Weekend Update 3/7/21

[Iain]

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I (mostly) built a Micron Art truck.  Up to this point, everything is soldered, contrary to the directions which explicitly say not to.  The wheels, cab roof, and bed will all be glued on after painting is done with the idea that it'll be easier to paint things with them out of the way.

Speaking of Micron Art, what happened to them?  This was my first kit of theirs and it was a rather fun build.

[nickelplate759]

Yikes!  Either that's a lot of tiny soldering (and very well done!) or you've swiped Peteski's giant comedy dime.

[bbussey]

Another way is to just use the shell function.  Use the thickness of the rectangular solid as your shell thickness.  The advantage is it will create a uniform thickness, the disadvantage is the details on the inside wile be slightly smaller.

That's why you cheat by offsetting the surface profile, so that it doesn't shell a different profile.  Because no matter what thickness that is chosen for the part, the N scale end will be much thicker than the prototype and the relief will be wrong.  By offsetting, it creates the illusion of a proper thickness, especially with a chord running along the top edge.

[dem34]

I (mostly) built a Micron Art truck.  Up to this point, everything is soldered, contrary to the directions which explicitly say not to.  The wheels, cab roof, and bed will all be glued on after painting is done with the idea that it'll be easier to paint things with them out of the way.

Speaking of Micron Art, what happened to them?  This was my first kit of theirs and it was a rather fun build.

There was a discussion I think in product discussion that the owner was retiring.


Anyhow. Since everyone is busy this week.

Ballasted and wired. Leaning into this being a prototype for a layout that uses the  TOMAR style approach while also technically conforming to loose FreeMOn standards in compatibility.




PS. Anybody noticing their AZ rock ballast floating all of a sudden? It was only certain granules but gave me a panic when I saw it happen.

[wcfn100]

That's why you cheat by offsetting the surface profile, so that it doesn't shell a different profile.  Because no matter what thickness that is chosen for the part, the N scale end will be much thicker than the prototype and the relief will be wrong.  By offsetting, it creates the illusion of a proper thickness, especially with a chord running along the top edge.

Even if it's still oversized, the shell will produce a thinner part than the offset which might be more important than relief detail on a drop end.

Jason

[chessie system fan]

Thanks for the design tips.  I might start a separate thread on dreadnought ends later with my results showing both methods.

You can “cheat” by incorporating the MTL coupler box into your solid model.

That's the plan and one of the last things I still need to design.

[bbussey]

Thanks for the design tips.  I might start a separate thread on dreadnought ends later with my results showing both methods.

That's the plan and one of the last things I still need to design.

I sent you an email regarding the coupler box and a PM regarding the stamped ends.

[chuck geiger]

The square is revised from last Sunday.

[davefoxx]

I (mostly) built a Micron Art truck.  Up to this point, everything is soldered, contrary to the directions which explicitly say not to.

You, rebel, you. 

DFF

[gi-depp]

Weathering a Gunderson 53' TTX patched Husky-Stack

[peteski]

I (mostly) built a Micron Art truck.  Up to this point, everything is soldered, contrary to the directions which explicitly say not to.  The wheels, cab roof, and bed will all be glued on after painting is done with the idea that it'll be easier to paint things with them out of the way.

Speaking of Micron Art, what happened to them?  This was my first kit of theirs and it was a rather fun build.

That looks good!  I also prefer soldering them, and like you I also use CA and/or epoxy for some parts.

As for Micron Art status, The business is unfrrtunatley shut down. See:
https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=47305.msg698620#msg698620
https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=50044.msg672335#msg672335

[NtheBasement]

Spent some time learning how to take pictures suitable for focus stacking with my Canon SLR.  Its not straightforward.  Stacking software is CombineZP, a freebie.

[John]

Work In Progress

I picked up a lot of kits over the last 30 years -- this has been sitting in a box since at least 1998 or so .. time to get them built before my kid has to sell them on the white elephant table after I'm gone .. 

This isn't the final place on the layout - yet . I like the idea of old rail served brick buildings in urban areas .. also still need to finish detailing the model, add lighting, and some modern modifications ..

[jpf94]

Chris,

What drive did you put that on?   Looks fantastic.

[BCOL 747]

Chris,

What drive did you put that on?   Looks fantastic.

It will fit the either the Atlas GP38/38-2/40/40-2 or the new Life Like GP38-2. It fits both very well. I didn't have to make any adjustments.

Chris