CCK 18177 - Takoma Shops in HO Scale

[NEMMRRC]

Thanks everyone for all the encouraging words.


So I rummaged about and managed to find the essentials to get started. Most important of all are these:





I've reached that point in "maturity" where a little extra help is needed to see teeny tiny items clearly. A brightly lit working area is also highly recommended.


I read the instructions from cover to cover last night. They are direct and to the point. They provide suggestions on weathering and color choices and aid the modeler in the assembly of the kit. Color photos are used to illustrate some of the instructions.


Here you see my rushed collection of tools to get me started.





I was very pleased I found my trusty orange and purple hobby knife and my favorite pair of tweezers. It is also nice I found The Monster Nailer. I like using it to place nail holes strategically about.


The instructions first direct the modeler to sort out the paints to be used throughout the build. I have not done that yet. Next, the instructions direct the modeler to distress the laser cut wood walls prior to bracing, staining and painting. Therefore, I will do just that.





I found a pair of wire brushes I will use to put some grain on the wood walls.


I recently watched a YouTube video by Jason Jenses on how to weather wood walls. It is a very good tutorial. This is the link to it:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RHNVmKVGs68


Here is a progress of how I put grain (I scrubbed the walls with the wire brush), add nail holes (with The Monster Nailer), mark separate clapboards (with a dull hobby knife lol) and lift some clapboards on the walls (with the same dull knife).














That's The Monster Nailer if you are not familiar with it. I believe it is no longer in production.


I model slowly and sparingly so I'll post the next update when I have something new to share. I plan to brace the walls next and then stain them. I need to go buy some rubbing alcohol and try to find some India ink for that.


Later.


Jaime

[Jerry]

Jaime good to see you back at the bench.  I'm sure you will do an outstanding job.


I'll be following along for sure.


Jerry

[Opa George]

A good start, Jaime.  Weathering walls is one of my least favorite parts of a build--but of course well worth the effort.
--George

[ReadingBob]

Great start Jamie.  I'm very happy to see you back at it and providing us with a play by play.  This is a really interesting looking structure.  Should be a fun build for all of us.   

[ACL1504]

Jaime,

I'm in as well. Looking forward to your build.

Tom

[NEMMRRC]

Thanks for all the replies. I appreciate each of them.


It's been a busy weekend. I'm glad we got an extra hour so I could catch up 


I've managed to brace all but a few of the walls in the kit. The instructions provide full size bracing templates so it makes it real easy to get that done.







I like using Titekbond III wood glue for all my builds that include wood pieces. It is a tad spendy but it is worth it.



I pool a bit of the glue on a plastic card and use toothpicks to apply the glue to the required parts.



I use whatever I have handy to weigh down the glued parts as the glue dries.



If you have clamps handy they are also a good choice.

When I finish gluing the parts I set them aside in a separate container to kept track of them and not damage them either.



I mentioned earlier I needed to round up all my tools and supplies as they were packed up in boxes. This is what happens when you don't keep track of what you have and where you have it.



I have more glue dispensers than I need. I actually had to go buy some glue at Wall-Mart and could only find the Gorilla Glue. That is the only wood glue my Wal-Mart stocked. I had to buy new glue as the Titebond III came out too runny out of the bottle. I suspect it separated from being stored too long. Oh well....

At least I did find my all-time favorite tweezers. I have no clue when or where I bought them. But I have had them for a very very long time. They are made in Italy and have "MM" marked on them. Anyone know anything about these?



So this is where I am. Ready to start painting something before I start assembling the whole affair.

Later.

Jaime

[jerryrbeach]

Jaime,

Looks like you are off to a good start.  It seems like it is becoming more difficult to simply find good old Elmer's white glue.  Did you happen to see Art Fahie's video rant on glue?

[NEMMRRC]

Jaime,

Looks like you are off to a good start.  It seems like it is becoming more difficult to simply find good old Elmer's white glue.  Did you happen to see Art Fahie's video rant on glue?

I did not. Is it at the Bar Mills website?
Jaime

[jerryrbeach]

Jaime,

It is on the Bar Mills Facebook page.

[Raymo]

I have a similar pair of tweezers Jaime. They're my favorite ones to use also.

[S&S RR]

Jaime


Great to see you back at the workbench! I will be watching your build - you are off to a great start. It looks like you found all the necessary tools. I sure miss Monster ModelWorks - that nail tool is great.


I will check when I get back to my workbench if my favorite tweezers have the same markings. I think I remember where I bought them.

[MAP]

Nice progress Jaime! Thanks for all the pics. I have the same problem with glue as I do with clamps...way too many choices, with my Titebond separating as well.  I believe the MM is a "style" of tweezer. 

Available in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. Each style (or pattern) is designated with a number and/or letter, such as AA, MM, 3C, or 7A. They can have tapered or indented shanks with round or beveled tips and range in size from medium to extra fine tips.

[postalkarl]

Hey Jaime:

Looking good so far. I'm following along.

Karl

[JimF]

Progress looking good, Jamie.

I had a separation issue with a old bottle of Aleene's glue. managed to shake and mix it enough to get it back to original consistency.

Opa George, I'll make ya a deal, I'll do your kit walls (weathering), if you will paint my castings. LOL

Jim

[Opa George]

Progress looking good, Jamie.

I had a separation issue with a old bottle of Aleene's glue. managed to shake and mix it enough to get it back to original consistency.

Opa George, I'll make ya a deal, I'll do your kit walls (weathering), if you will paint my castings. LOL

Jim

Jim--Alright!  I am always in for a good old team effort!
--George