Scalefour Forum

Russ Elliott wrote:

Tor Giffard wrote:http://www.youtube.com/edit?o=U&video_id=Q3ytoiukV3o

Couldn't view that one, Dave, without 'creating a channel'.

If you copy the "Q3ytoiukV3o" bit into the "Post a reply" window, select it and click the "youtube" button, it gets embedded so we can all see and play it.

Like this


Ditto the "Q4TGs-2XWbc" bit from the other reference Dave gave


That way all those of thus who don't want to log in to Google unless we absolutely have to are kept happy

Will

I am not criticising the post here, but I cannot see the point of these particular YouTube videos being video. The contents would have been much more use as separate images, allowing one to examine them at leisure instead of having to use the 'pause' button. I hope this does not develop into a trend.

Evenin' chaps,

I've always used a digital HD camcorder and never owned a still digital camera.

What kind of digital still camera is required for good quality close up work?

Dave

Aft'noon all,

With apologies to those wanting still pictures...digital still camera now on the shopping list.

Todays task included the fettling of the 250mm lattice length, slicing, soldering back to back and fitting between the caissons (correctly spaced)

The clip shows the side and plan views, the method of filing the 1mm to produce a diagonal (ready for snipping off) and the .7mm wire extensions used to secure the lattice strut to matching .7mm holes in the caisson side



Some similarities to the latticework on the Little Petherick Creek structure below



The differences when compared with the twin track Tavy viaduct (the model viaduct will be 3 bowstring spans with a single stone arch at each end...approx. 5ft in length overall) are readily apparent (photographer unknown at the moment)



Next 250mm lattice length already underway.

Dave

Tor Giffard wrote:Aft'noon all,

Next 250mm lattice length already underway.

Dave

Dave,

As you have obviously got a lot of these to do (and no doubt lots of similar things of a similar ilk); have you thought about getting them etched?

It is true that you will need to get to grips with a CAD or drawing package on the computer (at least some of these are free, but the better ones rather not) but once you have done this it is obviously so repeatable. I would think you will save lifetimes!

The cost to get something etched is around £25 for the set up fee and then the same again for an etch of around 300*200mm plus some carriage. You would get a lot of lattices on a sheet of this size.

It is likely to be cheaper than the metal cost by your existing route too?

Mark Tatlow wrote:It is likely to be cheaper than the metal cost by your existing route too?

Oh, and if you were proposing to do the rivet detail on the top plates (and it does make a difference) - it will save your sanity!

...I'm prepared to go either way at the moment Mark...bearing in mind that I only have 2 pairs of caissons and 3 spans to do. This is the first lattice work that I've done and whilst anticipating a time consuming experience, have found that I can produce a 250mm length in one day....which isn't unreasonable. It doesn't help that there will need to be various lattice styles created for the project.

Dave

Mornin' all,

Latticework for the viaduct supports continues with the production of the various sub-assemblies/marking out of graph paper to ensure that all is square & correctly orientated. The trickier part of ensuring the correct spacings for the lattice 'X' between the caissons is being tackled just now....see



Ultrasound bath for cleaning up these sub assemblies & subsequent assemblies now being investigated....the 2L RS KC2 is looking favourite at the moment

http://uk.rs-online.com/web/c/?searchTe ... wwodV1wA8A

Dave

Aft'noon all,

More techniques being developed on this clip



The web plates for securing one lattice sub-assembly to another have been standardised to the design shown. Comparison of the lattice 'X' profile in the clip with that in the picture of the Tavy viaduct above should now be similar. The web plates are being either tack soldered to a n/s strip handle for positioning/soldering or else being centre drilled to take a dress makers pin (held with pliers for positioning) with the pin head preventing the work from sliding off.

Dave

Evenin' all,

More progress on fitting the latticework between the caissons. 5mm strips were scrawked from .25mm nickel-silver sheet and used to replicate those used on the prototype. All is tack soldered currently so that checks for squareness in all planes can be made prior to finish soldering.




Dave

Evenin' all,

Following several adjustments/realignments the first pair of caissons are now linked by their associated latticework...see



There is now the truncated 'X' lattice to create and fit to the lower part of the assembly. Also visible in this clip are a selection of used (and thoroughly cleaned) dentists bits which are ideal for fitting into a minidrill and using to clean up tricky areas of an assembly such as this. The crossing of the truncated 'X' will be close to the base of the assembly (at river surface level) which will ensure that the delicate brasswork is rigid/supported.

Dave

Evenin' all,

Todays progress has included a thorough cleaning of the lattice support and test fitting beneath the model viaduct deck. There is a 1-1.5mm between the top of the caissons and the underside of the deck to guard against expansion deforming the deck. 10mm steel studding lengths have been prepared to act as centre supports (within the caissons) and the below deck assembly fabricated. Once the deck attachment for the studding has been finished then the deck can be properly levelled.



Latest arrival is the 24'' x 6'' nickel silver sheet from which the bowstring arches will be scrawked.

Dave

Evenin' all,

The TG rollercoaster rumbles on with more progress in terms of manufacturing parts for the securing of the Barnstaple viaduct deck to its base frame. The levelling sledge has been in action sanding the cork flat/even at the station end of the frames which are currently erected. A new/pristine Templot print of the double jncs area has been taped to one of the 4' x 2' clear polycarbonate river surface panels to act as a gauge whilst positioning the 2nd bridge deck. At this point I realised that at some point the curvature of the track on the Templot print for the Plymouth viaduct track has been adjusted and is 25mm too tight at the Plymouth end of the viaduct...this is now being fettled. Hindsight do say, to ensure that the trackplan is 100% before starting to profile the trackbed. 'Lines to Torrington' is proving very useful for the design of the timber baulks on the Barnstaple route viaduct



Dave

Evenin' all,

Current progress with TG centres on improvements & amendments to the Templot trackplan. An early baseframe is being fettled ready for a test track build...this has included the fitting of diagonal tensioners to ensure that the 6ft x 2ft baseframe is absolutely level prior to 'average-ing' the surface with the levelling sledge. Although the track won't be used on the layout the exercise has proved instructive in terms of correcting a slightly arched aluminium baseframe.

Many thanks to John Palmer of Templot club for his latest work...inserting a down main to goods loop crossover/goods loop to up main egress. See below for John's handiwork



Freight workings arriving from the Exeter direction will now be able to detach traffic in the goods loop ready for the station pilot/clay dries trip loco to attend to.

For those wishing to see a little more of Tor Giffard I am currently preparing an article for the September edition of Scalefour News.

Rgds

Dave

You learn something every day. I thought Tor Giffard was your name. It sounded good for someone modelling that part of the world. Good ole Tor, he were a smashing bloke.

Hi Howard,

I use the layout title as a signature to give everyone just one to remember...I hadn't considered it sounding like a persons name....but now you mention it.

Rgds

Dave

Tor Giffard wrote:What kind of digital still camera is required for good quality close up work?

Try your 'phone, you may be in luck. My wife's 'phone is a Samsung Galaxy and the camera is excellent, even for close-in work. Conversely, the camera in my iPhone is pants.

Hi Guy,

Thanks for the thought but my phone is a steam powered Nokia of almost 10yrs vintage.

I've borrowed my dads Lumix for the Scalefour News article but once the current run of regular and significant expenditure on the layout is done then I'll get one of my own.

Best regards

Dave

Tor Giffard wrote:What kind of digital still camera is required for good quality close up work?

Dave

How much do you want to spend, Dave?

If you want to make a big thing of photography, you could splash out on a DSLR and equip it with whatever specialised lenses you need. The DSLR body may cost several hundred pounds before you start adding in the cost of lenses, etc.

Having struggled to get shots from which I could decent enlargements on an elderly Olympus Mu, I recently decided to get a new camera having a reasonable macro capability. I did so with the specific intention of using this to reveal the shortcomings in my model making that ought to be made good. I ended up getting a Fuji X10, the main reasons for my choice being its large sensor and 1cm macro capability. I paid about £225 for mine, which is about £140 less than the price of the newer model, the X20. Didn't think the enhancements incorporated into the X20 justified the extra cost.

I am a complete tyro at photography, but I'm encouraged by the results I've been getting from the X10. It is, however, by no means the cheapest of cameras and you might well get results that are acceptable to you from a camera costing half as much.

Hi Dave

I have to ask, I've looked for this answer in the thread and I can't see it, but what's the advantages of metal baseboards other than its something different? They certainly seem from your comments to be expensive and seem to take an extraordinary amount of time and effort to construct, am I missing something obvious?

Jim

Hi Jim,

Now that I've got into my stride with frame construction I can knock one up in a day. I started by labouring under the false impression that I could build a flat 6ft x 2ft frame which would never flex/arch etc...consequently, I pointlessly spent time over-engineering the first two or three.

The key to why the frames are aluminium is down to the size of the two 5ft viaducts on the layout and wanting to use similar materials/techniques.

Progress is slow because I work full time, my wife is retired and I have to juggle my spare time...there is no deadline to the layout, I work on it when I can.

Yes, I wanted to try something different and that is exactly what I'm doing. I have a budget to work to and anything expensive is simply spread over a longer timescale.

Cheers

Dave

Mornin' all,

Current work on TG centres on enabling the easy transportation of a test frame to area group evenings and correcting a slight arch to the test frame (what was one of the thin fiddle yard frames). I hadn't envisaged the need for the transportation of even a test frame individually and a little 'on the hoof' improvisation is being called for in order to carry it safely in the car. I've protected the sides of the frame with 5 inch x 6ft 2 inch, half inch thick ply (with fittings) and purchased a waterproof cover so that any rain is kept off the cork surface. I called at the scrap yard to cut 3 seat belts out of old cars so that I'd got some strong carrying loops to tie around the frame/cover. I'm trying 2 forms of tensioning the frame from beneath with M10 studding. The diagonal version of this looked promising at first but has now been stripped off. I'll be trying a simple end to end type next.



Once I've solved the current issues part of the Templot plan for TG will be bonded to the surface of the cork and a test section of the double junction area built on top.

Dave

Aft'noon all,

A busy morning fitting tensioning along the longitudinals has paid off. With very little tightening of the M10 studding/lock nut arrangement the slight arch in the frame was corrected. The last scene on this clip is the newly arrived decals for a 4mm scratchbuild of 2 Associated Octel Grazebrook bromine tanks.



Dave

As a matter of interest, Dave; who did your transfers. They look pretty good?