Author Topic: Weekend Update 8/10/25  (Read 4646 times)

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MK

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Re: Weekend Update 8/10/25
« Reply #15 on: August 13, 2025, 02:36:11 PM »
+14
Some cardboard kits that I just built. I still have to work on the N-scale vegetables (not a joke!) that came with the farm stand. Yes, I'll be blind after that.  :D

On a US quarter:


One a US penny:

peteski

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Re: Weekend Update 8/10/25
« Reply #16 on: August 13, 2025, 04:00:34 PM »
0
Some cardboard kits that I just built. I still have to work on the N-scale vegetables (not a joke!) that came with the farm stand. Yes, I'll be blind after that.  :D

On a US quarter:


One a US penny:


Excellent Grasshoper, excellent! Good to know I'm not the only one using giant coins as photo props.  ;)
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dnhouston

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Re: Weekend Update 8/10/25
« Reply #17 on: August 13, 2025, 05:37:52 PM »
0
Some cardboard kits that I just built. I still have to work on the N-scale vegetables (not a joke!) that came with the farm stand. Yes, I'll be blind after that.  :D


Where did you find those kits?

Jesse6669

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Re: Weekend Update 8/10/25
« Reply #18 on: August 13, 2025, 06:37:39 PM »
0
Some cardboard kits that I just built. I still have to work on the N-scale vegetables (not a joke!) that came with the farm stand. Yes, I'll be blind after that.  :D
Really nice models!  Were you wearing an Optivisor or the like?  Sure makes these type of things easier.  Even some 2-3x reading glasses are better than nothing!

MK

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Re: Weekend Update 8/10/25
« Reply #19 on: August 14, 2025, 09:01:17 AM »
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Excellent Grasshoper, excellent! Good to know I'm not the only one using giant coins as photo props.  ;)

Shhh Peteski!  I told you I would return the coins to you afterwards!   :D

Really nice models!  Were you wearing an Optivisor or the like?  Sure makes these type of things easier.  Even some 2-3x reading glasses are better than nothing!

An Optivisor/reading glasses or the like would help but to tell you the truth I did with my bare eyes!  I even surprised myself!   :o

MK

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Re: Weekend Update 8/10/25
« Reply #20 on: August 14, 2025, 09:12:09 AM »
+3
Where did you find those kits?

They are from Kyoto, Japan from a company called Sankei.  All they make are structures and "accessories" like that rickshaw or vending machines, bicycles, etc.

All the kits are cardboard.  But not ordinary cardboard.  It's a special cardboard with an insane amount of resin mixed it.  You can cut it without "fuzzies" left behind for a clean cut.  And because of the impregnated resin, you can paint it with water based paint with no swelling, bubbling or warping of the cardboard.  I use water based PVA (Aleene's) and it was a pleasure to put together!

At first I thought they were die cut but they are actually laser cut with NO signs of singing that you typically see with laser cut on fibrous material like wood or paper.

Here's how the two kits came.  That light color cardboard with the farm stand actually have carrots, white radishes and some smaller vegetables cut!   :scared:  NOW we get out the Optivisor!   :D





Here's the crazy part.  They are extremely affordable.  The farm stand was a little over $2 and the rickshaw was under $3 and the kit has two rickshaws.  I'm looking for N-scale people for the rickshaw.   :trollface:

When I go back to Japan in the fall for the third consecutive year, I'll be scoping out more of these kits.  Japanese perfectionism at its best!

peteski

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Re: Weekend Update 8/10/25
« Reply #21 on: August 14, 2025, 09:27:38 AM »
0
They are from Kyoto, Japan from a company called Sankei.  All they make are structures and "accessories" like that rickshaw or vending machines, bicycles, etc.

All the kits are cardboard.  But not ordinary cardboard.  It's a special cardboard with an insane amount of resin mixed it.  You can cut it without "fuzzies" left behind for a clean cut.  And because of the impregnated resin, you can paint it with water based paint with no swelling, bubbling or warping of the cardboard.  I use water based PVA (Aleene's) and it was a pleasure to put together!

At first I thought they were die cut but they are actually laser cut with NO signs of singing that you typically see with laser cut on fibrous material like wood or paper.

Here's how the two kits came.  That light color cardboard with the farm stand actually have carrots, white radishes and some smaller vegetables cut!   :scared:  NOW we get out the Optivisor!   :D

Here's the crazy part.  They are extremely affordable.  The farm stand was a little over $2 and the rickshaw was under $3 and the kit has two rickshaws.  I'm looking for N-scale people for the rickshaw.   :trollface:

When I go back to Japan in the fall for the third consecutive year, I'll be scoping out more of these kits.  Japanese perfectionism at its best!

Looks like you have to paint your carrots.  :o

Isn't that material (also used by other laser kit manufacturers) called laser-board?
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Chris333

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Re: Weekend Update 8/10/25
« Reply #22 on: August 14, 2025, 09:42:24 AM »
0
Polybak.

MK

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Re: Weekend Update 8/10/25
« Reply #23 on: August 14, 2025, 09:57:37 AM »
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Don't know if it's laser board or polybak but it feels like normal cardboard in my hands.  Sankei dialed their laser just right to have NO traces of singeing!

Yes, I have to paint my carrots.  I'm procrastinating on that due to their crazy small size!   :D

GimpLizard

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Re: Weekend Update 8/10/25
« Reply #24 on: August 14, 2025, 01:22:32 PM »
+3

craigolio1

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Re: Weekend Update 8/10/25
« Reply #25 on: August 15, 2025, 11:19:48 AM »
0
I finished up another Wisconsin Central Jordan Spreader today
(Attachment Link)
(Attachment Link)

Great looking model!!  Who makes the kit/ model? Is that an Overland?

Craig

trainforfun

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Re: Weekend Update 8/10/25
« Reply #26 on: August 15, 2025, 12:30:20 PM »
0
I have automated my flood loader!  Now I can take a nap while the train loads.  :)

This uses an Azatrax infrared detector configured for across-the-tracks detection and minimum delay, and a non-latching DPDT relay.  When a hopper blocks the beam the relay activates and switches the tortoise so that the loader dumps.  When the gap between the hoppers is at the beam the relay switches off, reversing the tortoise so the upper bin reloads.  Previously I had the throw a switch to dump and to reload.  So far I've remembered to shut it off so coal doesn't dump on the next loco that comes thru.

Also took the opportunity to remove the back wall duct work for the HEPA filter that I used when I loaded real coal.

I was surprised at how precise the detector is.  If I set the emitter and detector near the bottom of the hoppers, the vertical support struts under the hopper ends switched it on momentarily.  I used the MRD1-V to remove as much delay as possible, and the MRAPR-12v DPDT Relay.

(Attachment Link)
(Attachment Link)

This is a great automation , just incredible .
At the rotary dumper I don't understand how you can rotate one car without uncoupling the next 2 cars , did you changed the coupler for something else ?
Thanks ,
Louis



NtheBasement

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Re: Weekend Update 8/10/25
« Reply #27 on: August 15, 2025, 06:44:30 PM »
+7
Yes, the couplers are hacked to make them rotary.  After a dozen other approaches I've settled on 1/8" X 1/16" X 1/16" neodymium magnets. [ Guests cannot view attachments ]
Moving coal the old way: https://youtu.be/RWJVt4r_pgc
Moving coal the new way: https://youtu.be/UUk0kOaZliY

Lemosteam

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Re: Weekend Update 8/10/25
« Reply #28 on: August 16, 2025, 12:25:42 PM »
0
Yes, the couplers are hacked to make them rotary.  After a dozen other approaches I've settled on 1/8" X 1/16" X 1/16" neodymium magnets. (Attachment Link)

Man after my own magnetic heart!
John "Lemosteam" LeMerise

jpwisc

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Re: Weekend Update 8/10/25
« Reply #29 on: August 16, 2025, 11:49:29 PM »
0
Great looking model!!  Who makes the kit/ model? Is that an Overland?

Craig

I started with a resin kit from Baldylox Designs on Etsy
Karl
CEO of the WC White Pine Sub, an Upper Peninsula Branch Line.