Stuart Beam Engine in Diorama

[b.lindsey]

No intent to embarrass John, I just really appreciate your attention to the details and find the whole process fascinating. I am sure I am not alone in that

Bill

[J.L.]

Understood and appreciated Bill.

Now work can begin on the south wall of the diorama. Here we see four beginning cuts made with the table saw blade that define the double door access to the boiler room. I woun't have to worry about fashioning hinges as the doors swing into the boiler room and forged hinges would be mounted on the boiler room side of the doors.

You can see the stair landing support ledger at the left. Boy it was tempting to glue that floor down earlier to get a better read on measurements when making the stairs.

This wall will also have seven courses of brick at the bottom.

[Admiral_dk]

I just really appreciate your attention to the details and find the whole process fascinating. I am sure I am not alone in that

Me too - not that I can contribute with much here, but I'm impressed - both with the process and the results 

Best wishes

Per

[J.L.]

Thank you.

The south wall is now under construction. I am very pleased to have made the opening to the boiler room six feet wide. I will show it later in place.

This will allow a camera to shoot through the removed doors to at the back of the engine while it is running.

[J.L.]

Hi Tom,

Remember when you dropped a piece of green Corian off on my doorstep?

It has been put to good use. This is the last time we will see it. The south wall is nearing completion.

Actually, I might removed the wall once later to put a metal work table in the left corner here at the back.

Thanks again for the piece of material.

[wagnmkr]

You are welcome John and I am glad to see it put to good use. Carian is very useful material and I just used my last large piece to make something for the spinning wheel.

Tom

[J.L.]

Enjoy the spinning Tom.

Two projects are underway. The first two photo shows the tunnel leading into the boiler room floored, bricked and ready for the doors.

The second photo shows the wainscot walls around the stairwell. Those pins need some 1/12 scale pipe wrenches! 

[J.L.]

Here are the boiler room doors made from mahogany strips. I had intended to make the two doors in one piece and attach it as a single panel.

However, I have decided to cut the doors and fashion strap hinges to operate them.

That way, instead of removing the whole faux panel, I can swing each door open to let the observer see the engine running from the back.

I was able to find a copper tube in the scrap brass box for the hinge gudgeons. A 1/16" steel rod slips into it nicely.

A lucky day.

[b.lindsey]

More nice detail John. Still enjoying each update 

Bill

[J.L.]

Thanks Bill,
At first, I went on the internet to see if I could find cast strap hinges.

I did, but they were $13 a pair US and international shipping to Canada was $11.00 US.

Now,I've paid a lot of shipping costs and a lot for little individual items such as the broom in the Machine shop and the oil lamp in the Foreman's Office, but here, I decided to have a go at making my own hinges.

Now they are not as nicely detailied as cast ones would be, but they work!

Actually, the cast ones would be a bit too large anyway.

The first photo shows the copper gudgeons being notched.

[J.L.]

Working in real time here. Just screwed the doors in place...

[b.lindsey]

You did good John. I dare say those are superior to the cast ones as well!!! 

Bill

[J.L.]

The option of opening and closing the boiler room doors was a good move I think.

Thanks Bill. As you say, it's all in the details.

[J.L.]

Here are two photos of the project to date; one without the gallery and one with it in place. The capping is still not on the stair rail. The brass material is backordered apparently.

There is a backstory to the third photo... 

[wagnmkr]

Lovely as usual John ... is the cap material brass?, and what size do you need?

Tom