This thread was started in March, 2023
JenS
March 2023 edited March 2023 in O Scale Builds
Hi everyone.
First I would like to thank you for the warm welcome.
I received Brett’s package two weeks ago,
and decided to clean up the mess of my last project first
some of you may know that kind if “maintenance condition”, I hope..
Comments
JenS
March 2023
some of you may know that kind of “maintenance condition”, I hope..
Karl.A
March 2023
Indeed I do Jens,
my bench more often looks like your first pic than your second, especially mid build.
I have been trying to keep it somewhere inbetween over the past year and clear it up after anything is finished.
Nice looking bench/area btw, I’m looking forward to watching your progress.
JenS
March 2023
Yes Karl, creativity rules the chaos.
Even with a bigger bench it would look the same. I have never seen such a mess on your posts ; )
brownbr
March 2023
A first class mess for sure. Which kit did you get?
JenS
March 2023
My first build of Brett’s kits will be the Truck Repair.
I have been quietly following this forum for almost two years now, and alI of the Truck Repairs turned out great. It really became one of my favorites. Its small enough to fit in my little layout but has so many details that makes it outstanding for me.
I hope I won’t mess it up.
JenS
March 2023
Bryan, you really disturbed me with your sand drying stove…
Karl.A
March 2023 edited March 2023
Ohhhh, if you go through my threads you will see my desk many, many times in such a mess as yours, often worse, haha. As you say, a bigger bench still always ends up with only a 6"x6" work area, regardless.
The Truck Repair is an awesome kit, and as you say the box/kit is packed with details, detail and everything else great that is SWSM.
We’re all looking forward to following along with you.
Jerry
March 2023
Looking forward to your build on this!!
Jerry
vietnamseabee
March 2023
I’ll be following along as well. I built the HO version so I’ll be interested to see your version
Terry
JenS
March 2023
I put together the tools I needed as described in the manual instructions
I grained the wood stripes, did the saw blade bandings, added the different knots, holes and knotholes, uncertain if the burnishing tools will work - I never used those before. I bought a set of three different sizes for nearly 5,- euro, what is nothing, at a local art store. after the first two knots were pressed, the rounded tip fell off… I remembered Brett’s chapter “Essential & Usefull Tools” and the advice to look for quality tools!!
Then I used the steelwool no. 000 to wipe away the fuzz and “carved” the grain a bit with a no. 11 blade.
As stain I used isopropyl and the two chalk colors 408.3 and 5,but also added some dark gray very sparse and randomly.
JenS
March 2023
After taking off the extra chalk and enhanced the knots with some AI, I got this result:
Joel
March 2023
Great looking colour and detail, nice variation.
KKarns
March 2023
I agree, nice wood detailing!
kebmo
March 2023
your stripwood looks great. looking forward to the build, cuz i have this one on the shelf, and i need to pick up some pointers on the kit.
JenS
March 2023
Thanks a lot Joel and Ken.
Actually the wood colour looks more like its seen on the second picture.
JenS
March 2023
Hi Kevin. the shelf is not the best place for your kit ; )
Maybe I really have something new for you. Its my kind of secret weapon cause I don’t have that nice sanding stick Ken used as he turned into Dr. Grunge.
Its my Glass Eraser Pen.
I use it to highlight just parts of the wood to give more variety.
admin
March 2023
Wonderful start!
JenS
March 2023
The left and the right wall frames were glued together and tarpapered. I crumbled the paper a bit, then ironed it before I sprayed it with a flat black paint.
kebmo
March 2023
JenS said:
Hi Kevin. the shelf is not the best place for your kit ; )
Maybe I really have something new for you. Its my kind of secret weapon cause I don’t have that nice sanding stick Ken used as he turned into Dr. Grunge.
Its my Glass Eraser Pen
I use it to highlight just parts of the wood to give more variety.
thanks, i just ordered one. won’t be here til the 23rd cuz i think it’s coming from germany. it’s blue though so a little different.
KKarns
March 2023
Those walls look great Jen. Great base for interior detailing.
JenS
March 2023
@ Kevin: Great, I hope you ordered several refill fibre brushes because they use up quite fast.
Thanks Ken. The wood frames costs me some nerves and time. Don’t want to do this in HO. But im happy with the result.
TomMich
March 2023
Wood coloring and textures are very nice. Your wall framing is also very nice. You did a great job with the tarpaper.
MuddyCreekRR
March 2023
Love the tones and warmth of the wood…it looks great…
kebmo
March 2023
@ Kevin: Great, I hope you ordered several refill fibre brushes because they use up quite fast.
i didn’t but i will. thanks for the heads up.
JenS
March 2023
Thank you, Tom and MuddyCreek.
You’re welcome Kevin.
I finally got the complete framing done, puh…
…Grrrrr, forgot the interior wall…
brownbr
March 2023
The framing looks great.
Karl.A
March 2023
Great looking colours on both the framing and the siding. Nicely done.
The creases/highlights in the tarpaper look good and will give a great effect peeking through all of the details you are going to add to those walls.
Keep up the good work and posts.
Karl.A
March 2023 edited March 2023
The framing looks great,
I had forgotten that this kit has the notched header/footer style walls and not full laser cut framing.
So I just realized you have added the studs and then the firebreaks/braces individually.
A very nice and precise job you have done there, very well done.
TomH
March 2023
Looks like you’re off to a great start. I love the tar paper and framing.
Jerry
March 2023
Great start. I really like tar paper effect.
Jerry
kebmo
March 2023
looking good!
JenS
March 2023
Good evening, Good afternoon, Good morning everybody.
For those of you wondering about the new thread title - we changed it to make it easier to find in the future, cause there gonna be a lot of “My first kit”.
I built up the sidewalls now. Btw I want to improve my modeling skills, so feel free if you have any suggestions.
Right now I’m building the front and rear wall, and then I’m starting with the interior - what will be the funniest part…
KKarns
March 2023
Wood looks great Jen! I would have staggered the butted boards ends just a bit to add some variety so they weren’t on the same horizontal plane. Beautiful warm color tones and the detailing is great.
JenS
March 2023
Thanks Ken. I tried to hit the firebreaks, but i try to make the alternation a bit more obvious on the next walls.
Karl.A
March 2023
Colouring, texture and variation look great Jens.
The knots are very well done, the toothpick ones are nicely defined but blend in naturally. The smaller knots I’m guessing from pressing in with the burnishing tool also are subtlety visible giving lots of variation.
TomMich
March 2023
Nice color, texture and variation in the wood.
MuddyCreekRR
March 2023
Great texture and color…looking good!
KKarns
March 2023
Right Jen, just vary the position of the fire breaks. Minor issue and one that certainly doesn’t need changed anyway. Wall looks just fine.
brownbr
March 2023
I like the faded color and nice texture.
JenS
March 2023
Ok guys, so I think I am on the right path. I will finish the last walls at the weekend and can show some progress then. Have a nice friday. Bryan, thumbs up for your mossy roof.
JenS
March 2023
I did not that much modeling this day, cause I followed the threads of Ken’s Shelby’s Marine Service and Eric’s Truck Repair - and I am a bit depressed now… Their kind of building the scenery is absolutely great. I will never achieve this level.
JenS
March 2023
I prepared the window pieces and airbrushed them with vallejo khaki paint and let it dry over night. I grained the pieces with a sharp no.11 and chalked both sides.
cracks, holes and dust were also done as the manual said.
randyp
March 2023
Jen, Nice job on the windows. I like the cracked and busted windows. Randy
JenS
March 2023
Thank You Randy, and belated congratulations for your building award for the Truck Repair!!
KKarns
March 2023
Nice work on the window detailing. The damaged windows add a great amount of character and visual interest…just manage the amount as a little goes a long way. The lower left window panel damage looks spot on, love it.
JenS
March 2023
Yes Ken, I know what you mean and I noticed it myself when I finished the windows. My solution would have been to use the more damaged ones as the inner sash, so they were covered by the outer sash. But honestly, thats cheating, I know.
I try to exchange some of the badly damaged glasses.
Thank You,
Jens
brownbr
March 2023
The frames are very good. Adding a sign to replace broken glass can be an eyecatching addition.
JenS
March 2023
Hi Bryan. We’re off to our sunday trip. Today we gonna visit the railroad museum in Bochum Dahlhausen. In the afternoon i’m back at the workbench and will post the progress of this
weekend.
JenS
March 2023
I used the afternoon to install all trims, windows and the battens. It was quite time consuming, but I am really happy with the results:
I don’t know why the wood color is always changing on all the pictures :neutral:
TomMich
March 2023
Nice job on the windows. Great effects on the damage. The walls look very well done as well.
Jim M
March 2023
Looks great Jens. I started mine over a year ago and you’re going to finish yours before I do.
randyp
March 2023
Great color on the walls. I really like the damage to the wood over the window. nice that you can see the tarpaper through the hole. You might want the get the prop in the single window a little more virital. Keep up the good work. Randy
JenS
March 2023
Thank You very much, Tom and Jim. Jim, what I saw on your build is looking so great and You are so close to the finish…
JenS
March 2023
Hi Randy. Concerning the stick in the window, You mean vertical?
Karl.A
March 2023 edited March 2023
Looking fantastic Jens, really nicely done.
I gave up getting a consistent picture colour for construction shots several years ago, unless, I’m showing something specific.
Your construction is perfect and that’s what matters. if the colour looks right from where you are sitting then the screen is secondary.
and yes, vertical for the prop stick.
MuddyCreekRR
March 2023
Looking great, love the tone of the wood…battens look good too…
JenS
March 2023
Good evening gentlemen,
Thanks for your kind support to get this kit nicely done.
Fortunately I made a single picture that hits almost the real colour…
I am about to prime the first resin castings now, and just to be sure:
when the manual speaks of “priming the casting in black, khaki, …”, it is meant to paint the FIRST coat in black,…, but not to use a real PRIMER.?
Karl.A
March 2023 edited March 2023
Correct Jens, the University page has pics of some example spray cans.
You may not be able to get the exact ones where you are.
So, you will need to get a FLAT tan and a FLAT black. Make sure they are FLAT, thats all you need for the base coat.
Light coats so you don’t fill in the fine details of the castings/prints.
JenS
March 2023
Right Karl.
I could order Rust-Oleum spray cans, but this would take weeks. I read some forum threads about paints used here and decided to try the Tamiya paint, that I found in a model shop, yesterday. Just flat black and wooden deck tan, no red tone. the light grey one is a primer. I think I won’t need it.
brownbr
March 2023
You can always use your airbrush to apply primer if you prefer.
JenS
March 2023
Ooh, thats true. I do the red tone with the airbrush , if needed. Thougth the priming has to be a real waterproof colour. Thanks Bryan.
Karl.A
March 2023
They look good Jens, it’s just for a light coat to give you a colour base to start from.
I think Ken has used the Tamiya cans, and nobody can argue with his results.
Have fun !
TomMich
March 2023
The grey color makes a good base to represent galvanized or corrugated metal.
JenS
March 2023
Thanks Tom, good advice.
JenS
March 2023
I think, I have most of the resin castings primed. Flat black for the oil drums, tanks, barrels and some of the crates. Wooden deck tan for the rest of the crates, batteries and all the furniture.
JenS
April 2023
Hi everybody.
I spent the last evenings with painting, chipping, dusting all details. But everything only in small steps, so no big progress - although detailing takes some time…
kebmo
April 2023
everything looks really good, but the wooden barrels are especially nice.
dick52
April 2023
Totally agree, great looking barrels!
brownbr
April 2023
I really like the woodtones on the barrels.
JenS
April 2023
Thank you guys.
Painting the barrels has been a fun job. Took a bit of practice to hit the bands and the slats, but I mostly succeeded.
JenS
April 2023
Now,
I may proudly present the first interior wall:
as always you are invited to give any suggestions.
I noticed a bit to late that the 3d printed bottles are Cola bottles. That’s why its green.
KKarns
April 2023
Beautiful walls Jen!
Robert.G
April 2023
Nice work Jens. And you just invented Green Tea Cola !!! 
TomMich
April 2023
Details turned out GREAT! I too like the color of the barrels. The wall is nicely done.
JenS
April 2023
Yes Robert, I think that’s how most of the inventions came out. They just happened…
Appreciated Tom.
kebmo
April 2023
that wall looks fantastic!
Karl.A
April 2023
That last pic and all your details look great Jen, very nicely done indeed.
Coke bottles had a green tint at one point in history…
sdrees
April 2023
The time you took to put labels on crates and cans puts the icing on the cake.
kebmo
April 2023
Karl.A said:
That last pic and all your details look great Jen, very nicely done indeed.
Coke bottles had a green tint at one point in history…
or it could just be a bottle of heineken. at any rate, that’s one great wall.
brownbr
April 2023
Turned out great
JenS
April 2023
Kevin,
the mechanic at the Repair Shop turned the bottle, so we can have a better look at the label…
You were right, it’s a Heineken.
kebmo
April 2023
JenS said:
Kevin,
the mechanic at the Repair Shop turned the bottle, so we can have a better look at the lable …
You were right, it’s a Heineken.
its my keen intuition.
nicely done.
MuddyCreekRR
April 2023
No wonder why my clutch still slips…
brownbr
April 2023
You know you did a good job when you dive into close ups and things still look fantastic. The cracked paint on the red tank is very interesting.
JenS
April 2023
Thanks men. I really appreciate it.
Since all of the detail castings are done now, I am getting along a bit faster.
I got the left wall ready today.
Jim M
April 2023
This looks great.
MuddyCreekRR
April 2023
Looking very good…love the colors and weathering…digging the safety sign and clipboards…
Karl.A
April 2023
Looking great Jens,
the tarpaper looks great with the texture and subtle highlights.
Details also look great everything blends and looks natural. Labels, colours, placement are all well done, realistic and subtle.
ALCO
April 2023
Are those clipboards?!
TomMich
April 2023
Great job! The labels really add a lot!
JenS
April 2023
Yes Al, clipboards on the left window frame. Pencils dropped on the floor, will be added if I find them…
JenS
April 2023
Thanks Tom. For the labels, I cut them out, moist the backside with matt medium Fluid, wait maybe 5 - 10 seconds, and peel off the first layer of the paper with the tip of a tweezers. It’s just a swipe or roll forth and back. Very easy and fast to do. Then comes another little drop matt medium on the back and I place the label on cans, drums or boxes. Once dry there is no shiny residue like I have when I use wood glue, and I have enogh time to place the label like I want it.
JenS
April 2023
… Well, I have enough time before the medium is dry, of coarse…
Kevin L
April 2023
I agree the labels do look good.
Robert.G
April 2023
Yes, they do indeed !!
Karl.A
April 2023 edited April 2023
Looking great Jens, Gotta love Bretts attention to detail in his kits with those laser cut clipboards, you did a great job with them. Even curled up pages… nice.
Labels came out great too, excellent job on those.
As has been said previously, you can tell it’s good work when it still looks great in super close up pics like these.
JenS
April 2023
Thank You very much,
Kevin, Robert and Karl. Makes me happy to hear that from You.
I spent the last days with building further detail parts.
The workbench needs some tools and maybe paint/oil spots, but for a first mock-up I’m pretty happy with it.
I liked Bryan’s idea of a numbered part bin 
since I did not have any decals, I had to draw the numbers with a small brush.
sdrees
April 2023
Very nice
admin
April 2023
Awesome work! Love the coloring on the resin cabinets and the numbered bins.
JenS
April 2023
Thanks Steve.
Brett, an awesome basis makes awesome work just possible. Thank You!
TomMich
April 2023
Those walls are AWESOME! Love how you have painted, weathered, labeled and laid out all the details. And that workbench looks quite well used to my eye. I think all it needs are some tools and clutter. Great work!
Karl.A
April 2023
Outstanding work Jen, really well done.
JenS
April 2023
Tom and Karl,
Thanks for the compliments!!!
brownbr
April 2023
I really like the finish on all of your details.
kebmo
April 2023
everything looks outstanding. the finish on the walls and details is great. i love the parts bin. i think the two drawer cabinet next to the parts bin is upside down though. smaller drawer is always on top, and the handles wouldn’t be so close to the bottom of the drawers.
ALCO
April 2023
Kebmo, you’re on to something about the 2 drawers! Good eye!
JenS
April 2023
Thanks a lot, Bryan and Kevin.
Kevin, I see what you mean about the drawer cabinet. When I have a look at my furniture at home, the small drawer is above the bigger one. But you can’t use the underside as the top, cause due to the resin pouring process the underside is dented a bit.
So here is my solution:
I replicated the cabinet surface out of a piece of styrene, glued it on the underside, and painted both ends in the wanted color.
Karl.A
April 2023
Perfect! Well done… on everything.
JenS
April 2023
Thank you very much, Karl.
In modeling, there are no problems, there are just challenges
kebmo
May 2023
perfect!
Robert.G
May 2023
Great work Jens !!! Keep on going… This is a fine kit ( they all are) …
JenS
May 2023
Thanks a lot, Kevin and Robert.
Last week I glued the walls together and right now I deal with the base and the surrounding scenery on the layout. The first try with a concrete foundation failed, but I will try on…
@ Kevin, I hope Your hand is becoming better soon.
brownbr
May 2023
Turned out nice.
Your workers forgot which number comes after 15 I see.
JenS
May 2023
Hope they are better mechanics…
Kevin L
May 2023
Great work.
Karl.A
May 2023
Ha Bryan !! I noticed that too and put it down to Jens excellent weathering and some faded lettering creating an optical illusion.
Everything looks fantastic Jens.
kebmo
May 2023
indeed it does!
JenS
June 2023
The truck repair will take its place on the right side of my layout. On the opposite of the road there will be a small fillingstation. (Defaced the thirdparty kit)
I needed a moveable base to get a better access for doing the scenery and details, so I adapted a 4mm hdf board to fit into place. I glued on a 5mm styrofoam to match the surrounding ground level. The base is now 12" going from 5" on the left to 6" on the right.
JenS
June 2023
EmeryJ
June 2023
Excellent work. I like where you are putting this too. The road, car, and bridge really add to the scene.
brownbr
June 2023
It’s going to look great there.
JenS
June 2023
Thanks a lot, Emery and Bryan.
JenS
June 2023
Well guys,
Yesterday, I finally had the guts to glue/epoxied my structure down to the base. I wanted a concrete floor on the right side of the building, so I took a mixture of cement and plaster and spatuled that roomfloor before glueing.
After the epoxy set, I sprinkeled sifted dirt as the first base layer around the building, as advised in the instructions, wetted the dirt with alcohol/water, and sealed everything with a water/glue mix.
MuddyCreekRR
June 2023
Looking good…
Kevin L
June 2023
Job well done, looks great.
admin
June 2023
Fantastic! You took the leap and it worked out well.
Karl.A
June 2023
Always a time that gets the heart pumping, you did great and now we’re all looking forward.
Robert.G
June 2023
Looks nice !!!
JenS
June 2023
Thank you all for your encouraging words!
TomMich
June 2023
Turning out really great
JenS
June 2023
The water/glue mixture had time to dry now for the last night and today. Although I spotted some areas where I droped too much of the glue liquid and little craters arised, I am very pleased with the result. I sifted my dirt with a usual tea sieve and I am not sure if the dirt is too coarse?!
Here is a picture in the evening sun.
EmeryJ
June 2023
This is looking really good. Something to be proud of for sure.
Karl.A
June 2023
Walls and floor look really great JenS, nice colour and aging.
You can use some sandpaper on a finger to smooth out the pathways and work area a little to differentiate them, I do that sometimes. Texture is nice under the junk and natural areas though.
Joel
June 2023
Jens the build so far is great. I ;love the wood weathering and tones you’ve achieved. Now comes the most fun, placing all the details and making it come alive.
JenS
June 2023
Thank you Emery, Karl and Joel.
Karl, I will try to smooth the ground with the sandpaper. I am sure that will work cause this hint was yours…
Joel, you did a great reference work, so I really appreciate your comments.
Right now I glue down the furniture on the inside, and prepare the lamp shields with micro LEDs. For the lamp rods i used 0,9mm cannulas. The light bulbs are made of two or three drops of epoxy. I made several “bulbs” because I got them rarely in the same size
JenS
June 2023
The “bulbs” were glued onto the led and a thin coat of matte medium was applied to dull down the shiny epoxy.
admin
June 2023
Awesome! I especially love the fact that you’re not complaining about something! Well done!
Karl.A
June 2023
Looking great JenS, cant wait to see them in place and lit up.
Nice work.
brownbr
June 2023
Nice progress
JenS
June 2023
All furnishing is fixed now into the right side of the building. Maybe the floor around the bench needs some more dark chalk.
brownbr
June 2023
The metal color of the workbench is spot on.
admin
June 2023
Workbench looks fantastic! I would definitely add some random smudges around.
JenS
June 2023
Thanks Bryan and Brett.
I added some raw umber, dark gray and black chalk along the workbench and the corners.
Looks much better now.
Jim M
June 2023
Fantastic job.
Karl.A
June 2023 edited June 2023
Wonderful work JenS the details look fantastic and that workbench is a thing of beauty.
The adjustments to the floor are subtle, well thought out and enhance the scene.
Well done.
TomMich
June 2023
Great work! The added weathering brings it to life.
Robert.G
June 2023
Nice work Jens !!!
JenS
July 2023 edited July 2023
Thank you all for your kind comments.
I finally installed the first lamp in to the office room. The wiring is still sort of improvised, but here is a little teaser for Karl.
KKarns
July 2023 edited July 2023
Beautiful detail work Jens! Outstanding finish on that resin cabinet several posts back…that finish is something to aspire to!
JenS
July 2023
The workbench for the left garage room is now ready to get placed on the floor.
I think I am quite done with all the interior details of my Truck Repair, so I am really on the way to go outside and put up the barrels, drums, crates, buckets, axles, wheels, rims, sawhorses, chains, ladder, grids…
JenS
July 2023
Robert.G
July 2023
Very well done. I like the variation of colors.
MuddyCreekRR
July 2023
It looks realer than real…Nicely Done!
admin
July 2023
Outstanding job! Love the detailing on the long bench. So well done.
EmeryJ
July 2023
Oil drippings and all. Really good detail work on this. To be proud of for sure.
TomMich
July 2023
Bench turned out GREAT! Love the spilled paint on the left side.
CarlLaskey
July 2023
WELL THIS ONE TOPS THEM ALL. …
JenS
July 2023
Again I have to thank you all for your encouraging comments.
Emery, it took a while that the oil drippings stayed visible, but I guess the wood is soaked now
Tom, you have good eyes - the brushes are above that part of the bench.
Jim M
July 2023
Very nicely done Jens. Are those boards to cover a pit in the floor? Great job all around.
JenS
July 2023
Jim. Yes, there is (supposed to be) a pit underneath those boards. That makes it easier for the LP to work on the underside. Live is hard enough up there in the woods
Kevin L
July 2023
Very impressive, well done.
KKarns
July 2023
You’re killing it JenS! Those grease/oil stains are wonderfully done. Remember
Dr. Grunge goes immediately to the dirty floor! lol.
Karl.A
July 2023 edited July 2023
Amazing work JenS, the details, shelves finish are perfect and that flooring is superb.
Nice touch with the work pit, it’s subtle and doesn’t stand out, but, it’s there and obvious what it is.
Very well done.
Very cool pic of the wonderful bench on the SW sticker, great pic and nice touch, an advertising gem.
Jerry
July 2023
Very well done!
Jerry
JenS
July 2023 edited July 2023
Thank you all gentlemen!
With all those details and castings, I realized - maybe a bit late - that I don’t have any cars or trucks to repair or tow… But the order is placed and they are on their way now.
The LP’s got primed and their first layer of paint now.
I’m not sure if that choice of LP is the final one, but I see them as a start.
brownbr
July 2023
LP will bring your build to life
Joel
July 2023
Love the bench, the darkened surface showing years od spills and some old paint splotches too. Looks great.
JenS
July 2023
No MK35’s though Bryan, but Buffalo Landing had also some great people with a story.
Appreciate your comment Joel.
JenS
July 2023
No big progress to show right now. Trying to assemble my tow truck takes more time than I thought…
Meanwhile I made some sandwiches…
Robert.G
July 2023
Makes me hungry !! well done and so original !!
EmeryJ
July 2023
Now that is greatness right there!!
admin
July 2023
Love this! Pass the mayo.
ALCO
July 2023
C’mon man! Crazy! Pushing the envelop!
JenS
July 2023
Thank you all guys.
Sorry Alan, it just came over me…
Jim M
July 2023
Crazy cool. Great job.
Karl.A
July 2023
Fantastic work Jen, well done.
KKarns
July 2023
Its all in the details!
Kevin L
July 2023
Nice touch but what about some cake.
JenS
July 2023
Appreciate all your kind comments Jim, Karl, Ken!!
Kevin would you like?
Kevin L
July 2023
JenS, fruit cake would be good.
brownbr
July 2023
Cool detail
TomMich
July 2023
Nice little detail.
JenS
July 2023
Thanks Bryan and Tom. Here is another one.
Kevin I hope blueberry cake is ok for you…?
TomMich
July 2023
Yum! Lots of blueberries in that cake!
Kevin L
July 2023
JenS looks yum but never tried it, must see if I can find it here in Australia.
Joel
August 2023
Love the extra detail Jen.
kebmo
August 2023
that workbench looks great! i really love the oil can. nice job on it!
KKarns
August 2023
The pie isn’t grungy enough for my taste, so I’m all in with the grungy barrels and nice weathered board!
JenS
August 2023
Thanks a lot Joel and Kev. Sorry Dr.Grunge, but the smeary dripping pies were already sold out…
ALCO
August 2023
Pie 2.0: a slice removed from the cake and sitting on a plate with a fork!
KKarns
August 2023
Lol…that’s OK JenS…your barrels make up for it!
kebmo
August 2023
Kevin L said:
JenS, fruit cake would be good.
there’s a whole forum full of them here…
per the spouses.
Robert.G
August 2023
I do like the stack of drying boards behind the man..
JenS
August 2023
Robert, I found that stack at the mobexpo this year and I had to take it home …
Dave_S
October 2023
JenS,
As pointed out by Robert, the stack of “live edge” lumber drying is a unique element. I particularly like making furniture featuring live edge mesquite lumber.
Later, Dave S. Tucson, AZ
randyp
October 2023
If there are going to be calories for cake it has to be chocolate. Jen, great job on all the wood and detail parts. This was also my first SWSM kit. I do believe that you are doing a better job than I did. Keep it up. Randy
geoawelch
February 2025
JenS said:
I did not that much modeling this day, cause I followed the threads of Ken’s Shelby’s Marine Service and Eric’s Truck Repair - and I am a bit depressed now… Their kind of building the scenery is absolutely great. I will never achieve this level.
Reading through your thread a second time, I remember wanting to comment on your statement here the first time - you don’t know, at this point, what modeling skill you will ultimately achieve. Putting in the time and getting good instruction (which Brett provides with every kit) will determine that.
The fine modelers here, without exception, put in the time.
This type of comparison can also result in never being happy with your work. The whole point of this hobby is to learn, while having fun.
KKarns
February 2025
Well stated George. I have virtually zero natural skills when it comes to modeling. It’s all about working hard, making mistakes, and trying new things. The key to me in scenic work, and detail modeling as well, is the theory of layering. Nothing in nature is a single opaque layer of color. It’s all blending and layering of many different colors and textures.
Those barrels, wood plank and the crate the guy is sitting on are very well done. Might I point out what strikes me…the barrel tops have a slight yellow tinge with enough oily grunge to be effective but still have the color show through. The subtile oil accumulation around the opening on the one with the very subtile, yet effective, two tone color drum. Many drums colored like that are way too stark with too bold of color. Yours are excellent. The board has wonderful grain texture and with depth and subtile color variation. Subtile nail holes are also not overdone. The crate also has excellent highlights that show the detail of the junction of the board pieces to form the crate. The “dirt” shows the effective use of varied aggregate size which looks natural with some various color tones. Excellent work and if you take these small “mini scenes” and work them as you have here into the rest of the project…you’re golden! carry that same process to your scenic work and can’t wait to see how it looks! Now…about the cake, figure, and the shredded pieces of lumber…we need to talk!..lol.
JenS
February 2025
Hi George, You are right. At this point of the kit, I did not know how my skills will improve. But with Bretts instructions and a natural sense of colors and scenery one can achieve amazing results. I am really satisfied with how the kit turned out. I think what makes a difference is also the story you want to tell, so you also need some fantasy. Without that, a scenery seems or appears kinda flat. Thats also a kind of layering, like Ken mentioned. All those points may evolve during a built but as a beginner you only have the works of excellent modelers in your mind. And yeah, it takes time.
Ken, your encouraging words, besides Karl’s, Robert’s, Kevin’s, Brian’s, Alco’s, Brett’s, Randy’s …, did truly help a lot to become more confident to my skills. I really appreciate that!
JenS
March 2025
It has been quite a while, I was spending time with my Truck Repair, but I restarted modelling last weekend, I guess. This next part was a wee bit nerve-wracking for me, cause my double stick tape was to strong, the blade was blunt after the second cut, paint surface was too delicate and got small quirks, carrier sheet warped …nagging on a high level, but I am talking about:
The Main Roof
After cutting the corrugated piece to sizes I spraypainted the small panels,
baked and weathered them like the manual demands,
and I definitely must admit, I was really impressed how easy this weathering technique leads to convincing results.
Karl.A
March 2025
They look great Jens, great variety and not overly done.
geoawelch
March 2025
What a great result. Definitely safer than dipping in etchant.
JenS
March 2025
Definetly, George. It was just a little smell in the kitchen where the oven stands. I think scent was gone in about an hour. Just make sure your wife is not at home
As i said before, the painted surface on the corrugated was a bit sensitive and through handling, like glueing the roof sheet on the trusses e.g., the primer chipped or flaked off, so the aluminium showed through (just 1 or 2 mm little scratches). Maybe our primers in Germany have other ingrediences or i did not bake hot or long enough.? I think i will secure the surface with a clear coat when i finished the roof. What do you think?
I fixed the scratches with a coat of light grey with my airbrush and used the umbra wash to blend in the grey again. At the end all this gave more colour variation.
KKarns
March 2025
Really nice warm color tones. Nicely done!
TomMich
March 2025
Nicely done! Like the color and variations.
sdrees
March 2025
the color of the roof looks very well done.
JenS
March 2025
Thank you all, gentleman.
Kevin L
March 2025
Excellent build a joy to look at.
admin
March 2025
Love the weathering on the corrugated, very well done.
Joel
March 2025
Nice roof. Great colours.
Karl.A
March 2025
Excellent result, that roof looks great.
JenS
March 2025
Thanks Kevin, Brett, Joel and Karl. I am really pleased with how the roof turned out.
The last days I was working on the tarpaper roof of the extension. I installed a LED for the shed and placed some new detail parts. Pictures will follow soon.
JenS
March 2025
As promised, I share some first pictures as I am working around the truck repair. My technique here is to place the bigger details first, like the first row, and fill the gaps with the smaller parts that fit in there.
dick52
March 2025
Looks great, 2thumbs up
Karl.A
March 2025
Looks great. Layering is the key to realistic scenes, nicely done so far.
KKarns
March 2025
Beautifully done. Detail work and scene composition is terrific. That middle picture is the money shot, nicely done.
geoawelch
March 2025
Truly outstanding
TomMich
March 2025
Great work on the details. they really make the scene come to life.
Robert.G
March 2025
Nice work Jens !
JenS
March 2025
Thank you all guys.
Have a nice weekend. I will have to work the next days, so no modeling for me
admin
March 2025
Wonderful work, really enjoying seeing your Truck Repair come to life!
JenS
March 2025
Thank you very much, Brett.
JenS
March 2025
This weekend I came much further with placing details and painting my lp’s.
JenS
March 2025
I think I will have to dirty down some parts that look too clean or new like the rags or some of the crates.
KKarns
March 2025
Detail work looks wonderfully done. You have some nice color but nothing jumps out unnaturally. Some integration of details into the ground work might blend the clutter scenes even more than what you’ve already nicely done. Love what you’ve done here!
JenS
March 2025
Appreciated, Ken. I know what you mean. I hope the details will submerge into ground if I do the second dirt layer and the turf
ALCO
March 2025
The wall cabinet rust is just one of many subtle and well done details.
Karl.A
March 2025
Fantastic detail work Jen.
The wall cabinet is especially well done.
Great colours and subtlety all around.
geoawelch
March 2025
Such a breathtaking build, Jen
TomMich
March 2025
The detail work is very well done. One thing to me is the lack of foliage. In nature unless the ground is constantly disturbed by walking on there would be small bits of foliage nestled in among the detail items, especially if the items have been in place for a while. Even if it’s small bits of ground foam nestled in between the detail parts, like Woodland Scenics fine foam, not necessarily the clump foam.
Jim M
March 2025
You are doing a fantastic job with this kit. Congratulations.
KKarns
March 2025
Hey JenS…my bad my friend! Didn’t realize that was just the base layer!..good grief, sorry about that.
JenS
March 2025
Thanks for the kind words.
Alco and Karl, I think it’s the base colour of the cabinet, that makes it. There are some colours like yellow, red, white or a light blue where the rusty tones really pop out without doing a lot weathering. But I think you know that
Robert.G
March 2025
Wonderful work Jens. The rusty cabinet is great !!
Stevepass
March 2025
Looking fantastic! The weathering is superb. Those cabinets really caught my eye. There’s an art and finesse to the dark rust shade in them.
JenS
March 2025
Merci, Robert. Did you notice the LPs?
Thank you Steve. This cabinet weathering succeeded at first try and I did not even think a lot about it. A dark brown primer followed by a layer of chipping medium. After drying, I add the light blue, chipped with a toothpick here and there, and finished with a touch of siena natur chalk like # 234.5
JenS
March 2025 edited March 2025
Hey there. I have got a little question for you guys, and I’m sure you can help.
One of my last metal castings is this little thing here and I really don’t know what it is. I would think it’s an object to cut or bend metal bars with. Has anybody an idea?
hsilva
March 2025
Robert.G
March 2025
Well seen Sherlock !! 
JenS
March 2025
Yes, that’s the one. Thank you Hector.
admin
April 2025
Just intended as a piece of random clutter!
JenS
April 2025
Great idea, Brett. Gives more variation to every kit.
I would have been thrilled if I found a hole bolt cutter
sdrees
April 2025
Your weathering is right on. Very nice!
Joel
April 2025
Great detailing so far. Love the colouring.
JenS
September 2025
Finally I could make some pictures after installing the Truck Repair building into my layout. The gaps between the layout base and the kit base will be filled later on. There are just a few details parts like hammers, oil dripper and gears left in my stock, but they will find their place.
Kevin L
September 2025
Looks fantastic.
Jim M
September 2025
You really did a nice job. Love it.
CraigM
September 2025
Looks great in all aspects!
JenS
September 2025 edited September 2025
Thank You all, gentlemen.
This was an awesome kit to built and I really learned so much.
I already ordered my second SWSM kit and it will be the Lineside Storage Shed. I believe it will fit perfect into my shelf layout.
Robert.G
September 2025
Great work Jens, and indeed, it is a wonderful kit. As they all are !!
KKarns
September 2025
Most impressive! Excellent detail work and scene construction.
admin
September 2025
That is outstanding. Really love how you incorporated into the existing layout.
dick52
September 2025
Fantastic craftsmanship, looks great !
JenS
September 2025
Thanx Robert, Ken, Brett and Dick. I highly appreciate your expertised comments.
MuddyCreekRR
September 2025
Really great modeling…
TomMich
September 2025
Very nice work! Everything looks so natural and fits into the layout seamlessly!
sdrees
September 2025
The details, contruction and weathering are are fantastic, I like the story your figures tell, especially the guy repairing the roof. Very nice.