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Post by Deleted on Mar 31, 2021 15:05:18 GMT
Interesting - I see the flaws but still see a great job! The same thing happens with my house projects. I see all kinds of flaws and Andra states how nice it looks. Unfortunately there is no do-over or do again on most of them. After painting a first coat on the summer room last night I seen a ton of goofs. Thankfully I can repair a few of them but decided I've had enough of that project for now!
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Post by JDaddy on Mar 31, 2021 15:29:35 GMT
Charlie, How did you bend the brass handrails so precisely? Did you make a jig for these?
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Post by Charlie on Mar 31, 2021 17:39:07 GMT
Charlie, How did you bend the brass handrails so precisely? Did you make a jig for these? Hey John: Yes, I did make a jig, but also, I used music wire instead of brass. Brass would have been easier, but did not take on the "black oxide" treatment that I wanted to use. I did a test piece of wire and painted it black and it was just too contrasty. The black oxide treatment, looked more metal to me if that makes sense. So... the cupola grab irons, curved grab irons on the body and the not visible platform railings are made out of music wire and also a smaller diameter. The railing on the body, kind of a upside down "L" is the original MTH wire, just striped and also had the black oxide treatment. You can see the original wire was fairly thicker (and probably more robust) but I wanted to use the smaller diameter wire just for the look. As a side note, I have marker lights that I will use, but they are not lighted. The project will have lighted markers. I decided just to take out all the lights on this build. Also removed the middle pick-up. Charlie
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Post by Deleted on Mar 31, 2021 19:33:50 GMT
Charlie, How did you bend the brass handrails so precisely? Did you make a jig for these? Hey John: Yes, I did make a jig, but also, I used music wire instead of brass. Brass would have been easier, but did not take on the "black oxide" treatment that I wanted to use. I did a test piece of wire and painted it black and it was just too contrasty. The black oxide treatment, looked more metal to me if that makes sense. So... the cupola grab irons, curved grab irons on the body and the not visible platform railings are made out of music wire and also a smaller diameter. The railing on the body, kind of a upside down "L" is the original MTH wire, just striped and also had the black oxide treatment. You can see the original wire was fairly thicker (and probably more robust) but I wanted to use the smaller diameter wire just for the look. As a side note, I have marker lights that I will use, but they are not lighted. The project will have lighted markers. I decided just to take out all the lights on this build. Also removed the middle pick-up. Charlie Charlie, how do you achieve this black oxide treatment. The only way I now how is to heat up the metal and quench it in oil...
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Post by JDaddy on Mar 31, 2021 23:19:17 GMT
"The Devil is in the Details" as always. Thank you for sharing your work. How did you make your jig? and can you make more than one at one time? Also, what diameter music wire did you use and where did you buy it from?
My Mrs calls me "Nosey Rosey" but if you don't ask questions you never learn...
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Post by Deleted on Apr 1, 2021 12:22:48 GMT
Thank you for the precisely detailed information. Great help. I will be attempting a similar rehab for my new Santa Fe Refrigerator Dispatch consist.
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Post by ptc on Apr 1, 2021 12:47:25 GMT
Thanks for the update, Charlie. Fascinating project.
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Post by trainsintheattic on Apr 1, 2021 13:41:14 GMT
That's coming along nicely, Charlie. I prefer the darker shade you used, something I find difficult to source in spray cans. The screens add a touch of prototypical detail that grabs the viewers interest. I messed up the cupola grab irons by rolling my own in an attempt to get rid of the stanchions too. Note that the proto side grabs are not quarter circles as MTH made but more like a "J" shape. I did a poor job of hiding the old holes left when I changed out those grabs.
Bruce
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Post by Charlie on Apr 1, 2021 20:47:00 GMT
Hello everyone: Light is at the end of the tunnel and I really want to finish this off. A couple of things have popped up that will take my time away from indoor modeling as soon as this is done. In no particular order. Volphin: The Black Oxide Treatment I use was not my idea, but lifted from another forum member. I had used "gun blueing" in the past and it did darken the metal, but not to the degree that I wanted. Caswell Black oxide Gel Kit is just what I wanted. Caswell Black Oxide Gel Kit
I don't pretend to know the science behind how it works, but for me it did what I wanted. I also used this to darken the drive wheels of a locomotive. So far so good. John: No problem on the questions, that is how we all learn... I came from a field where too many people have "secrets" and it is just very sad that someone one this planet feels like the information they possess is just so valuable that they can't take the time to share. (off my soap box now). The "jig" I made was strip styrene taped to the desk and the wire bent with Xuron #575 Micro Benders. Since I only had to make two I felt this was all I needed. If I truly need more and/or closer tolerance, I would have made a different jig to do this. Frankly, this was an easy (for me) bend, the hard ones were the curved grab irons on the side of the caboose. For some reason, I had a difficult time getting the curve correct as the music wire wanted to keep flexing back to a straight(er) shape. In the end, I used a wooden spoon handle to wrap the wire. From there is sprang back to a curve that seemed acceptable. Also, the wires I used were .015 for the smoke stack support wires, .020 for the curved hand grabs and the cupola grabs and .025 for the platform railings. The smaller diameter just seems to look better. Most of my supplies were purchased at my local hobby shop... yes I still have two local guys that I try to support. I did have to get some parts on-line. Trainsintheattic: Thanks to you, this quick project went from a few hours to a few months... After seeing your effort, I decided to add some of your changes. My problem, is that I just should have decided to either do the quick paint job and reassemble or just go all out like you did... this would have been a much quicker build. In any case, in the image below, you can see the final result of the wooden roof walk. I really tried to get it correct, and I think I got pretty close. The screens were a real issue for my shaky hands and as I stated above, one of them has come loose and I am reluctant to try and fix it. While I did not try to rebuild the steps, I did decide to buy some ladders and will add them. I mail order them from America Scale Models. They should be here next week and I'm hoping I can do a bit of soldering, painting and just install them after all the other work is done. The "J" grabs vs. the "curved" grabs did give me a little concern, but after a little research on the time frame and number I decided to use, I ended up going with the curved shape, plus, I thought it would be easier. After I put this together, less the ladders, I will post some images and also the changes I will make on the next one. The wood roof walk was fairly easy, but very time consuming. Still deciding if I should try and add the nail holes. I know how to do it, but just not sure I want to put any more time into this one... Ok, quick break then time to start assembling. Thanks guys. Charlie
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Post by ptc on Apr 1, 2021 21:19:23 GMT
Turns out to be no simple project, challenging, but I am sure a lot of fun top watch it all come together.
Great thread.
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Post by JDaddy on Apr 1, 2021 21:32:17 GMT
Remember - A large class A railroad had a fleet of these cabooses. And no two were identical, in physical shape, color, and looks. I applaud your patience on the grab irons.
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Post by trainsintheattic on Apr 2, 2021 12:45:04 GMT
Trainsintheattic: Thanks to you, this quick project went from a few hours to a few months... After seeing your effort, I decided to add some of your changes. My problem, is that I just should have decided to either do the quick paint job and reassemble or just go all out like you did... this would have been a much quicker build. I am humbled that my input was taken in the spirit in which it was offered. Every venture outside of our modelling comfort zone allows us a venue for pure creativity, even if we are following along prototypical lines. Producing something in 3D that once existed only in the minds eye may be the most fulfilling aspect of this hobby. Bruce
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Post by laz57 on Apr 2, 2021 13:08:44 GMT
Great job CHARLIE!!!
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Post by Charlie on Apr 2, 2021 18:43:56 GMT
Again thanks for the nice comments guys. This is about as far as I can go. Again, based on what Trainsintheattic did with his, I bought some new ladders which will hopefully arrive next week. After the ladders the last thing to do is add the Kadee or a scale coupler to the rear end. The Wig-wags are painted and waiting to dry. On this side, you can see the trouble I had with the superglue on the tool box. Shaky hands and superglue are not a good combination. However, I discovered I am a pretty good paint mixer... The one are I screwed up on and way totally my fault was the new truck placement. I thought I measured correctly but was obviously wrong as the new truck placement is still too far outward. Specifically the rear truck should be moved inward about a 1/4 of an inch and the forward truck should be moved inward about 1/8 of an inch. Thats is for now. Just waiting on the ladders and I will call this one done. Thanks for all the feedback. Charlie
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Post by ptc on Apr 2, 2021 19:29:47 GMT
Wonderful project, Charlie. Your comments combined with excellent photos have added so much to the enjoyment of this thread.
Nicely done.
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