Tmo layout addition '24 build challenge

[TMo]

Heat wave means I'm inside this weekend, and working on my coal storage facility.  The central elevator shaft has been built and I'm currently working on the roof shingles.

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[TMo]

I'm starting to figure out the designer's statement about this kit on their website: "Even though this is a simple structure, I rate it as an advanced level kit.  It will probably take a month of evenings to complete."  I already groaned about the multitude of hoops around the silo, and now I'm in shingle hell...   Here's the front half of one of the silo roofs.  It's looking pretty cool, but it's testing my fortitude.

   

And each peak of the three roofs gets a cap of folded shingles which end up being quite small...


   

[TMo]

It's Sunday and I've ascended from shingle hell.  Glued the roofs on the center portion of the elevator and dry fit the silos - ended up sanding down the tops and bottoms of the two tallest silos (by the slightest of margins), and there are still some tweaks needed to get everything sitting level and square.  There is an entry shed that still has to be constructed (it's supposed to go at the back of the structure, but I will probably move it to the front since no one will probably see it in the back) and then each one of the silos gets the aforementioned coal chute for loading trucks, but the major structural items are finished.

   

[tompm]

Todd, great job. It turned out fantastic. I jealous of the work you are getting done.

[TMo]

Thanks Tom!  All I can say is get crackin'!  Every journey begins with the first step (hopefully forward...)  The hoops were a great example of the power of perseverance - a little bit one night, a little bit the next and eventually it all gets done.  The entrance shed is now complete and installed on the front face of the central elevator building.  Next....  CHUTES!  Based on the build photos, those are going to be a big challenge for Mr. Meat Hands.

   

[Amalynn]

That is an incredibly well done structure TMo. Those cardstock kits are neat but you always seem to knock them out of the park.

[TMo]

Thanks Amanda!  As with anything, I think I get better with time and repetition, but there is always room to get better.  That's one really critical difference in just buying plans over buying a kit with finite plastic parts - if I don't feel a previous build is up to snuff (say after I look at it for several years) I can just print the thing out again and start over and all it really costs me is cardstock, ink and time.  I haven't actually resorted to a rebuild yet, but it's in the back of my mind for several of my early attempts.

One other advantage of these cardstock kits is that it's really easy to kitbash - I've been looking for prospective elevators between this structure and my coal breaker to give a direct link.  My previous elevator to the top of the breaker from the mine is too big, but that doesn't mean I couldn't scale it down and print it out (and that's one of the options I'm mulling).  There's also a really nice set of beams in the coal hopper dump option that comes along with this kit - I have a feeling I'm going to use them for something sometime soon.

I can't take any credit for the open doorway in this kit - I saw it in the photos and figured I'd have to do it too.  


I've started on the coal chutes, and as I expected, they're pretty tricky and put a high demand on my patience.  One of the four is now finished - the ridiculousness of the size and detail is best illustrated by the finished coal chute in my hand....

   

[TMo]

There are several different varieties of the coal chute in this kit - tonight I finished the dual-handle opener with an open door into the silo.  One saving grace - the brand new dispensing nozzle on my cyanoacrylate glue bottle is hugely important for this tiny work - often I just need to see a little glisten of glue to establish the joint between two pieces of cardstock on these chute mechanisms.  Here's the new chute placed against one of the silos.  

   

Two more to go - I don't know whether they will be single handle or dual handle mechanisms.  There's also a shorter model that I may put together.

[ngauger]

Really nice work!!!