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7-1/2" Gauge CP #173 Builder's Log - Part 1

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#521 ·
RE: 7-1/2" Gauge CP #173 Builder's Log

I also build small boats which are finshed bright and use spar varnish for them, thus it is the natural choice for me in my models...I think that is the right choice all around...it will last well, protect the wood and look great! it comes in gloss or satin finish. I always choose gloss. the satin will look good on a locomotive, but the shine will be effected by oil.
 
Discussion starter · #522 ·
RE: 7-1/2" Gauge CP #173 Builder's Log

I received the glass the other day and it looks like it's going to work just fine.
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I bought some special tools - an oil-dispensing glass cutter (you put the oil in the handle) and a pair of glass-cutting pliers...

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These things work terrific!!! This is the first time I've ever been able to successfully cut glass!!
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I cut the glass for the cab front windows and the cab doors. Then I made the window frames today. I got really lucky in that the 1/16 walnut I bought is more like 0.05" - almost exactly the thickness of the glass. That gave me an idea, and I decided to try making the frames in three interlocking layers rather than try and route a dado in a thicker piece to accept the glass. This turned out to work really well. The bottom and sides are all glued together (I used thick CA for this), the glass slips into the resulting three-sided frame, and the top slides on. This allows everything to be removable in the event I ever need to replace the glass.

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I glued a runner inside the cab - made from two pieces with a flange to hold the bottom of the window frames - and slipped the windows into place. A second runner on top that's screwed to the cab will allow easy removal if it's ever necessary.

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On to the doors.
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#523 ·
RE: 7-1/2" Gauge CP #173 Builder's Log

Nice work Dwight. There is some nice looking figure in the cab front. That will really stand out nice when the varnish goes on.
 
#527 ·
RE: 7-1/2" Gauge CP #173 Builder's Log

Yes sir! That sure is a beautiful sight.

And to me provides a pretty good example of where the "blue"/"green" color of Russia iron comes from, just look at that blue sky being reflected off the French steel boiler jacket.
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#531 ·
RE: 7-1/2" Gauge CP #173 Builder's Log

Posted By Stan Cedarleaf on 10 Jul 2011 03:13 PM
Posted By tmejia on 10 Jul 2011 09:57 AM
Wow Dwight!
She's looking purdier and purtier
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Tommy
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RioGracie

I'll ditto that....
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Ditto twice!!
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Beautiful!
 
#532 ·
RE: 7-1/2" Gauge CP #173 Builder's Log

Pictures don't do it justice Dwight.

Are you planning the rounded wood detail trim on the cab as the "Eureka"? What size would it be?


Bob
 
#533 ·
RE: 7-1/2" Gauge CP #173 Builder's Log

Now, the big question, what's next, since you are getting close to finishing?

You talked about a different tender once if I remember... or will it be rolling stock?

With all the wood work you have done, I'd like to see maybe a killer caboose, or ??

Greg
 
Discussion starter · #534 ·
RE: 7-1/2" Gauge CP #173 Builder's Log

Are you planning the rounded wood detail trim on the cab as the "Eureka"? What size would it be?Yes... and small. I bought a set of moulding router bits designed for making doll house molding... hopefully those will work. Actually, the current hangup has been figuring out how to route the curved angled part of the raised door panel on the front doors. I have a plan of attack now, but with the NSS coming up next weekend, it may be a couple of weeks before I can try it.
Now, the big question, what's next, since you are getting close to finishing?I'm still a looooong way from finishing Greg. Gotta finish making and varnishing the cab and then I have to make the cowcatcher. Then I have to make and install the brass half-round on the running boards. I need to install the drain cocks and make the mechanical linkage to operate then, and that will require once again removing the boiler. Eventually I want to take her to Vegas again and Jesse and I will tear her apart, repaint the frame and cylinders to match the Wine color, and reassemble. And I'd still like to make another tender... at least the trucks/frame/deck portion. The tank looks okay now that it's painted, but I still think I could possibly do better.

However, I may make a caboose or combine in the interim - just to take a break from the loco if nothing else. Even that wouldn't happen for a while down the road.
 
#536 ·
RE: 7-1/2" Gauge CP #173 Builder's Log

Dwight: I think I cracked the code on the rounded trim. At least we have a working proof of concept. I did 2 experiments. The first had some bugs that got worked out the second time around. Here is the result of the second experiment.

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The trim piece is 4-1/2" long, 1-1/2" total across, 3/8” wide and about 1/4" tall. The wood is cherry.

The process requires a pattern of the trim piece you want. Cut it from 1/2" thick MDF.

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Glue the pattern to a larger board so you can clamp the assembly to the bench. Lightly glue a sheet of newspaper on the pattern. Trim the newspaper to the pattern

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Mill out the blank stock.

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P4

Glue the blank stock together. Lightly glue the blank stock assembly to the newspaper.

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P5

Chuck up a straight pattern following router bit.

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Rout off the bulk of the stock. The stock ends up the same shapes as the pattern.

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Switch over to the final forming bit on the router.

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This bit is a small, 1/8” radius roundover bit. It has a ball bearing follower just as the straight bit. The bearings come in 2 sizes, 1/2" and 3/8” diameter. The different bearings give different profiles. The 3/8” turns a regular roundover bit into an ogee cut with a lip.

Chuck up the bit and rout the final profile. Use a sharp, thin ex-acto knife to slice thru the newspaer.

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The ex-acto knife will go cleanly thru the newspaper without damaging the finished trim.

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Lightly sandpaper the trim work and pattern to remove the newspaper.

I had trouble routing the final profile with this arrangement. The router wanted to get a bit “tippy”. So I remade the pattern by adding rails along the sides.

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The router rides on the rails rather the stock. This is a much better arrangement. Glue the stock to the newspaper as before. Straight cut first, then final profile.

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The added rails made controlling the route easier and gave a much smoother cut. Cherry can be difficult to rout. It likes to burn. The first attempt burned a lot. Second one came out clean. The newspaper “chuck” idea worked great. Use a very very thin coat of glue to hold the work piece. Don’t need much. The knife blade pops the final trim nicely off the form.
 
Discussion starter · #537 ·
RE: 7-1/2" Gauge CP #173 Builder's Log

Thanks for the tips Bob. Looks like it came out great! Good job!
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I have the advantage of a CNC milling machine so I suspect I'll have an easier time of it and won't need a pattern. The idea of gluing down the piece using newspaper will come in handy though.
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#538 ·
RE: 7-1/2" Gauge CP #173 Builder's Log

Forgot about your CNC mill. That will make it a lot easier. The bit does not need to turn as fast as a regular router. Reduces the chance of burning the wood.
 
Discussion starter · #539 ·
RE: 7-1/2" Gauge CP #173 Builder's Log

The Sonoma cab I'm working off has a rectangular name area as well. Haven't really decided yet if I'm going to go that route or make mine with radiused ends as you did. I like them both.

Got my special routing bit last week for making the raised door panels. Gonna try it this weekend if I have time. As I've been gone the last couple of weekends (GGLS 75th and NSS), the list of things that need fixing at home has grown. Hope to get all that done today and out of the way.
 
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Dwight Ennis
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