Thanks to everyone for your encouraging words on my first scratchbuilt structure. I appreciate it. On to the next project!
I've been looking for a kit/plans for a modern water tower in N scale, but I haven't been able to find one. I really like Walthers new HO water tower kit, but they don't seem to care much for us N-scalers anymore. I had come to the conclusion that if I wanted a water tower, I'd have to build it myself.
The problem is, shaping styrene to the curves of a modern water tower would be difficult to say the least. I was at a loss on how to proceed until a trip to Michael's with my girlfriend this weekend. I was browsing the woodworking aisles when I saw some pine whittling blocks. They measure 1.75''x1.75''x5'', which is pretty close to the size I was looking for. So, I picked up a package of blocks, and a bunch of extra X-Acto blades, and went home to whittle me a water tower.
Three days, 5 blades, and two X-Acto hand wounds later, I've got a water tower shape I'm pretty happy with. I still need to file and sand it down, but I wanted to show you all progress photos. I'll show you the finished product when I'm finished.
If you've never whittled before, a few tips: draw the item you're whittling on each side of your block of wood first, then go over those lines with a NEW X-acto blade. Cut light at first, so the grain doesn't take you away, then go deeper. Once you've done this on all sides, use short, light shaving motions AWAY from your body. Make sure your non-cutting hand is away from the blade (thus the two hand wounds. . .) To remove large sections of wood, use a coping or a jig saw. I also used a small wood chisel in some places to cut away larger pieces of wood. When you think you're done, put it down and come back to it in a few hours. You'll find something you missed. The whole process feels a little strange at first, but you get the hang of it pretty quick. I'd also recommend doing an Internet search on whittling. There are some very informative sites out there.
My water tower measures 1.75''x4''. There is an untouched block of wood in the picture to show you what I started out with. Good luck if you decide to give it a shot!
I've been looking for a kit/plans for a modern water tower in N scale, but I haven't been able to find one. I really like Walthers new HO water tower kit, but they don't seem to care much for us N-scalers anymore. I had come to the conclusion that if I wanted a water tower, I'd have to build it myself.
The problem is, shaping styrene to the curves of a modern water tower would be difficult to say the least. I was at a loss on how to proceed until a trip to Michael's with my girlfriend this weekend. I was browsing the woodworking aisles when I saw some pine whittling blocks. They measure 1.75''x1.75''x5'', which is pretty close to the size I was looking for. So, I picked up a package of blocks, and a bunch of extra X-Acto blades, and went home to whittle me a water tower.
Three days, 5 blades, and two X-Acto hand wounds later, I've got a water tower shape I'm pretty happy with. I still need to file and sand it down, but I wanted to show you all progress photos. I'll show you the finished product when I'm finished.
If you've never whittled before, a few tips: draw the item you're whittling on each side of your block of wood first, then go over those lines with a NEW X-acto blade. Cut light at first, so the grain doesn't take you away, then go deeper. Once you've done this on all sides, use short, light shaving motions AWAY from your body. Make sure your non-cutting hand is away from the blade (thus the two hand wounds. . .) To remove large sections of wood, use a coping or a jig saw. I also used a small wood chisel in some places to cut away larger pieces of wood. When you think you're done, put it down and come back to it in a few hours. You'll find something you missed. The whole process feels a little strange at first, but you get the hang of it pretty quick. I'd also recommend doing an Internet search on whittling. There are some very informative sites out there.
My water tower measures 1.75''x4''. There is an untouched block of wood in the picture to show you what I started out with. Good luck if you decide to give it a shot!
