KCs workshop Bonney Wrenches, 2020 build Challenge

[ACL1504]

Today I spent several hours adding the wall bracing.

[jerryrbeach]

Tom,


That looks like a clinic on how to brace clapboard walls (with precision).   

[ACL1504]

Tom,


That looks like a clinic on how to brace clapboard walls (with precision).   

Jerry,

Thanks, I do have some photos of the bracing and why I do it this way. I was just to tired to add it to yesterdays thread. I'll do it later this afternoon.

Tom 

[ACL1504]

This morning the Judge, Curt, Greg and I had a discussion on bracing. I told them that I like to over brace the models as this is humid Central Florida. At times it can be just down right hot and muggy.

I have air and heat in the train building but when working on models I just have the door screen down and use a fan. However, it can still get hot in here. I turn on the AC when I can't stand it any longer and then I get a temperature change. Therefore, I have a tendency to over brace.

On this structure I wanted a horizontal brace at the top of each first floor wall. I'll explain later in the build process. For my bracing on this building I'm using HO scale 10 x 10's and not the standard 8 X 8 bracing. The lower long walls are just under 10.5 inches. This is one reason I wanted at top horizontal brace.

I measured from the top down a scale 8 X 8 and drew a line. The horizontal bracing was glued to the bottom side of the line.



Already time for a cold Diet Pepsi so back in a few.

[ACL1504]

I try not to over apply glue to the bracing. If so, when weights are added, the glue oozes out. If not cleaned, the extra glue will interfere with the side walls and vertical bracing thus not giving me a good tight fit.

To clean the extra glue from the joint I cut a piece of scale 8 X 8 at an angle. Any sharp angle will do.



I then run this angle end along the line to remove and oozed glue. When the glue on the end of the angle dries, I just cut a new angle.





Continued -

[ACL1504]

Very few kit manufacturers recommend or show any angled bracing at the gabled end of the walls. Usually the bracing consists of three or four vertical braces at the gabled ends.

If at all possible, I like to add the bracing along the top edge of the gable.




Once the brace is glued and dry in place, I cut it at the angle of the outer edge as shown. I use a #17 blade and cut as straight down as possible.



If you want to figure the angle be my guest. Me, I'm not a rivet counter so the degree of the angle holds no interest for me.

What I know is the angle cut is the angle I need to marry the cut brace to the underside of the one glued in place.

More in a few.

[ACL1504]

I then flip the brace over and glue it to the underside of the other brace. As you can see the angle is very close. I appears not to in this case as I didn't cut straight down. However, it is still a great fit.





No one will see the bracing but you know you did it where years from now the building won't be leaning sideways.


More in a few.

[ACL1504]

If you have a piece that wasn't long enough for the other angle you can use a new brace.



Place it along the wall and make the cut at the outer top as shown.



Continued -

[ACL1504]

The same applies to the vertical  bracing cuts also. Cut at the angle, reverse the brace and glue in place. You can see how this brace fits on the left side in the above photo.

[ACL1504]

Here is how they look when finished - this is a repeat photo from yesterday.



Staining and painting is next.

[deemery]

That gable bracing also provides more surface for gluing the roof to the walls.


dave

[ACL1504]

That gable bracing also provides more surface for gluing the roof to the walls.


dave

Dave,

Yes, correct, I forgot to mention that. That alone is reason to brace the top edges of the gables.

Tom

[GPdemayo]

That's bracing that will keep the building standing thru out worst hurricanes. Good progress Tom.....

[ACL1504]

That's bracing that will keep the building standing thru out worst hurricanes. Good progress Tom.....

Greg,

Thanks, it should hold for most anything now.


Tom 

[ACL1504]

To ensure I get the best 90 degree angle on the bracing, I use a small 90 degree angle weight to check the alignment. Of course, this only helps if you do this while the glue is still wet.





More in a few.