Wiley's Bench Time - Model Railroading Podcast

Model Building Toolbox Talk #10: Working w/ Heat to Bend Models & Roof Undersides

Brett talks about using a lighter (can be replaced with other heat sources like heat gun) to heat up the plastic body of the Ford pickup truck that he's working on right now. This is a simple way to add some body dents to vehicle models and can certainly be used on all scales for adding dents, dings, and gouges to models! Please take extreme caution and wear all proper protection and work in a well ventilated area if you attempt this. Safety is the most important issue when working with heat.

The for our Double-Tip Episode, Todd tells us how he scribes the underside of the chipboard material for roofing. He explains to scribe them in 1/16" or 1/8" widths to create the appearance of lumber on the underside of the roof where the underside of the overhang would normally be painted brown or flat black. What a simple and awesome way to add some hidden or subtle details to your structure, even if you're the only one that ever knows it is there. 

Make sure to visit our site any time for more great craftsman model railroading content: https://hoscalecustoms.com 

Bench Time #87: Grab Bag of Model Railroading Topics, Summer Fun & New Patron Benefits

It's nearing the end of summer here in our world and we take some time in this episode to talk about what we did this Summer both on the layout, with our projects and what we did that wasn't model building or sitting around the layout.

That's right, we talk a little bit about what we did this fine Summer that didn't deal with building models and trains. 

We also go a little into the importance of getting away from the workbench or layout and doing something else either by yourself, with your friends and with family!

In addition to that, we also go through what were some of the best Patron questions we've fielded yet. They made us think and actually had both of us digging a little deeper for an answer that wasn't readily available. Topics from our Patrons included when and how we decide to rip sections out of our layout, how we select structures to build, the pros/cons of running a father and son podcast and site, and a couple more. 

NEW PATREON ANNOUNCEMENT:

We found it time to update our Patreon and we want all of our listeners to be aware that we've changed the benefits of becoming a Patron in order to add MORE value to your Patronage. 

We will not be holding a Patron-Only semi-annual model building contest for a nice prize of our choosing (prizes will be announced before each contest), and a monthly drawing for a Craftsman Structure Kit! All Patrons $1/month and up will be able to participate in the semi-annual (two a year) contests, and all Patrons $2/mo and up will be entered to win a Craftsman Kit every month. We even got a sweet bingo ball/lottery ball spinny basket picker thing to pick the monthly winners!

All Patrons also will still receive access to our Patron Facebook group and extra, exclusive overtime podcast episodes. 

Join in on the fun and head on over to our Patreon page here: https://patreon.com/hoscalecustoms for more details or to become a patron.

This week's contest winner: George Nagle

George submitted the following pics of his Builders-In-Scale Harbormaster/Warehouse and said "I went with very heavy weathering and peeling paint on the board and batten siding, and cut lots of dry-rot and rodent holes in the freight doors."

THIS WEEK'S CONTEST: It's a simple one. We want to see what you've been up to that isn't model railroading or train related this summer. It doesn't have to be a selfie, or any pics with YOU in them, but we want to see what you've been up to! You can submit your photos to the pinned post on our Facebook Page or email it to podcast@hoscalecustoms.com. All photos must be submitted by Thursday 8/15/19 at 11:59:59pm est. Each winner will receive a free RailroadKits.com Craftsman Kit and a HO Scale Customs Koozie!

Make sure to visit our site any time for more great craftsman model railroading content: https://hoscalecustoms.com 

Model Building Toolbox Talk #9: Paper Towels & Treating Yourself to Something New

This week we have TWO tips for you and we let Todd run with his toolbox tip first.

Todd goes into the importance of having a spare roll of paper towels stored around the workbench but placed in a location that doesn't get in the way. Now Todd isn't a Bounty or Brawny man, but even when he's using the discount or store-brand, there are a multitude of uses of a couple rolls of paper towels for around the workbench or work area. 

Here's the paper towel holder tutorial from our listener Dan Pugatch, which is an awesome idea and Brett has done at his bench!

Brett then dives into the importance of treating yourself to something nice occasionally. This was all sparked by the feeling when he bought some new paint brushes and was motivated to go straight to the bench and get cranking away at some projects with these new brushes. 

Sometimes the things on our workbenches or work area's get stale, or you hit a wall and you need some motivation, and it might just take buying a new "thing" to get yourself out of that funk. It might just spark you to build something AWESOME!

Make sure to visit our site any time for more great craftsman model railroading content: https://hoscalecustoms.com 

Bench Time #86: Gel Medium Mishap, Matching Floquil Colors & Stool Stories

We’ve done a little housekeeping this week and finished updating a few things you might notice throughout the HO Scale Customs world.

From a new website design, podcast intro (might change this up from time-to-time still), new youtube video, and some upcoming changes to our Social “look and feel”, we’re trying to just add some fresh paint to our look. Not a big deal, but just in-case you notice some things looking a little “newer”, that’s what we’re doing!

Okay next, onto the topics this week…

We covered A LOT this week and let’s dig into it!

The first thing we talked about this week is the importance of making sure you’re using the correct gel medium when doing water the way we showed you in this video. The problem was Brett was in a hurry on Sunday night and he neglected to read the labels of two stacked containers of gel medium, accidentally picking the matte gel instead of the gloss version. Everything seemed hunky dory until the next day when he went into his basement, all excited to check out his newly created water on the layout only to notice that he had made foggy, matte waves… Needless to say Brett wasn’t happy and he had to rip it all out and start over. 

Lesson learned: ALWAYS DOUBLE CHECK YOUR MATERIALS!!!

Todd also talked about his “Stool Story” and how we’re going to update his stool back to the old one. Well, actually I guess that’s a downgrade, but it’s back to a better stool, so it’s like an upgrade undo of the upgrade that ended up being a downgrade… That makes sense, right? Well either way, he’ll be comfy again and that’s all we really care about.

Todd also talked about his technique and recipe for matching the Floquil Depot Buff paint called for by George Sellios on the Baxter’s Building Supply kit. We also talked a little bit about how cool it would be if there was a resource available for people looking to mix acrylic craft paints to achieve the colors of the old Floquil paints, so if it exists, we want to see the ENTIRE color chart made into a version to mix craft acrylics… If it doesn’t exist, we all need to work toward this goal. Might be fun if we all try to work together to make a bunch of recipe cards available on our website to use for anyone who wants them! Free of course!

Here is an existing Floquil Color Chart that points you to alternative paint manufacturers if you’re not into mixing acrylics to achieve what you need: Floquil Color Chart

Lastly we talked a little bit about what we’re working on currently and Brett dove into some of the changes that he wants to incorporate into the layout before we go building crazy and lost the opportunity to add storm water drainage systems into the city. If you’ve been in many cities in the East, you see them almost cut into the city, running beneath sidewalks, roads and buildings. Concrete waterways that direct streams and storm water through the city and into drainage areas or streams/bays. So he’ll be busy with that this weekend we’re sure. 

Contest Information: LAST WEEK’S WINNER - MATTHEW HANKINS

This week’s contest: We want to see your most heavily weathered item on your layout, diorama, model, whatever. It can be a heavily weathered or run down, deteriorated object or structure. You can submit a photo via our Facebook page on our pinned post or email it to podcast@hoscalecustoms.com. All entries must be submitted by 11:59:59pm EST on Thursday 8/8/19. One winner will receive a free kit from RailroadKits.com and an HO Scale Customs koozie!

Make sure to visit our site any time for more great craftsman model railroading content: https://hoscalecustoms.com  

Model Building Toolbox Talk #8: File Cards

Have you ever used a wire brush to distress or add wood grain to a piece of lumber on your builds? 

If you started out using the old-school wire brushes that look like toothbrushes (and that Brett apparently thinks really is a toothbrush), then you know the frustration with fraying and bent wire bristles.

Well, Todd talks this week about the ease of distressing with the use of a file card instead of the typical wire brushes we've always used.

Todd even got Brett one of these to replace his own wire brushes and he hasn't used anything else since!

These file cards are durable and the bristles last much longer than those on the old-school wire brushes that we've used in the past. In addition the the longevity and durability, We both think they're both just flat out easier to use to distress wood siding, pilings, beams and other wood materials on our model builds.

You can pick them up relatively cheap online and at your local hardware stores too!

Here's a link to the one that's extremely similar to the one we both use (just has a different name stamped on the handle): Osborn International 75116SP Steel File Card, 3-3/4" Brush Area Length

Make sure to visit our site any time for more great craftsman model railroading content: https://hoscalecustoms.com 

Bench Time #85: Working on the Dog Bar Lighthouse Corner & Todd's Take on his FSM Build

This week we jump into a wide range of topics including some VERY good questions from our Patrons including topics such as:

• Use of airbrushes
• Cleaning models and layout without breaking
  • Here's a link to the Micro Shop Vac nozzle set Brett was talking about
• Our views on model building now that we're eyeball deep into these old-school builds
• Color selection and painting techniques for Brick

Brett also goes into some detail on the work he's in the middle of on the far left end of the layout with the seaside scene including the Oysters building from CCK and the Dog Bar Lighthouse from Atlantic Scale Modelers.

After that Todd dives deeper into his experience with the FSM build that he's currently working on. 

Make sure to visit our site any time for more great craftsman model railroading content: https://hoscalecustoms.com 

Model Building Toolbox Talk #7: Making Waterside & Scenery Junk with Scraps

We're talking junk this week on the Model Building Toolbox Talk!

Here's a simple way to add some seaside, waterside, pond, river alleyway, "wherever-way" junk to your model railroad and diorama scenes. The best part about this tip is that if you've built a kit or two, you definitely have some scrap scale lumber laying around. So you're halfway there just hoarding these extra scrap lumber pieces.

It's this easy, are you ready?

Take your scrap scale lumber and break it, snap it, weather it, splinter it, and apply it to your diorama & layout scenes whever you see it necessary to have a little pile of scrap lumber.

Brett recently did this with a waterfront scene that you can see in the photos, where he made an old abandoned "ghost dock" scene on the southern end of the Black Water Cove layout.

Make sure to visit our site any time for more great craftsman model railroading content: https://hoscalecustoms.com 

Bench Time #84: Jake & Dave from Crescent Creek Models

This week we were pumped to have Dave Meek & Jake Johnson from Crescent Creek Models to tell us all about the new Walt Disney's Carolwood Barn O Scale kit that they've just released. 

As you both know from their previous appearances on our show, both Jake & Dave have impressive modeling backgrounds and have built a career around their art and craftsmanship. So it is only fitting that they've turned to manufacturing some kits for the model railroading and craftsman model building communities.

In this episode we have Dave and Jake give us a little historical background on the Carolwood Barn from Disney, how it became such an iconic Disney structure, and they give us some interesting stories on why it was built and how it was even moved at one point. 

They also cover the fun and interesting details on the processes they had to go through to make this into a kit. Very entertaining and we all got a couple good stories and some laughs out of it. 

This kit for now is only available in "O" scale, but don't rule out anything in the future with these two... We suspect they've got a lot more up their sleeves.

You can order your own Walt Disney's Carolwood Barn O Scale Kit Here, and also stay up-to-date with Crescent Creek Models on their website and facebook page.

CONTEST INFORMATION: LAST WEEK'S WINNER - Brian Thomson

This Week's Contest - Submit a photo either to our email at podcast@hoscalecustoms.com or as a photo comment to the pinned post for this week's show to our facebook page of your biggest building that you've built. This won't be judged on the biggest overall building, we just want to see some super-sized structures (in any scale). Photos must be in by Thursday, July 25th at 11:59:59 pm EST. One winner will be chosen and will receive a free craftsman kit from RailroadKits.com and an HO Scale Customs drink koozie!

Make sure to visit our site any time for more great craftsman model railroading content: https://hoscalecustoms.com 

Model Building Toolbox Talk #6: Using Old Newspaper Archives

I was looking around for a free resource to uncover old ads and print samples of the time period in which my dad and I model, and I discovered the world of archived newspapers in Google! 

If you head over to books.google.com, you'll not only be able to find some really current books to read, but you'll be able to search through the archives of old newspapers and magazines that they've worked to archive for your research purposes! 

We think this is such a cool way to be able to see the different types of products available at the time, things that were happening politically during the time period you're modeling and to get some inspiration if you're looking to create some custom artwork for your building signs, advertisements in your city and for printed posters you might see around your city. 

Many of these old papers are PACKED full of old artwork that let's you see the old fonts, styles, and messages on advertisements that existed during your time period. 

We hope you enjoyed this quick toolbox talk! Consider supporting us on Patreon if you love our content!

Make sure to visit our site any time for more great craftsman model railroading content: https://hoscalecustoms.com 

Bench Time #83: Doug Foscale of FOS Scale Models - Rust Rock Falls Limited Release Kit

Are you excited? Because this episode we get to talk to Doug Foscale of FOS Scale models about his annual release of his limited run kit. And this year's limited run is pretty spectacular!

Rust Rock Falls is the 2019 limited release HO Scale kit from FOS Scale models and its only available for a short time, because once he sells 200 of them, they'll be "sold out" and your only chance of getting one will be on eBay for like double the price.

Enough of trying to excite you about it, because Doug's description of the kit and the details that he goes into on this week's episode are enough to make you want to build it TODAY.

This is such an interesting and again, very unique set of models and it really captures the importance of industry through mid century in the United State. How many towns would be centered around an industry building and small commerce and entertainment would pop up around and thrive nearby. Many small towns in America would have industry like this that provided most of the jobs in the community.

Here's the description from FOSScaleModels.com:

"The Arkwright & Porter Textile Mill has loomed over the falls for over a century. As the business flourished, the mill grew, stretching the limits of its geography; out and over the craggy, uncertain terrain. Within a narrow flat peninsula it eventually gives into nature as the river drops in multiple water falls. The mill takes advantage of the rushing river’s power, harnessing it to power the machines. An exposed freight elevator bangs its way up and down with product and equipment. Over time, the dyes used found their way over the north falls, staining the rocks below a luminous rust. The Mill’s presence is a testament to the booming industrial revolution, filled with the clanging, churning and ticking of the cotton spinners, the daily boxcars and the voices of the American worker. 

Rust Rock Falls includes the main mill structure, the M.D. Garage gas station, Wally's Lunch and the Linden Dance Hall.  Also included is the wrought iron foot bridge that provides access to the back of the mill and a sluice gate. 

We included the two road bridges FREE. After adding them as the not included scnery component, we thought they really helped the scene so they are included.

Optional at a great value, is the Porter Company Store for $59.95 additional ($89 value).

Arkwright & Porter Textile Mill: The main structure of our scene, starts off on a simple road; it's exterior elevator, all parts exposed, scurries from the street to the top floor with goods and workers. A loading dock straddles the local rail siding, that make sits way to a steel catwalk that springs up a set of stairs to the pattern floor, than as time went on, an additional stair down provided a safe emergency exit from the cliff bound end of the property. Several additions reach out over the almost impossible to build on granite ledge. Towards the rear, the powerful current of the North River is drawn into the sluice gate, into the heart of the mill where it powers the cotton spinners. FOOTPRINT – 4” x 17”

M.D. Garage: This small but detail driven gas station will fit in any town or city. Its concrete block construction exposed in places where the stucco finish has crumbled. FOOTPRINT - 3” x 4”

Wally's Lunch: A charming lunch shack serves the small section of the town, no doubt serving up some greasy belly busters. FOOTPRINT - 1.25” x 1.125”

Linden Dance Hall: The best place in town to unwind after a long week of hard work in the mill, with live music and dancing every Saturday night. FOOTPRINT- 3.25” x 6.5”

Porter Company Store:  Serving the town and the mill for decades, just about anything from groceries to hardware can be found at the Store. FOOTPRINT - 3.25” x 7.5”

Kit Contents and Materials:

Kit includes lasercut clapboard, scribed, board and batten walls, lasercut and etched concrete block gas station walls, lasercut roof cards and details. Metal cast detail parts as well as plastic details, windows and doors. Kit includes assembly template and diagrams and weathering and assembly instructions. Also included, laser cut shingles, rolled roofing, corrugated metal panels, lasercut sidewalk sections, sluice gate, wrought iron bridge, two road bridges, exterior freight elevator, color signs and posters, double roadside billboard and more.
_________________________________________

NOT INCLUDED: Figures, retaining walls, foundation, scenery or vehicles.

Don’t forget the kit ships SEPTEMBER 30^th, 2019. You will receive an email when it ships."

Here's how you can get it: 
US Orders
Canadian Orders
International Orders

CONTEST INFORMATION:

Last week's winner - Ron Piskel

This week's contest: Submit a photo of your favorite rooftop detail whether it's on a model or in real life by commenting on this week's pinned post on our Facebook page or by emailing the photo entry to podcast@hoscalecustoms.com by 11:59:59 PM EST on Thursday, July 18th. One winner who will be announced on next week's show will receive a HO Scale Customs koozie and a small craftsman model kit from railroadkits.com.

Make sure to visit our site any time for more great craftsman model railroading content: https://hoscalecustoms.com