Garden Railway Forum

While I haven't been to good with those stupid health problems not allowing me to do much on our line, I have been busy with others things. Some railway related, some not. So I had been thinking at attempting to fully scratch build a van, of course without me making any steel wheels..


So I have now finished the van. It has taken me about 8 weeks, I know that's a long time. Members will remember I think, that I have been 3D printing some chassis, I did get a bit carried away with them though.
The van is made from ply and my own chassis and buffers. Me being me, I haven't taken photos of all the build. SORRY GUYS.

The chassis I used. It doesn't have any ironmongery on it.

The build of the van without the roof, which I did with 1,5mm bassboard.


After painting it inside and out, I did paint the inside without the roof on. I realised I also didn't put any lines in for the separate boards. This blooming memory is getting worse... So I had to put them in after, it's not a job I recommend though. I sliced my fingers a few times Still I managed to pull it off I think.


There was something I complete missed of course, how the heck do the railway workers get anything into the van. Now I could have just put some straps on and put a handle at it would have passed looking like it had someway of loading things, but me being me thought that wouldn't do. So out came the 3mm drill bit and drilled a series of lines along were I thought was the middle. I did measure it.... Then out came the little saw and cut through the remaining wood and smoothed off with sandpaper. It turned out ok I think.


The ironmongery was then 3d printed along with the door handle plus the roof vent Also little gem art were then glued on and a little bit of weathering and the van is finished.

It is a little bit light, tried it going over the bridge and around the very tight curve on the right of the line and it kind of stubbled.... a lot.....So some lead will be added underneath and then hopefully it will be ok.

Looks pretty darn good to me Rod. Of course, now you've built this one, the next will be a lot easier.

Rik

Interesting story of a rescue mission there Rod, still it turned out well in the end. Looks good with the weathering too.

ge_rik wrote: ↑Mon May 22, 2023 9:19 am Looks pretty darn good to me Rod. Of course, now you've built this one, the next will be a lot easier.

Rik

Thanks Rik,

Yes it's given me the confidence to try another one, maybe a bit longer this time. Trouble is it may take twice has long...

Peter Butler wrote: ↑Mon May 22, 2023 10:25 am Interesting story of a rescue mission there Rod, still it turned out well in the end. Looks good with the weathering too.

Thanks Peter,

It was a mistake that won't happen again...he say's... I also tried not to overdo the weathering, I tend to do far too much at times. Trying to be more cautious with it.

This is adorable! Really love the proportions. I think I need a couple of these to mix into a tipper skip train, and a stubby brake van to match!

drewzero1 wrote: ↑Thu Jul 13, 2023 7:19 pm This is adorable! Really love the proportions. I think I need a couple of these to mix into a tipper skip train, and a stubby brake van to match!

They aren’t that hard to make Drew, you just need to take your time and think would it work this way. I don’t know if you have done any scratch builds for 16mm, but I just took some measurements from a van I already have and took it from there. The beauty of working with wood is you can always use it for something else if a mistake is made. I tend to do it a lot

I've done some scratchbuilds, but I always have trouble with getting the corners to line up. I noticed the corners on this van are really neat... Do you have a trick for measuring/lining up the joints?

I use these Drew.
The small ones are ceramic and the longer ones I 3D printed.


I also use these small clamps.


Like this.


It's a bit fiddly, but it works. The same goes for the ends, but then I will use the longer ones. You have to remember to put the squares away from the glue, even the ceramic ones will catch a little bit. The 3D printed ones will stick no problem..Don't ask..

In the photo I have used the larger g clamps to hold the middle of the sides down, because the small clamps are just that, too small....

Hope this helps Drew, with a little patience you will be able to get neat corners, well mostly if you cut your wood or HIP clean, by that I mean square. I use a little modelling saw for the bench now, Anne bought it for my Christmas last year. It is such a brilliant little saw, wish I had it years ago.

Nice jigs Rod, you've already got my gears turning. I'll see what I can come up with for the 3d printer, and I'll look into the modeling saw as well. I typically use my big bandsaw for the little stuff but it's hard to get a clean straight line on that, even with a fence.

This is what I found on the web. It's in the USA and looks a decent machine, better than mine that's for sure. It has the advantage of a sanding disc and four blades.

I am not involved with this company, so it's your choice if you decide to buy one.

I would though...



If you haven't guessed, it's on the bay.

Rod

I just love those 90 degree jig brackets that you use for making things square. I will be printing myself a few of these off. Thank you very much for the idea

FWLR wrote: ↑Sun Jul 16, 2023 8:26 am This is what I found on the web. It's in the USA and looks a decent machine, better than mine that's for sure. It has the advantage of a sanding disc and four blades.

I am not involved with this company, so it's your choice if you decide to buy one.

I would though...





If you haven't guessed, it's on the bay.

Wow, that looks pretty good... I'd been looking into building a table and fence I could clamp onto my dremel, but this would certainly be easier. Hmmm.

-steves- wrote: ↑Sun Jul 16, 2023 11:23 am Rod

I just love those 90 degree jig brackets that you use for making things square. I will be printing myself a few of these off. Thank you very much for the idea

No problem Steve, hope you get your builds nice and square now. It's very easy with them, just remember to keep any glue, especially super glue away from the squares otherwise it hell trying to remove them, believe me I know...

Rod, now that I'm finally getting around to copying you, do you happen to know the approximate dimensions of this or the other one you posted recently? I think I made mine too big and it's hiding the cute wheels under the side overhang. Mine ended up 3½"W x 4½"L x 4½"H for just the box body. (Roughly 9cm x 11cm x 11cm)

drewzero1 wrote: ↑Sun Dec 24, 2023 11:34 pm Rod, now that I'm finally getting around to copying you, do you happen to know the approximate dimensions of this or the other one you posted recently? I think I made mine too big and it's hiding the cute wheels under the side overhang. Mine ended up 3½"W x 4½"L x 4½"H for just the box body. (Roughly 9cm x 11cm x 11cm)

The "other one" is the Invicta Model Works kit https://gardenrails.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=14309 for Roy Link's interpretation of the ex Chat Moss van grounded at Borth - drawing is here:
http://www.merionethrailwaysociety.com/ ... s-van.html

Thanks Stuart, just from eyeballing I can see that I'll need to narrow it down a little to fit the proportions

Hi Drew,

Sorry it's been some time with this, I forgot all about your question...sorry

I have packed the van away for winter up in the loft, but I will go and have packed the van away for the winter up in the loft, I will get the dimensions for you today or at by the least tomorrow if that's ok Drew. I tend to make more of my builds in the winter and pack them away until I can get tp use them later on in the year.

FWLR wrote: ↑Sun Jan 07, 2024 8:43 am Hi Drew,

Sorry it's been some time with this, I forgot all about your question...sorry

I have packed the van away for winter up in the loft, but I will go and have packed the van away for the winter up in the loft, I will get the dimensions for you today or at by the least tomorrow if that's ok Drew. I tend to make more of my builds in the winter and pack them away until I can get tp use them later on in the year.

No hurry Rod! I can wait until spring or whenever you'd usually get it out. I've had little time for trains the past few weeks and I have a feeling the coming week will be the same.