.  This one is done for now.  Tar for the roof and some roof details will go on later.  Now to get back to the coal silos building. 


Jeff

[postalkarl]

Hi Jeff:

The brick structure looks great.

Karl

[ACL1504]

Jeff,

"Ditto" to all the other comments. It's looking real good!

Tom

[Erieman]

Jeff,

Great job on the build of H.W. Meyer & Son. Mine is still in the box, but is on the project list for early next year. Your build will make a great reference tool.

The next time you need to do the brick work, may i suggest something else for the mortar. I have been using this technique on several of the SRMW buildings  with great success. Try a mixture of drywall mud. This will take some experimentation to determine how much water, so find an extra piece or back wall. I mix drywall mud, some medium grey acrylic paint ( just a small amount) and water together. It should be mostly water.  Apply it on the plaster surface with a brush and let dry. Care needs to be taken in wiping to make sure you do not remove the mortar between the bricks. Wipe with a dry white towel to remove the drywall film and you will have a beautiful mortar job. I also use some chalk on my finger to weather the lower part of the building to add some weathering. hope this works for you. I know it sounds weird, but it works. If you want to see a coupl of pictures let me know and I'll take them and post them.

Frank / Erieman

Frank / Erieman

[Zephyrus52246]

Thanks for the kind words, Karl, Tom and Frank.  Frank your idea is similar to the spackle, but being able to thin it with water makes it sound more "forgiving".  I actually usually use Robert's Mortar for brickwork, but again, I wanted to try something different.   I'm now experimenting with how the structures will be on the layout itself.  Note the most important layout construction tool, the green bottle.     The structure needs to block the hole where the layout leaves the room.  It does a pretty good job as shown in the last pic where the "operator" usually stands.


Jeff