Hammertoe, my 16mm scale 45mm gauge Indoor layout

[DCooper]

At the risk of being boring I have some more photos to share of my latest experiment.

When I started the layout I had done the fascia in the usual way of a flat surface was cut to follow the edge of the scene. This resulted in a very wavy edge which either meant I had to severely crop my shots or have a whole lot of fascia showing in the final photo. I got to thinking that if I just added a thin vertical 'cliff' of rocks I would at least have something I could smudge out in post processing. Hopefully It would look okay and wouldn't be too hard to do. What's life without a challenge?



I have at this point carved so many rocks this wasn't that much of a chore and has gone surprisingly quickly. I think it is a workable solution and it does what's on the tin so to speak.



You can see where I quickly smudged out the lower right corner. I think it looks okay.



The big results are in a photo like this where I'd previously have had a big chunk of fascia in bottom corners making the shot unusable unless heavily cropped.



I always wanted to have a lot of vertical scenery and again this shot didn't work before adding the addition rocks.



Just the same setup cropped differently. If I had known more when I started thinking about the layout I could have planed this better but using the extruded foam base for the scenery makes doing these changes pretty easy. Just rough cut the rocks from foam, glue and cover with spackle and then paint and add foliage.

I do miss the more finished edge the fascia gave before adding the rocks but the flexibility in taking photos, my main interest, out weighs any other concerns.

Mind you just how I'm going to get this huge block of foam out of the bungalow is another matter. It is light as a feather but it's getting fat around the middle. A problem for future Dan I think.

Thanks for looking in.

Dan

[ge_rik]

I was quite happy with the fascia, but I can see why you did it.

Rik

[DCooper]

​

Just doing some bird watching.







The reason I built this layout was to take photos like this.

I hope you like them.

Thanks for looking in.
​

[ge_rik]

The reason I built this layout was to take photos like this.
I hope you like them.

Thanks for looking in.
​

I do - and more please.

Is the next phase to start adding scale insects?

Rik

[DCooper]

I don't know why I have a fear of finishing projects, but I do. I think that may be why I have so many things/projects started but uncompleted. I just get the heebie-jeebies at the 75-80 percent done point, often with only a tiny bit left to do. The squirrels running about in my head don't help but it's a creeping feeling of unease at the three quarter finished stage that see's me abandoning a model, sometimes for years.


Since I like taking photos I often plan my work so I can leave one side or part unfinished and still get the photos I want. Much like movie set designers only detailing the bits that show to the camera. Leaving the rest of the construction and finishing for "another day". Maybe that's why I like railway modelling as the layout is essentially designed to NEVER be finished.


I do, from time to time, get back and finish off a model that has sat unloved for some time. Usually because a want to take a photo from an angle that I can't crop out or hide the model from. The back side of my fruit warehouse has been unfinished for years now. I really wanted to paint the sign on the side and worked like a devil to get the thing about three quarters finished but I wasn't looking forward to making the double hung window on the back wall.


That changed with finishing up, almost, the creek bed and now I could only do so much to hide the blank unpainted back shed wall. I was cleaning up the bench the other day and found a small rectangle of clear sheet in some packaging. This got me thinking. One of the impediments to building the window was getting square window pains the same size. This bit was already square and almost the right size to do the two panes. I drug out the strip wood and white glue and had a go.







Not as hard as I thought it would be. Just a lot of fiddling about and trying to keep it all square. At the very least it's better than the blank unfinished wall. Allows me to take a lot more photos that I have wanted to do so well worth the effort.


More bits to mess with this weekend, like adding some cab lights to the locomotive and such.


Wishing everyone a wonderful weekend.

[LNR]

Microscope slides and thin picture frame glass are my go to sources for glass windows. Being outside and close to the ground glass is easier to clean and doesn't scratch like clear plastic.
Grant.

[DCooper]

Glass would be much better for out doors.

Do you have any hints of tricks for cutting such thin glass?

I've tried using microscope cover slides in small scale models but it is very fragile. And sharp!

It sure looks nice and has a better reflection.

Dan

[LNR]

Do you have any hints of tricks for cutting such thin glass?

I seem to have about a 40/60 chance cutting glass, in favour of it breaking!
A "diamond" cutoff wheel in Dremel equivalent is best for thin microscope slides I have found, though getting slides is harder now. Of course I'm not fitting glass "into" a frame rather glueing it to a surface.

Railway Scenes 150.jpg (284.32 KiB) Viewed 190 times

This night shot of the windows and door of the Nayook store is 1.5 mm picture frame glass and has been outside for years showing no signs of scratching.
Grant.

[ge_rik]

I'm running out of superlatives for your modelling, Dan. All I can say in this case is, it is well worth the wait.

Maybe the reason for not finishing projects is you're clearly a bit of a perfectionist. My approach is more, "It'll have to do!". Which is probably why I have such admiration for your and others' exquisite modelling on this forum.

Rik

[philipy]

I don't know why I have a fear of finishing projects, but I do. I think that may be why I have so many things/projects started but uncompleted. I just get the heebie-jeebies at the 75-80 percent done point, often with only a tiny bit left to do. The squirrels running about in my head don't help but it's a creeping feeling of unease at the three quarter finished stage that see's me abandoning a model, sometimes for years.

We are all different of course, but personally I HATE having unfinished models. Until recently I always finished one before starting another, and once started I bang on until its finished, although I find with advancing years and other commitments that has slipped a bit of late. I still hate it but time beats me these days.
I guess it depends on the underlying motivation and goals to a large extent, for me, getting to see the end result is the most important thing, whether it's a building, a loco or a piece of scenery, I need to see it, otherwise what's the point?( for me)
Having said that, whatever the motivation and the timescale, your workmanship is superb and the end result ( so far ) is worth the wait.

[Peter Butler]

Glass would be much better for out doors.

Do you have any hints of tricks for cutting such thin glass?

Dan

I have been cutting glass throughout my working life as a picture framer and supplier of cut sheet glass to order, including different thicknesses, patterned glass and fancy shapes. There are no 'tricks' just follow simple rules....

1. Use a basic (cheap) wheel glass cutter. These are simpler to use than diamond cutters as those need skill to discover their 'cutting' edge.
2. Ensure the glass surface is clean.
3. Dip the cutter wheel in Methylated spirit to lubricate the wheel and give a smooth surface contact on the glass. ( IMPORTANT !)
4. Follow a straight edge to keep to the line required.
5. Press firmly.. NOT heavily on the cutter against the glass.
6. Slide the cutter slowly towards you.. no hurry!
7. NEVER go over the same cut twice. If you hear a grating sound that is NOT a cut.
8. Place the glass over a matchstick placed under ONE end of the cut line and press down gently at both sides . Alternatively place thumbs of both hands on top of the glass either side of the cut line with bent first finger underneath and snap by applying upward pressure.

Hope you find this useful.

[LNR]

Dip the cutter wheel in Methylated spirit

That interesting Peter, I keep my wheeled cutters in thin clock oil. I shall try Meths next time.
Thank You.
Grant.