The "Original" Kittom Lumber Company. Part #2

zathros

*****SENIOR ADMINISTRATOR*****
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Thank You!! I have learned everything I know from the soldiers past. I learned and honed all my machining skills from the sage machinists by showing respect, and doing it the way they showed me first. Only after mastering their technique would , if I could, improve on it, or take it to the robotics I programmed and transfer it there. I designed end mills based on what I was taught. All my knowledge is derivative, and was the foundation for the unique and exceptional production ideas I came up with at Sikorsky Aircraft, that to this day I cannot talk about. I came up with techniques for cutting composites that I have personally used at home, and had to hammer "the tooling" to pieces in fear that someone might see it. (I have a nice little machine shop in my Barn). It's the best way to learn, to be taught how to learn, to see with your hands. In that respect, I was privileged, and am thankful. :)
 

Doctor G

Well-Known Member
One of the ideas i had was to make this little layout pop with many details and sounds
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.

So I went online to the ITT (Innovative Train Technologies) website and browsed their extensive catalogue of sound modules. I have two steam powered donkey engines loading and unloading logs on the mini layout. ITT just happened to have a very nice "steam donkey" sound module for a decent price. So I bought two and a couple of 2" speakers and toggle switches.

I used scrap styrene to build up a module that I could bury in the blue foam of the layout.

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After the surgical implant was complete the module was disguised as so much dirt and debris and the steam donkey was placed over the module and the speaker.

Because it is showcasing sound I made a little video where you can hear the donkey at work as a log train backs in to the landing.


Let me know what you all think
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Doc Tom
 

Gandolf50

Researcher of obscure between war vehicles...
Staff member
Moderator
One of the ideas i had was to make this little layout pop with many details and sounds
propeller_125.gif
.

So I went online to the ITT (Innovative Train Technologies) website and browsed their extensive catalogue of sound modules. I have two steam powered donkey engines loading and unloading logs on the mini layout. ITT just happened to have a very nice "steam donkey" sound module for a decent price. So I bought two and a couple of 2" speakers and toggle switches.

I used scrap styrene to build up a module that I could bury in the blue foam of the layout.

Let me know what you all think
shake_125.gif


Doc Tom


WONDERFUL... !!!!
 

Doctor G

Well-Known Member
I wanted to show you some more of the work on animating the steam donkeys. The first one I worked on is the donkey engine at the log dump.

Rather than powering the winches electrically I chose to use a manual Cable to lift the logs or lift the unloading mechanism at the log dump.

Here you can see the shrink tubing I used to conduct a fine wire cable from the first spool of the loader back to a hole extending up into the water tank of the loader.

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The Cable is threaded up through the water tank and out the water fill spout. It's end is affixed to the water tank hatch (cap) which can be pulled to move the cable.

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The cable goes from the first spool of the loader to the pulley in the block on the gin pole.

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It is connected with a hook and swivel to the piece of railroad steel (lifting bar) that will be attached to chains (awaiting some parts before they are attached) that will nudge the logs off the log cars and on to the dump.

When the bar and the chains are on the ground the cable pulls the water hatch (cap) closed on the tank.

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When the bar and chains are hoisted up the cap and wire cable are pulled through the tank like this.

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Hope this makes some sense and the pictures helped. I hope to make some pictures and maybe a video showing how the logs are unloaded using this mechanism in the future.

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As always, thanks for looking.
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Doc Tom
 

Doctor G

Well-Known Member
I have completed a little more of the mechanism at the log dump on the mini layout. Using tiny products: "O scale blackened chain" from eBay,3d printed hooks from shapeways,and miniature jewelry rings from Hobby Lobby, the lifting chains are attached to the lifting bar.

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The Little People workmen attach the hooks to the rings at the brow of the log dump.

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As the chains and lifting bar are hoisted skyward by the steam donkey they push the logs off the log car and on to the log dump.

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After dumping the logs the bar and chains are lowered. The LPW can now unhook the chains.

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The car is moved and the next loaded one moved in to place and the process repeated.

The logs slide down the dump and splash in to the Red River to continue their journey to the sawmill down stream.

Thanks for looking. Doc Tom
 

Doctor G

Well-Known Member
This has been a most productive weekend where everything seems to be coming together.
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I finished weathering the chains and lift mechanism at the log dump.

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So it was time to go to the other side of the mini layout and get the log loader working at the log landing.

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To lift logs I had to make this device.

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I'm not sure what is called...."hooks" or "tongs" or something else. Some of you guys with more knowledge may have the correct logging term.

I made it from a "circlip" from Lowes (pictured at the right), short lengths of chain and jewelry rings from Hobby Lobby.

I attached it to the steam donkey's cable and it could now pull up a log from the landing......

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.....and put it on a log car.

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The trick to making the cable to move was to thread it in heat shrink tubing and lead it out the back of the loader where it could be pulled or slacked to allow the log to lift or fall under control.

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So, in a little bit when I can master some eye hand coordination I will make some vids of loading and unloading logs with the ITT sound modules putting out the sounds of a genuine steam donkey.

Thanks for looking. Doc Tom
 

swampdaddy41

Active Member
I've done a small amount of 'added animation' but nothing this complicated or requiring custom parts. Way to go Doc Tom.

Have fun modeling, Swamp Daddy
 

Doctor G

Well-Known Member
Thank you Swamp Daddy. It has been a lot of fum to pay homage to the early loggers working with steam.

Well, it was sunny and mild this January day in 1910 Kentucky. Since it was a day of rest, Sunday, the boys thought they should play and enjoy some “Tom foolery” and some backwoods “Hi- Jinx.” So they fired up the log loader, carefully balanced a log and went for rides up and down. Better than any amusement park ride. A visiting photographer captured the quintessential logging picture for posterity.

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As always, thanks for looking.

Doc Tom
 

Gandolf50

Researcher of obscure between war vehicles...
Staff member
Moderator
They are called Skidding or Lifting Tongs. If it is one hook on a long handle then it is Cant Hook ( bent front pin so it doesn't get stuck) or a Peavy Hook ( sharp pointed end to fit between logs).
 

Doctor G

Well-Known Member
They are called Skidding or Lifting Tongs. If it is one hook on a long handle then it is Cant Hook ( bent front pin so it doesn't get stuck) or a Peavy Hook ( sharp pointed end to fit between logs).

Thanks. I just learned something new in the wonderful world of logging.'Tis appreciated sir.
Doc
 
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