Scratch building grain silos

Discussion in 'Kits, Kit bashes & Scratch builds' started by Gary, Dec 27, 2016.

  1. Gary

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

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    Rather than purchase a kit, I thought I'd have a go at scratch building grain silos in low relief. All up, the main structure is less than 120mm wide, with half of that width being the loader/exchange shed over the railway line. The total length is just under 330mm (94-95 scale feet) and approximately 300mm high (85-86 scale feet).

    What I have in mind...

    [​IMG]
    Surely it can not be that hard to build...

    So, off to Bunnings to pick up 1m of 50mm PVC plumbing pipe and some of that blue plumbers glue. Both items cost about $10.50 (£6.15). Once home, I cut the PVC pipe to four equal lengths on the drop saw and glued them side by side, making sure it was all square.

    [​IMG]

    After this had cured, I needed to cut the roof of the individual hoppers. This was done by running a pencil around the bottom of the silos then widening them out with a circle template.

    [​IMG]

    This roof piece was cut out to shape and will be filed smooth once fixed to the top of the silos. This way I can keep the overhang reasonably consistent.

    [​IMG]

    The exchange shed/roof combo had to be knocked up next. The roof template had to be drawn up prior to doing anything else as the curvature of the silos needs to be traced out. This was drawn flat, then adding a few extra millimeters so that the roof has enough overhang on the exterior wall of the shed.

    [​IMG]

    Using the wagon on a piece of track as a guide, all three side walls were measured and cut to suit. The end walls having an opening for the wagon. The end walls measure 62mm, with a 48mm opening.

    [​IMG]

    Using 1.5mm thick card, the long front wall needed bracing to stop any flex and to also stiffen the corners where the end walls attach. Very little of this will be seen when viewing the layout.

    [​IMG]

    This is how the two pieces come together...

    [​IMG]

    ...and with track and wagon underneath.

    [​IMG]

    So far, so good. Next up will be the main elevator tower and hopper feeds..., back soon. ;)

    Cheers, Gary.
     
    jakesdad13 and steve like this.
  2. Toto

    Toto I'm best ignored Staff Member Founder Administrator

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    Taking ages with that Gary. :avatar: looks like another fantastic model on the way. Putting me to shame.:oops:

    Looking forward to the next instalment and thanks for putting a rocket up me silo.:avatar:

    Toto
     
  3. SMR CHRIS

    SMR CHRIS Staff Member Moderator

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    Nice Gary, now if you make a second one you can deliver next week at this speed of construction.
    Jacks layout is going to be impressive with buildings this size.:thumbs:
     
  4. Ron

    Ron Full Member

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    Where's your building Tom? He's even putting me to shame at that speed!:facepalm:
     
  5. Toto

    Toto I'm best ignored Staff Member Founder Administrator

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    I know Ron, my usual lacklustre performance. I'm sitting with my conveyor belt as I type ....... Pondering. :avatar:

    Just looking to see what bits will stay and which will go as its built on a trailer chassis at the moment.

    Cheers

    Toto
     
  6. paul_l

    paul_l Staff Member Administrator

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    Toto hit a technical problem, a full working drawing was made up, then he opened a new packet of fags, threw away old packet and lost his drawing :avatar:

    Come on Toto, you've had all day
     
  7. ianvolvo46

    ianvolvo46 Staff Member Moderator

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    Impressive Gary an exclent tutorial :thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:

    Ian vt
     
  8. Toto

    Toto I'm best ignored Staff Member Founder Administrator

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    Now now ....... Quality takes time. Don't macaroni your pants.http://www.click
     
  9. jakesdad13

    jakesdad13 Staff Member Moderator

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    Great stuff Gary, like others have said you are moving apace with this, looking forward to seeing the next instalment!

    Pete.
     
  10. 60019Bittern

    60019Bittern Full Member

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    Have you tried Pringle's tubes. They look about the right size
     
  11. gormo

    gormo Staff Member Administrator

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    Now there`s an idea..:idea:.....Pringles tubes!!!!

    Mind you they wouldn`t be as strong as Gary`s PVC pipe......those silos will be earthquake proof and probably survive a nuclear explosion !!!!.......Ay Gary..?????

    Build `em good, build`em right ....:thumbs:

    http://www.click:tophat:Gormo
     
  12. SMR CHRIS

    SMR CHRIS Staff Member Moderator

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    Just went to measure a Pringles tube I remembered seeing in the back of the kitchen pantry but it's gone.
    Apparently eaten at Xmas but I never saw one. Mmmm!

    At least if you do use Pringles tubes you get plenty of snack to keep you going during the Build.

    Wonder how far Gary will get with it today:lol:
     
  13. Gary

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

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    I haven't got the roof on yet and the trains are lining up... :avatar::avatar:

    Cheers, Gary.
     
  14. Gary

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

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    Ok, back to the build...

    I left off last night with the elevator tower and the cupola, the top covered section over the individual hoppers that feed the grain.

    The front and sides are pretty straight forward, with only the placement of windows and doors that are crucial, not to mention cutting the styrene straight. After marking out the windows and doors, the simplest technique to make the openings is to drill out the inside of the corners, then move down the other edges of each opening. This pic below shows the three stages of making an opening (for Toto ;)), with the almost finished opening on the left. This is where a set of files come in handy.

    [​IMG]

    Once all the walls were cut and the apertures opened, it was time to glue the three sides together. A few off cuts of styrene cut to make a few wedge shaped braces does wonders. :thumbup:

    [​IMG]

    You maybe asking why only three sides and not four...?? Since the model will be on the edge of the baseboard, I'll make a false wall, layout edge from foam core or coreflute. ;)

    Something I did do to help the strength of the building, was to drill and screw the hopper sections together. With a warm day here in Sydney, the glued joint felt a little soft. There is a screw both top and bottom of the tubes.

    [​IMG]

    The elevator section is now ready to be fixed to the hoppers. Again, I glued then screwed this section like above.

    Now this is fixed, I could finally get around to fitting the hopper roof. This required more trimming and plenty of sanding down to look right. This was glued to the top

    Once the hopper roof was secured in place, the cupola was ready to knock up. Styrene cut to 6' (21.5mm) deep and almost the full length of the hoppers was prepared. A piece was also cut for the roof, end and a couple of braces. Window apertures are also cut into this section.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    The cupola will be covered in corrugated card after it is fixed in place.

    Having 90% of the base model now complete, the little details were started. This included putting the doors in, constructing the associated details underneath/inside and fitting the exchange shed.

    [​IMG]

    A piece of very thin styrene sheet was extended out from under the elevator to form a mounting floor, for positioning the walkway, steps, landing etc. Styrene embosed with a brick pattern was glued down on top of this piece of thin styrene to make the walkway. The landing is styrene sheet with a suitable frame and legs underneath. This is secured to both the wall and floor.

    Having the steps where they are meant that I had to alter the wall on the exchange shed. To make this look a little more prototypical, a H beam was erected and spanned across into the exchange shed roof.

    [​IMG]

    I'm thinking that the exchange shed will not be fixed to the main body. This will aid in keeping the tracks clean underneath the shed. At the moment, it acts as a lean to.

    Next up will be the cladding of corrugated iron, installing the windows and painting the model.

    Cheers, Gary.
     
  15. Ron

    Ron Full Member

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    That's looking great Gary, well done that man!:):)
     
  16. SMR CHRIS

    SMR CHRIS Staff Member Moderator

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    Superb work Gary silver lining to the ankle injury you following Doctors orders to take it easy and keep off it what better way than bit of modelling.:thumbs:
     
  17. Toto

    Toto I'm best ignored Staff Member Founder Administrator

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    Hi Gary,

    Fantastic build, I'm hanging my head in shame here. You've substantially completed an excellent build there to a great standard whilst I've been dithering about.

    You have made a very neat job of that considering there have been some very awkward shapes to get right around the silo's themselves. The overall scale looks Bob on as well. To be commended Sir.

    I'm going to try and take a step forward today and get the permanent build done for the screening plant. I think I need the two buildings done in order to work the conveyor itself out in terms of level and aperture size and positioning.

    I'm on my way now to get some 3 mm ply. You have spurred me into action. It won't take long to cut the parts out as I have the mock ups to give me the dimensions.

    I'll have it posted by tonight. Meanwhile carry on good Sir and any more tips on working the styrene will be well received.

    Spot on.

    http://www.click
     
  18. Ron

    Ron Full Member

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    You promise???? ;)
     
  19. Toto

    Toto I'm best ignored Staff Member Founder Administrator

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    Promise man.

    I'm back with the ply. I took 5.5 mm as the 3 mm was a bit too flexible and easier to warp.

    The weather seems to be holding out so its a coffee and then ..... Time to strike.

    Cheers

    Toto
     
  20. Gary

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

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    Thanks for the kind comments. :thumbs:

    I've actually done some more work on the silos tonight. The windows are in, the elevator roof done and the corrugated iron cladding complete. The painting will be tomorrow, after I fit the loading feeder pipe on the front of the elevator and the small jib rail for those top double doors on the side of the elevator...

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    Cheers, Gary.
     

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