The Empire

[Zephyrus52246]

Thanks for the Weldbond suggestion, Dave.  I'll get some to try out.

Jeff

[S&S RR]

Jeff


You have been very busy - great looking progress. I have one suggestion based on a lesson learned on my layout. Take a look at your ceiling fixtures and your plan for scenery
and think about how you are going to replace the light bulbs when the layout is finished. Let me just say I wish I had spent more time thinking about that with my layout.  I spent the day today moving some light fixtures and adding more.  I'm not saying that I see a problem with what your doing just think through what's going to be under the light fixtures when it comes time to change the bulbs. 

[Zephyrus52246]

Thanks for looking in, John.  All the bulbs are able to be reached from the aisle, they're all screw ins just behind the valance.  I tossed all the fluorescent fixtures (except the one in the airbrush area).  While I'm waiting for the Weldbond to try to see if it will work with the plastic backdrops, I'm jumping a step ahead and started to figure out how to get the trains to the new peninsula.  I've opened up the backdrop on the old section.  Just before the switch is where the "west" end of the layout has ended for over 10 years.  I need to get this thru the "utilities", the water heater is just to the right in this picture and onto the new peninsula. 

Jeff

[jbvb]

Dave, I checked Methyl Ethyl Ketone a few years ago; neither the Canadians nor the European thought it hazardous then. It appears thinking has changed a bit and now there are warnings of neurotoxicity.  But when choosing a solvent cement, I'd personally rather work with MEK than Methylene Chloride, a known carcinogen.

[Zephyrus52246]

I think this is a good reminder that many of our hobby paints/solvents/cements are toxic. And remember that everything is carcinogenic in California.      I'm more concerned with the MEK as the area I'm working in has no windows.  The Weldbond didn't work.  I've let it dry almost 3 days and the pieces came right apart, the glue is still wet.  I used some PVC glue which has held better (one of it's ingredients is MEK).  I'm going to have to get some straight MEK and try it.  I'll open the only windows in the basement and run some fans and my airbrush booth to ventilate it.


Jeff

[deemery]

Jeff, sorry my suggestion didn't work!!!  Unfortunately that's the problem with a lot of water-based glues, if there's no air, the glue never cures.  (Same problem gluing styrofoam with water-based glues.)


And you know the fundamental finding?  "Research causes cancer in laboratory animals."




dave

[Zephyrus52246]

That's OK, Dave.  I like trying new things.  It says it works on glass, it shoulda worked on the styrene.  Anyway the MEK worked well and the first side is finished.  I've got fans and the airbrush booth going to get the smell out.  Plus I knocked over a bottle of Windex and didn't notice it wasn't quite closed so I had a blue river and lake on the floor.    Between the ammonia smell and the MEK,  I should be trippin'.     The seams are pretty good, I'm not sure my Zinzer primer will cover them, and I may try a small amount of squadron putty in them and sanding them off before painting.


Jeff

[BandOGuy]

That's OK, Dave.  I like trying new things.  It says it works on glass, it shoulda worked on the styrene.  Anyway the MEK worked well and the first side is finished.  I've got fans and the airbrush booth going to get the smell out.  Plus I knocked over a bottle of Windex and didn't notice it wasn't quite closed so I had a blue river and lake on the floor.    Between the ammonia smell and the MEK,  I should be trippin'.     The seams are pretty good, I'm not sure my Zinzer primer will cover them, and I may try a small amount of squadron putty in them and sanding them off before painting.
Jeff

Chemicals and dust. Sounds like a good combination. Bet this alone makes you glad you're not a smoker.

[Zephyrus52246]

Thanks for looking in, Chip.  As usual, the more I worked, the worse my skills got.  The next to the last piece just wouldn't quite lie flat, and the last joint is terrible.  I had it all lined up and put on the MEK, you only get a quick shot to bring them together and there's a gap.  I've filled them all with Tamiya putty (the only kind I had), the other 3 joints are fine, but the last one will take a few layers.     The putty smells worse than the MEK! I'm cutting the holes in the backdrop for when the tables are built.


Jeff

[Zephyrus52246]

Cut the holes in the backdrop where the choo choos come through.  The turnback loop starts where the turnout is on the "bridge" near the water heater.  This needs to be removable as I think this is the 4th one we've had in 24 yrs here.     Second coat of putty is on and it will require at least one more.  It needs to dry totally for 24 hrs, so no primer coat today. 


Jeff

[S&S RR]

Jeff


You are moving right along - looks great. It is amazing how many things you need to think about when your building a layout around all the stuff we but in our basements - like water heaters that need to be replaced.

[ACL1504]

Jeff,

You are making some great progress on the layout. I like how you installed the backdrop. However, I'm just guessing you have easy access to the gas water heater just in case it needs replacing.

Tom

[Zephyrus52246]

Thanks Tom and John.  The water heater has access from the front for changing it out.  Kinda like when they put them in a closet.  The water softener is behind it and has some access from that side as well, but the sides are blocked by backdrops.  I've got the first coat of blue and and it looks pretty good.  Second coat later today.


Jeff

[ACL1504]

Dr. Jeff,

WOW, the backdrops look fantastic. Great job! All thumbs up on that project.

Tom

[deemery]

Glad you found an adhesive to work, and the fumes didn't kill you :-)


dave