I just gave making a bulding from scratch a try. Really fun! I want to add an Arc Welding simulation to my Mechanics shed/garage. In a previous post I saw someone suggest the modeltrainsoftware.com welding lights. I have tried their universal led products and really like them. Also the price is right. I just wondered if anyone has tried the product by by Innovative Train Technology (It has sound!!!) or the one by GRS microlighting. I hate to part with the extra coin for those without some input other than the claims on mfr's web page.

Also, what color paint can I use (brush on) to make my shed look like well weathered lumber. I plan to make it look rough and a little dilapidated some time in the future but for now just want an easy paint to use to make it look like weathered wood.

Go to ModelTrainSoftware and get their welding lights. I have them installed inside my engine house and it looks as close as you can get to the flash and color of an arc welder.

Loco Ike,
I would suggest either a wood stain or an ink/alcohol mixture. It's easy to control and build up layers of color until you get the desired effect.

The wood in the platform below was done with an ink/alcohol mix.



Jim

quote:

Originally posted by VaGolfer1950:
Go to ModelTrainSoftware and get their welding lights. I have them installed inside my engine house and it looks as close as you can get to the flash and color of an arc welder.

Thanks. I was leaning toward those anyway. You wouldn't know of some kind of random timer circuit so they would run intermittently without having to manually flip a switch off and on?

I agree with Paul. I have a couple of their units. They work and are very reasonable. This is an LED so it will last a very long time and are ez to install, 2 wires to an accessory port. I think they come in 3mm and 5mm. the blue light simulates the arc spark. Dave G.

Ike...just intalled an arc welder purchased from Scenic Express at the York show. He sells a device manufactured by a Western Mass company. Installation was simple, with the default setting making the light go on and off. By changing a wire, the light setting can be changed to constant on.

I have a Preiser 1/43 figure as a track welder at the end of one track in the rail yard....looks realistic with the led light coming up through the track positioned at the welding tool.

quote:

Originally posted by Loco Ike:
Also, what color paint can I use (brush on) to make my shed look like well weathered lumber. I plan to make it look rough and a little dilapidated some time in the future but for now just want an easy paint to use to make it look like weathered wood.

ike: been following that military base thread for a while now ... glad to see how you've tackled the project: amazing work! the scene you are building really gives off that supply depot, gritt and grime look and feel to it. add the depth of the scene and it really brings the viewer in: i can smell the fumes ... bravo!

love the tank shed and the tank structure on the extreme left ... very clever, is that for fueling the tanks up? way too cool!

as for the weathered look, it depends on what material the shed is built out of. if its plastic, check out vulcan's great how-to post on the subject. if balsa or basswood, i got the look on my water tower by staining in first with two coats of minwax special walnut stain and then an india ink wash over that. add a drop of liquid dish detergent to let the wash flow a little easier over the stain (it will want to bead up). as jim pointed out earlier, let it dry thoroughly between layers to make sure you get the look you want. just take it slow and steady.

here are the links:



vulcan - ology




rural water tower build

bfishma,

Thanks, I am definitely going for a gritty look. My poorly focused shot helped that a lot. The elevated fuel tank is for fueling vehicles, at least once I get a hose and nozzle. The tank is a diecast piece of a piggy bank I bought on ebay for about 2-3 bucks, I think. On a different angle photo in my photo album you can better see the wood plank on top that I needed to cover the coin slot. Since that photo I've done a tar paper roof for the shed using 600 grit black sandpaper cut into strips.

If you could pan out on either picture you would see mostly fastrack sitting on kelly green felt. Just another few hundred hours . . .

You weathered water tower is really cool. I've been working on an observation tower that could definitely use a finish like that.

quote:

Originally posted by Capetrainman:
Ike...just intalled an arc welder purchased from Scenic Express at the York show. He sells a device manufactured by a Western Mass company. Installation was simple, with the default setting making the light go on and off. By changing a wire, the light setting can be changed to constant on.

Adding another unit to choose from, capetrainman? Thanks a lot. I'll never decide now.

Actually that one looks pretty cool. I like the 14 sec on, 6 sec off feature.

Price for the Modelbuilder is $12 vs $30+ from scenic Expresss. I bought an arc welder figure from Artista for $6. I have a unit in a building (5mm) and a 3mm in front of the figure and some Plastruct I-beams as part of a diorama. Simple choice for me.
Dave G.

Dave...wish I known the welder piece was available for $12 before I spent $30...I thought $30 was pricey, but it was an impulse buy at York.

The Preiser figure (the welder) was in a set of 6 railroad personnel for approx $36. I have several Artista figures too...they're great.

Go to their website www.modeltrainsoftware.com also in the Sourcelist. They have many great items, fairly priced, e-z hook-up and they are great people to workwith. I haveseveral of their ready to use LED's on my layout. They also have a redish flasher for burning buildings, campfires, etc. He will also make you what you need. Ph 888-764-2610, Shelly & Dave are the owners.

Dave, thanks for the information.

OK, I'm convinced. I just ordered the LED set from modeltrainsoftware. Thanks for all the input. I'll report my opinion when have them installed.

I got the Evans Designs welding leds in the mail Wednesday. I did a temporary wiring job to check them out today. Really cool. Thanks to all for the recommendation.