Cursing yourself for modeling HO and you drop a barrel on the carpet that disappears is part of the fun.
Tom, thank you. I’ve been trying to catch up on the builds on the forum, there is some really great work. Every time I try to spend 15 minutes to do that it turns into a couple of hours. I am going to continue to add photos of the build up to the point I originally posted (warts and all).
Travis, thank you. I chucked up the blades in a dremel tool, ran it at the lowest speed I could and just touched off on it with a small piece of steel wool. I’d love to hear a better idea because the paint did not remove evenly, and the circles were not concentric.
Ray
Curt, thank you. This is my first attempt at an O scale model, it’s really kind of a double edge sword, you can’t get away with as much. Travis, O scale parts are equally hard to find.
Thanks for the info. That seems to be the consensus on how to do it. I think Bill used chalk on his Twin Mills if memory serves so he was able to wipe off and adjust. I agree, it is probably something you’ll want to do more than once to get it just right but I think yours look very believable and the edge saw is just outstanding.
Actually using chalk with the blade on the arbor sounds like a really good idea, thanks.
Ray
This post will cover the pilings and floor joist. It will also touch on the Live Rolls Drive Shaft, Rail Risers for the carriage, Rope drum and Sheves, Carriage rail risers. Unfortunately I did not take many photos of this part of the build, so it will be a little light. A lot of this can be seen later in the assembly, I’ll try to point things out where appropriate.
The dowels for the pilings were textured using the bed of nails technique. I’ve seen this many times on the forum, the first was in Bill’s HO sawmill thread. This is brilliant, I’m not sure how you’d get texture in a hardwood dowel without it. I also spent a lot of time texturing the wood for the joist, it’s kind of heartbreaking to cover it up later in the build, but I know it was all done.
The live roll driveshaft was straight forward, I took Brett’s note on the lever for the live roll shaft shaft assembly to heart. He said that he had broken three during the build. What I did was tape a small piece of cardboard below it, rotate the lever down so it laid flat, then covered it with another piece of cardboard. I can see where (if it was standing upright) it could easily have been snapped off as the build progressed. I did not untape it and glue it into position until I got the floor to that point. So far so good.
The rope drum and sheaves were also straight forward. I probably did not get as many turns around the drum as I should have, for me, this was a challange.
The blower drive assembly and the Rail risers for the carriage were also really straight forward.
The documentation and templates are amazing. As things progressed everything fit and all of the components properly aligned. This is what I like the most about Bretts kits.
Sample of three out of the 100
Side note, I copied all of the templates at Fed Ex so I could cut them up into reasonably sizeable pieces.
The protected lever although not well focused
Sheave between the two rail risers. Bad thing about photos is you can see all of the fuzz left on the piece the bottom rail is on.
Pilings/joists in place to check leveling.
I apologize for the quality and lack of photos in this posting, I think it will be better going forward.
So the pilings are from wood dowels? If so the texture you made is outstanding.
Curt thanks, the technique was elaborated on the forum, not my idea, but a good one. I too like the way they look.
Ray
I here ya Ray, spending a great deal of time on details that won’t show seems counterproductive. However, you know it’s there and even if only a slight portion shows it will convey the detail overall. Nicely done!
Thank you Ken
Still catching up, I wish I had taken more photos. This post will cover the Rollway, initial scenary/planting the base, and the start of the flooring.
I was not paying attention when I built the rollway. I was a little confused and ended up not accomodating the left and right walkway. Had I turned the page and looked at the photograph it would have all been clear. I do however, have an idea to fit these in when I have time, not the end of the world, but a good reminder to pay attention.
On the other hand I think out of all of the components to this build I am most satisfied with this.
Rollway Skids
The Bents
the Steam cylinder and linkage to the logstop - I think this is my favorite photo.
Logstop
The first layer of scenery down, sawmill base and rollway planted, and the first section of floor is done. Brett has a very nice template for the flooring making it very easy to keep everything straight. This was very useful. The floor goes down in 12 sections (there is a lot of it) but in the end everything is where it should be. I love this kit.
Ray
The color of the wood is great and the metal looks real. Well done.
Fantastic weathering on the wood. You are moving quick Ray!
Thank you
Travis, thanks - Not moving quick. My original post is where I was at at the time I posted it.
Right now I’m just posting what I had previously done to get to that point. The original post represented about 5 1/2 months of work. I still have 3 or 4 post to catch up to where I am today. I have been going through the forum and catching up on being gone a couple of years. I’m looking forward to reading through your logging camp diorama thread, and will do so in the next few days.
Nice work on the roll way. The texture and color on the wood is well done. The machinery parts are also nicely weathered. Looking forward to seeing more.
thank you Tom
Thanks, Ray. Should have read your first post a little more carefully!
I have been slacking on my build– little enthusiasm rut in the middle a big build– but plan to get back into it soon. Don’t want to half-ass anything just for the sake of getting it done.
Time well spent here Ray that’s for sure as it shows in the results you are achieving. Great progress and nice work my friend!