Inter-Action Hobbies Stu's Tobacco Shop (O Scale)

[ReadingBob]

Okay, here we go with my first foray into the world of O Scale. This is the Inter-Action Hobbies, Stu's Tobacco Shop. It came to me via Terry (Vietnam Seabee) who picked it up from someone who was clearing out some kits that were no longer wanted. I'm building to give to a friend who, in turn, will give it to a friend who I understand has a large collection of O Scale engines and rolling stock.

The box included the kit for the structure, the detail kit, and the lighting kit.



Given the kit was previously owned, opened, and partially started I wanted to inventory everything to make sure I had all the necessary components before I got started. Everything was there. I even found a laser cut sheet (upper left in the picture) that I believe belongs to a different kit. I'll hang onto that until I can return it Terry.



The lighting kit is interesting. Even the tip of Stu's cigar glows as does the fire in the pot bellied stove.



The details kit is where I'm going to start. Lots of stuff to absorb here. 3D Printed pieces, laser cut pieces, decals, etc. I happen to have this same detail kit in HO Scale (along with an idea of where I want to use it) but haven't opened it yet.



I spread out the details on my workbench to get started. Things are going to be a little tighter in the small area I usually work in given this is a bigger scale. 



I began by cleaning up the 3D printed stuff. I used a sprue cutter and a pair of Friskar Micro Shears to carefully remove the parts from the base. This can be a little bit challenging. Just ask the 3 legged 3D printed dog I have from FOS.  I must have broken off a leg without even noticing it when I cleaned that one up.



More in a moment...

[ReadingBob]

Using wooden paint stirrers and some double-sided Scotch tape (no relation to the Scotch that Dave samples every weekend at his Scotch club) I lined up the 3D printed details so I could prime them with some rattle can paints. White for the various boxes and what not and black for the Cash Register and Pot Bellied Stove.



While the primer was curing, I cut out the parts for one of the display cases. I'll note here that, prior to starting the build I replaced all my knife blades and the single edged razor blade with new, sharp blades.



Just a quick swipe or two with and emery board took care of any little nub left from the cut.



I painted those parts using a sponge. I painted them with Khaki first, which is a decent wood base, and then with Varnished Wood from AK Interactive.



Most of the parts were painted with a white primer because a lot of them will have decals applied to them. The decals have colors but not white. Where they need to show white, they're actually clear so the primer will serve as the white. If that makes sense. I carefully cut the decals out using a steel ruler and X-Acto with a fresh blade.



For the open cigar boxes, like this one, I painted the cigars and top edge of the box prior to applying the decals. Then I added three decals. One each for the front and back of the open cover and one, long, skinny one, that wraps around all four sides of the box (and is a bit challenging to apply). A Scotch would help.



Okay, that's pretty much where I'm at. I'm going to head back to the workbench and continue adding decals. I'm looking forward to assembling that display case with the details in it, and on it.

Thanks for following along!

[PRR Modeler]

Looking good so far Bob.

[Vietnam Seabee]

Well now, this is gonna a fun build to follow along on.

This kit and about a dozen others came from Jim Flynn in Rockhill SC

terry

[deemery]

It's fun working in a different scale.  One year I did a scratchbuilt (from styrene) crossing tender's tower for a friend (my officemate at the time) who has a O Scale layout.  

dave

[Jerry]

Nice work so far Bob.

Count me in for the journey.

Jerry

[Zephyrus52246]

Good start, Bob.  I can't imagine decaling that cigar box in HO.

Jeff

[elwoodblues]

Bob,

Great start, I'm assuming patience is required for this build.  Even i O scale, that cigar box is tiny.

[ReadingBob]

Looking good so far Bob.

Thank you, Curt! I'm not sure how long this one is going to take me. We'll find out. 

[ReadingBob]

Well now, this is gonna a fun build to follow along on.

This kit and about a dozen others came from Jim Flynn in Rockhill SC

terry

Thanks, Terry! I hope it is fun to follow along. 

[ReadingBob]

It's fun working in a different scale.  One year I did a scratchbuilt (from styrene) crossing tender's tower for a friend (my officemate at the time) who has a O Scale layout. 

dave

I've done mostly HO and some N Scale stuff so yeah, this is different for sure. 

[ReadingBob]

Nice work so far Bob.

Count me in for the journey.

Jerry

Happy to have you along for the ride, Jerry! 

[ReadingBob]

Good start, Bob.  I can't imagine decaling that cigar box in HO.

Jeff

I have the same detail kit in HO. I may get to find out some day. 

[ReadingBob]

Bob,

Great start, I'm assuming patience is required for this build.  Even i O scale, that cigar box is tiny.

Patience sure is required, Ron. Some of the details include 3d printed displays with pipes. Painting that took a lot of patience. The decals are challenging. Aside from the single, open cigar boxes there are some stacks of cigar boxes that require cutting decals to fit the exposed portions of the top and edges. Yikes! I can only do a few at a time and then I need to take a short break.

Thanks for following along! 

[Rail and Tie]

As usual, you are doing a bang up job on a very detailed kit.  Our goal is "Detail Insanity". That means "Insane Detail" and "This product can potentially cause insanity".

While those decals are tiny, the results can be spectacular. Go Bob Go!!!

Here is a video of making a tiny cigar box...

https://youtu.be/xxa65iAq4o4?si=wSXQ3W5tkaXcIuN-