This was my first attempt, about 6 years ago, at trying to build something "board by board". I really didn't know what the heck I was doing so I just did what seemed right at the time.

This was only my 2nd scratch building attempt and that too meant I didn't have any kind of background to draw upon.

It turned out OK I think but I was disappointed in that I didn't pull off one of my hope-fors. I wanted board by board with a lighted interior and have the light break thru cracks here and there. The way that I did it prevented that.

Again, no experience hurts.

I plan on posting a few pictures and then adding on (remember my "how many pictures is too many?" thread? it applied to this). I tried opening an account on photobucket as suggested but failed for whatever reason.

OK, lets get started:

As I like to do I drew scale drawings first:


I didn't want to play carpenter and build a real frame so I cut out cardboard sections and glued framework to it with the intent of glueing the boards to it.


Another example of my sophisticated techniques and tools


The framework in place:


Testing the fit before glueing


Glueing on the boards one by one. Wiping off excess glue here.


More sophisticated tools holding down the window and door pieces.


Still not glued together, just testing the look and fit:

This message has been edited. Last edited by: walt rapp,

That looks great! I think it is a good idea the way you laid it out on cardboard first, easier for thoseof us that are new to the scratchbuilding thang! Just an idea since you said you wanted to have light showing through the cracks in the boards, could you take an exacto knife and slice between the boards through the cardboard and open it up a little?

Very nice, Walt.

That's my preferred method of building with board by board siding, too. I always thought that a detailed stud wall behind the siding was overkill unless it could be seen in the finished building.

I hope you were using fast setting glue because I'm sure that pile of beer cans holding things down got lighter as the evening wore on!

Jim

Nice detail Walt. You did well for the second scratch build. I used a similar technique. I drew out the plan on graph paper. Instead of cardboard I cut out the ends of the barn using 1 X 10 inch pine and 3 inch pine for the sides and glued on skinny sticks from Walmart for the individual boards. I have another barn flat that sits against a wall. Thanks for the photos.

Walt,every thing looks great for a fist timer.I know I could not have done that well.The windows and the way you have them open out is cool,the slideing doors are also cool,but the hinges on the doors both upper and lower need to be changed out.They don't do the model justice to me.Good job.BF

Walt that is a great barn. Looking forward to the rest of the story.

As for light leaks, you might be able to take a dremel to a few of the seams and artificially widen them. Risky business though...

John

Walt, looking great! I think the hinges will look fine if they are rusted up.

HINGES: When I built this I didn't know much about where to find components for scratchbuilding. These hinges were from a doll house store near my house. Oversized, yes, but they were the best that I could find at the time.

How would you suggest rusting the hinges?? That's a good improvement idea.

Looking back at the pictures, this was more like 12 years ago, not six!!!!

- walt

I thought they were dollhouse hinges, I have some, too. I'm not sure if any of the smaller scales offer working hinges. I've never seen any. But they would probably be oversized if they did.

By rusting, I meant painting with a rust colored paint. Testor's enamel or acrylic. If you have, or can find, "Blacken-it" that would work.

Just my opinion, but oversize doesn't bother me as much as the shiny, brass on a barn.

nice going again walt! i'm getting close to working up the nerve to try my own attempt at a scratchbuilt structure to go with the freight platform i'm building.

great work.

Looks good Walt:

HINGES/Rust look: I have the barn packed away right now for the off-season (I only have a Christmas layout). When I dig it out I'll take a look at trying to improve the look of the hinges.

I want to make sure they remain movable. If I paint them rust color I envision me moving the hinges back and forth repeatedly to make sure that the paint doesn't seal the hinges in one position. Or am I just being paranoid???

Blacken-it. Hmm. I never used that. Would that be like paint where I'd have to be concerned with the hinges being rendered immovable???

One last question: I still have 19 pictures to go. My next plan was for 10 more. Continue here or start a new thread?

thanks - walt

With paint you will have to move hinges occasional as the paint dries.

Blacken-it is a thin liquid that actually causes a chemical reaction with the metal to change the color. No build up. I used it for the first time yesterday and like it, but still need to experiment with it more to fully understand it. It works differently with different metals.

Sorry, short answer. trying to get it done between storms and losing DSL.

Round 2 of pictures. Some of my techniques and tools are so special that it's time I shared them. Wait 'til you see

Walls glued and painted:


I wanted to have horse stalls inside so I built and stained a "stall wall"


Looking at the wall installed


modeling hay on the barn floor:


the hay loft



NOW I SHARE MY SPECIAL TOOLS AND TECHNIQUES. I JUST KNOW YOU"LL WANT TO PRINT THIS

GLUEING ON THE ROOF PIECES. In hind sight I don't know why I just didn't nail them on! I held the pieces in place with nails and Scotch tape until I had everything fitting and then removed them for some reason.













Round 3 and the finished product next time.

- walt

great job Walt! and your jigs and fixtures are ingeneous
the inside stall wall is a neat touch

Walt, still haven't rusted those hinges? Just kidding.

Looking good. When are you bringing back those tools you borrowed?

Walt, the barn looks fantastic. I love the way you had things held down for gluing. That looks like the way I would do it. Whatever works, doesn't matter.

Great job and keep them coming.

Lyle

The shingles are from Holgate and Reynolds. Absolutely, bar none, the single best 1:48 shingle sheets out there. I wish someone would have picked up the product from them when the owner passed away.





A small pond. I didn't have a lot of space to make something bigger.


More of my sophisticated technique on display. Painting the fence pieces.


Getting there!




DONE




This was a fun project for me, being my first attempt at many of the techniques required to make it. I never did water before this so that added to the enjoyment. The animals I bought unpainted and it was my first try at painting up animals. All in all I like the way everything came out considering.

Now, about those hinges!!! They'll have to wait til I start setting up the 2008 Christmas layout. Thanks for the suggestion on them.

-walt

Walt,
That is one fine looking barn! Nice job!

Looks good, Walt.

Great project.

Jim

Walt, thanks for sharing the ride with us. Great barn!