Weekend Update 5/3/20

[spookshow]

This is still very much a work-in-progress, but I've been working on and around the lake.  I call this, "Kudzu and cattails."

@davefoxx I really like your rushes. What was your method?

I have a yuuuge lake coming up that's going to be rush central, and in aid of that I've been experimenting around with Busch "Grain Field / Reed" (#7375) here and there. Unfortunately, my results have been just so-so and the stuff is kind of a pain to deal with. So, looking for something better/easier 





Thanks!
-Mark

[davefoxx]

@spookshow,

I don't think you're going to like my answer, Mark, because I'm in HO scale.  I used these cattails by JTT Scenery Products, and I haven't been able to find an N scale version made by them.



DFF

[Chris333]

HO scale?  HANG HIM!   

[davefoxx]

HO scale?  HANG HIM!   

After the luck I've been having lately, I might welcome that:
1) Squirrel ate engine wiring harness in Wife's car while it sat during pandemic: approximately $2,500.00
2) New roof: More than $8,000.00
3) Possible broken water pipe in front yard from truck delivering shingles: $?.??

But, thankfully, my family is still healthy, so I shouldn't complain.

DFF

[CBQ Fan]

After the luck I've been having lately, I might welcome that:
1) Squirrel ate engine wiring harness in Wife's car while it sat during pandemic: approximately $2,500.00
2) New roof: More than $8,000.00
3) Possible broken water pipe in front yard from truck delivering shingles: $?.??

But, thankfully, my family is still healthy, so I shouldn't complain.

DFF

Any insurance coverage on the auto?  Could be a covered loss with the correct coverage.

[glakedylan]

greetings, Dave--
sorry to hear of the losses
but thankful you are all well.


your lake and vegetation look great


i had the same experience when my father's car was
given to me--meant to be a gift in his will--it sat
for over a year and the wiring was in the same shape
as you noted.


was hard to spend more on the repairs than the car's value
especially with the intention of it being a gift
but it was to honor him and his memory


glad to see you here and posting again
your work always inspires!


sincerely
Gary

[Chris333]

A good lawyer would sue the squirrel 

Dang what sort of wires are those. I'd tell them you'd give them about tree fiddy.

I recently learned about newer cars CAN bus wiring... Left the factory touch screen, but put a different stereo under it. I then hooked up the steering wheel volume controls to the new radio (one single wire). Weeks later I took it to get aligned and got 2 dash lights. Come to find out there is a steering column sensor that lets the car know where the wheels is for the traction control and it needs to be re-zeroed. Well when they plugged it in they got the CAN buss error. So I had to wire a switch to that one wire to toggle from my stereo to old stereo. Who knew.

[Point353]

@I really like your rushes. What was your method?
I have a yuuuge lake coming up that's going to be rush central, and in aid of that I've been experimenting around with Busch "Grain Field / Reed" (#7375) here and there. Unfortunately, my results have been just so-so and the stuff is kind of a pain to deal with. So, looking for something better/easier 

Two commercial options:
https://www.sceneryexpress.com/SMALL-SCALE-1-CATTAIL-SET/productinfo/FC8114/
https://www.ngineering.com/foliage.htm

A DIY method:

[davefoxx]

Any insurance coverage on the auto?  Could be a covered loss with the correct coverage.

Yeah, we're covered, but other maintenance on the vehicle cost another $1,200.00, not to mention the aggravation and inconvenience of the towing and communications with the repair shop and insurance company.  Took two weeks to get the car back.  Ugh.  But, it could have been much worse, since my wife was working from home, we were able to go without the vehicle and the rental offered by the insurance company.

DFF

[davefoxx]

A good lawyer would sue the squirrel 

I've never been accused of being a good lawyer. 

Dang what sort of wires are those. I'd tell them you'd give them about tree fiddy.

I think it was @Dave V who pointed out that wiring in late model cars might include some product that attracts varmints.  Tasty.

DFF

[CBQ Fan]

Yeah, we're covered, but other maintenance on the vehicle cost another $1,200.00, not to mention the aggravation and inconvenience of the towing and communications with the repair shop and insurance company.  Took two weeks to get the car back.  Ugh.  But, it could have been much worse, since my wife was working from home, we were able to go without the vehicle and the rental offered by the insurance company.

DFF

Good that you got them involved. A lot of people don’t stop to think about insurance. Either hit or miss on knowing to file a claim.

[spookshow]

Two commercial options:
https://www.sceneryexpress.com/SMALL-SCALE-1-CATTAIL-SET/productinfo/FC8114/
https://www.ngineering.com/foliage.htm

A DIY method:

Thanks, but that all looks pretty expensive and probably not any easier than what I've already been doing. As for the video, I already know how to make cattails. Did she ever explain how she did the rest of it?

-Mark

[spookshow]

@spookshow,

I don't think you're going to like my answer, Mark, because I'm in HO scale.  I used these cattails by JTT Scenery Products, and I haven't been able to find an N scale version made by them.

Hmm, yeah. Probably not going to work for me.

My lake is going to be approximately 2' x 1' and will have reeds/rushes at least 1" deep along the entire shoreline. EG -



So, I don't think buying them in small/expensive sets is really an option. I guess I'll just stick with the Busch stuff and see if I can't make it work better.

Thanks,
-Mark

[jpec]

I'm going to replace it with an Amazon warehouse

Nah...you need some hipster high rise, big buck condos and a shopping center with a Target, a Wegmans,  a Starbucks, a P. F. Chang's,  an IMAX multiplex and a Five Below...

Jeff

[Jbub]

After the luck I've been having lately, I might welcome that:
1) Squirrel ate engine wiring harness in Wife's car while it sat during pandemic: approximately $2,500.00
2) New roof: More than $8,000.00
3) Possible broken water pipe in front yard from truck delivering shingles: $?.??

But, thankfully, my family is still healthy, so I shouldn't complain.

DFF

#3 Should be covered by the contractor who broke it if it's broken. But if worse comes to worse it shouldn't cost more than 100 bucks if you have someone do it. If you're feeling up to a little digging parts would only be 10 bucks at most. I do sprinklers for a living and honestly I could tell you what you'd need and how to fix it from just a picture.