http://www.craftsmankituniversity.com/vanforum/index.php?p=/ Mon, 16 Mar 2026 20:59:40 +0000 HO Scale Builds - SierraWest Forum en http://www.craftsmankituniversity.com/vanforum/index.php?p=/discussion/613/water-tower-and-storage-shed Sun, 16 Aug 2015 17:00:34 +0000 HO Scale Builds KCSTrains 613@/vanforum/index.php?p=/discussions


I chose this kit because (1) it will be in the part of my layout where I will need it very soon, and (2) it just seemed like a natural progression from the Woodcutter's Shack. I decided to use the traditional soaking method for my wood and used a recipe from Mike Chambers. Thank goodness my wife wasn't home when I did this.




Next I took on the resin stone house. I reviewed the notes I got from Bill and Ken about painting stone walls. I wanted more color on the wall because everything else in the build is pretty muted. As first, I wasn't sure I liked what I had done. It was pretty bright!!!



However, I didn't panic. You guys have taught me that. I added the A&I, followed by chalks (thank you Karl), and finally, some dry brushing with grey. See below, what do you think?



If you guys like it, I will finish the other three walls. Also, I will start on the water tank. I actually have some Floquil Rail Brown.

Phil]]> http://www.craftsmankituniversity.com/vanforum/index.php?p=/discussion/1210/oneils-with-another-name Fri, 23 Oct 2020 10:38:03 +0000 HO Scale Builds jmanugo 1210@/vanforum/index.php?p=/discussions I'm new around here, I just landed. I hope you are all OK.

I am from Spain and I am passionate about railway modeling.
I had never seen Brett's wooden kits before, I came to Sierra West by chance, I really liked the O'NEILS kit. I started with the kit as soon as it arrived at my house and I have a great time building it.
It is the first time I have made something with wood and I am enjoying it.

In the photos you will see that the posters and labels are not in English, I have Spanishized it by giving the kit another name. His name is not O'Neils, his name is Balboa. Here in Spain, in the Euskadi community, there were very similar factories in the past, and I have allowed myself the license to adapt it, but only in the name, labels, and in the assembly of the wooden planks, everything else remains the same.











I have also had a little problem with understanding the language, translating concepts that can be expressed in another way in my language. My English is not very good, and with the help of the translators I am getting ahead.
Another small drawback has been to go from inches to millimeters, "I have gone crazy". I have been meticulous not to err in choosing the wooden slats, and in some cases I have inadvertently changed the thicknesses.

A greeting.
Jose Manuel]]> http://www.craftsmankituniversity.com/vanforum/index.php?p=/discussion/809/sw-twin-mills-build-with-a-little-twist Sat, 28 Jan 2017 16:11:47 +0000 HO Scale Builds NejcR 809@/vanforum/index.php?p=/discussions

But let's start at the beginning - I'm Nejc Roskar, I come from Slovenia in Europe (sounds familiar? Yes, Melania Trump is from the exact same country ).
I'm building a logging layout, Logging at the turn of the 20th century. It's based somewhere in Slovenia, but logging machinery from USA will be used too. Railroad is based upon electrified logging railroad in Mislinja, Slovenia (you can see one picture of the locomotive here: http://www.rr-vel.si/mislinja/zgodovina.htm ). Rollling stock will mostly be scratchbuilt (well, it already is to be precise). There will be Victorian era town (plus a village including a few blacksmith shops with water driven machinery) on a module 4, here's a glimpse at the cobble stone streets:



Modules 3, 2 and 1 are main, logging ones. I'll build a large bandsaw mill and a small venetian sawmill on module 3:


...big machine shop, woodworking shop, steam electricity plant, and some smaller structures on module 2:


...and we finally arrive to module 1, which is reserved for SW Twin Mills:


Although I have quite a few SW kits, everything else on the layout will be scratchbuilt, but I'll use all the castings for details

I'll made many modifications, here's the list:

- adjusting the machinery to smaller logs
- fully detailed interior of the old sawmill
- lighting will be installed in both mills
- scratchbuilding or modifying new mill machinery
- adjusting everything, because of the small space available

Let's go to the pictures!

Front and rear wall of the old sawmill:




Modified side walls (those three openings at the left wall are due to the three steam engines:


Boiler house walls (for two boilers, both will be visible through open doors):


New sawmill floor:


Scratch built old sawmill floor:




Log haul:




Slightly modified front dock:










Slab bin:


New mill sorting platform, with one more speed reduction and slightly changed log deck machinery (similar to SW O scale one):


I scratch builded main saw (among others, using a lot of SW castings from other kits). First, the difference between new and weathered saw blades (using the same technique as Kevin and Bill, with dremel tool). I wanted it only slightly weathered:


Bottom saw during construction (note the sawdust conveyor for bringing sawdast to the boilers):


Finished bottom saw (husk), smaller top saw will be attached to the ceiling:








Log carriage machinery is based on Phillips Brothers Sawmill carriage (see here from 5:23 on: ):












...that's it for now, I'm building with full steam, so expect next update soon!
Any comments are very welcome!

Best regards, Nejc
]]> http://www.craftsmankituniversity.com/vanforum/index.php?p=/discussion/1650/eureka-springs-boiler-house-build Sat, 06 Dec 2025 19:55:23 +0000 HO Scale Builds LarryH 1650@/vanforum/index.php?p=/discussions


As usual the first thing I did was read the instructions and then inventory the kit. The castings are absolutely top notch. I'm especially impressed by the oil tank and the water tank. The detail is amazing.

I model the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad in the late 19th century. Everything runs on coal in my little piece of Colorado, so the boiler will be coal fired. I currently have a two stall engine house that needs steam generation, so an attached boiler house suits the project.

I'll use the boiler with base as built, but the rest of the structure is mostly redesigned. I started with flat black spray paint in a rattle can. Most of the coloring is done with Rembrandt pastels and dry brushing highlights. More weathering will be done down the road. The pastels are protected using Krylon Workable Fixatif. It is designed for use with pastels and doesn't change the color or texture of the pastels. I've abandoned Dulcote and use the Fixatif for all my clear flat use.



The kit contains strip wood to build the wall framing. I drew up new wall framing in CorelDraw and cut them from MDF on the laser. All the walls have changed except the wall with the wide door. The building will now have four walls, and a removable roof. I incorporated notches in the header of the walls to accept and align the roof rafters. I want the workers to have some natural light, so I incorporated three windows. To supply interior light, a section of PC tie material will be used to simulate a beam running the length of the boiler house. It will reside in the notches at the top center of the narrow walls. The tiny LEDs will have lamp shades from Titchy.



Because the high country gets cold in the winter, doors are needed so I drew and cut them from four layers of .015" laserboard. The window glass will be sandwiched between the middle two layers. The doors will be mounted using Grandt Line hinges.



A coal fired boiler needs a bin for coal storage. A small scratch built one will serve that function indoors. A larger one will be built for outside storage. Coal and details to follow.




]]> http://www.craftsmankituniversity.com/vanforum/index.php?p=/discussion/1634/ho-hon3-backwoods-tie-mill Wed, 24 Sep 2025 15:28:17 +0000 HO Scale Builds KKarns 1634@/vanforum/index.php?p=/discussions


Is here! What is the first thing I do when I receive a SierraWest Scale Models kit?...you're looking at it...and so am I...the Construction Manual (aka Kit Bible) of course! Lets go back to the beginning as I'm getting ahead of myself.

The much anticipated HO/HOn3 scale version of the Backwoods Tie Mill is a reality. The O Scale kit was released first with those wise modelers beginning to receive their coveted kits. The following is what greeted me on my back door stoop just yesterday...



What every SWSM modeler looks forward to...

The Backwoods Tie Mill is SWSMs 30th Anniversary release and can't think of a better way to celebrate such a monumental milestone. Brett's ability to bring the backwoods charm and flavor to his model kits is amazing and a true testament to his vast knowledge and historical research of the subject. Couple this vault of knowledge with his stunningly detailed and accurate 3D printing, scene design/workflow construction, and the legendary construction manual adds up to an unbeatable combination that has launched SWSMs to the pinnacle of craftsman kit manufacturing.

I was fortunate to have gotten in on the first batch of Tie Mill kits to be packaged in the nostalgic "green box" that SierraWest has become famous for.



Sweet! The famous "green box" to add to my collection. Please note: DO NOT attempt to throw this box away after building this kit. Your local waste management firm WILL NOT pick these up and will return them to you!



My collection of the "green box" kits. Kits that I have built are on the right, pending builds on the left. Top of the pile is the Backwoods Tie Mill!

A brief narrated unboxing of sorts where I give my thoughts on a few things is to follow here:



This is exactly how my kit was packaged after removing the overlay of secure packing material. Everything is perfectly arranged and in order. This box was shipped through the USPS and came just as well organized as you see here. I have never received a SWSM kit that had contents jumbled, broken, or missing. Brett packs the beautifully detailed 3D parts with the utmost care. Each 3D parts box comes with the beautifully illustrated stiff paper securing wrap (see below)



Nice shot of the 3D parts boxes. And yes, I save and collect/display all those illustrated paper wraps!...what?...doesn't everyone?



Detail parts storage with SWSM memorabilia!

Those two boxes in the previous photos contain some of the most incredibly detailed 3D parts I have ever seen! The filigree of those parts has to be seen to be believed. Despite the fine detail, from experience, they are easily painted and detailed with just common sense handling care. I absolutely love these parts. I will go over them in detail in the build thread to follow this intro.

The construction manual is, and always has been, just incredible and is as well known as the "green box" it comes packed in. In my hands, these manuals become well thumbed and have witnessed many sit down sessions with a cold beverage or cup of coffee. DO NOT underestimated the value of a thorough read, study, and understanding of the manual.



Take a moment and look at the size of this kit. By SWSM standards, this is a smaller kit with respect to the footprint and amount of actual structure size. However, look at this picture of the templates, cutting guides, 3D parts guides, floor-plans, etc. Seven sheets (A-G) of heavy paper plans to guide you through the build and layout process. SierraWest has your back!

Brett gives a wonderful history and introduction to the Backwoods Tie Mill in the Construction Manual so will not repeat that information here.

What follows will be a strict build thread of the Backwoods Tie Mill. No side bars, no getting off topic, just the meat and bones of building this awesome kit! Due to its size, I will spend a good amount of time going over minute details of how I'm building this kit. This is not and official forum build and will include my interpretation of the workflow and process of a tie mill. Next post we will get into the first step of the build...wood!...more later, Ken]]> http://www.craftsmankituniversity.com/vanforum/index.php?p=/discussion/1570/logging-camp-diorama-ho-scale Sat, 20 Jul 2024 14:10:54 +0000 HO Scale Builds TravisS 1570@/vanforum/index.php?p=/discussions

I plan on laying the buildings all out and I may reorder the buildings a bit and re-size the overall diorama to be a bit bigger than the 2' x 4' layout just to give things a bit more room.

First up is Logging Camp Main Street which was released in 2007 when I was a freshman in college. So needless to say, even if I knew about SWSM and Brett had priced the kit at $15, I would not have been able to take part in the original run. Was lucky enough to get my hands on a mint condition kit through the wonders of the internet.


As usual with Brett's kits, there are a boatload of castings. This run it was all resin and white metal-- no 3d printing just yet! I have already primed them.


Summer has been pretty busy but have made good progress on the Hotel portion which is the first building. Some pics attached below. Will try to take a few more in progress shots as I move along. As always, any feedback and constructive criticism is welcome.

My thought here is to model the logging camp on upstate NY, in the Adirondacks, which is about 2 hours north of me. So have had many a summer and winter visit. That being said, I am trying to get a more "wet" look to the wood so more brown than gray. Timeframe is the 1920s-30s so thought is no one is really visiting the site any longer and hotel has started to fall into disrepair. The other buildings will still be in good order as it's an active camp but the end is in sight. Doing some research, the camps in NY really did die out pretty early as they were obviously logged extensively from colonial times on. So this timeline may be a bit of a stretch.









Thanks everyone for checking in. Have been so inspired by some of the builds of these four kits on the forum and I am really looking forward to the journey ahead.
]]> http://www.craftsmankituniversity.com/vanforum/index.php?p=/discussion/1601/ho-hon3-the-wood-cutters-shack Thu, 16 Jan 2025 13:18:34 +0000 HO Scale Builds KKarns 1601@/vanforum/index.php?p=/discussions

Following my plan to build all the HO scale SierraWest Scale Models kits in the order they were released, reveals the next project...the Wood Cutters Shack. This Limited Edition kit #8087 was released December, 1999 and described by Brett as a "little gem of a kit" (taken from S.W. NEW! Issue Number Nine, more on that later). Now, despite being over 25 years old, continues to ooze that backwoods charm SWSM is famous for. The pilot model footprint of only 8"x4" was packed with wonderful details and fit right in with Brett's overall plan for the Deer Creek Land and Timber Co. "Millsite" (more on that later).

After mulling this project over I decided to make this diorama a tie cutters shack rather than that of a wood cutter. Reference photos were studied and I was intrigued by the workflow of a railroad tie production concept. Further discussions with Brett and our own Nick O. cemented the concept and created significant enthusiasm for the project. There will be some very interesting features that will put a significant twist on the original concept, further illustrating the versatility SWSM kits can provide the modeler. Keeping with tradition, this will not be a quick build despite the original 8"x4" footprint! There will be a significant change in topography, a noticeable increase in the diorama base size, several highly detailed mini-scenes, and the inclusion of another river...notice how I justify being a slow modeler by embellishing my reasoning with all this fluff!

More later...Ken]]> http://www.craftsmankituniversity.com/vanforum/index.php?p=/discussion/1579/railroad-camp-truck-repair-shop Fri, 13 Sep 2024 20:48:23 +0000 HO Scale Builds CraigM 1579@/vanforum/index.php?p=/discussions
Craig






]]> http://www.craftsmankituniversity.com/vanforum/index.php?p=/discussion/1602/my-oneills-build Fri, 17 Jan 2025 19:51:56 +0000 HO Scale Builds baevans 1602@/vanforum/index.php?p=/discussions I've started O'Neill''s Fabrication. Since there are at least two excellent blow by blow build logs, I'm going to omit most details well covered in those and the manual, and post progress to obtain feedback about whether I'm on the right course and solicit suggestions as appropriate.
After all the requisite preparation including the new to me wood strip painting on the main building, here is the first wall:



I like the new window and door framing.]]> http://www.craftsmankituniversity.com/vanforum/index.php?p=/discussion/1626/ho-scratch-built-dueling-shacks Wed, 09 Jul 2025 21:02:44 +0000 HO Scale Builds TomMich 1626@/vanforum/index.php?p=/discussions











]]> http://www.craftsmankituniversity.com/vanforum/index.php?p=/discussion/1459/foss-landing-and-the-shipyard-at-foss-landing Tue, 21 Mar 2023 04:05:28 +0000 HO Scale Builds Xodar 1459@/vanforum/index.php?p=/discussions
As this is my first post here, allow me to introduce my self - Jeff from Pensacola. Like Grant, I mostly do ships. Here's a pic of my last ship - the English ship revenge.



I ordered both of the above kits several years ago and as no ship has struck my fancy, I decided to give these a go. It's definitely different from what I'm used to. First chore was some supplies. I bought the recommended Rembrandt chalks, a variety of paints (I decided on Vallejo) and then spent some time on the internet matching the Foquil / poly scale colors to the Vallejo (VMA).

I plan to use both kits in one larger diorama so I will be completing as many of the structures from both kits before I try my hand out the layout. In this regard I have been following Grant's shipyard build and will likely use it a lot for reference. Unfortunately no such log exists for Foss landing despite the kit being over 20 years old. Hopefully I don't mess it up too much . I am also using some of the wonderful posts in the techniques section. Karl's section on painting castings has been really helpful as has Dr grunge's wood clinic. So with all of this in mind, let's get started - Foss landing is first up

I won't bother with what's in the box and tools. If you are on this site you already know all the great stuff in the box.
First step is to prepare the castings - metal ones are supposed to be painted with earth however I used karl's recommendation and painted anything that supposed to be metal flat black. The resin castings were to be painted a variety of Floquil colors and again, using Karl's tutorial, I spray painted all the resin casting earth color. Since I was eager to see how I could do on the casting, I painted many of them almost to completion. here are a few examples










these were all put aside for later. There certainly are a lot of barrels and oil drums to paint!

The first structure in the Foss Clam and Oyster Co building. Unlike the shipyard building where most of the structure is built with individual boards that can be detailed, this kits' buildings have pre-made clapboard walls. Preliminary steps include painting of the shingle sheets, tar paper and window frames and adding texture to some of the stripwood. Most of the wood at this stage is for trim so other than some texture, not much else can be done as it is quite small.




The clapboard walls are prepared next. First is with the wire brush to add texture, then fine nail holes along the walls to simulate where the boards are nailed to the underlying studs. Additional details can be added to show a variety of decay - using an 11 blade: some boards can be loosened, split cracked, warped etc. I did not want to go overboard here as these structures would be in daily use and not dilapidated or abandoned.
All of the wall are then braced with 1/8" sq wood to prevent warping when painting.



Unlike the shipyard, there seems to more painting with this kit. I will probably use chalk to do some of the weathering rather that the paints. Floquil grime is called for the base layer on the walls - I used Vallejo antique white. I noticed that the wood is quite porous so I had to be very light with the brush. before I put on the next layer, after the paint had cured for 48 hours I used a light coat of satin polyurethane to act as a sealer (here is the ship modeler rearing its head). The next layer is Boxcar Red (50/50 mix of VMA 71.038, 71.105). once dry, a light sanding with very fine sandpaper was called for followed by wall streaking with more paints. This last part I will leave until the roof and windows are on to get a better idea of where I want the streaks to be (and I may used chalks). Here are the wall to this point...




It's kind of hard to see some of the details (I even added in a few random knots) given the low resolution. After the walls were painted I grunged them up a bit with some grey chalk. I may use some black at the bottom when the structure is complete to represent more dirt and grime. If your wondering what's up with the wall on the bottom right, the lower part beneath the angled line will be hidden so I used that for testing colors and grunge.

And finally, while waiting for the walls to dry, work was begun on the windows and the clam and oyster sign. Each window has multiple parts including the inside frame, outside frame, lower sash, and mylar windows. These can be seen in one of the earlier photos. first they were treated with white paint to simulate peeling. I tried the terrycloth method as described in the manual but was not really happy with it. So I went with a stiff bristle brush (I think I read about that on the shipyard build). The frames are supplied with a sticky backing. Once painted, the mylar "glass" (which comes cut to size) is is stuck to the upper part of the inside frame. The outside frame is then stuck on top of the inside frame, which then fits into the window openings in the walls. I made holes in some of the window, took one pane out completely and took out just one corner in another.
.
the clam and oyster sign was fairly straight forward - 3 pieces of strip wood were weathered (thanks Dr Grunge!) and painted white with the bristle brush. They are then glued together and some nail holes added at each end. The dry transfer decal is now placed on the wood. I had no idea how this would work given the age of the kit (at least 7 years since I bought it. Brett has great instructions on how to do this. Not all of the deal transferred however I think this add the the ages look. The decal was rubbed with the end of a paintbrush to burnish it into the wood (you can actually see the wood grain through some of the decal). The a few very light swipes with the steel brush and it was done.
Here is a pic of a few windows and the sign...




That's about where I am at currently. I think Ill try to post step by step in the future to keep things shorter. Any comments or suggestions are always welcome.

Jeff]]> http://www.craftsmankituniversity.com/vanforum/index.php?p=/discussion/1581/my-first-ever-sierra-west-scale-kit-hotel-from-main-street Tue, 24 Sep 2024 08:41:44 +0000 HO Scale Builds gavin.hall 1581@/vanforum/index.php?p=/discussions When I started this build, I really took it upon myself to go through the manual and follow each step - like how I'd be embarking on a graduate course in kit building and weathering. The experience has been very nice but also a little stressful (didn't want to screw things up) and a real learning process.
I took this first building down for a photo shoot on a standard MDF board to take some photos and share with the group.

Gavin (from Singapore!)














]]> http://www.craftsmankituniversity.com/vanforum/index.php?p=/discussion/1595/best-60-tractor-logging-arch-build-ho Wed, 27 Nov 2024 20:31:19 +0000 HO Scale Builds Stevepass 1595@/vanforum/index.php?p=/discussions
Here are the parts after a black primer and dark rust base color over the primer.



And here are some parts after paint and chipping.



And here after some assembly and initial weathering.



Steve]]> http://www.craftsmankituniversity.com/vanforum/index.php?p=/discussion/1483/ho-hon3-logging-and-tractor-repair-shed Thu, 06 Jul 2023 21:11:07 +0000 HO Scale Builds KKarns 1483@/vanforum/index.php?p=/discussions
A full page ad was featured in the January/February issue of Narrow Gauge and Short Line Gazette (photo 1). This beautiful, full color ad, featured the same images as found on the now famous SWSM green box (photo 2). Coming off the build of Shelby's, which is a relatively large kit, the L&TRS is a single structure kit and a much smaller project. When I say "smaller" that's what I mean, smaller in size, but larger than life in its design, character, and charm. Much time will be spent, as usual, in the research and planning phase including the religious perusal of the instruction manual and associated materials (photo 3). There is much in store with this build and a few surprises to work in along the way.

More later...Ken



(photo1). Full page, full color, ad in the Jan/Feb issue of Narrow Gauge and Short Line Gazette.



(photo 2) The famous SWSM "Green Box"



(photo 3). Step 1...
]]> http://www.craftsmankituniversity.com/vanforum/index.php?p=/discussion/1591/2024-hon3-annual Wed, 13 Nov 2024 03:26:37 +0000 HO Scale Builds Mike Engler 1591@/vanforum/index.php?p=/discussions
I have been able to write and have a couple of articles in the last couple of Narrow Gauge and Short Line Gazettes. I also co-authored with my friend Keith Pashina an article just published in the new 2024 HOn3 Annual by White River Publications. It is the lead article about the new modular layout I am doing as a exit strategy. I took all of the photos and as you can see it is about 90% SWSM and it started after meeting Brett at a long ago trade show. I think there are 12 Sierra West kits.

Now available to buy from White River for $34.95. A lot of good articles by some good modelers around the world. They also do an On30 Annual that Robert G has been featured in with his incredible SWSM O scale creations. I'll post a few photos





]]> http://www.craftsmankituniversity.com/vanforum/index.php?p=/discussion/1545/oneills-my-first-sierra-west-build Mon, 18 Mar 2024 13:49:50 +0000 HO Scale Builds swissrail 1545@/vanforum/index.php?p=/discussions
I am planning to share my progress along the way, not quite to the detail level of a build thread, but rather to a) coax my motivation to continue so that I can post an update, and b) (more importantly) to ask for feedback and advice from the forum community.

This will NOT be a build with daily updates, or one that will be complete in six months. I am gainfully employed in a job that takes usually more than 40 hours a week, plus the sailing season is just starting. Nevertheless, I look forward to disappearing into my cave and working on O'Neills regularly.

Here are a couple of pictures to start:

My "virgin" O'Neills kit on my workbench before the start.



First batch stained using Brett's methods - my hunch is I used a bit too much chalk and too little alcohol (input welcome).



The damp-brushed walls of the main building laid out on the glass work surface. On some of the earlier groups, I was a bit heavy handed (light means REALLY light), but overall I am fairly pleased. I think I was a bit too sparing on the knot holes. My excuse is I did not want to overdo it.

One thing I really enjoyed was the warm brown wood tones achieved with the artist chalk/alcohol method, vs. the alcohol stains that I had used in the past. Whichever variation of those I use, they seem to turn the wood mostly into a coldish gray, with a slight tint of what the bottle says. I sure will try Brett's techniques too on other kits.

Any input is welcome.]]> http://www.craftsmankituniversity.com/vanforum/index.php?p=/discussion/1582/ho-railroad-camp Sat, 05 Oct 2024 01:21:29 +0000 HO Scale Builds CraigM 1582@/vanforum/index.php?p=/discussions

]]> http://www.craftsmankituniversity.com/vanforum/index.php?p=/discussion/1578/main-street Wed, 11 Sep 2024 19:01:14 +0000 HO Scale Builds TomMich 1578@/vanforum/index.php?p=/discussions Hotel and Dry Goods Store










Warehouse












First Aid Building






Yard Office










The Junk Pile







]]> http://www.craftsmankituniversity.com/vanforum/index.php?p=/discussion/1577/tanks-for-the-details Wed, 11 Sep 2024 18:32:23 +0000 HO Scale Builds TomMich 1577@/vanforum/index.php?p=/discussions









Tank No. 2










Tank No. 3










Tank No. 4











]]> http://www.craftsmankituniversity.com/vanforum/index.php?p=/discussion/1574/logging-camp-essentials Wed, 31 Jul 2024 02:19:49 +0000 HO Scale Builds Gd110 1574@/vanforum/index.php?p=/discussions http://www.craftsmankituniversity.com/vanforum/index.php?p=/discussion/1546/3-in-1-dio-a-old-one-and-two-kinda-new Fri, 12 Apr 2024 17:26:54 +0000 HO Scale Builds CarlLaskey 1546@/vanforum/index.php?p=/discussions This winter was a god one for this hobby so here are the Fright House and two Sheds they are small kits so i decided to put them all together.
It was a fun project need to ad a few more model T;s and prune the tree or let it be. I am not the best at taking pictures no cell phone if need be I will take it out side when the rain stops. ........Carl......





































]]> http://www.craftsmankituniversity.com/vanforum/index.php?p=/discussion/1555/farmall-model-c-3d-print-ho-scale Mon, 20 May 2024 15:50:10 +0000 HO Scale Builds TravisS 1555@/vanforum/index.php?p=/discussions
You definitely want to use the lightest primer you can on these to maintain the details. I was out of the Rustoleum Camo Black so used a substitute that was "made for miniatures" from the wargamers side of the hobby and it went on way too thick.

Including a few pics "in situ" to show how you can really build a scene around these prints. Eagle-eyed viewers may be able to tell the kit that was used for this WIP diorama. I am putting the finishing touches on this one this week (mainly taking pics and then fixing all the mistakes from there-- note the bed of the coal truck) then it is on the Logging Camp Diorama.
Received the updated Donkey Repair Yard a few weeks ago and finally tracked down an Essentials kit all the way from Australia. Will start a new thread soon once I get a wall or two of the Hotel from Main Street up.






]]> http://www.craftsmankituniversity.com/vanforum/index.php?p=/discussion/1504/shipyard-at-foss-landing-another-one Fri, 13 Oct 2023 16:14:04 +0000 HO Scale Builds baevans 1504@/vanforum/index.php?p=/discussions Saw a build log for this kit on the "Non-ship Builds" section of my go-to ship modeling site, I've always been fascinated by detailed dioramas (just for the own sake; not a model railroad guy) and showed it to the boss, who sail "You definitely need to get that." So I did.
Returned from our summer place (also out of room for ship displays) and began to accumulate the materials needed and whatever helpful tools I did not already have in my shipyard. A few weeks ago finally dove in and started.
The detailed and exhaustive build logs for this project on this site (in addition to Brett's wonderful manual) have been guides for me. I won't duplicate them, but will post when significant progress has occurred or when I screw up and/or need help.
At any rate, finished the walls for the main structure and its dormers today, so getting ready to take on the windows and doors next.
Here's a picture of the finished walls. I think I'm ready for the next step. If I have missed anything feel free to set me straight.
Glad to be here.
Bruce
]]> http://www.craftsmankituniversity.com/vanforum/index.php?p=/discussion/1534/ho-scale-3d-printed-ford-tt-truck-karl-a Thu, 25 Jan 2024 02:51:31 +0000 HO Scale Builds Karl.A 1534@/vanforum/index.php?p=/discussions The prints as always are incredibly sharp and very detailed.
Here's the progress so far tonight..

Parts for the kit primed black and ready for top coats.





View of the printed in place interior details which I have started painting.
Hand brake, steering column, gear shifter, foot pedals, horn and seat.



Steering wheel painted and added to the column.



View of the painted dash mounted horn.



All components base painted and ready for assembly and weathering tomorrow.
The kit comes with two hoods, one open, one closed so that you can choose how to model it.



Hopefully finish tomorrow.
]]> http://www.craftsmankituniversity.com/vanforum/index.php?p=/discussion/1510/ho-blacksmith-shop-build Thu, 09 Nov 2023 16:48:22 +0000 HO Scale Builds TomMich 1510@/vanforum/index.php?p=/discussions
Starting with an overall of the detail parts


A close-up of the parts




Putting into perspective the size of the parts





]]> http://www.craftsmankituniversity.com/vanforum/index.php?p=/discussion/1493/my-first-foundry Tue, 08 Aug 2023 16:55:18 +0000 HO Scale Builds TravisS 1493@/vanforum/index.php?p=/discussions
I started on the JE Morton's Brass and Iron Foundry around June 1st. Summer modeling always takes a bit longer but have been making good progress.

As you can hopefully see in the photos, I kept both a copy of the manual along with Ken Karn's masterful forum build under my pillow. I tried to execute some of the "extra" techniques that Ken displayed to the best of my abilities as I find these challenges help to make me a better and more experienced modeler. Not sure how many pics I can add per post so may have to split the first three buildings up into multiple posts. Any constructive criticism or tips are greatly appreciated.



The rear of the Blacksmith shop. Will try to tone down the weathering under the windows before installation. It reads a little darker than it looks in person. One of the kickplates for the doors was lost the Vacuum Monster so the left one was fashioned from scrap. I went with a Tuscan Red acrylic mixed with some umber for the wood coloring as the SW set is no longer available. It was VERY bright when applied but dulled down very nicely with some chalk and AI weathering.


]]> http://www.craftsmankituniversity.com/vanforum/index.php?p=/discussion/1535/3d-printed-ho-ingersol-rand-air-compressor-karl-a Sat, 27 Jan 2024 01:59:03 +0000 HO Scale Builds Karl.A 1535@/vanforum/index.php?p=/discussions Primed and a rough base colour applied to start.


]]> http://www.craftsmankituniversity.com/vanforum/index.php?p=/discussion/1526/updating-the-shipyard Mon, 01 Jan 2024 20:33:11 +0000 HO Scale Builds SteveCuster 1526@/vanforum/index.php?p=/discussions
One of the first kits I built when I got back in the hobby was The Shipyard. I've since refined my modeling a bit and I was unhappy with the job I did on the kit, particularly the roof. Over the last couple weeks, I replaced the roof with an individual shingle roof while the kit was installed on a 36"x36" chunk of my layout. It was one of the more challenging modeling tasks I've done and somehow, I managed to not disturb any of the rest of the structures in the scene. Here are the results of my efforts.

The before:






After:





And here is the scene reinstalled on the layout:



For the shingles I used scale 1x6s stained with A&I. I've used real cedar in the past and I ended up having a difficult time getting the weathered gray I wanted, and this is much easier to get consistency in sizing as well.

I'm going to update the rest of the scene as well, but I can do that with it installed on the layout.

-Steve]]> http://www.craftsmankituniversity.com/vanforum/index.php?p=/discussion/1404/quincey-at-deer-creek Sun, 04 Sep 2022 13:07:16 +0000 HO Scale Builds CarlLaskey 1404@/vanforum/index.php?p=/discussions It will be a place for new and used sawmill machinery.
Also there will be a Trading Post for any other needs like gloves work boots clothing and refreshments as well.]]> http://www.craftsmankituniversity.com/vanforum/index.php?p=/discussion/1506/oldie-but-goodie Mon, 16 Oct 2023 21:20:53 +0000 HO Scale Builds Mike Engler 1506@/vanforum/index.php?p=/discussions

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