Bar Mills Cundy Village Hotel

[Jim Donovan]

So the general method of how I completed the interiors has been covered. For the second floor foyer I put the Heron Tapestry (bottom edges not glued to produce a slight hanging effect) on the back wall. The other walls are a stripe wallpaper and I again put two LED lights hidden behind the stained cornice on the back wall. However, this time the wires were put through the wall and soldered to copper tape. Two more lights were put in same spots on back wall of the first floor. No cornice is needed for the lobby due to the doors and photo already in place. Here are the results:


I previously modified a post to show I replaced the hotel name and added ceiling bracing.

[Jim Donovan]

The directions say not to glue the various floors together yet. However here is how the four floors look at this point when assembled and lighted. The one picture shows how I have connected in series the lights for each floor. We will figure out how they all work together when I get the main building put together. I will be sealing the various holes on the back so there is no light 'bleeding'.







We are caught up now and back to following the directions. Hope to get more done soon.

[S&S RR]

Jim


I'm just getting caught up with your build - what a great thread. I love what you are doing with the interior - I'm taking notes. I bought this kit when it first came out and I know exactly where I'm going to put it on my layout. Keep up the great work - I will be following along.

[PRR Modeler]

Looks awesome Jim.

[Oldguy]

WOW!

[Janbouli]

WOW!

That's what I was gonna say !!!

[Opa George]

Agree with the comments on the tower--wonderful work.
--Opa George

[WigWag Workshop]

Excellent!!!! Great looking tower!


-Steven

[Jim Donovan]

Welcome John;

Thanks for checking in and for the encouragement. Please send any ideas you have as this kit moves along. I am following the directions as far as the sequence of building the kit goes The modeler who did the video I watched seemed to create some issues by jumping around. However, I hope to add something extra where appropriate and suggest changes where I run into issues.

For example, right after I did the last update I put the walls in place for the roof. The directions call for putting all the shingles on as well as the upper finish strip. I have had to remove the strip as each section needs just a little sanding to allow it to curve correctly on the frame. I am painting prior to placing so removing the strip caused some issues. Moreover, placing the strip after provides a nice square look.

[Jim Donovan]

Thanks Curt;

What you are seeing is what I've learned from you folks the past couple of years. Thanks for the great ideas.

Jim D

[Jim Donovan]

Thanks Bob;

You put a smile on my face, appreciate the compliment and will try to keep up the quality on this really nice kit.

Jim D

[Jim Donovan]

Thank you Jan;

Hope everything is well in Netherlands. As I am sure you have seen we yankees seem to have made a pretty good mess on response to the latest world virus. Really not sure why, it is not like the scientists have not been warning us it was coming. I look forward to when Deb and I can next visit Europe but looks like it is going to be some time. In the meantime we have a great hobby to enjoy. Thanks again.

Jim D

[Jim Donovan]

Thanks Opa George;

As I build this kit I am also dismantling the northern layout it will sit on. We are selling the house up in Ohio and will just be in Florida. So I need to figure out how to get the layout down there in one piece, or as close as I can. Might slow things down a bit on the hotel build. Oh well, times change I guess, wife wants the move, me, not so much.

Jim D

[Jim Donovan]

Thanks for the compliment Steven;

I know you have just recently joined the fun making craftsman kits, you came to the right place for advise and learning. These guys have been tremendous help in my own learning the past couple of years. You have a question these folks will sure have the answer. Best group of people I have ever worked with. Thanks for following along, any ideas are of course welcomed.

Jim D

[Jim Donovan]

I have hit the meat of the build on the tower and encountered some issues so I thought I would add to the thread even though not a lot of actual progress has been made.

First he shingles provided with the kit are not the same design as shown in the instructions. Moreover, they are only mentioned in passing in the instructions. The four panels that are the frame the shingles are applied have laser etched lines marking where the top of each row of shingles need to be placed. Placement needs to be exact. Each row is placed so the bottom of each single is located to the middle of two shingles below. See below:



The issue I ran into is the shingles are made of some type of felt material. In order to make a clean cut you need to use a new straight blade, not an xacto-knife, the straight blade has a finer taper and is needed to cut as clean as possible. Even so making a truly clean cut, especially around the window openings is very difficult and requires patience, lots of patience. The felt wants to fuzz and even when you remove the felt the self sticking back is often left behind and needs to be carefully removed without cutting through the thin wood. If I was to do this again I would most likely use a different make of shingle. The need to make precise cuts for the windows is truly slowed down needlessly due to the material of the shingles. Here is what I am talking about:



The top roof panel shows the difficulty of accurately trimming around the window opening. You will note I also did not place the shingles correctly. So I did it all again. The bottom panel shows correct pattern and better trimming. However, even the bottom panel needed additional trimming when I went to place the dormer frame in place.