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Comments
I bought a cheap 9v case with a built in switch from Amazon to power one of my dioramas. I think it was 4 housings for $6.
I’ll post a picture of the setup when I get home
Brett, I think the roof is matching the overall "use" of the tower. But still need to get the color right. Here's a pic of the current state of the model along with some experiments on getting the shingles right. I'd like to try getting that mixed coloring you sometimes see on cedar shingles...kind of reddish at the top turning to gray at the bottom. See some trials in the top right of this test card.
I'm not optimistic about being able to make a convincing bird's nest. I've been trying to make one with 0000 steel wool but its not looking quite right when placed in the missing shingles.
I'll post a few pics of how I wire up lights. I'll post a supplement on making goose neck lamps later.
In the first pic you see some supplies. I use magnet wire which is very thin. To help keep it under control I tie a knot in the end of the wire that will end up being soldered to the power board. This just helps keep these wires together once you have a bunch of them to work with. Another trick is to use the tool in this pic to twist the wires together. I hold one end and clip the alligator clip to the other end and twits.
Next pic shows my vise and extra set of hands holding an LED and wire. Then a close up of the LED. You will need a magnifier viser for this.
I installed this light in a small hole inside the office roof and ran the wire through a hole in the back wall. Just tape to hold in place since this will be hidden. Route the wires through, then wrapped them around a scrap of wood and secure with painter's tape. This keeps all the wires under control as you add more lights.
The last 2 pics show the effect. I put some venitian blinds in the window because I was concerned that the support piece of card stock would show through the window with the light on. Last pic shows the light in a dark room.
Fun times! I have a few more to do inside the 2 main structures before I can start to attach the loading dock and install the roof.
These pics show the goose neck lights being constructed. The big bolt is 1/4" and I use it to make clean bends in the tubing. Having a second one can help. You will find that the tubing takes on the angle of the threads while being bent. This can be fixed when you are done bending. Tip: thread the wire through the tubing before bending.
The tube is .025 diameter aluminum. The shade is scale 18". I poke a very small hole in these with a pick then ream out the holes with a .026 drill. Put them on the tubing, and I use gel CA to hold them.
Next step is to prime and paint. After paint, install the LED.
I notice that both structures are longer than their foundations by the length of the wall trim. Hmmm...I'll construct some type of camoflauge like Kevin did with his.
Muddy, get to work.
Brett, its not a problem. I knew there would be variances in a casting of this size. Add to this slight warping in the wall due to my weathering techniques and probably not sanding completely flush on the siding all equal an overhang of about 4 scale inches. No worries. I centered everthing up towards the front and center. To the far right, I'll cover hangover with casting. To the far left, cover hangover with deck planks. It's all good.
Ken, I too loved this concrete casting as soon as I took it out of the box. I think it is one of the best castings that Brett has ever produced. I spent a lot of time considering how I would weather it because it is such a focal point. Thanks for the feedback, I am very happy with the way it turned out.
Geezerbill
IMO if you're going for a welding simulator go with the gas torch one. It simulates 1) the striker, 2) acetylene flow (orange LED), 3) oxygen flow (white LED) and then slowly pulses (randomly) the white and orange LEDs to simulate the gas cutting torch in operation. It's a great effect. Especially for a place that makes acetylene. ;-)
Bill S.
Been slow progress with spring cleanup in the yard, etc going on. But I have been getting the base coats of paint on the raised ridge roof and the tank. The rusted roof was painted a base coat of dark rust and green paint was sponged on to simulate what used to be a beautifully painted green roof to match the trim. The newer roof was never painted, it was just plain metal and is showing less rust since it is newer of course. Further weathering underway.
The tank was painted a dark gray primer then lettered and washed lighter and a few streaks added. I'll add further streaking once the pipes and ladder are in place.
Test fitted the roof panels and placed a repair/patch job on one side. I'll get the rafters and facia done and will install the roof.
Terry