Jack12477

That's about how long since I last visited Steamtown in PA. First time I saw the Big Boy Steamtown was in Bellows Falls VT, they ran out of space their and almost moved here until the idiot NIMBYs drove them off and they went to Scraton instead, Had to tow the Big Boy to Scranton. It's now part of the National Park Service.

The other two big ones were the SP 2-8-8-2 Chesapeake and the UP 4-6-6-4 Challenger. I think Steamtown USA in Scranton PA still has a "Big Boy"  on display  at their museum.

I think she made the kit more difficult than need be by adding all those sculpted filler blocks  essentially turning it into a carved solid hull kit. 

Okay, I guess I'm back now! 🤪  Finally got the hull double planked, gun ports cut in and the keel, bow stem and stern post installed. Been working on getting the "hidden" (below decks) cannon installed. They're just the barrel with a nipple on the back end to insert in a block of wood. The new Veritas mini table has been very handy. 

Bow stem, keel an stern piece installed

One of the hidden cannons pieces

Then cut and installed the deck coming pieces

Next up is building the carriages for the remaining cannons. Then maybe I can finally install the fore and aft decks. 

I got credited for a post  @ships88 made to his own build log even tho I have never visited his log.

Do a search on YouTube, there are a number of videos on making water for dioramas.  Woodland Scenics has produced some as have a number of modelers.

Plays on my Android tablet okay, after it downloads.   Very nice work, Greg.

59 minutes ago, mtaylor said:

former Marines 

 

Didn't think those existed. I thought it was "once a  Marine always a Marine"  😇  Semper Fi ! 

21 hours ago, rock harris said:

I would like to follow this one

Welcome to the build. Pull up a barrel, I think Mark restocked the popcorn machine. 

Absolutely outstanding diorama,  Gary.  👍👍👍👍👍 

1 hour ago, Clueless said:

What size should I consider for turning square pcs. into round masts? Probably never use it on metal, but nice to know I can if the opportunity arises.

You could try this Guy's method using a chisel and electric drill

You can also buy 36 inch lengths of HO flexible track and sections of cork roadbed instead of individual pieces of track. There are also electric power clip you can clip onto the track from under the ties to provide electric power.  As Ken says check out your LHS for advice and sources.  That engine wants a wide radius curve, flex track may be a better choice that fixed radius sectional track for getting and acceptable curve. 

Walthers in Milwaukee is a great source for Model Railroad stuff, I think they still print a hardcopy catalog which you can order, or use their online catalog. They've been a major supplier for decades.

I was doing some Christmas ornament woodcarvings and decided to try out the new  Veritas workbench table. Holding these small carvings has always presented a challenge but the workbench provided a nice secure work surface.  Those are Dockside 2mm micro gouges in the picture.

I agree with what others have said above, especially Egilman's comment. I've really enjoyed following along. Great workmanship ! 

Looks a lot smoother and neater than my hulls. Nice job! 

I agree too. Weathering looks great. 

I only have metal files, no diamond files. For the PE I just used a strip of 400-600 grit Emery paper glued to a Popsicle stick to smooth rough edges.

@John Allen you might want to order their Small Cut-Off set to go with the Bug. It's a 8x10 sheet of plexiglass and acrylic holder. Works very well for cutting PE loose from sheet and the holder keeps it from flying off into never-never land

I just use the plastic/acrylic holder they make and a single sided razor blade like the one in their photo.

John, I recommend The Bug  Hold and Fold by The Small Shop, inexpensive,, easy to use,, works well with PE brass.  I have one and used it a lot.

Thanks Glenn, Derek, great information. I will dig out my Kell guide and try again.  

Derek, what dimensions do you suggest for the plate glass station ? Besides the 1/4 inch thickness.  

Mike @Landlubber Mike here's a couple of videos on stropping which explain it better than I can. You can buy a ready made strop and/or the leather to make your own from Woodcraft.  I got mine in their Newcastle DE store, but I notice there are 3 in your general area.  

The stropping myth and how to sharpen tools with leather

How to make a strop by Paul Sellars

I will give you a qualified YES but defer to Derek @DelF . When I bought the Kell guide it was for my full size chisels and it worked well with them. But for the Veritas mini chisels I had a lot of trouble getting the bevel angle correct, so I bought the Veritas mini guide for them since it came with a bevel setting jig. After reading Derek's post above I will revisit using the Kell guide, especially since I can use the Veritas angle jig to help set the angle.

I did find the Kell guide easy to use.

I should also add that I strop my knives and chisels before, during,  and after use, so I don't need to  sharpen them with a stone that often. Stropping keeps them pretty sharp. There are a number of videos on YouTube on stropping. Master woodcarver Harley Refsal has a pretty good one on stropping a woodcarving knife but the technique applies to any blade. 

1 hour ago, mtaylor said:

The plane is still looking good.   As for fireworks... what's the occasion?   

Guy Fawkes Day, British observance, celebrated on November 5, commemorating the failure of the Gunpowder Plot of 1605