Scalescenes Boxfile Competition - Leadie69's thread

Discussion in '2019 Scalescene Box file competition' started by leadie69, Jan 1, 2019.

  1. leadie69

    leadie69 Full Member

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    Well, I have made a start on the boxfile today.

    My first observation is that Fellowes brand boxfiles (the most readily available ones here in Australia) are exactly the correct internal length but 20mm wider than the average UK boxfile. I'll either have to find a way to make the conveyor longer or add a small part of a building to the front end of it. On the left hand end this will mean a slight adjustment to structure D to allow for the extra width. I'm thinking I'll also need to make an extra print of the hardstanding to fill in the extra 20mm somewhere. This brand of boxfile is also very easy to cut as the sides are actually thick card rather than mdf. Because of the boxfile's all card construction, I have elected to use a single layer of 3mm mdf in place of the cork and card to get a good solid base (the glue is drying as I type, being weighed down with a year or so's worth of Hornby Magazines). I'll put up a pic or 2 when the glue is dry.

    Ian
     
  2. Toto

    Toto I'm best ignored Staff Member Founder Administrator

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    We'll done Sir ...... The first industrious post of the new year and you are off to a flyer. I'll look forward to seeing your photos when you get the chance.

    Happy New year.

    All the best

    Toto
     
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  3. leadie69

    leadie69 Full Member

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    Thanks Toto. I'm not sure if I started this thread in the correct place so feel free to move it as needed.

    Ian
     
  4. Gary

    Gary Wants more time for modelling.... Staff Member Administrator

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    Cracking on Leadie. :thumbs:

    Did you purchase the Box File from Officeworks ??

    Cheers, Gary.
     
  5. Toto

    Toto I'm best ignored Staff Member Founder Administrator

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    No worries, I'll check it out.

    Cheers for now ...... my brandy beckons. :cheers::avatar:
     
  6. leadie69

    leadie69 Full Member

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    Hi Gary,

    Yes, it is from Officeworks - I got 2 a couple of years ago to use as stock boxes but they seem to be still selling the same ones. The second one will become the fiddle yard for this one. I like a trip to Officeworks almost as much as a trip to Bunnings (aussie hardware chain):)

    Ian
     
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  7. leadie69

    leadie69 Full Member

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    As promised in my first post of this build, here is a pic of the boxfile with the mdf base fitted and the plan inside showing the difference in width between the design and the actual box. Now I need to wait until I can get to the hobby shop to pick up a small radius electrofrog Y point and some flex track.

    Ian

    IMG_1062.JPG
     
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  8. leadie69

    leadie69 Full Member

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    Time for an update.

    Tonight I printed and stuck the underlay to 2mm card, transferred the track plan to it and cut out where the track will go. I haven't glued the track or the underlay card to the base yet as I am trying to decide on the best way to operate the point and change frog polarity - I like the idea of wire in tube but a point motor with a polarity switch would be easy to install, could be operated from either the front or back if required and there is plenty of room in the end of structure 'A' to fit it. Anyway, I hope to settle on a method for this overnight so I can get whatever parts I need tomorrow. For the meantime, here is a pic of where I'm up to. The white card in-between the rails isn't there for the infills - it is just there to help keep the flex track straight until I get it glued in place.

    IMG_1067 (1).JPG

    Ian
     
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  9. ianvolvo46

    ianvolvo46 Staff Member Moderator

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    And you're off :thumbup:

    Ian vt
     
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  10. mydadstoys

    mydadstoys Full Member

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    Nice start Ian.:thumbs:
     
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  11. leadie69

    leadie69 Full Member

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    Hi Everyone,

    Time for an update. I have finished laying the track and wiring it all up. I probably have the most complex wiring anyone will ever put in one of these - 17volt ac in splits to a 5 pin din socket for the controller and power for the point motor. The switch for the motor is mounted in a separate box which plugs in a 3.5mm stereo socket on the back so it can be operated from either front or back. There are 2 phosphor bronze strips on the end that connects to the fiddle yard and 2 metal clips that will slip over these to join the boxes together and carry power from the main one to the fiddle yard. Now I can get onto some actual card modeling. My plan is to inset all the track including the point in the hardstanding if I can manage it. I'll have to be a bit creative with the right hand end of structure 'A' as I can't fit a full back or end wall as per the design.

    IMG_1091 (1).JPG

    Ian
     
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  12. Andy_Sollis

    Andy_Sollis Staff Member Moderator

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    Why? They come ready done? It’s only an issue with Electrofrog points when you have a loop from my experience?

    Unless your hand built track.

    Looking good. :thumbup:
     
  13. leadie69

    leadie69 Full Member

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    Thanks Andy.

    As far as the frog power goes, I don't want to rely on the point blades to carry the power especially as this will be used by short wheelbase locos. I have a Hornby Pug that would look quite good on this and I want the smoothest possible running (I've been spoilt with ultra slow smooth running on my US HO layout).

    Ian
     
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  14. leadie69

    leadie69 Full Member

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    Hi Everyone!

    Got a bit more done on the boxfile today. First I laid some 600gsm card over the 2mm base card to bring everything up to the top of the chairs so the printed hardstanding can sit flat. I printed the hardstanding on 200gsm card and this will be glued to the base and sit nicely over the top of the chairs and butt up to the rails. I was going to inset the whole of the point but OO clearances made it look silly so I ballasted between the rails and will bring the hardstanding up to the outside edge. I hope to have this part all done over the next week so I can start on the actual structures.

    hardstanding 1 (1).JPG

    Ian
     
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  15. Andy_Sollis

    Andy_Sollis Staff Member Moderator

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    Started my track this morning. I’ve gone a different route... which is great as hopefully they won’t all look the same.
     
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  16. Gary

    Gary Wants more time for modelling.... Staff Member Administrator

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    The hard stand looks the goods. Nice work Ian. Looking forward to the construction of the buildings now !

    Cheers, Gary.
     
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  17. leadie69

    leadie69 Full Member

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    I'm thinking of using the grey siding rather than the blue - that should make a difference to the overall look too.
     
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  18. leadie69

    leadie69 Full Member

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    Hi again,

    I had a bit of modelling time tonight and have now finished the hardstanding. I had to print 2 copies to get enough concrete to make up the extra 20mm width of the boxfile but I'm happy with how it went. I tested it with my Hornby Pug and Smokey Joe and everything seems to work well although I may need to add some thin plastic card to the moulded plastic check rails to help keep the wheels of the pug in line as it crossed the frog but I can worry about that later. Now onto the structures!

    finished hardstanding (1).JPG

    Ian
     
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  19. ianvolvo46

    ianvolvo46 Staff Member Moderator

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    :thumbup::thumbup:

    Ian vt
     
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  20. Andy_Sollis

    Andy_Sollis Staff Member Moderator

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    Looking good...

    I’m just doing mine as we speak...

    (Waiting for some glue to cure)

    But I’m wondering how on Earth I now fit the top sheet? It may become more obvious when you see my post.
     
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