Progress made!

Yes, we have made progress on the ’39 Olds. Last post we were working with modeling clay. This medium proved to be too soft. What to do? Just before the clay was tried, basswood was being carved. So, omscaler went back to the drawing board, almost literally. A diagram was drawn up to scale. Basswood sections were then made. I think this is the ninth attempt. As of this writing, the next step is gluing together the sections. After that, headlight pods will be made and attached. Yours in assembly mode, omscaler

 

A new/old way

The 1939 Olds project continues. So far material trials have been conducted. The results were not as good as hoped. The body material took a long time to dry and was not as workable as needed. A mold master was started but not completed. The reason for this was the need for a more forgiving medium. The basswood was carve-able being nearly grain-less. However, if a mistake was made and there would have been some, a patch would be needed. This would add more time to an already delay ridden effort. What to do? Well, your ever resourceful omscaler reached back in time and decided to use modeling clay. We have not had our hands on the stuff since early grade school. Fortunately, a local craft store had some on sale. Now we can move forward. See you next post, omscaler

 

The designing life

It is all in the design. Last week omscaler completed a full set of diagrams for the 1939 Olds project. As far as time to complete this project goes, this will definitely lengthen the schedule. On top of this extra effort, material testing is being conducted. It is hoped that the end result will be worth the significant delay. As was alluded to in the previous post, the methods used to “mold” the car body is project specific but due to the mold being reusable, more than one vehicle can and will be made. This output will provide more variety and quicker results. Yours with anticipation, omscaler

 

Back it up

Back it up. Way back. Looks like omscaler has to do a redesign of the “work helpers” that were made for the body components for the 1939 Oldsmobile. It is probably just as well. Very hot weather outside makes being indoors almost a necessity. As previously mentioned, the work aids will help on all projects going forward. This is with the exception of the Olds work aids. If what is being planned is successful, the aids may be project specific. More on this later. Still grinding away, omscaler

 

Inching forward

Last week’s post was about installing fenders on the 1939 Olds. So far, the left rear fender is installed and judging by the looks of thinkg, it is a “do-over”. As frustrating as this is, learning this skill could help omscaler in the future. What is meant by that is more vehicles will be built as well as stream lined locomotives. So we continue to learn. Persistence is a way of life on The Very Small Railroad as has been stated before. The results will be worth it. Also, new work aids are being built to help with assembling the car which can be used for other projects. The main problem seems to be forming complex curves. Omscaler had previously taken complex curves for granted. Coffee pots, airplanes, glass bowls, the list goes on. Now that we are building them, it is a different story. Now we welcome complex curves. Not enthusiastically, mind you. But welcome nevertheless. Until next post, omscaler

 

Fend off procrastination

First a little side note. A few weeks ago, I was visiting the town of Gadsden, Alabama. I had been pursuing an outdoor activity but was halted by a rainstorm. I then decided to visit the downtown area while waiting for the rain to abate. As I was heading back, I found myself heading south on one of the streets perpendicular to Locust Street. As I and a car in front of me were waiting at a red light, A freight train proceeded in front of us from the river bridge area to the western side of town. I had never seen the street tracks in use and was pleasantly surprised. Somehow the train appearance lessened the effect the rain had on the outdoor activity.

  Now back to fending off procrastination. Or should I say “fendering” off inactivity. Specifically, omscaler has started working on the fenders of the ’39 Olds. The first attempt was not up to par. So, we redouble our efforts. We gotta’ have what we gotta’ have. And so we shall. Continuing the work, omscaler

 

Happy Fifth of July!

 What is the significance of the Fifth of July? Well, in this case, it is the day when many people must return to their regular jobs after a bombastic three-day weekend holiday. What a bummer! Nevertheless, omscaler hopes everyone had a great holiday. On the OSR, we do have the hood installed and the fenders are in progress. Who knew that such a small car could take so long? After the hood assembly and fenders, will come the roof and windows and then smaller details. All of this will be a pioneering effort for sure. We continue to work, omscaler