Thursday, July 16, 2020

The log pond Boat House, saw dust shed, and the saw dust conveyor

Three additional builds in the last few weeks, though I've taken some time off to tend to other hobbies and events. 
First on the list is the log pond Boat House build. Shown here in its completed form minus details.


This was a fun build, mostly because I look forward to seeing all those pilings sitting in water one day on the layout. 
I bought more Woodland Scenics foam to continue to sort out the elevation deltas between pond - table black - and the various entrances to the two mills. Once I've painted all the details what with boats, tanks, various tools and two interior work benches those curious to take a look will find plenty of eye candy. Mostly, I want to finish the buildings - add interior details so I can add roofs and do all the building exterior details possible before I start the installation on the layout. The builds seem to get more tedious as I go along, but I'm at least at the halfway point and still enjoying the journey.
Another point of view. On the layout I may reverse the building orientation - front to back  so that the Boat House is against the back wall and the 2 mills are in front. I'll know better how to pose them once we get it all down there.
The saw dust shed was an easy build. Just a wood slated roof supported by 2 side walls for support. Here is a photo of it and the completed saw dust conveyor.

The lower end of the saw dust conveyor sits opposite the lean too or saw dust shed.
The conveyor was more difficult, involving layers of details to the structure, getting the legs all the correct length, adding a pulley to the high end and a conveyor belt. Still unfinished due to the saw dust I'll being dumping all over it later on.
Like almost all structures on this kit, I start with a template, which I cover in wax paper. The bottom pieces are spot glued to the wax paper. Just one or two drops of ZAP canopy glue on the side down  minimizes/eliminates wax paper coming off and sticking to the glued down pieces. 
FYI, I use canopy glue for all wood to wood or wood to paper applications. I use CA for metal to plastic applications.
Here is a photo of the bents being built.

Then the beginnings of the conveyor.

Then the full conveyor still on its paper base. This is a case where I followed the directions and wish I hadn't, as the all the bents were glued directly to the paper template, I assume for a stable platform, but I spent hours pulling, cutting and sanding paper off the bottom of each bent leg. 



I won't be able to fit the conveyor into its proper place due to my space restrictions. It will fit sideways with a brick firewall catching and piling up all the saw dust from the mill. With these 3 pieces done or nearly so, I'm moving onto the elevated slab bin. I'll write about that next time.