Some days it just don't come easy.

John Moore Jan 10, 2011

  1. John Moore

    John Moore TrainBoard Supporter

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    Been at decaling the newest steamers since Friday PM. Now I would have to pick a road where the decals are far and few between. Fortunately I have a number of SP&S steam decals made for me about ten years ago. Fella that made them is out of business now that I know of. Of course with the age of the decals the crumblitis sets in if you don't use some liquid decal solution. Even with that it still can be a bear. Now the decals do have tender capacities and cab numbers. Also some small SP&S initials, however they are two large for the sand or steam domes thus I am cobbling some from a freight car set. Then there is the issue of class data, which I am cobbling from a NP steam set. Then there is my old eyes.

    Finally managed to get the data on one side of both and the rear of the tenders. Now just getting to the other side.

    And as usual I like to have another project going while glue sets and paint dries on the first. So I decided to start my small fleet of river vessels. When I went to the parts bin and pulled them out I found that they had been heat warped from way back when I had done a water scene using the old heat and pour stuff that was out then. That layout has long since been tore up, after a move, and parts salvaged. Thus the reason they were in the parts box. So after a day of paint stripping and then puttying in the warped areas I may be ready in a day or so the start laying out the hulls, and making some molds to cast a few more.

    Then it was the search for where I had tucked away the Heavy Mountain, and an old Atlas 0-8-0 chassis. The first for conversion to a GN P-2, the 2nd for possible fodder to build a Twelve Wheeler. After a days search it finally dawned on me where I had tucked them away.

    So far all my fingers are attached, no fresh blood on the work table, I can still see, at least some, after squinting through an Optivisor at writing I can't see with the naked eye and maybe the putty will set up by tommorow, when I finally get around to digging out my other locos.

    And so how has your modeling weekend gone?
     
  2. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Well, you were having too much fun this weekend, John. :D

    My modeling was minimal. I was looking at a plywood sheet remnant, and came up with an idea for a T-Trak module. The more I think about it, the better it sounds. So...

    Boxcab E50
     
  3. norco44

    norco44 TrainBoard Member

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    John,
    I know exactly the problems that you are having.
    Nice simple job installing decoders in three LifeLike FA’s. Worked on all three units to get them running nice and smoothly. Removed rear top section of frame to provide space for decoder. Removed the two tabs from frame halves that normally make contact with motor brush tags. Grind away small section of tab that is inside motor cavity with Dremel. Found the box for Dremel, no Dremel in box. After three day search in garage, finally found it under my work desk at my feet. Finished one and it works! None of the smoke got out.
    Now to finish the other two. Attach frame pick up leads to frames with solder tags and fix with screws. Drilled holes but cant find tap to thread holes. Had three taps but all seem to have vanished. Very hard to find 10BA taps in Australia. Project stops.

    On to alternative decaling project. Have printed the decals for Sheffield Farms milk car, made up the tack boards. Unable to find the car that was previously stripped and repainted. Second project stops.

    Have an Intermountain box car that is repainted and to be redecalled to Wabash/NJI&I. Unable to find the pack of CDS dry transfers. Third project stops.

    I feel better knowing that other people have the same problems.
    Gary
     
  4. John Moore

    John Moore TrainBoard Supporter

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    And then there is part two. Setting here at the old worktable this AM, waiting on the snow and working on my master for what is hoped to be a few vessels for my river scenes. Knew it was gonna happen sooner or later. Fact is it had come to my old tired mind just the other day, and I am usually very careful how I place things with that in mind. Especially my feet. Okay, Okay I'll get to the point. It involves an Exacto knife, and of course a number eleven blade, brand new of course and at its sharpest. Some how It rolls off the worktable, rotates just right, and sticks point first naturally in my thigh.

    Now shades of that classic Young Frankenstien, I set there in disbelief, this didn't happen. Then I nonchalantly pull the exacto out of my thigh. No it didn't go Thock when it came out, but there was a sigh of relief. Now the good part is that it wasn't my foot, as that would have been further to fall thus deeper penetration.

    Stay tuned for further adventures from the lab, er workroom. Down Igor.
     
  5. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Mention of Igor and thinking of his master, Young Fronkensteen has me worried. What are you actually building at that work bench?

    :tb-tongue:

    Boxcab E50
     
  6. MC Fujiwara

    MC Fujiwara TrainBoard Member

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    What hump?

    And what is it that you do do?

    ;)
     
  7. subwayaz

    subwayaz TrainBoard Member

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    After reading this thread it reminds me that one of the things I'm constantly aware of; patience in this hobby is first and foremost. Many times I've had to set a most simple job to the side because no matter what I try it just isn't going to come out to my satisfaction. At that time, but later sure....No problem:tb-biggrin::pbiggrin:
     
  8. Fotheringill

    Fotheringill TrainBoard Member

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    I'll take the blonde and you can have the one in the turban.

    #4000- It was a good thing you were sitting the way you were. A toe hit would have paled in comparison to what you could have penetrated. Stay well and keep those caps on the ends of the knives. Even a twisted on paper clip on the non blade end would have prevented the roll.
     
  9. John Moore

    John Moore TrainBoard Supporter

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    Well yesterday the small fishing boat turned into a 82 foot sardine carrier this A.M. And the old Atlas 0-8-0 will probably not become a Twelve Wheeler, but instead a 2-8-0.

    You gotta remember that I work with the mad monks up in the Zendo creating rolling stock. So anythings possible coming out of there from a 4-2-0 to a steam powered tractor on rail wheels, standard gauge.
     
  10. Tom Schilling

    Tom Schilling TrainBoard Member

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    I had a pretty good day....only one loco, a Kato SD70Ace, hit the floor. I had no idea how many different parts and pieces one of these can break into. Hmmmm, I wonder what the world's record is? ....Tom
     
  11. bigford

    bigford TrainBoard Member

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    i picked up a kato c44-9w by the radiator and forgot that it was not
    glued on! well the loco hit my lap then the chair and came to rest on the floor

    i need the light pipe for the ditch lights and front hand rail D/L cover
    i need to brake more kato parts to justify the shipping
     
  12. bremner

    bremner Staff Member

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    Dr. Frederick Frankenstein: Pardon me, boy. Is this the Transylvania station?
    Shoe-Shine Boy: Ja, ja. Track 29. Can I give you a shine?

    Dr. Frederick Frankenstein: Igor, help me with the bags.
    Igor: [Imitating Groucho Marx] Soitenly. You take the blonde, I'll take the one in the turban.


    Don't feel bad, I messed up a brand new decal last night. I am now not a fan of solv-a-set
     
  13. John Moore

    John Moore TrainBoard Supporter

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    [
    Don't feel bad, I messed up a brand new decal last night. I am now not a fan of solv-a-set[/QUOTE]

    Neither am I after having a number of decals disolve and warp. Didn't used to have the problem way back when, Geeze Geeze Wheeze, but either the formula has been changed or the decal films is different. Either way Micro-sol and Micro-set now do the job for me just fine.
     
  14. JoeS

    JoeS TrainBoard Member

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    John I suppose I can add that is what makes the finished product that much more rewarding. When you have done something, made something that people cannot buy, satisfaction is the greatest reward. I often think all those magazines only show the finished product, but never all the swearing it took to get it done, :D
     

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