My artistic adviser, Mrs Chas, advised that the roof really needed terracotta ridge tiles to finish it off. She was absolutely right. She always is. I wondered how to make them but could think of nothing other than bits of styrene strip glued on to the paper tiles with Mek-Pak and topped with styrene rod. Perhaps there is an easier or better method. Something more ornamental would be beyond my ability to make but I suppose the serrated edge of a greetings card might work.
I bought this gadget some time ago for cutting lots of small lengths of styrene strip. It's wonderful.
An absolute work of art, Chad. Yet another masterpiece. Those ridge tiles look superb. I'd love a Chopper, but they're rather expensive...
ReplyDeleteTop tool. Bought one myself a couple of weeks ago and now looking for a reason to use it for more than fun.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.ngtrains.com/Pages/Glues/gluestools.html#Tools
Looking at it again this morning on a bigger monitor at work, it really does look wonderfuland those tiles look great. One little thing though - on the roof joins - wouldn't the lead flashing be UNDER the tiles?...
ReplyDeleteYes, you're right Lee. I'm afraid my fumbling fingers just couldn't cut the sticky strips of tiny slates fine enough to create a nice clean edge and without tearing. Good job this model will sit in the background! Next time I'll try individually cut slates instead of off the peg.
DeleteWhat I do for that situation - but I don't know if the York Modelmaking slates are thicker - is stick masking tape down on top of the roof base for the flashing, then lay the tile strips into the corner, overlapping generously. Then when all is finished, running a VERY sharp scalpel down the angle with a straight edge to remove the excess
ReplyDeleteA superb job. In fact much too good to be hidden at the back!
ReplyDeleteYour artistic adviser was spot on about the tiles, they finish the roof off nicely.
Cheers Paul. I don't know what I'd do without her!
ReplyDeleteI'm only just catching up after being in Aberdeen for a week...the almshouses look superb, Chas! They are so characterful, and I do like the roof, with it's terra cotta tiles. I don't know about the hanging baskets, though...I have an aversion to the real ones, but that's just me, I'm an odd sort of chap. And the chopper...a top bit of kit and I am impressed that you possess one...I shouldn't have been surprised, seeing the professional way you go about building your models.
ReplyDeleteThanks very much Iain, and welcome back. As to hanging baskets, they'll never get done now - I'm bored with the Almshouses and it's time to do something else. I've no sticking power at all!!
ReplyDeleteAwww, I was looking forward to the hanging baskets! :-) Anyway, congratulations on getting to the end with this superb model, Chas. Must be nice to have an artistic adviser, do they sell them at DIY stores? ;-)
ReplyDeleteThanks Mikkel. My adviser is unique I'm afraid. You never know though, your local DIY superstore might do an inferior version on a two for one offer.
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