Finished Gantry Crane…………

Well as I promised myself, I got the scalescenes Gantry Crane finished for the N.E.D.C.C. Model Fair at Birtley today. Granted it’s not completely finished as it needs the railings around the top and  around the walkways. I set to last night to try and do these but the time got the better of me and I only managed to get them made and not painted, so I left them off for now and I will put them on tomorrow.

Here is how the Crane came to be complete.

That’s the head gear sorted, next is the container and spreader beams and the lifting gear.

And finally the Drivers Cab.

And how big is this seat please!!!

Lets see it in all it’s glory.

All said and done I’m well pleased with this Gantry Crane. When I first saw it I thought it would be very flimsy, but the total opposite is more like it. It is so rigid and strong, it is a great sturdy piece of kit.

I’m sorry but I don’t have any pictures from the Fair today, as I forgot my camera!! A big thank you to all of you that came along to say hello.

Until Next Time……….

Chris

N.E.D.C.C. Fair………

Just a quick note to give you the details of the N.E.D.C.C. Fair (North East Die Cast Collectors) being held on Saturday 10th March 2012. If the last time I was there is anything to go by, you will be in for a treat. It is been held at North Lodge School, North Road, Chester Le Street. DH3 4BB. Doors open at 10:00hrs and the event closes at 15:00hrs. Admission is only £1 for adults and 50p for children an OAP’s. If you would like more information on future events by N.E.D.C.C. Fairs go and visit their web site at http://nedcc.co.uk/page1.html. 

Pop along and let me know you follow my blog, it would be nice to meet you.

Until Next Time……….

Chris

Gantry Crane Update………..

I got back from my trip to Liverpool on Thursday night to late to go to the Fire Station. So I had a great opportunity to sit at the table, relax and make some progress on the T017 Gantry Crane from scalescenes. This project has reminded me of the T030 Cargo Ship, in as much as it is a very technical build. Unlike most of the builds like houses shops and the like that are similar in construction to start with, this one is good for getting the grey matter thinking. At first glance it looks very flimsy or fragile, but due to its very clever lamination and integral strengthening, it is deceptively strong and sturdy.

Anyhow less rabbiting on let’s have a look at the progress so far.

Along with the lamination, there is some brilliant cover pieces that help with the strength.

Well that’s one done, what’s next? Oh yes, another one. At least once I have two, it will all start coming together.

And as if by magic, I have two!

Once the top beams are in place it all starts to come together, and you feel as if you have achieved something. I know the next picture looks similar to the former, but it is showing the covering pieces that make the structure look like a solid lump of engineering.

I have opted for the Freightliner livery, as it is the oldest one available out of the three that are supplied with the kit.

Now that the main structure is in place, the clever stuff starts. Each corner or leg gets it’s own bogey. These are so small but so effective. I had to get my wife Jak to help me cut these little blighters out, as I was struggling to cut out the fine detail with my sausage fingers!

So that’s how far I’ve managed to get so far. I’m hoping to have it finished for next weekend, as I have a show to do at Birtley and I would like have the finished Crane to show off. I will post in the next couple of days with the details of the show, just in case you fancy popping by and saying hello.

Until Next Time…………

Chris

Gantry Crane……….

Well I didn’t get a start on Thursday like I’d hoped for, but only got going last night. It looks as if I haven’t achieved much, but there is quite a bit of cutting out to do, to build up the card stock into substantial elements. The maximum thickness of the card stock that I use is only 2mm. To achieve the strength required, there is a lot of lamination, which I must say gives great strength.

By building up so many layers I managed to make the legs 12mm in places. This crane is going to be a lot stronger than it looks.

Once all fiddly bits have been cut out, the fun can start.

 

I was intrigued when I first saw the pictures of this crane from scalescenes, on how sturdy it was going to be. I should not have doubted it. It is going to be as strong as houses!

So, I have both end frames built, the two bridge rails are laminated. I can start and assemble the main structure. Unfortunately this will not be until next weekend, as I have a very busy week at work, with a trip to our Mersey Port near Liverpool for two days mid week.

Until Next Time…………..

Chris

Gantry Crane……..

Well I told you I had nothing to build and that I was going to get into the loft. Well, those people at Scalescenes  have only gone and produced the coolest looking Gantry Crane, and you guessed it I had to have it. Hopefully I am going to get a start on it tonight, if I get back from the Fire Station at a reasonable time. Go to Scalescenes and check it out

Call back in a couple of days, and see how I’m getting on.

Until Next Time………

Chris

Finished Barn…………..

Well I set to this weekend and promised myself that I would complete the Barn to go with the T012 Farm House from scalescenes. It has made such a refreshing change to construct  a building with no windows. It is a basic square building with two doors, simple.

How wrong could one man be!! I should have known that it wouldn’t just be a box with two doors, especially knowing that lot from scalescenes.

 

These are oak beams to go (yes you guessed it) on the inside. At least I could cut out a panel at a time and not have to glue all of them on individually.

If that was not bad enough the under side of the roof has beams and rafters, just like the ones in the T014 Church, only smaller.

At least the roof was in two huge pieces, but placed with over the rafters I think that the end result is well worth the sore fingers, wouldn’t you agree?

Just the doors to go and then I’ve finished.

Just four plain barn doors.

Four easy to cut out and glue into place barn doors.

Four square cut, glue together barn doors.

Well you would think so.

Wouldn’t you.

Nooooooooooooo!!

They’ve only got strengthening battens on the back. DOH!!

Any how, all joking aside I think you’ll agree with me that this Barn is not just a plain building stuck at the side of the Farm house, but itself a grand building that would adorn any layout it was proudly placed upon.

And finally the pair of them side by side in all of their glory.

Well I’m not sure what I’m building next, but I have loads to do in the loft, so I might just divert all my efforts into getting the layout started and getting some of these buildings put into their final settings.

Until Next Time…………

Chris