This thread was started in January, 2022
KKarns
January 2022 edited January 2022 in HO Scale Builds
Introduction and Historical Account
In keeping with my decision to proceed with building each and every HO/HOn3 kit produced by SierraWest Scale Models in chronological order, beginning with Brett’s first kit release BlueSky Company (circa 1995), I now embark on the classic kit; Shelby’s Marine Service (herein referred to simply as “Shelby’s”). Shelby’s was released May 1, 1998 and was met with much anticipation and excitement within the modeling community. Brett posted an ad in the Nov/Dec 1997 issue of Narrow Gauge and Short Line Gazette featuring his original Shelby’s concept model giving his dedicated customers a sneak peak at what was in store (see figure 1. below).
(Figure 1. Ad listed in the Nov/Dec 1997 issue of the GAZETTE.)
Shelby’s represents SierraWest Scale Models first true waterfront kit including wharfs, docks, pilings, boats, and all that is marine. Valley Model Trains carried an ad in the January 1998 issue of Railroad Model Craftsman in which they depicted Shelby’s being available TBA (to be announced) with their stock number 103, which was also Brett’s kit number, along with a few other SWSM kits in their inventory (see figure 2. below)
(Figure 2. Shelby’s ad in Railroad Model Craftsman January 1998. Note the image is of Brett’s “concept” model. Poor resolution is due to the actual picture in the magazine being about 1.5 inches square!)
Shelby’s official release and availability was announced in two beautifully illustrated ads in both the Mar/Apr 1998 issue of the Gazette and the May 1998 issue of Railroad Model Craftsman (see figures 3 and 4 below).
(Figure 3. Mar/Apr 1998 issue of the Narrow Gauge and Short Line Gazette. First image of the final pilot model)
(Figure 4. May, 1998 issue of Railroad Model Craftsman. Just beautiful!)
Shelby’s was a Limited Run kit of which only 350 were produced and was kit #103. As with all of SWSM kits, it quickly sold out and has been a coveted piece of nostalgic modeling ever since. I was thrilled to find a specimen on the secondary market and paid…we’ll just say way more than sticker price to get my hands on it! Speaking of sticker price, Valley Model Trains ran a follow-up listing for the released kit at a 1998 list price of $230 and was on sale for $207. A bargain even at that time! (See figure 5 below).
(Figure 5. Ad in May, 1998 Railroad Model Craftsman for Shelby’s along with a few other featured SWSM kits)
I have discussed my upcoming Shelby’s project with Brett and he gave me some interesting perspectives on his concepts and development of this kit. I’m looking forward to the upcoming build, and have some interesting and exciting ideas in store for this great work that is Shelby’s Marine Service…Here we go!
Comments
MuddyCreekRR
January 2022
I’m rolling around the idea in my head of doing an O scale marine railway ramp for my waterfront area (long in the future) so I will be watching for ideas…
Pappy
January 2022 edited January 2022
Ken, thanks for sharing this info!
Would love to have this kit Shelby’s Marine.
KKarns
January 2022
You bet guys and thanks for the notes here.
ALCO
January 2022
(Rubbing hands together)
KKarns
January 2022 edited January 2022
This begins the actual build of Shelby’s Marine Service (herein referred to as simply “Shelby’s”).
As with all my SierraWest Scale Models builds, I begin by much contemplation, research, and general mental study of the proposed project. This consists of historical research as depicted above, discussions with Brett on his concepts and development, review of all available previous build documentation, and of course a thorough review of the Construction Manual.
As per the manual, I started with the main structure. In looking at how I was going to tackle the signature structure of this kit, I settled on a well worn and heavily peeled white paint finish. I completed the lower front wall as a “test wall” to see if my results I achieved were consistent with the goals of the build.
Modeling peeling/weathered paint can be accomplished through a number of techniques, and modelers have their “go to” methods. I decided for my build here I was going for a very heavily peeled and “checked” paint finish. Paint can fade, peel, and check. Check refers, by my definition, as paint that has a multitude of cracks forming irregular geometric patterns and then flakes off to varying degrees. I was also going to do what I refer to as a controlled paint “peel”. By this I mean, rather than paint peel each board separately and then construct the wall to get a random peel effect, I base stained all the boards, detailed the weathering of the wood and built the wall prior to the paint “peel”. This way I can control the amount of peel exactly where I want it. This would of course be exactly how paint would be applied and then weathered in real life. Wall built…then painted. I also plan to incorporate more than just one type of paint “peel” which also would be realistically encountered. Some of the paint would fade, some flake, some check (usually with heavy coats), etc..
The front lower wall was done first. This wall will have the second story overhang thus protecting the upper reaches of the wall so less paint peel towards the sheltered top few boards as seen in Figure 1. below. The checked paint can clearly be seen in the images and the extent of the paint that has been weathered. The second wall was then constructed and the paint peel was more uniform as this wall is fully exposed as seen in figure 2. below.
(Figure 1. Front lower level wall)
(Figure 2. Side wall lower level)
The big issue with getting an accurate checked paint peel is keeping the checked paint in scale. This was accomplished with crackle paint applied sparingly and any out of scale areas removed. I am covering the inside of all the lower level walls with old “tar paper” for interest and to hide light shining distractingly through cracks and separation in the siding when viewed from the outside (see figure 3. below).
(Figure 3. Interior walls of lower level covered with old tar paper)
The remaining walls will be constructed and detailed…more later…Ken
Pappy
January 2022 edited January 2022
Ken, can’t wait to see you progress on this build.
I sure it will be fantastic as usual.
bty, love the chipped wood planks 
randyp
January 2022
Looking forward to following your build. I don’t have a place for a water side scene on my layout. However I will look forward to reading about modeling techniques. Did you use the mineral spirits and tape on the lower front wall? Thanks
KKarns
January 2022
Thanks Chris.
Randy, the paint peel was entirely done with crackle paint, no mineral sprits or tape.
brownbr
January 2022
Nice effect with the crackle paint. Checked mine recently and it has dried out. Guess that’s an opportunity to go shopping.
Pappy
January 2022
Ken, will check out the crackle paint effect for sure. Any specific brand for this?
SonofVietnamSeabee
January 2022
I own one of those 350 kits as well. Paid a small fortune to acquire it! Sitting safe and sound in my house.
I am waiting to build mine until I have plenty more time and skills (I need both!!)
So I will enjoy watching this build thread from one of the greats.
KKarns
January 2022
So far so good Bryan.
I am using Ranger Pappy but sure other brands would work as well.
Thanks much Brian and you get what you pay for with SierraWest that’s for sure!
geoawelch
January 2022
Love watching you model age and grunge, Ken. Looks to be a fun and challenging build for you.
I remember when it came out in the Gazette way back when.
Best of luck as you move forward on the project and educate us along the way.
George
admin
January 2022 edited January 2022
What a fantastic intro, trip down memory lane for sure. Cannot wait to see where you take Shelby’s. Your added extras and fantastic modeling will certainly make for one awesome build and finished diorama. Thank you for taking the time to bring us along and post this on the forum!
admin
January 2022
As much as I love the exterior of the walls so far, I gotta say the inside is just unreal. The texture of the paper as well as the exterior board reveal is wonderful. Give us the skinny on how you achieved the board reveal/texture! What material is the “tarpaper”?
KKarns
January 2022
Glad to hear you’ll be following along George.
This has been a much anticipated build for me Brett, as Shelby’s combines everything a fine scale modeler could ask for. I appreciate all your input and encouragement and will give this project the attention it deserves.
Oh and nobody called me out yet…the blurred sign was on purpose and will have to wait quite a few kits down the road in my quest to build all of them to find out what it actually says!
vietnamseabee
January 2022
I’ll maybe give the crackle finish another test…a year or so ago I gave it a try and the results were good but the “crackle “ pattern seemed too large for HO…at the time it seemed probably okay for O scale. The product I used was from Lowes and intended for furniture refinishing to get Ann old antique effect
Terry
KKarns
January 2022
I’d look for it more on the artist supply line. Something from Michaels or Hobby Lobby. Your exactly right Terry, the checked paint has to be in scale to work particularly in 1:87. I had to experiment around to get the amount of paint that would produce the right scale and if you work it too much it doesn’t check properly. Here is a close up and you can see that the effect is well in scale particularly with standard viewing with out the close up…
KKarns
January 2022
Really close…
TomMich
January 2022
Outstanding as usual! The paint effect really turned out GREAT! Looking forward to what you do with this kit.
KKarns
January 2022
Appreciate that Tom.
brownbr
January 2022
When I did crackle paint experiments some time ago I found that the Ranger gave the smallest cracks. Unfortunately this product was discontinued when I last checked which on my ONeills build. I went with Deco art brand and got good results. The product was stark whit out of the container so I found I needed to weather it to get a dirty color. Make sure it is plenty dry and don’t use alcohol. 1 pass is all you will get with water. Enamels worked best but once again, 1 or 2 passes before you start Messi g up the crackles.
Pappy
January 2022
My question is how do you get the peeling effect with this stuff if you don’t use tape to peel. Sorry, not understanding how this crackle stuff works and how to apply and see both crackle and peeling at the same time.
Thanks for any info.
KKarns
January 2022
The “peel” is created by scrapping away the paint with a #11 blade. I like it as it is completely controllable. Leave it where you want it, scrape it away where you don’t.
Jim M
January 2022
Ken, that peeling paint looks great. Looking forward to seeing what you create with this kit.
PaulS
January 2022
Ken, just a beautiful aged paint effect achieved, extremely realistic. AND in HO less …
Looking forward to following along with your next masterpiece and learning along the way.
Thanks,
–Paul
geoawelch
January 2022
That closeup is remarkable and being HO makes it even more so.
I forgot to mention in the previous post that I enjoy the background you give on the kits.
George
Joel
January 2022
Ken, been looking forward to this one for a long while. One of my all time favourite kits and you are off to a fantastic start. Love the crackle paint effect. I guess it works in the hands of a master.
Jerry
January 2022
Ken looking forward to this build. Looking wonderful as usual!
I like the history of the kit in the beginning, I bet Brett didn’t even know those facts!!
Jerry
admin
January 2022
The crackle paint effect is superb and totally to scale. Love it!
SteveCuster
January 2022
Great start so far Ken! The paint looks excellent!
KKarns
January 2022
Thanks much JimM. Should prove interesting to see where it goes.
Hi Paul, appreciate that and nice hearing from you.
Thanks George and I really enjoy the back story on Brett’s kits, particularly the older releases such as Shelby’s.
Nice hearing from you Joel. Great to hear that Shelby’s is one of your all time favorite SWSM kit. I’m really looking forward to this build as it has all the elements a modeler could ask for. Appreciate the support on the paint. This finish gives a nice variation and I plan to incorporate some other “peel” effects in addition to this one.
Hi Jerry, and thanks. I’m happy with the positive responses to the historical account for the kit. I really got into this aspect with Eureka Springs, but have always researched, to some extent, the history of all the SWSM kits I have completed (this is number eleven I believe).
Thanks so much Brett. As I mentioned to Joel, I plan to level a couple of paint application effects here, so will see how that goes! Almost have the lower level walls done!..
Hi Steve, great hearing from you. Hope all is well. Thanks much for taking the time to “check in” and hopefully we can hook up again at a show down the road again.
MuddyCreekRR
January 2022
Did you use a product to cause the crackle? I thought that’s what I read…
KKarns
January 2022
Correct. Its a special paint that produces the cracks or checking when it dries.
Robert.G
January 2022
Great introduction and history. The first walls look very nice. Perfect crackle.. Perhaps you could post a link where to get that paint. ( if that,s ok with the SW management… ) Another fine build to follow. To bad there is no O scale version of it.. Like so many SW HO scale kits…
Karl.A
January 2022 edited January 2022
Robert.G said:
… Too bad there is no O scale version of it.. …
It’s quite big when done in O scale Robert… 
But with Brett’s structure design, it looks so good…
KKarns
January 2022 edited January 2022
Hey Thanks much Robert and nice hearing from you. I’m pleased with the response to the history and back story of the kits I have been posting of late. As I mentioned, I enjoy the research on the kits and lets me go into the build with a good sense of how it was originally conceived and the “flavor” of the project.
The crackle paint took a bit of messing around with to get right and just adds another peel effect to the other excellent methods out there. I believe I mentioned I use the Ranger product but it is now difficult to find. I imagine other artists brands would work just as well.
Thanks again for your thoughts here.
kebmo
January 2022
i just ordered some ranger crackle paint on amazon.
KKarns
January 2022 edited January 2022
Make sure it’s white as there is a bunch of the “clear rock candy” which you don’t want. Haven’t tried coloring the clear but doubt it would work as well.
kebmo
January 2022
crap. i ordered the ‘clear rock candy’.
kebmo
January 2022
kebmo said:
crap. i ordered the ‘clear rock candy’.
i just canceled the order.
KKarns
January 2022
Oops , glad I mentioned that. The white crackle from Ranger is discontinued in its original label but I think any crackle paint from an artists supply would work just as well. Haven’t looked as I have a couple jars of the original I purchased a few years ago.
kebmo
January 2022
i’m glad you did too, or i would’ve had a $9 jar of useless crap…
Pappy
January 2022
Just thought I would help out here.
I found on Amazon Ranger Texture Paste Opaque Crackle.
It does not indicate Clear rock Candy.
Not sure is this is the correct stuff.
3.9oz bottle for $10 bucks.
KKarns
January 2022
Worth a try…I saw that stuff and was curious if it would give the same results. You’re up Pappy…give it a go!
Pappy
January 2022 edited January 2022
Going to purchase and see what happens…thanks Ken
KKarns
January 2022
You bet Pappy, let us know how it goes…
KKarns
January 2022
The crackle is the product.
Steps:
- Detail the wood as desired.
- Stain/Color your base wood. This will be the color of the wood once the crackle paint is removed.
- Apply the white crackle paint and let completely dry.
- Scrape off crackle paint as desired.
Hope that helps.
brownbr
January 2022
I might add that I tried chalk as the base color but the crackle takes most of the color off. Had to use different method to color wood.
Pappy
January 2022 edited January 2022
Ken, can’t wait to see your progress on this project.
KKarns
January 2022
Pappy, don’t add paint and then the crackle. The crackle is the paint. You’ll end up with two layers of paint. When I said stain/color your wood I meant the base color of the raw wood. Should have just said stain I guess.
Pappy
January 2022 edited January 2022
So the crackle can be colored with paint. I understand now..thanks Ken
I feel brain dead at times..lol
KKarns
January 2022
No…the crackle paint you need to get is WHITE. There is crackle clear but that’s not what you want. I have not tried coloring the clear but suspect it will change the properties of the crackle paint and won’t give the desired effect. Would be interesting to experiment with that though.
kebmo
January 2022
i bought a crackle product years ago, folk art crackle medium. the instructions say to paint it on the wood, and when dry paint the top coat. it’s supposed to crackle the top coat. it doesn’t work for n scale, but i’ve not tried it yet in o scale.
KKarns
January 2022
Pappy, never have been an O scale modeler so not sure where that came from? I have posted 11 builds here and all are HO/HOn3.
Pappy
January 2022 edited January 2022
Sorry Ken, I may have mixed up other folks builds.
Your builds are fantastic and can’t wait to see more on this Sheleb’s build
KKarns
January 2022
No worries just wanted to make sure I wasn’t giving anyone the idea I was modeling in that scale (moving to the dark side! lol)
kebmo
January 2022
when i modeled in n scale h.o. stood for horribly oversized.
of course n was normal.
KKarns
January 2022 edited January 2022
Finished the walls for the bottom section of Shelby’s main structure. Despite just 4 half walls here,
a lot of work went into them thus far. The interiors will be more detailed once the upper half walls are done and attached. The bottom half is stud framing (obviously), while the upper half will be over templates. The interior of the upper half will be mostly hidden.
Lower level walls. Bare wood areas are covered by both the tool shop framing and the rear shed. The “people door” on the long wall with the large bare wood area is the access from the interior of the tool shed to the main facility.
Lower level interior walls. I have covered the interior of a few walls in my previous builds but decided to cover all the interior with tar paper on this build. I do this for a couple reasons; firstly, it gives the walls a more finished appearance and at the same time a dirty, grungy look. Secondly, the spaces between boards, when viewed from the outside when lit on the interior, gives distracting light seep. The tar paper covers much of this. And finally, the Interior details along the walls really show up and are highlighted well against the solid tar paper.
More later…
randyp
January 2022
Ken, it looks great both inside an d out.
Robert.G
January 2022
Not even finished and already worn and grungy… 
Nice work Ken !!
KKarns
January 2022
Thanks Randy.
Appreciate that Robert.
admin
January 2022
Wonderful update. I keep going back to how realistic the tarpaper looks inside the walls. Agree with your reasoning as well for utilizing the tp.
KKarns
January 2022
Thanks so much Admin. Since the first time I started covering my interior walls back with BlueSky, I have really liked the effect and plan to use it on future builds. I plan to “light” Shelby’s and that will highlight the interior walls nicely. Love your design here Brett, gives me great opportunity to work with the wood that I enjoy so much. On to the upper level!
TomMich
January 2022
Fantastic peeling paint effect on exterior wood. The interior walls are great also!
KKarns
January 2022
Hey Tom, appreciate that my friend!..coming along.
Pappy
January 2022
Ken, your work is way above fantastic!
KKarns
January 2022
Thanks much Pappy…lots of siding work on this project, slow and steady as she goes!
KKarns
January 2022
Thanks Pappy, slow is my middle name! But all that does is extend the enjoyment of working with SWSM kits, which is always a good thing. I mentioned to Brett that we should probably start an additional thread under techniques once a subject begins to take on a more detailed conversation to keep build threads a bit cleaner and easier to follow…and of course that was on me, and I should have started one for the crackle paint conversation so sorry about that. Maybe when you get your results you can start one under that heading and I’ll jump in and give my 2 cents worth! lol…
geoawelch
January 2022
When I see your modeling, Ken, it amazes me the layers of believable detail you apply.
George
KKarns
January 2022
Hey George, appreciate that and you hit the nail on the head my friend…layering is all so important. Thanks again.
Joel
January 2022
Just a fantastic start Ken. The amount of detail and time you put into every wall it really shows. Fantastic effect.
KKarns
January 2022
Appreciate that Joel, and of course always enjoy hearing from you! Working on the upper sections now and will have those ready by this weekend I hope.
Jerry
January 2022
Ken looks great! Like the TP effect inside. What did you use for the TP and did you fit that in between the fire stops or before??
Jerry
KKarns
January 2022
Thanks much Jerry. I constructed the wall framing and finished the exterior wall before beginning the interior. I cut tissue paper to fit the spaces between the studs and fire stops after the wall was done. These strips were then glued in place and weathered with pigments/chalk.
Jerry
January 2022
Thanks Ken. That would work on most models that don’t have battens to keep the cold out!
Jerry
KKarns
January 2022 edited January 2022
Update on my Shelby’s project:
Have been working on the walls for the main structure. Absolutely love the amount of “wall work” that is entailed in the main building. Such a nice design. The bottom wall sections are all built over strip wood framing, which I illustrated earlier. The second floor walls are strip wood siding over cardboard templates. The upper and lower walls are built separately and then glued together, save for the front which the upper level is beautifully cantilevered over the lower wall section. To top it off, when the main building walls are put together, there is a Tool Shop addition, rear shed, stairway, and roof yet to be added! Modelers dream.
As you know, I am doing the “paint peel” with crackle paint. I have done this method, to a limited extent, in a few of my other builds but nothing of this magnitude. I was a bit apprehensive based on the shear amount of wall “square footage”! I decided the way to do it was to remove a good bit of the paint, as experimental pieces with a large amount of the paint left on did not look good at all! (illustrated in the following pics…Lol) This of course fit well with my style of Grunge and afforded lots of detailing opportunities.
Below is a picture of the upper wall sections with the coat of crackle paint applied
Upper walls with the crackle paint applied…YUCK! Easy to imagine the look with only a small amount of paint removed.
Below are the walls with the upper and lower sections glued together and the paint removed to my taste.
If I were to do it again, I would detail the walls without applying the paint until the upper and lower walls were married together, then apply the paint. I’m not totally happy with the transition of the upper and lower walls. The most obvious is the right side of the top picture which is the left wall. Fortunately this area will not show as the stairway construction will hide that seam. This would have been a “no issue” had I painted them as one unit. Not a big deal once things are done and detailed…just a good “note to self” for the future. Note: Purists may notice some subtile changes in the walls above…more on that later.
I’m now working on the wonderful windows included in the kit. Despite this kit being almost 25 years old, the window design is still just beautiful. The filigree of the framing and in particular the mullions is wonderful.
KKarns
January 2022
Front upper wall with a couple of windows staged to show the wonderful detail of these laser cut pieces. Inner sash is separate and can be positioned as desired. I’m not done with these windows yet…experimenting with getting better long length wood grain. More on that later.
admin
January 2022
Amazing the transformation that occurs once you strip the unwanted paint away. The walls are perfect and really capture that waterfront feeling.
KKarns
January 2022
Lots of scraping paint, but it’s a blast and actually a lot of fun to do. Thanks Brett, look forward to putting the walls together and getting at that Tool Shop addition!
KKarns
January 2022 edited January 2022
I experimented with imparting a wood grain into the laser cut window frames. The material has a grain that goes perpendicular to the long measure of the frame. I went over the frame with my #11 blade to give it some long grain and dry brushed with white. It actually gave a slight crackle appearance as the long grain worked well with the short grain to give the desired effect.
Original window…note the short width grain.
Same window after detailing with some long width grain and dry brushing after. Perfect example of how versatile and detail ready these windows are!
Reminder of the size of these guys in 1:87…least we forget! Lol.
ALCO
January 2022
Breaking new ground here and doing a great job! Question: If you take off too many “crackles”, can you put some back? LOL
Jerry
January 2022
Kind of like the cereal snap,crackle & pop!! Once there gone there gone!!
Just had to say that!!
Jerry
Jerry
January 2022
Ken the window looks great as usual a beautiful job.
Jerry
KKarns
January 2022
Thanks AL, I didn’t try that! I did try adding some paint with a brush to see how that would look as if it were re-painted…didn’t look very good.
Yup, can’t easily go back! Thanks Jerry.
TomMich
January 2022
Adding the grain really enhances the detail of the windows. Nice work! I’ve tried something like that on such windows but mine didn’t turn out as nice.
KKarns
January 2022
Thanks Tom, it does take some close quarters work!
brownbr
January 2022
Excellent.
EmeryJ
January 2022
Great detail on such small items.
KKarns
January 2022
Will hardly be seen…
MuddyCreekRR
January 2022
Your work always amazes me…then I remember that you model in HO and my mind gets blown…I keep trying to get into the shop but I get distracted or busy or the PTS gets to me and nothing gets done…tonight I am making myself get down there to get re-organized so I can get back to work…the O Foundry is just sitting there waiting…
KKarns
January 2022
Thanks much Bryan!
Appreciate that Art and nice hearing from you. Carving out some bench time can be a juggling act that’s for sure. I think your idea of re-organizing works as a good motivator. A clean bench invites progress!
admin
January 2022
Love the added depth and detail on that window.
KKarns
January 2022
Thanks much Brett. These windows, as in every SierraWest kit I have built up, are so enjoyable to work with. I reiterate here the importance of windows being in scale and nothing matches these laser cut wood windows for accuracy, look, scale and versatility.
KKarns
February 2022 edited February 2022
Further work on the windows for the main structure of Shelby’s. This is the right wall lower level. There are only two windows on the lower level, and this one faces the overhead crane work area. Thusly, I decided to add protective bars to the lower half to add some interest and variety to the many wonderfully designed windows in this kit. A few signs on the inside round out the details.
KKarns
February 2022 edited February 2022
The close up test…
Mountaingoat
February 2022
Perfecto!..Rick
brownbr
February 2022
Must be on the wrong side of the tracks if they need bars on the windows.
KKarns
February 2022
Lol…right you are Bryan…bars wouldn’t do much good with regards to theft as the large opening on that side of the building is completely open! Maybe to protect the window from damage..I don’t know…just like the look I guess.
KKarns
February 2022
Hey thanks Rick!
Jerry
February 2022 edited February 2022
Great work on the siding.
Jerry
KKarns
February 2022
Appreciate that Jerry…still working on siding and have the tool shop to complete.
TomMich
February 2022
Ken, your creativity when it comes to adding interesting details to the already wonderful kits is remarkable. I can’t wait to see what you are up to next. That close up really shows the great detail of the paint chipping on the walls. Like the addition of the signs to the windows.
KKarns
February 2022
Hey Thanks so much Tom! Easy to get carried away as these kits afford so many nice detailing opportunities. Working on the second story gib crane and details…all day project! Lol.
KKarns
February 2022
Took a break from working on the tool shop siding. Opted to build the front upper level hoist boom. I wanted it to look as if the main beam traveled inside the structure for solid support. I cut a opening in the siding a bit larger than the dimension of the beam and glued the beam in place. Then fashioned styrene strips for the angles supports and a card stock piece for the bolted on support plate. Small detail that took most of the morning and a few cups of coffee to complete…of course that’s at my speed. When the wall is glued in its final resting spot, I’ll attach the hoist and pulley arrangement that I came up with. More later and back to the siding…
vietnamseabee
February 2022
Always an interesting twist to your builds, Ken….you come up with so many small ideas that add to the whole!!
Terry
Jim M
February 2022
Fantastic. I can’t even imagine modeling in HO scale and then I see this. Very impressive.
KKarns
February 2022
Thanks so much Terry. Brett had designed an impressive resin hoist casting for this location. I had an idea for the actual rope hoist mechanism that I think looks very nautical that required a slightly different arrangement to the hoist support so I ended up making this one.
Hey Jim, appreciate that and nice hearing from you.
kebmo
February 2022
it aced the close up test.
KKarns
February 2022
Thanks Kev, nice compliment as that’s often hard to do in 1:87! Lol.
brownbr
February 2022
The wall is fantastic and the hoist gives that extra little bit.
KKarns
February 2022
Thanks Bryan, the hoist pulley system turned out really well…can’t wait to get it hung up there!
KKarns
February 2022
Quick update on Shelby’s…I have completed all the walls, including doors and windows, of the main structure. I will now turn my attention to the interior wall detailing that I want to get done while I’m able to lie them flat and before glueing them together.
Here’s a fun picture of the pile of unassembled walls…
EmeryJ
February 2022
Those are some nice looking walls sir.
KKarns
February 2022 edited February 2022
Thanks much Emery. Can’t wait to get things together to where I’m detailing and arranging all those 3D parts I have planned for this diorama. Your efforts are so much appreciated my friend! So far I think the large scale crackle paint peel is working out. I’ll have a better feel for it once the building is all together. I really like how controllable the peel is as illustrated by the large open front lower wall at the middle bottom of the picture. More peel lower down and less where the upper level overhangs this wall seen above it. The skinny two walls with the pointed angles…the one on the left is under the porch/stairs, thus less peel versus the one on the right that is exposed to the weather at the rear of the structure.
brownbr
February 2022
I think the paint worked also. The only time it will ever look out of scale is in a close up.
KKarns
February 2022
I’m very pleased with the scale as that was a big concern going into it.
sdrees
February 2022
the sea air has done its number on the walls Ken.
Jim M
February 2022
That’s a lot of beautiful work. You really get a feel of what it will look like when finished with all the walls together like that. Very nice.
KKarns
February 2022
For sure Stephen, grungy is as grungy does…
Hey Thanks Jim. Right, I though the picture of the walls all thrown together did give a glimpse of how it will look. Have a good bit yet to do prior to putting them all together.
KKarns
February 2022
Added the bars to the only other lower level window on the main structure. Love these windows of Bretts…can’t stop fooling around with them. Decided to add interior screen for protection…mainly just to add visual interest…lots to see for just basic double hung windows!
I am now getting set-up to detail the walls for the Bait & Tackle Shop…more later.
Side wall of the Tool Shop as seen from the rear of Shelby’s
Updated the right side window with the interior screen to match the other lower level window.
TomMich
February 2022
Walls turned out very nice!
admin
February 2022
All the extra detail and depth added to the wall with the paint/weathering and the window bars/screen are working so well together. I am impressed with how small you got the individual and distinct crackle “pieces”. Not overdone, just right and completely to scale.
KKarns
February 2022
Hey Thanks much Tom…so far so good.
Appreciate that Brett. Those windows are just timeless!..for a kit almost 25 years old the windows are still the best prototypical and detailable (made up a new word just for these windows!) windows out there.
Great that you mentioned about the crackle paint “pieces”, that’s the bottle of wax when it comes for making this method work in 1:87 scale. If I wasn’t able to get the “pieces” to where they are, I wasn’t going to do it at all. There were a few areas that the size of the pieces were too big but I just scraped them off.
KKarns
February 2022
I am moving on to the Bait & Tackle Shop. The walls are scribed siding and will be finished in a weathered red color with white trim. It becomes worth repeating the importance of preparing the walls for the desired effect well before applying the final color. Here I will outline how I go about detailing scribed siding:
First I study the manual and templates and come up with an overall plan for the structure. I map the areas I want to show any significant weathering in the form of missing/rotted siding.
I then grain the siding with my wire brush. This is followed by an application of nail holes at the stud framing that would be present. I always lay in the nail holes before staining the base wood and color cots. This allows the nail holes to pop and then get toned down with the paint and fill in many of the nail holes as it naturally would. This results in a vague visual indication of the nail holes.
Next step is to impart all the joints where two boards meet, missing pieces of siding, heavily weathered areas, etc…Once this is done I give the wall a coat of base stain. This is what will show through the weathered, chipped, and faded paint. Further applications of pigments completes the post color detailing to come later.
Once satisfied with the base wood staining and weathering its on to the color coat…
Wall section with basic pre-stain detailing as described above.
Wall section following base stain application. More walls to go.
KKarns
February 2022
Here a bit more advanced weathering technique that I like to use as it gives a great level of visual interest. It also serves to heighten the amount of deterioration and give the impression of depth to the wall. This is not for the fait of heart as you have to destroy part of your wall you just worked so hard to detail!
Wall section with missing siding revealing the stud framing, that’s really not there and the interior siding that’s also…not there, creating great depth and visual interest. In order for this to look right and to scale, it’s not as easy as just cutting a chunk out and framing it in. The edges of the exposed siding would be way too thick to look right. Therefore, the siding must be thinned down to the scale thickness of the actual siding and not the pice of scribed siding you started with.
Here I have removed enough wood down to the scale thickness of the siding. You can actually see the ghosting of the nail holes showing through.
Mountaingoat
February 2022
Great tutorial!..Rick
KKarns
February 2022
Thanks Rick.
brownbr
February 2022
Love that detail. It’s become your signature.
Did you consider adding actual clapboards to the scribed siding like Brett’s more recent kits call for.
KKarns
February 2022
Thanks buddy, I think if I had to do an unweathered structure without screwed up siding I’d have a panic attack!
That is a great technique for a very unique look. I have only done it on one build and that was O’Neills. Didn’t really think about it for this build…should have.
Joel
February 2022
Just catching up Ken. What a fantastic build. The walls are just fantastic. The detailed windows ditto. Just a marvel.
KKarns
February 2022
Great hearing from you Joel. Hope all is well up north. Thanks so much for the note and support.
sdrees
February 2022
nice little detail
Jerry
February 2022
Wonderful detailing! What else can one say!!
Jerry
KKarns
February 2022 edited February 2022
Appreciate that Steve. I love reviewing your build of Shelby’s, great inspiration and motivation…so well done. If anyone hasn’t seen Stephen’s Shelby’s diorama, you need to! Go to the Gallery on this site.
Thanks Jerry. I end up making a lot of work for myself! lol.
KKarns
February 2022
I happened on an improved method of weathering the scribed siding. Where the siding meets edges such as window frames, doorways, and the wall sides, the siding often splits and cracks. This is accentuated by the nail holes along the board ends. Previously I would use my #11 blade to split and wether the ends. I didn’t care for the result as the blade was so sharp the cracks didn’t show up and if I tilted the blade it cut the wood too much. Today I tried my pointed awl to scribe the cracks and it worked great.
Result of the pointed awl used to scribe cracks in the board edges.
Close up of same. Remember, each board in HO is 1/16 of an inch wide!
The pointed awl I use.
ALCO
February 2022
There are so many new tips and techniques just on this current page, it’s ridiculous!! You da man! Thanks for your many contributions!
KKarns
February 2022
You bet Al! Thanks for the support buddy. Sometimes I get rolling on a build and only give updates after I’m done working on a section. Thought I’d try and get some updates as I go along with some areas.
KKarns
February 2022
Here is the above illustrated wall with the base stain added:
Base detailing done on all the walls with a couple more added areas of damage/rot. probably more than would be typically seen but adds a good bit of interest. Remember, these areas can be toned down with exterior details and scenic work hiding them with small areas peeking through.
TomMich
February 2022
Ken, that is some fine detailing on the walls! The patience it must take to thin out the walls without cutting through them is phenomenal. The resulting exposed results is GREAT! I’ve tried putting exposed studs on a deteriorating scribed wall and the thickness of the scribed wood does make it difficult to do. Your method may be tedious but it really turned out very nice!
KKarns
February 2022
Thanks so much Tom. You’re correct, the key to having this method look right is the thinning of the scribed siding down to scale thickness of the actual siding boards. Tedious for sure!
kebmo
February 2022 edited February 2022
those walls look excellent. they remind me of a 100+ year old hotel on the lakes around here where al capone and his cohorts would hang out to keep their heads down for a while.
the mineola hotel on fox lake illinois. it has fallen on hard times. the bar downstairs has been the only portion of the building open to the public for decades. last time i had a beer there, the paint peel was over 100% of the building.
some raccoon-caused damage up near the eaves or on the roof would look really cool.
ho scale raccoons are readily available too, so you could work some of your magic on it.
KKarns
February 2022
Thanks Kevin, appreciate the link and I’ll check it out. The peel on the main structure I did is significant. Was a bit concerned on how it would look. Will get a better idea once the building is together. Of all the dioramas I’ve built, I’ve only had one animal and that was a cat! Lol.
KKarns
February 2022
All the walls for the Bait & Tackle Shop have been detailed, stained, and braced. Through some trial applications on some test pieces of scribed siding, I landed on a shade of red that I liked for the structure. The paint will be far less weathered than that of the main structure. This will add a nice splash of contrasting color to the main Shelby’s building. I put the final color on a trial piece of the actual wall in spot that would not show just to make on last run before committing!
KKarns
February 2022 edited February 2022
The more I look at this the more I think it’s too red. I’m going to look at a bit more on the darker maroonish side…hmmm
brownbr
February 2022
You tell him Kevin. We want to see a raccoon.
KKarns
February 2022
Hey I have enough trouble just putting one LP in my dioramas let alone start messin with wildlife! Lol…
KKarns
February 2022
The maroon paint didn’t look quite right either. I added an additional coat of AI over the color and got the less red look I wanted. All the walls are now colored and initial weathering…couple examples follow:
brownbr
February 2022
I think it works. If it’s still bugging you I might suggest a very thin brown filter/wash of acrylics/ink/enamel doesn’t matter. The brown will filter the red but be in the same tone.
MuddyCreekRR
February 2022
I really like the color…
sdrees
February 2022
That looks like grunge to me Ken. The color is good.
SteveCuster
February 2022
Those walls look great Ken.
ALCO
February 2022
No matter what color you use. Just end up at “grunge”! Looks great!
KKarns
February 2022
Appreciate the feed-back Art…always nice to pol the gang!
Affirmative on the “grunge” Stephen and your thoughts here, thanks. Have reviewed your Shelby’s build numerous times and a great source of inspiration.
Thanks much Steve.
I think it’s a character flaw Al! lol…appreciate the support.
Jerry
February 2022
I like the color to!!
Jerry
KKarns
February 2022
Thanks for your input Jerry, appreciate it.
kebmo
February 2022
i think the red looks really nice.
KKarns
February 2022
Hey thanks Kevin, makes me feel better that there is some general consensus that the color is in the ball park.
EmeryJ
February 2022
I too like the red. Not too bright, just right 
KKarns
February 2022
Glad to hear and appreciate the feed-back.
KKarns
February 2022 edited February 2022
To see how things were going, I completed one wall of the Bait & Tackle Shop. Hung a couple of metal/porcelain signs. Have a potential issue with 25 year old transfer lettering that I’m working out. Will report back on that once I do some experimenting.
sdrees
February 2022
That looks great Ken. I did not have a problem with the dry transfers.
MuddyCreekRR
February 2022
Like the way it just blends together…
kebmo
February 2022
love that wall!
brownbr
February 2022
Turned out nice
KKarns
February 2022
Thanks Stephen. Didn’t think you had any issues as your transfer signage on your build are perfectly done.
Good to hear Art, that’s the goal right down to picking out the right colors of signage.
Hey Kevin, thanks buddy!..
I have adopted this specific method with my modeling. Take the walls of the Bait & Tackle Shop for example. Rather than perform the same step in the process with every wall, I completed this wall from start to finish and made any adjustments as I went. So now I know what works, what doesn’t, and establishes the framework and methodology for all the remaining walls.
Thanks much Bryan.
ALCO
February 2022
I’m jealous of how straightly your signs are cut. The wall is very nicely done.
KKarns
February 2022
Thanks so much Al. Right you are…to make the simulated metal/ceramic signs look legit, they have to be perfectly straight and square. Not an easy task when cutting out from a sheet when they are only a centimeter or less on a side!
Jerry
February 2022
Great wall and the signs perfect!!
Jerry
KKarns
February 2022
Really appreciate that Jerry.
admin
February 2022 edited February 2022
Love the wall, 100% Dr. Grunge. Hard to remember that was a milled clapboard wall. The weathering and “exposed” corner really are wonderful.
KKarns
February 2022
Thanks Brett…it really does give the otherwise flat wall some appearance of depth and individually boarded siding…takes some time but worth the effort… if that kind of “grunge” is to your liking! Lol.
Karl.A
February 2022
Beautiful work as always.
KKarns
February 2022
Hey thanks much Karl, appreciate that!
randyp
February 2022
Ken I had gotten behind. i just got caught up on your build. I really like the red color on the last wall is spot on. Love it, Randy
KKarns
February 2022
Thanks Randy, the color seemed to work out once weathered and the other details added.
KKarns
February 2022
Continuing with my sorting out of the dry transfers that are almost 25 years old. Had some limited success with the black lettering seen here, but still struggling with the white letters. The lettering is not releasing properly due to their age. I am scratch building all the doors and built a screen door for this door but decided to have it propped open so as not to hide the door details seen here.
admin
February 2022
That looks great! Interesting that the white is more problematic. Appreciate you discussing this!
sdrees
February 2022
This looks great Ken. I don’t remember having a problem with the large white lettering but a few of the small letters were a problem.
brownbr
February 2022
Eye catching sign
TomMich
February 2022
Ken, your sign turned our GREAT! The walls are also very nice. I also had trouble with the lettering on the build I did a while back. I had so much trouble with the white I couldn’t use them. I have had problems with using older dry transfers. They must have an expiration date.
MuddyCreekRR
February 2022
I am always amazed with the work you do in HO scale…
KKarns
February 2022
Thanks Brett. As we discussed I’m experimenting with different methods in an attempt to improve the release of the old dry transfers. Thus far the black appears to release much more readily and with predictability which is the key! The white is just stubborn and does not want to cooperate. Will keep at it and appreciate your thoughts.
Hey Stephen, thanks and see my response to Brett.
Thanks Bryan, the Bait & Tackle shop was originally designed with ample signage and proved part of its allure and popularity. I’m likely going to have to improvise on some of it due to the aged dry transfers which is to be expected on a kit almost 25 years old!
Thanks much Tom, we’ll see how the rest of the signage goes. Interesting as Brett mentioned, how the black seems to hold up better than the white lettering.
Appreciate that Art. I actually have a screen door to install on front of the wood door in the last picture. Was going to have it closed but it covered up that nice looking wood door so I’m going to have it propped open.
sdrees
February 2022
that wasn’t the case for me
MuddyCreekRR
February 2022
a few scale holes in the screen would look kool…and I am sure you have the talent and capabilities to make up scale green flies…
kebmo
February 2022
beautiful work on that wall…
KKarns
February 2022
I think there are many factors that go into the sustainability of the dry transfers.
Right Art…lol, I have a few little details to add to the screen door. Should have that and more signage done this weekend…
Hey Kevin, appreciate that.
Jerry
February 2022
Transfer look’s great! To bad about the white hope you can get it worked out. If anyone can I’m sure it will be you!
I love the way you scratch built the door in HO no less.
Amazing work.
Jerry
KKarns
February 2022
Hey Jerry, I appreciate the support and thanks so much. Nifty that you noticed the scratch built door. In fact, all the doors on this build are/will be scratch built. Just finished the screen door and will post some updates soon.
Jerry
February 2022
Screen door! I suppose to keep the flies out!!
Jerry
KKarns
February 2022
Hey its a Bait shop so lots of smelly stuff in there! Actually the screen door is to add visual interest and to try out some new techniques…like making the long spring that many old screen doors had. Got that worked out and the door is hung. Almost done with all the walls for the Bait Shop. Posting soon.
KKarns
February 2022 edited February 2022
As mentioned above, the walls are essentially done for the Bait & Tackle Shop. Final details will occur once the structure is put together and planted on the diorama. Also as mentioned, the dry transfers for much of the signage did not allow for consistent application during the trials on scrap siding. This renders them unusable for this project in total. I was able to coax a few to transfer adequately and will point those out as I post the walls.
Disclaimer: If you’re not into suffering through a detailed review of multiple walls that appear somewhat similar, and don’t relish my opinions and modeling philosophy then fast forward as this segment will be a bit adnauseam for you!
I thought it appropriate to take pause on this project to give some brief thoughts of mine as I navigate this build. I approach every SWSM build with a similar goals and expectations, and that is to challenge myself, and to be a student of the project. I set out to always try new techniques and explore the boundaries and modeling opportunities the kit provides. Once experience is gained, the modeler has a definite feel for how the project will evolve and utilizing their own modeling style, the project begins to take shape.
Shelby’s first took shape conceptually through a myriad of sources including the kit contents, prior builds that were studied, discussions with fellow modelers, pictures, web searches, publications, and of course the comprehensive manual included with every SWSM kit. I was, and continue to be, so excited to be working on this project. So many new techniques and modeling opportunities, not the least of which is this, my first waterfront diorama! My main concern was to think outside the box and to be cognizant of the goal to impart a maritime “feel” to the final result…that, I’m still striving for!
What follows is an in depth look at the construction and initial detailing of Shelby’s Bait & Tackle Shop.
KKarns
February 2022 edited February 2022
The Bait & Tackle Shop, although a small structure compared to the main Shelby’s Marine Service building, makes up for in charm and unique detailing opportunities. The inability to utilize many of the dry transfer decals was a disappointment…but also an opportunity. I detailed each wall from start to finish, in succession, with thoughts of how each wall would interact with the next and so on. Lets face it, walls are much easier to work on and detail flat on the bench and manipulated by hand. I decided to detail the walls as much as possible prior to assembling the structure. One draw back, if one fails to plan ahead, is that the flow from one wall to the next will not be consistent and smooth. In addition, thoughts concerning details placed around and next to the structure can have a significant impact on the wall detail plan. This concept will be illustrated on the first wall shown here:
We’ll call this the two story front wall. The door exits onto a porch and stairs later on in the build. All the doors were scratch built despite nicely detailed resin castings included in the kit. Two styles of lamp mounting were utilized on the Bait Shop; metal bracket style as shown here and the traditional “goose neck”. Why? to add variety, visual interest, and to show some planning which separates the two general types of doors. There are two people access doors and two garage/freight style doors. I put the goose necks above the garage style doors and the bracket style at the two people access doors as shown here. In addition, a porcelain/metal sign was added and the position was not a haphazard application. As seen in the next photo, I positioned the sign in such a way as to be visible below the future stairway and just above and to the left of the future soda pop cooler casting that would be placed along the wall. An example of forward planning.
Note: The soda pop cooler is one of Brett’s wonderfully detailed 3D printed detail parts.
I spoke of lateral planning from one wall to another to keep the flow and consistency. Note the rot/damage to the lower right of the wall (shown below). This damage is carried over to the adjacent wall side trim as illustrated. These walls were detailed separately and have not been joined as yet. More walls to come…
KKarns
February 2022
Karl.A
February 2022
I’ll dig out my Shelby’s kit and find the transfer sheet, if it’s still in the box. I’ll do a test on one of the insignificant parts of the sheet, I remember they were OK last time I used one and I never had any problems with the transfer, I think it was a coke transfer.
I can mail you the sheet if you want it.
KKarns
February 2022
I know…Stephen says he didn’t have any real issues either…I think it is a real hit or miss kind of thing. I appreciate the thought but I finished all the walls with what I could get to work and filled in with other signage. My walls on the main structure are too rough for anything to stick there! Lol
Karl.A
February 2022
You’re welcome.
brownbr
March 2022
The planning is sure paying off.
The thumb looks out of scale though.
KKarns
March 2022
Thanks Bryan…ha! Got to keep you O Scalers aware of how small this HO stuff is.
admin
March 2022
Outstanding work on the milled clapboard walls. So much detail and life. Love the light next to the door. Such a common detail that is rarely modeled.
KKarns said:
Thanks Bryan…ha! Got to keep you O Scalers aware of how small this HO stuff is.
Good point!
SteveCuster
March 2022
Excellent work Ken! The colors and textures on everything really look amazing! I recently pulled out the Foss Landing dry transfers for the coke machine and I got one of the transfers to work well but the other one came apart. I think the trick is to burnish it like crazy. The one that worked out I rubbed for a lot longer than I thought I needed to.
kebmo
March 2022 edited March 2022
KKarns said:
Thanks Bryan…ha! Got to keep you O Scalers aware of how small this HO stuff is.
why do suppose we’re modeling in o scale??
Jerry
March 2022
Ken that is some of the best coloring and weathering I’ve seen!
Jerry
TomMich
March 2022
Very nice work on the walls! Colors, textures, and details are excellent! And I appreciate your adnauseam explanation. I hopefully can learn something from it.
KKarns
March 2022
Thanks Brett. I love working with clapboard as a nice change of pace to the board-on-board of Shelby’s main structure…they compliment each other by design!
Appreciate that Steve. Your assessment of the dry transfers is spot on to what I’m finding. The key in my mind is the reliability of the old transfers, which is just not there. You have to be able to count on the success when placing the transfer onto a finished wall that you just spent hours working on!
Certainly is an issue as we get older Kevin!
Well that’s an awfully nice thing to say Jerry, appreciate that.
Hey Tom, nice to know I didn’t offend at least one of the gang! Thanks so much for your comments.
KKarns
March 2022 edited March 2022
The next wall is the lower level front wall that butts up to the wall previously illustrated. Here I feature one of my limited successful sessions of working with the dry transfers. As mentioned, the black lettering seemed to release better than the white. However, even the black was not reliable on the scribed siding. I tried the black lettering on a piece of smooth wood and it did OK but still some small pieces here and there, despite burnishing, did not want to release. So, I experimented with painting the smooth wood white and when the paint was dry to the touch I firmly burnished the black lettering and it stuck really well. Problem is, my walls are not freshly painted and certainly not going to re-do them. So, I decided to make a sign base out of the smooth wood and paint it white and the results worked quite well.
I also wanted to model a screen door to add visual interest and try out a couple of small details. I was going to have the screen door closed with the solid door showing through the closed screen door. This didn’t float my boat when I staged it so I decided to have it propped open with a couple of crates (placed later), this allows both doors to be seen and adds again, visual interest. I fashioned a spring, which is often seen as a closure mechanism for old screen doors…before the piston thingy, out of thin black wire. It’s a tad out of scale but looks fine without magnification. A lamp with the iron bracket rounded out the additional details (see below).
Basically finished first floor front wall. I plan to have some things hanging from hooks along this wall that have a maritime flare, ands still working that out.
Moving onto the first floor end wall. This wall faces the water and large portion of the dock of the Bait & Tackle Shop. I plan to have this end open with a garage style roll-up door and the interior detailed and lit. Call out here to Brett for turning us all on to this beautiful style of door with the Pattern Shop of The Foundry Kit. Don’t know what I’m referring to?..get The Foundry Kit! lol. Since building that kit, and that door, I fell in love with the look and have modeled a similar door a couple of times since. Such a cool detail. A goose neck lamp rounds out the details for this wall.
Jim M
March 2022
These are all really beautiful. You do great work, I’m impressed.
kebmo
March 2022
Jim M said:
These are all really beautiful. You do great work, I’m impressed.
thats an understatement. this is museum worthy. deserves to be on display for all to marvel at.
admin
March 2022
That screen door…
Jim M
March 2022
admin said:
That screen door…
You can almost hear it slam shut.
brownbr
March 2022
Screen door and roll up door are fantastic
KKarns
March 2022
Hi Jim, thanks so much for the note here.
Ahh…don’t know about that Kev, maybe if someone comes up with an SierraWest Scale Model Museum I’ll fill out an application for a donation!
Lol…it does look like that spring has some tension going on…I think it will look cool with a couple of SWSM 3D printed crates propping it open!
KKarns
March 2022
Hey thanks Bryan. I’ve had a blast detailing the windows and doors on this structure…I have some interesting and fun ideas for the open garage door interior details…more later on that…potentially a good spot to “hide” my one LP.
kebmo
March 2022
i wonder how many of our dads hand built a screen door out of 2x2s and 1x2s, some window screen material, two hinges, two handles and spring. every garage had a side door that needed a screen door, and everyone of my friend’s dads (and mine) built one and hung it.
ken’s reminds me of them.
MuddyCreekRR
March 2022
Nicely done…
KKarns
March 2022
Thanks Art.
KKarns
March 2022 edited March 2022
Moving onto the next wall. The first wall featured here is the one that gave me the most trouble with respect to the dry transfer issue. This wall called for a large “Bill-of-Goods” sign with multiple descriptives including the SHELBY’S name. Any problems encountered here would be a glaring issue and simply not worth the risk due to the unreliable white letter transfers that are almost 25 years old. As a result, I made a sign to take it’s place and included a light bar for added interest and an attempt to continue to feature this wall sign as the signature sign for the structure.
For those not totally familiar with Shelby’s, this photo taken from the Shelby’s manual and depicting the wall with the large single transfer decal.
Here is what I came up with as an alternative. Simple and to the point. I tried to reproduce a sign similar to the transfer one that had the listings on the sides and it just didn’t look good. Note the scribed peak is where the roof of the lower level will be. The odd red colors were experiments early on knowing it would not show! I’m not done with detailing the actual sign yet. May add some mounting bolt heads and some additional streaking/weathering.
Detailed shot of the light fixture I made complete with wiring.
KKarns
March 2022 edited March 2022
Here are the walls on the backside of Shelby’s.
And to wrap things up with the final wall. I wanted to experiment with a different type of sign here. The long vertical bare siding to the right of the second story window was a perfect spot for…whatever you call this type of sign. Hinges on the doors are a little too bold, however, looks OK without magnification.
As I was messing around with the screen door, I decided to try modeling a screen for a window. Really liked the look and wish I hadn’t already done all the other windows as I would have done up more like this.
brownbr
March 2022
You definitely came up with a suitable and interesting substitute for the dry transfers.
Are the wires for show or will the lights work?
Jerry
March 2022
Wow! Your detailing has gone crazy a spring for the door what a great detail!
The sign a perfect fit for the building. I guess the original blew off and you had to make a new one for the business incredible work.
Jerry
ALCO
March 2022 edited March 2022
Necessity is the mother of invention. Wonderful idea! And your use of screens is eye-catching.
TomMich
March 2022
Those are some mighty fine walls! The added details really set them apart and make this a truly custom build. Your creativity is admirable.
randyp
March 2022
Beautiful work Ken. The color, weathering, and details are fantastic. I to would like to know if the lights are going to work. By the way, what did you use for the screen material?
sdrees
March 2022
The walls look good Ken like your artistic grunge. Sorry that the dry transfer didn’t work out for you.
KKarns
March 2022
I think it’ll work to a fashion Bryan.No, all exterior lights are just for effect.
Hey Thanks Jerry. I’d been thinking about the spring closure on the screen door way back when I built BlueSky. I did a screen door there as well. The screen was out of scale on that door, so that I have improved on.
Thanks Al, I really like the look on the window.
Appreciate that Tom, got forced in that direction with the transfer issue.Lol.
Thanks Randy. The lights on the exterior are just for effect. I’ll have the main Shelby’s structure and this Bait and Tackle shop lit on the first floor interiors. The screen came from a company that is now out of business. If you like I can PM you the name if interested.
Well Stephen I thank you for that and the transfer issue was disappointing.
KKarns
March 2022
Now that the Bait and Tackle Shop walls are done, I went back and scrutinized the main Shelby’s structure once more before moving on to the next step in the project. As a result, I decided to add a bit of nautical feel to the upper story front wall with a round gable peak (ship portal style) window. Updates from here on out are going to be spotty so trying to trickle these updates out a bit!
Joel
March 2022
Just amazing work. As always. So much to learn from, so much to drool over. I think I’m getting dehydrated.
KKarns
March 2022
Ha…Lol..too kind buddy! Nice hearing from you, trust all is well. Look forward to when we can get together again.
KKarns
March 2022
TomMich
March 2022
Great addition!
KKarns
March 2022
Thanks Tom, I think it works for the nautical flare. Just wanted a close up to highlight the crackle paint.
brownbr
March 2022
It adds a lot of interest
KKarns
March 2022
Mission accomplished then! Thanks Bryan…
KKarns
March 2022 edited March 2022
Shown below is the front wall of the Tool Shop addition of the main Shelby’s structure. I scratch built the single access door and the double freight doors.
Will be adding some simulated hinge pins to all the doors and dull down the metal kick plate mounting screw holes a bit (only obvious in the picture). A variety of door design is an enjoyable modeling project and adds interest to the overall structure.
The back wall of the Tool Shop addition is not visible once the Tool Shop is attached. There is however, an access door from the Tool Shop to the main Shelby’s service area. I decided to build a door with both sides detailed despite only one side being visible in the end.
This door and interior wall will be barely, if at all, visible.
The same door with access into the main Shelby’s service area. There will be a platform with stairs to this door. Note the posts spaced along the walls. These are actually the bracing for the walls. I detailed them to appear as support posts for the second story floor. The part of the wall that’s black will not show as the second story floor will cover this.
The next project in line are the Wharfs for both structures…more later…Ken
TomMich
March 2022
Your doors are really exceptional! I especially like the door stop lever on the double freight door. It’s something that is rarely seen but adds so much to the doors.
KKarns
March 2022
Love it that you noticed that Tom! Made my day…
kebmo
March 2022 edited March 2022
holy crap
kebmo
March 2022
brett, can you possibly 3d print the cargo doors with the door stop? that looks really excellent but its way over my paygrade to make one.
Jerry
March 2022
Beautiful!!
Jerry
KKarns
March 2022
Hey appreciate that Kevin.
Thanks so much Jerry. A little visual interest…
ALCO
March 2022
Door stops, screen doors, exposed framing, crackle paint,…I could go on. It just never stops with you, does it? LOL!!! Your posts of your work-in-progress are very appreciated!
randyp
March 2022
Ken your door with the lovers is top notch especially in HO. Great work.
KKarns
March 2022
Thanks Al. The reason for so many pictures of individual walls…its going to be awhile before these walls are together and seen again.
Appreciate that Randy.
ALCO
March 2022
The more pix, the merrier! So much to see and learn from.
KKarns
March 2022
Glad to hear there is some support out there for the many pictures I have been posting of just walls! Appreciate that.
Joel
March 2022
I agree. I learn so much from poring over each picture. Keep em coming!
kebmo
March 2022
i second or third what everyone says, please keep the pics coming. it’s kinda like a master class, only cheaper.
admin
March 2022
Can’t post too many pics of your work!
Jerry
March 2022
admin said:
Can’t post too many pics of your work!
That says it all!!
Jerry
KKarns
March 2022
Thanks for the feed-back Joel.
Appreciate that Kevin, I hate the thought of the response being "here we go again, more pictures of those damn walls!"lol.
Thanks Brett…you’ve made it so easy to do, don’t want to abuse the privilege!
Thanks much Jerry.
ALCO
March 2022
It’s not just the pix. You’ve always got something to say that I want to hear!
KKarns
March 2022
That’s great Al…I appreciate that..nice to know its not all dribble!lol.
Keep it Rusty
March 2022
Been a hot minute since I’ve checked in around these parts… and boy did I miss some updates! Excellent work, Ken. Very inspiring!
**
KKarns**
March 2022
Thanks much Rusty! Nice hearing from you.
KKarns
April 2022 edited April 2022
Despite the outward appearance of scarcely any activity on Shelby’s, I have been getting some work done on the project.
Three sides of the structure are attached directly to the sill framing. Then the floor decking was added and the wharf decking.
View from the front…
Ample room to "get in there” for detail work. The final wall will be installed just prior to the final detailing.
Another look to illustrate the rounded board edges.
Note the board detailing an the effect of having the different deck board widths.
More later…
randyp
April 2022
Ken I really like the work that you do on the wood. I especially like the detail where the building floor and the deck boards come together at the door. Randy
admin
April 2022
W O W !
Great stuff Ken, love this stage, seeing all that hard work on the walls, windows, and doors suddenly take life.
Flooring looks so good, you can hear the creaks and squeaks!
Joel
April 2022
Love the worn wooden decking. Great stuff as always.
EmeryJ
April 2022
Stellar work as always sir. I particularly like the floor transition.
kebmo
April 2022
it really looks excellent. i can remember the store front/turned library in the little town i grew up in and the floor looked exactly like that. creaked like hell too. i used to ride my bike the 4 mile round trip to return a hardy boys book and get another one to take home. good times, good times…heheheheh.
KKarns
April 2022
Thanks Randy and keep in mind this is just the preliminary weathering and detail work on the floor and decking. Much more to come.
Appreciate that Brett and had a blast detailing the walls but glad to be putting things together finally!
Thanks Emery!..planning where all those stellar 3D parts are going to go…much fun with that.
Hey Kev thanks much. Right…back then we had to make our own fun and adventures now they come on a keyboard and screen!
KKarns
April 2022
Thanks Joel, nice hearing from you.
Jerry
April 2022
Great job on the flooring. I also like the way the building and deck floors meet!
Jerry
KKarns
April 2022
Thanks Jerry.
Jerry
April 2022
I meant to tell you I can use that on the build I’m doing now. How make the floor blend to the dock the Ken Karns way!!
Jerry
KKarns
April 2022
Lol…that and a quarter will get you a cup of coffee…or not!
Once the rest of the floor is down and the final “grunge” gets applied it will blend much better. Looks a bit stark in contrast right now. Thanks for a good lift me up this evening, appreciate the note!
KKarns
May 2022
Quick update on Shelby’s. Have glued the four walls of the second story section of the Bait & Tackle Shop together as shown. I decided to replace the two piece resin roof castings with rafters as I plan to add some roof details that require the sheeting to show under the shake shingles. Working on the interior of the lower level and that of the main structure. Steady as she goes…
Jim M
May 2022
Fantastic.I don’t know how you do it. Crazy good.
KKarns
May 2022
Hey thanks Jim! Small update but needed to blow the dust off my thread here…
Jerry
May 2022
As fine as it gets!! Beautiful coloring and weathering!
Jerry
KKarns
May 2022
Thanks much Jerry. The red tone turned out ok in the end I think. Red seems to grunge up nicely!
Keep it Rusty
May 2022
Wonderful modeling as always, Ken.
KKarns
May 2022
Appreciate that Rusty.
MitchN
May 2022
I would have liked to see what you would do with the original resin roof for the building. I understand you have your own interpretation to follow through on.
KKarns
May 2022
I get that for sure Mitch. I don’t like to change around anything on SierraWest kit just for the sake of making a change as the kit design and materials are superb. I do change things now and again to fit my vision of the project and to allow for certain details that I wish to convey. The roof here is a good example. I want to show a well worn roof with the sub-roof and framing visible here and there, and a resin roof casting would not allow for this, despite the casting being of excellent quality. I’m also not sure it will be a shake roof at this point but leaning in that direction. Also, I wanted the look of classic rafter tails to be visible for added interest and detailing. Thanks for your thoughts here and for making a very good point.
ALCO
May 2022
Taking it to the next level, dude.
TomMich
May 2022
Outstanding! Love the “Boat Repair” sign.
MuddyCreekRR
May 2022
Impressive work as always…love the color…
admin
May 2022
Absolutely fantastic! Love where this little structure is going!
KKarns
May 2022
Well thanks much Al and nice hearing from you.
Hey Tom, always a good day when I hear from you! Thanks so much and really enjoyed you mentioning the sign. First go at a sign mounted this way. I also installed a light bar above the sign that would illuminate both sides (non-functioning). Not easy to discern in the picture, but I will get more detailed shots of it once the structure is done. Inspiration came from a light fixture that Chuck Doan modeled.
Thanks Art, getting the color right as I envisioned was a big concern going into it. Too red and it looks cartoonish, not enough red and it looks washed out and gets lost in the diorama.
Damn man!..Only you could come up with a small structure like this that has so much character and detailed modeling opportunities…can’t stop messin around with it, and that’s just the two story section. Thanks for your input and guidance as always.
SteveCuster
May 2022
Excellent work as always Ken!
KKarns
May 2022
Hi Steve. Not much of an update but the thread has been collecting dust so needed to stir things up a bit, both me and the thread! Thanks much for your thoughts and always nice talking with you. Look forward to an update on your current project.
Joel
May 2022
Weatherbeaten. Can’t think of a nicer compliment.
KKarns
May 2022
I agree Joel! Thanks much my friend and trust all is well up north. Brett’s development of the 3D detail parts has propelled the work on these beautiful kits to a new level. So exciting to build these classic kits with the ability to introduce the new 3D details. Keep in touch.
**
brownbr**
May 2022
Up to your usual standards.
I think the area with the rotted away boards would be a good spot for a rat’s nest.
randyp
May 2022
Ken, I agree with all the other comments about the weathered color. And those rafters are going to look great sticking out from under what ever kin of roofing material you decide to use. I really like the sign with the double lights. It is a shame that you are not going to power them. That would look so cool. Randy
KKarns
May 2022
Thanks Bryan…maybe some debris in the space would look interesting…rats nest?..ehew!..hehe.
Thanks so much Randy. The detailing of the roof is going to be enjoyable and nothing like exposed rafter tails to add interest. Actual working lights there would look nifty for sure. I plan to light the addition on the Bait & Tackle Shop and the first floor of the main structure, so I’m getting more into the lighting. Although, not my strong suit that’s for sure.
KKarns
June 2022
Quick update on Shelby’s. I attached the Bait & Tackle Shop to the wharf joists before applying the deck boards. As I mentioned previous, I wanted the appearance of the deck boards butting up to the structure rather than running underneath. This also allows the sill under the structure and the base framing to join without the decking in between.
Note how the structure sits firmly on the dock framing and the deck boards are butting up to the structure.
The lower level addition on the Bait & Tackle Shop will be lit. I have detailed the interior a bit to add some visual interest.
I have completed the initial weathering on the interior and floor of the main structure. Now all that remains is to detail the interior!
The following images show a before and after of the board end detailing and weathering at the front entrance:
Unweathered board detailing. Note the spliced in repair pieces.
Rails added and weathering completed.
More later…Ken
PaulS
June 2022
Just fantastic Ken !!
I do like the Bait Shop sitting on the dock framing and the deck boards running up to the shop. A really nice adjustment and a testament not only to your eye and modeling but the planning you put into your builds.
Excellent as always and looking forward to your continued progress.
–Paul
**
kebmo**
June 2022
the whole thing looks great, but i especially like the detailed interior. very well done, but that’s just what we expect from mr. karnes.
KKarns
June 2022
Thanks much Paul. Nice to hear you appreciate the “little things” that when combined, make a big difference in the end result. Not sure anyone has built the main structure and attached it to the wharf missing one whole wall before!
Nice hearing from you Kevin and appreciate your kind words. Sorry the interior shot is not very well done but the depth of field was tough to get. Once the interior is lit I should be able to improve the photo.
Jerry
June 2022
Hey Ken beautiful work. Really liked the idea of the Shop sitting down and decking running up to it.
Jerry
KKarns
June 2022 edited June 2022
Hey thanks a lot Jerry, appreciate it.
MuddyCreekRR
June 2022
As always…looks realer than real…
KKarns
June 2022
Thanks “Muddy”
I took a couple pictures outside as I wanted to make a point regarding the color tone separation of the decking. In a situation like the main structure, where the floor and deck boards are all on the same plane, a different weathering and color tone is important to separate the two visually and add interest as well as provide a more prototypical appearance. The outside decking would be subject to more weather related weathering and the interior would weather more related to shop activities and general dirt and grime. It would be unrealistic to have the strip wood in both areas stained/colored with the same tone.
Note the subtile difference in color tones and weathering between the interior and exterior portions of the decking.
Additional image that illustrates the color tone and weathering. Note the more gray and bleached out color of the exterior decking compared to the dirty, grungy, interior.
SteveCuster
June 2022
Looks great Ken! Starting to really come together now.
vietnamseabee
June 2022
Ken….kudos to you for always thinking beyond the obvious…..if I were to Google “ thinking outside the box” I bet a picture of the Ken-meister sitting at a modeling bench would show up!!! Well done Ken
Terry
KKarns
June 2022
Hey Steve, nice hearing from you and appreciate ya!
Very nice compliment Terry, thanks much. But really…I model so slow that I have to make a big deal about little things to keep the thread above water! Ha.
admin
June 2022
Love the color difference between the interior and exterior. Such a small detail that is cumulative and creates a more realistic model in the end!
KKarns
June 2022
What Brett said!..Thanks for your input my good man.
ALCO
June 2022
Perfect examples of how your extensive pre-planning pays off!
KKarns
June 2022
Thanks so much Al, I do a lot of that, probably too much. Less fiddling around and more building…nah, the planning is a big part of the fun.
TomMich
June 2022
Great work as always Ken! Really like how you add the little extra details like the repairs to the floor, and the damage to the boards between the rails. Lots of inspiration here!
KKarns
June 2022
Thanks Tom, made my day that you noticed and appreciate those subtile details.
ALCO
June 2022
“Measure twice, cut once.” Best to think it out before hand. Good advice, Ken.
KKarns
June 2022
True that!
brownbr
June 2022
Looks really good.
KKarns
June 2022
Thanks Bryan.
Joel
June 2022
Just fantastic work as always. Love the detailed interior.
KKarns
June 2022
Hey Joel, Nice hearing from you as always, and appreciate your thoughts. Trust all is well up north of the border!
Jeroen
June 2022
Just became a member Ken, so I’m finally able to tell you how much I enjoy your projects and it’s great to see this come together. I really love what you’re doing to this wonderful kit!
KKarns
June 2022
Hey Jeroen, So nice to see you here now! Enjoyed our conversations off forum but this is the place to be…well done! Thanks so much for your camaraderie and support. Look forward to your posts here and any future builds you have lined up.
KKarns
June 2022 edited June 2022
Took a short break from my other project (SWSM) and got a bit done on Shelby’s Bait and Tackle Shop.
As I mentioned previously, I decided to attach the structure to the wharf framing first, then lay in the deck boards. I did this so it didn’t appear the structure was sitting on the deck boards but rather the deck boards were laid up to the structure…if that makes any sense! I have really enjoyed working on and detailing the structure with it mounted to the wharf rather than attach the wharf to the diorama base then later placing the structure on top. This allows manipulation of the entire scene, kind of handy.
I finished the deck boards and extended the deck on the back side of the shop to allow foot traffic down the back side. I finished up the rafters on the sub roof (see images below) and will be installing perpendicular purlins prior to the shake shingle roof…one shingle at a time!
Not a great image but the issue here is the detailed interior. I did a form of “forced perspective”. The front counter was scratch built and placed as you see it just inside the roll up door. A SierraWest shelf casting, that was by scale slightly smaller then the front counter, was detailed and glued in place behind the front counter. Finally, I printed some store shelf pictures from and old dry good store and sized them even smaller on my desktop and glued them to the back and side walls. This gives the impression of the tackle shop having depth and filled with product…
More later, Ken
ALCO
June 2022
You are certainly taking things to a new (higher) level with the small touches you’re adding. You are squeezing so much artistry and craftsmanship value out of a box of strip wood. I am but a humble journeyman assembler in your presence. (Yes, I am a fanboy LOL). Always grateful for your posts.
TomMich
June 2022
Looking GREAT Ken! The interior visible really adds interest to the build.
vietnamseabee
June 2022
Looking great Ken…..so many of the little things you do make a big impact on the total model. So many times I look at your posting and slap my forehead thinking “ why didn’t I think of that”
Terry
KKarns
June 2022
Really appreciate your thoughts here Al. Next post will show my go at a scratch built shake shingle roof…
Thanks Tom, there is an LED light in there I installed before framing the roof, it should show the interior to good effect when things are all buttoned up.
Thanks much Terry. Not a big update but some work done none the less!
Joel
June 2022
Just fantastic Ken. Love the interior.
Jerry
June 2022
Now that is an impressive structure!!
Jerry
randyp
June 2022
Ken as usual a great build. Looking forward to seeing you do the shake shingles. What are you going to use for the shakes? I was in Florida two weeks ago. I went to a cigar store with my brother in law. I got a good supply of the thin cider used in cigar boxes. I think I may try that when I get to the shake shingles on my rigging shed. My only concern is the color. Changing the redish cider color to the weathered gray of an old roof. Always good to see one of your builds. Randy
Jeroen
June 2022
Superb work. Pictures taken in daylight show really well how realistic this is. Love the colors and weathering. That floor is magnificent and those signs… eyecandy all over Ken!
KKarns
July 2022
Hey thanks Joel! There are a couple of SWSM 3D detail parts in there…
Appreciate that Jerry. I really love all three structures that make up Shelby’s…so much character, looking forward to filling up the main building with 3 D details!
Thanks Randy! I think I’m going to try making my shingles from 1x8 stripwood for the exact reasons you mention…I can get after the wood with the wire brush and detail blade and get them as weathered as I want. I can then get the exact color I want by “staining” the raw stripwood. Sanding one end of the shingle really thin may be taking things too far but may try that as well.
Nice hearing from you as always Jeroen and thanks for your thoughts and your support on the signage. I had to come up with alternatives as the old dry transfers just weren’t getting it! Lol. Think it worked out in the end but not sure CocaCola would approve of a B&W sign…Ha.
MuddyCreekRR
July 2022
Always amazed at what you do in HO…looking forward to seeing the shingles…
KKarns
July 2022
Appreciate that Art. Will keep you posted…
admin
July 2022
Now that’s a thing of beauty, so much detail to see here in such a small structure.
MuddyCreekRR
July 2022
I was playing around with wood veneer strips…available at most hardware big box stores…easily cut down with a Slicer or Chopper…and they stain well…available in different wood type too…
KKarns
July 2022 edited July 2022
Thanks Brett.
Well Art, I have now reversed direction and decided not to roof the Bait & Tackle Shop with “shake shingles”. I laid in an area on the roof and it just wasn’t doin it for me. Not the look I like or wanted, so off they came. I’ll be doing a metal roof and the mock up gave me a better feeling about the final product albeit less of a “maritime” feel than old shake roof might have been. However, the metal roof suits my modeling style much better. Appreciate your input and there is the hoist shed yet to go…maybe there…hmmm.
brownbr
July 2022
Looks great.
1 shingle at a time is the only way to go.
MuddyCreekRR
July 2022
I did forget that you do the “wee scale” for a minute and part of the reason I went to O (On30) was the effort to work that small…a lot less room for error in the detail…I’m sure your metal roofing will look great…
KKarns
July 2022
Right Art, I’m working the little stuff but like where I am for now. The real issue wasn’t the difficulty in getting the shingles to work, it was just the look wasn’t what I wanted. I have the metal roof on and it is exactly what I was going for so it worked out.
