Project Update: Raglan Road by Bar Mills

My big project I have mentioned earlier is Raglan Road by Bar Mills. The kit consists of four structures. One of them is a factory and is quite big. Although it isn't as big as Sokol's. Smallest structure is more like a shed. Other two are midsize. The kit has been released in 2006 as Limited Run of 400.
I have decided to begin with factory building - Pfefferkorn Furniture Co. Even though I have been working on it for about two weeks already I don't have much to show yet. All this time I have been cutting, sanding, priming, painting, etc. Currently I am working on adding nail heads what is really slow process. I don't like holes that pounce wheel makes so I am adding them two at a time using Monster Modelworks nail head tool.
As one of the first steps instructions call for making of internal support framework. Word of caution. Although your experience may be different I found part number two to be of incorrect shape and most of pre-cut stripwood to be slightly shorter that 5.5". I am glad I caught that quite early and avoided having crooked framework. I didn't get that lucky with part number two. I had it glued in place when I noticed that stripwood wasn't going the way it should have been. The part had to be removed and its shape adjusted. The result is the picture below.

Project Update: Marilyn's Bar & Grille by Branchline

I have made a little mistake while building Marilyn's. I have glued storefront curtains in one window upside down. And it had to be the bigger one of two. Therefore, I didn't have enough curtain material left. I contacted Branchline Trains and they sent me image I needed. Of course, curtains printed with my ink jet came out in slightly different color so I had to replace smaller window as well. Yes, I had to replace windows as well because I used Future floor wax to adhere curtains to window itself. Now that I am on track again I hope this project will progress at higher pace.

Project Update: Bungalow Row by River Dam Model Works

I have made to the point worth a blog entry. My story behind this project is that bungalows are part of some mill housing project. To keep cost down all buildings have been painted in same colors and same roofing material has been used. The shape of each building is different to accommodate workers with different family size, seniority level, etc.

Project Update: Betty's Diner by Bar Mills

I have finished yet another Bar Mills kit and I have truly enjoyed the build. Although I have some level of persistence when it comes to large projects occasionally I need something that yields quick result. Betty's Diner is exactly that type of kit. As far as the next project I have very large Bar Mills kit lined up for me. The project will last well into the summer if not until the fall.

Project Update: Betty's Diner by Bar Mills

I have made quite good progress since last update. I have painted all castings and redesigned the awnings. The awnings included with the kit are red/white and green/white. They are not exactly what I need. Creating new ones isn't very hard to do now that I know how to combine lines and arches into closed shapes in Adobe Illustrator. All it takes to create new awning is to scan original, load image in TurboCAD, create drawing by tracing over image, import drawing in AI, color the awnings and export them as PDF file. I possibly could have used color replacement tool in some image editing software but I like quality vector graphics produce.
Over all no big surprises other than cutting front billboard ends without measuring just because I had to cut ends of wrong one previously and finding out that I didn't need to. I ended up cutting pieces from wrong billboard and gluing to the good one. Fix isn't noticeable since I cut off about 1/16" which matches thickness of side billboards.

What's in the box: Aladdin General Store by Ragg's…to Riches?

I liked Aladdin General Store by Ragg's…to Riches? since the moment I first saw it. Unfortunately, owners are retiring so this kit may not be available after September of this year. As well as their other kits. I shouldn't make any comments here since it isn't a review but I want to mention that this kit includes list of all castings which I haven't seen anywhere else. Thumbs up for that!

Project Update: Fat Jimmy's BBQ

I have added some bushes and tufts to the diorama. I have painted and weathered number of detail parts as well but it didn't seem enough so I am working on some more. I'll have few scratch built ones that I have designed or will design. In addition, I am working on idea of making realistic looking garbage.