Scratchbuilders Guild

WX Tower update.

2009-07-29T19:13:00.002-04:00

Wow this project is turning out to be a long one. The amount of detail I can fit in the scene is something that you can't ignore or it will look empty.

I guess this is one of those build I can really grow on.

Kids, I love them...

2009-04-06T20:45:00.002-04:00

My Son's interest in Thomas has been the piece the completed my puzzle. Before my Son, and Thomas, I had interests far different then those of today. Similar in nature those old interests, todays have a lasting benefit.

Before my adventure in modeling started I was a level designer for video games. In those games I would recreate neighborhoods where young adults would frag (game term for kill) opponents by the hundreds. This of course was a part time gig my full time being carpenter (stair builder).

To be a business owner has always been my dream. To run my own destiny, be the controller of the companies success. Today I am on that road and I am so excited I just can't describe it (imagine that). Soon i will be providing products for sale on the all new website. Oops did I say that out loud.

Have a great day...
Ron

First real article in the mainstream...

2009-03-19T13:23:00.002-04:00

I am excited, I don't care if it is self promotion. If I don't who will ... You ???

Ok shameless self promotion aside. If you run a website this could be one of the best tools you ever get to use.

Woopra web analytics

Graphic design and bruchures

2009-03-08T23:52:00.000-04:00

I am no graphic designer, I never want to be. I like being able to work from an image or instruction. I am good with that.

Graphic design ... No.

I have a bit of a shake up a foot. A reorganization of sorts, oh man I have a lot of work to do.

Movin on...

2009-02-26T08:00:00.002-05:00

Oh geez,

This was a tough week. Emails from folks that just should not represent good products.

Like an email is informal, spelling mistakes will happen. Whats funny is when someone is heated and replying about grammar, do they themselves use good grammar. The answer is no they don't.

I don't see the problem with reps kindly replying with their thoughts, Even criticisms. Just don't be a hypocrite at the same time huh ?

I do this as a hobby, my attitude shows it. If your attitude has changed maybe, just maybe you would do good to take a break and build something.

Ron

Pursuing the giant

2009-02-24T12:08:00.002-05:00

I have gone from Z to O and on to F scale, all in a short period of time. One thing I have to say these large scale models are easy on the eyes, if you know what I mean.

Toolbar

2009-02-18T12:54:00.002-05:00

The toolbar got an upgrade this week with some railfan blogs and further cleaning up how it looks.

I have also made progress with the sidetrack laser kit, darn it looks good...

Rollin on...

2009-02-15T16:14:00.007-05:00

This past month and a half has seen a whirlwind of projects and new contacts for me and the Guild. It is a real boost to my confidence to be a part of this whole website thing.

I have been testing the toolbar on my own browser and it is pretty darn cool. Every time a blog is updated I can immediately go and comment on the blog.

This is going to be a real big deal when we have 30 or 40 great blogs on the roll. How do you say,... community.

New tool in the works

2009-02-08T09:35:00.002-05:00

We are building what many others have in the past.

A toolbar This little bugger will update itself as I build it. So go ahead install it, updates are automatic.

This tool bar displays the categories, sort by scale, site news and your blogs. Cool huh ?

Check it out...

Modeling every day now.

2009-02-06T09:27:00.002-05:00

Since the beginning I have been juggling my time between the kids and the site.

I have finally come up with a schedule I can deal with. Emails 1 hr, website 1 hr, modeling 2 hr. Four hours a day, thats some modeling each day with the rest dedicated to kids and wife.

Fun Eh!, at least I think so...

Slowly we announce it...

2009-02-01T17:09:00.002-05:00

Announce what ?

Well we have been not so secretly working on a new component to the Guild Network.

Modelers Guild is set to be the social hub of your web experience.

Want to catch up on the blogs ?
We are going to promote what blogs are active and fun to read.

Want to catch up on the latest in whats going on in the community ?
We are going to add a new update component to stream updates from your favorite forum.

Please understand, we are not going to direct traffic away from your favorite haunts, quite the opposite my friend. We are sending people to whats hot.

www.modelersguild.com

Building a Zscale layout

2009-01-27T07:40:00.002-05:00

How hard could it be ? There's a gang out there talking about building a professional layout, I don't know where my humble representation will land up, junk or pro who knows.

I was asked yesterday why I don't go to train shows. Fact is folks I don't sell stuff so there is no reason to go. I might begin to run tables in Canadian shows but going to the states isn't something I do for fun.

I'd rather stay put, pay off debt and model.

Have a great day.
Ron

Working on a solution

2009-01-24T19:36:00.002-05:00

Since the very beginning I have wanted to post articles to multiple areas, so for instance I could create a manufacturers directory. Where there would be no extra work needed to automatically post the articles in this section.

I am near done and the results are looking better then I thought possible.

Next month folks I'll bring it out, to the front page.

What I am working on this week

2009-01-23T08:39:00.003-05:00

When I started this site, I made the foolish mistake of posting updates as I built a model in an article itself. This caused the article to often change focus half way, completely ruining the flow of said article.

This morning I had a little light bulb go off,

I started using this blog again for the stupid stuff (another foolish mistake) that should have never been added to main site news. So as I am using this blog once more I now have the opportunity to post build updates as I go along here, nothing to replace and article just simple updates.

I am working on a DVD review and RS Laser's kits. Here are some pictures of the RS Laser N Scale Engine house.

A new kind of project

2009-01-19T18:34:00.003-05:00

I am going to call it a locomotive craftsman kit.

Yes thats right we are building an engine, An SD40-2 in fact.

Here are the details of the kit,
Right now I have a locomotive pre-order, we will ship the components as we release them. The price includes all shipping and will be below MSRP when the full project is released. The pre-order is below dealer cost right now so its likely going to end up 40% higher. You best bet is to model a GP40-2W or SD40-2W as they will have the first hood modules released.
The cab and under-frame items are all ready to ship. Included are all details for one model.

Here is the link.
http://railflyermodelprototypes.myshopify.com/products/locomotive-kit-pre-order

This is a great looking kit and from the kit builds I have seen already I am very, very excited about it.

Ron

Cabin Fever....

2009-01-18T13:19:00.003-05:00

Well I must be having a wee bit of cabin fever,

I am cleaning house, postin on the blog and consolidated a lot of back end features.

I pulled all the stuff unused in the system and I am half way on two models.

Yup, must be cabin fever...

Ron

Breaking records.

2009-01-17T11:58:00.002-05:00

Well today we have broken records for monthly traffic (our main focus). And this being mid month is the icing on the cake.

I cannot believe how the internet works. I love it...

Ooh how the times change.

2009-01-16T20:10:00.002-05:00

I have been blessed in this last year. This adventure has more than proved itself a success.

I am going to start this blog back up as we just keep on coming up with good idea's. Our latest is a portal of all things railroad blog, did that make sense ?

Who cares this is going to be big.

Busy, busy...

2008-02-24T13:41:00.002-05:00

If anyone one is wondering what we are upto. The website is up and we have spent allot of time on it. Too much time really and i have a firm philosophy (the wife makes sure of it) the work and family need to be a balance. So we are building models and taking pictures at the moment. Next week will be a very big update as articles are almost done and lots of pictures have been through the process.

Hold tight as we are on the job...
Ron

Beta 2 is live, check it out

2008-02-20T15:03:00.004-05:00

Ok so Beta 2 is ready for your checking out. Now we haven't gone all out on the site yet its functionality will be totally apparent. We hope that the features of our current site can be recreated completley and if you are missing a feature you used please send us word at pare.ron@gmail.com

Till saturday you can find the site at www.build.scratchbuildersguild.com
oh yeah i almost forgot.
This site will be available for the next 3 months, however we will move it to www.blog.scratchbuildersguild.com

Thank you all for your patronage.
Ron

Ballasting - Part 2

2008-02-19T16:00:00.005-05:00

Okay, you should have all your tools ready - pick, shovel, tamper - and your gravel is piled beside the rails. Put on your gloves and let's get to work.

In Part 1 I forgot to mention my ballast spreading tool. I use a small pill bottle to sprinkle ballast on my track. I've tried other tools in the past - a spoon, various containers, and a commercially available applicator that I borrowed from a friend of mine. You can safely assume how well those other things worked since I am now using a pill bottle.

I am doing mainline here so I am using the medium grey ballast. I dumped a bunch of it into a margarine container and scooped some into the pill bottle. I usually do the sides of the track first, so that if any ballast spills between the rails it won't overfill that area. The trick is to apply enough ballast to cover the roadbed, but not cover the ties. I just tilt the pill bottle and tap the side to lightly sprinkle ballast where I want it.

Ballasting turnouts presents a bit of a challenge. You have to be careful around the point rails that you don't apply too much ballast. It will prevent them from moving freely. Guard rails are another area you should be careful of. You don't want any ballast in this area that can cause a wheel to jump and derail a car. I usually apply only a very light sprinkle of ballast to turnouts. Some people don't ballast turnouts at all so free function is not affected. I prefer the look of a ballasted turnout.

After I've sprinkled a bit of ballast on I run my finger between the rails and along the edge to spread the ballast out and clean it off the ties. You can use your finger to level off high spots along the edge as well.

In tighter areas through turnouts I'll use a small brush to move ballast around and clear flangeways and point rails. A small screwdriver works well too.

Run a fingernail along the rail to move any ballast away from it. Ballast glued to the rail web looks very unnatural. It can catch a wheel flange causing a derailment as well.

Next, drip on some rubbing alcohol and soak the ballast really well. It will help to hold the ballast in place and act as a whetting agent to soak the glue into the ballast. Another option is to use water with a few drops of dish detergent in it. Both do the job equally well, but I find that the glue dries a bit faster with the alcohol.

Apply the glue in the same way, dripping it on the ballast. It will pool at first, but will slowly wick into the ballast. If you hadn't used a whetting agent the glue would just ball up and run down the slope, taking ballast with it.

Again, you should be careful around the point rails of turnouts. Apply the glue sparingly, especially close to the throwbars. They will get glued anyway, but if you use only a drop of glue near them they wont be too hard to free up. It will help if you periodically move the point rails or ground throws as the glue dries.

Once you have completed the area you are working on it's time to take a break and grab a coffee. I'll be back after the glue is dry for some fine tuning and tips for making your ballast look even more realistic.

Scott

Scratchbuilders Beta2

2008-02-18T18:08:00.002-05:00

Over the next few days there might be some outtages of the site. This will be for a final restructuring allowing us to implement the Site we have planned for railroaders at large.

Please be patient with our progress. And as always stay tuned to your favorite build threads they will be updated often.

Ballasting - part 1

2008-02-17T14:00:00.001-05:00

As I mentioned, I'm currently working in Derwin's Drop on my layout - The Bayside & Tidewater. The ballasting is not completely done so I thought it would be a perfect opportunity to do a series here at Scratchbuilder's Guild.

Every model railroader has their own method for laying ballast. I've used many of them over the years. The method I'll describe here is what I am currently using and works well for me. You may find that some of the things I do don't seem to work for you. You should hunt around the internet and/or ask other model railroaders how they do ballast. Then experiment with several methods to come up with your own ballasting technique.

So, get your shovel and gravel ready...

The Area

This is the area I will be ballasting for this series. It is a small section of Derwin's Drop. I chose it because it has regular track, a turnout and ground throws. Each of these have their own tricks and methods, so I'll be able to show you almost all the scenarios you'll come up against.

One other note. I used 1/4" ply for roadbed that does not have a beveled edge. Therefore I'll have to use a bit more ballast to get a nice grade. If you use a commercial roadbed that is already beveled this method will work just as well, if not better.

(Note: click pictures to see a larger version)

Basic Supplies

The photo at the right shows some of the basic supplies and tools I use for laying ballast. I use white glue (full strength and a 50/50 mix of white glue and water) to hold the ballast in place. The bottle between the two glue bottles is straight rubbing alcohol. It is used as a whetting agent to hold the ballast in place while the glue is applied and to help the ballast absorb the glue faster.

(Hint: buy a 4 liter jug of white glue - it's cheaper and you'll use a lot of it during the construction of your model railroad)

The two plastic containers are just left over food containers for holding and mixing ballast.

Coffee is a necessity any time I work on the layout. Actually, it is a necessity anytime I'm doing anything - driving, watching TV, breathing (but don't drink and breath at the same)...

I've only used Woodland Scenics ballast, but there are several brands available. Some companies have ballasts in colours that are such a close match to prototype colours that they name them according to the Railroad. Arizona Rock and Mineral, for example, has a Southern Pacific Cinder ballast and a Norfolk Southern & CSX ballast.

Most railroads used a variety of materials for ballast, depending on whether it is for a heavily used mainline or seldom used industrial tracks. Since I don't model a particular prototype, I use WS medium grey for mainline track, sometimes with a bit of fine grey mixed in. On sidings and industrial track I use the fine grey or fine dark grey ballast. Sometimes I don't use any ballast at all, or very little, and let the weeds take over the right-of-way.

This picture shows the medium grey and fine dark grey ballast material. I sometimes blend these in various proportions to get a variety of ballast textures. I try to use just one texture for mainlines, and several colors and texture blends for sidings and industrial tracks.

Well, this is getting kind of long for one post. In part two I'll demonstrate my method for adding ballast.

See you later!

Scott

Scott's Introduction

2008-02-17T11:52:00.001-05:00

Hello everyone! Ron introduced me the other day. I'll be posting here off and on, mainly with kit builds/reviews and a few tips. I have my own blog for my model railroad - The Bayside & Tidewater. If you never been there before, or haven't visited in a while, you should drop in to see what I've been doing with my newest layout.

Ron asked me a while ago if I would be interested in helping out with the Scratchbuilder's Guild. I wasn't sure how it would work in with my own blog (I didn't want to take anything away from either one) so I had to think about it. I decided that I could probably link the two without cheating Ron or myself, so here I am.

As Ron mentioned in a recent post, I will be building the the Frenchmen River Model Works tugboat. While I'm waiting for that to arrive I'm going to make a few posts on ballasting track since I'm working on that in the town of Derwin's Drop on the BS&T. So, it seemed like a good topic to start with. I also re-discovered a neat fence idea that I'll be working on, so I'll likely create a post on that as well.

Anyway, that's enough writing for now. I've got to go shovel a few tons of ballast!

Later!

Scott

Farmer's market build pt 3

2008-02-16T18:55:00.006-05:00

In this 3rd part of the Farmer's market build we build a removable roof, Finish off the 2nd floor and further prepare the Diorama.

First job to tacle is to add a thin layer of cereal board to the back of the roof, this adds strength for handling the roof. We also cut holes in the front roof panel to allow the LED's to shine through the windows. Last we added some backing to the roof panels (this can be scrap piece of wood).

We started the cedar shakes wow what a sweet process just when you think "dang I screwed the paint up" you start to see the beauty of these put together. We held off on the 3rd coat of black suggested in the instructions, opting to wait till the shakes were laid so we could better recreate the water stains described.

This kit by far is a great little build. All the steps to the finished product don't hold back. Each step uses the best materials for the job. I am specifically talking about the shakes, tin (after etching) and finally down to the fence jig burned into the back of the cigar box the model arrived in. This is a truley great build and I have thank Joe again next time we talk.

Last we will update the diorama (update Sunday)