Plaster shop model start

My next model will be a small plaster shop which does plaster work for homes and businesses.  That work consists of applying plaster to walls and ceilings as well as doing stucco and similar work on outside walls.  Plaster work has been done since ancient times (think pyramids in Egypt).  These days most homes and businesses only have drywall as it is cheaper and quicker.

The roof is not complete as it will have a tar paper cover as well as other details.

The rear door is wide to permit moving large items in and out of the building.  There will be a storage shed at the back.  The upper opening on the side above is a vent.

I recently discovered that comments on my blog were going to googleplus which is something I do not use.  I do not know why that was happening but searched the "statistics" section and selected something that may resolve that problem, though I understand that gplus function may be discontinued.  I do not use any of the so called social media as I do not trust them.

There are a lot of additional features to be added to this structure as well as a truck for transporting the materials and tools for plaster work.  I keep trying to come up with different businesses but it is getting more difficult to come up with new ideas.

Flat bed truck with steam shovel load

I have completed the Vintage Vehicles steam shovel kit and placed it on the flat bed truck as a load.  The kit was difficult for me since it had many tiny details and my hands are very shaky when doing tiny stuff.  It turned out Ok.

After I photographed it I noticed I had not added the unloading ramps so I will do the later.

Above is the truck with a photo of the prototype I was trying to emulate behind it.  This was an interesting project but I am looking forward to building another structure model.  I have decided what it will be and have sketched it out.  More next week.

Flat bed truck for hauling big loads

I have finished the flat bed truck made using the cab of an old plastic hook & ladder fire engine.  This truck will be hauling a steam shovel.  The modifications were made using wood, card stock and plastic - all wheels are commercial.

The flat bed swivels slightly  for turns.

The head lights were made from short sections of dowel sanded to a rounded cone at the back.  After the steam shovel is installed I will add liftable ramps at the back for loading and unloading.

The steam shovel is a Vintage Vehicles kit (no longer available) and it is complex.  I have finished the base part and will post it installed on the truck next week.

I have decided what my next structure will be - another small business. Build build build!!

Newspaper building model complete

The small newspaper building is now complete with a ground cover around the base and a number of details.  At the front of the building by the porch is a small newspaper stand with a guy selling newspapers.  The ground cover is on a piece of card stock that is under the entire building.

I have also added a few signs.

There is a bench on the porch with two people sitting on it.  At the rear of the right side is an old printing press that has been set outside with some parts removed for further use.

With this partial rear view you can see more of the old printing press.

That concludes my work on this model.  I am still working on the flat bed truck model.

Just for fun I am including above a photo of an old metal printing plate with images embedded among the print.

Small wood building progress

This building is almost complete except for some outside details.  I have decided this will be a small weekly newspaper building.  The building has a shingled roof and an oil tank of the left side - I made that tank from a wood dowel which I sanded off the sides and added legs and a tank cap.

I added a card stock base to allow for scenicing and details.

There is a shed in the back for storage of paper stock and other things.  This newspaper uses a metal type press as was the case with most newspapers of the time.  Many years ago I had a newspaper client in Washington DC which used presses like that,  They went out of business while they were a customer of mine (not my fault).  Some time ago I bought a tray of metal type at a yard sale kind of a thing.  I use the metal type pieces for glueing weights and braces.

Above is a small sample of the type slugs.  They are about 3/4 " square on the sides with the type face being of various widths based on the letter or character they display.  On the right side above you can see I glued together a set of letters to make my name.  Behind the name is a metal print logo for my father's model railroad.  I have a LOT of the metal type.

I still have to add a bunch of details and scenery around the building.

At the same time I am working on the truck I am making from a fire engine.  It will have a flatbed behind it and will be hauling a steam shovel.   Always keeping busy.

Small wood building start

I have started building a small wood building but have not yet decided what it will be.  Still a lot of work to be done so I have time to decide.  It will be some kind of small business since it does not look like a house.  I just like building things.

The roof still need s shingles and it needs more weathering.  Once I decide what it will be I will add appropriate signs and details.

There will be a shed at the back.

While I was thinking about what to build,  I assembled a plastic automobile kit by Mountain States.  Nothing special.  It fits my layout era.

I am also building a truck using the front of an old plastic fire engine.  It needs a new rear section as well as a new cab.  These things are fun.  I acquired a bunch of old fire engines from estates but I do not need any more fire engines.  I built a firehouse a few years ago with fire engines.

Old machine shop complete

My old machine shop model is now complete, unless as usual I decide to make additions or changes.   The first two photos are with the roof on and the second two with the roof off to show the interior.  This shop builds new machines and refurbishes old machines so I have included some old pieces of machinery awaiting refurbishment.

Above you can see I added a water tower for the boiler room and at the right you can see some of the details on the loading dock.  I also added some protective screens on the lower part of the windows on this side to protect them from flying debris from passing trains/trucks as there will be either a track or road here depending on where I install the industry.

And above is the other end showing a loaded dock.

Above is a view of one end of the interior.  There is a work bench at the upper left and some machines.

And above is a view of the other end of the interior.  You can see the small office at the upper left.  This model was fun to build.

And now I need to figure out what to build next.