Scratch Building Scale Staircases & Railings for the 'Carrier Princess' | Boomer Diorama ~ # 276

[@mikedurhan9941]

When it comes to scratch building, you are a Millennium Falcon; I am a rusted out 1962 Ford Falcon 4-door sedan with a blown engine. But, I surely do love watching you do what you do...........

[@boomerdiorama]

Drop a 302 into that old Ford Falcon and call it a sleeper . . . ;-)

[@mckerrowsiding]

Great tutorial. You right about scatch building I am working on a safety attennuator to mount on an N scale truck kit. But I had to learn a new skill brazing brass as I could not find evegreen that worked well in N scale. It is always a learning curve that you just have to work through

[@boomerdiorama]

Plastruct has some small diameter plastic rod impregnated with metal rod. Not sure if it fits but worth looking into.

[@jeroenvanboldrik4712]

Briljant model, beautifull series of video's, great fun to watch. It looks all so very easy to do, thanks Boomer for sharing

[@boomerdiorama]

Thank you. I know it looks easy but it is one of the most challenging models I have ever built. 😉

[@vincenthuying98]

Dear Boomer, just sticking to the superlatives; awesome work on the staircase! A vignette on its own. Love the way you constructed the staircase, especially the upper part, which follows the ‘askew’ line of the faring up to the ferry’s bridge. Even with just the faring inside visible the construction creates a nice vertical depth which definitely will draw the attention. Absolutely beautiful work, and such elaborate and unique details. Cheerio

[@boomerdiorama]

Thank you kindly!

[@michaelimpey1407]

Boomer, thanks you for the encouragement to give it a try. I now love using Evergreen Plastic to make small items, I don't have the courage for a big project, yet. The stairs look amazing. Thank you for sharing, I appreciate the motivation, cheers, and stay safe, Michael

[@boomerdiorama]

Sounds great!

[@boomerdiorama]

Sounds great!

[@monkeymike8797]

You’re right about getting lost in the build. I was waiting for some 1970 ‘s style phone booths I designed to be 3d printed and sat down and decided to scratch build one. 4 hours later I had built several and forgot about my 3d prints til the next day . Scratch building still tops resin printing. And as a side note congrats on the channels success. 27 k subs. Rock on bud

[@boomerdiorama]

Thank you for the compliment on the channel and sharing your experiences with scratch building. I agree that traditional scratch building tops resin printing. I think some 3D resin models can be awesome ( I have a few), but many talk as if it's the second coming of Christ without even knowing how to design or build, etc. Furthermore, let' see someone 3D print this model with buried track, brass railings, glazed windows, and a beautiful surface that can be welded, sanded, and takes paint like no resin can. ;-) Cheers and thanks for sharing! ~ Boomer.😁👍

[@DRCRailroard]

Thanks for validating the techniques for building by using ones perception. It helps to know that even master modlers rely on their artistic abilities when assembling models despite the criticism and the arguments for using tools for exact measurements. I was always left puzzled by how rigid and limited this approach is since I'm not that inclined to do things from an all-inclusive technical approach. I always thought I must have a superpower to use my God-given perception and eyeball to figure things out and not burden by the limitations by keeping between the lines. Sure, you can make little mistakes this way, but I find they are usually resolved easily on the fly instead of starting over from scratch and often leads to new discoveries that wouldn't be noticed otherwise. like most problems in life. Just like the Marines motto. Improvise and overcome. You just so happen to have the ability to take it to the next level.

[@boomerdiorama]

To be honest, I "eyeball" things all the time. Especially in smaller scales. Even if you measure things, you can still run out with a "fat" pencil tip and larger increments anyway. There was no other way I could make the staircase fit without multiple dry-runs coupled to the good ol' eye test. 😉👍

[@JeffRichBLET129]

Talk about synchronicity, I'm brainstorming a stairway on my interlocking tower project. I que up the Sunday program and voila! , here's how you do it. I have the outer stringer done already and will drill the railing holes in the AM. Thanks Brother! You dug me out of the deep end of a learning curve!

[@boomerdiorama]

Awesome! 👍

[@garystrutt2078]

My first models were just after the war and were balsa wood jeeps that had straight pins to hold the wheels on. I believe the kit cost 25 cents and I must have built a hundred of them. First plastic kit was a 1955 Chrysler that I made my dad for Christmas. That sure was a long time ago and now my passion is scratch building for my model RR. Your videos inspire this old timer every day. Keep them coming and thank you.

[@boomerdiorama]

Thanks for sharing that! Cheers! 👍

[@stevek4153]

Your preview of the finished product at 10:25 is simply stunning. I’ve been watching your channel for a few years now but I was still unprepared for this level of detail and craftsmanship. Your work and method of sharing is truly inspiring. Thanks for sharing.

[@boomerdiorama]

Thank you! 😊

[@boomerdiorama]

Thank you! 😊

[@WarrenFahyAuthor]

You're just so Blasé about creating completely uncompromised miniature stuff and scenes while nicely trying to show us how to do these things that are WAY over our heads, but which we admire and are amazed by. Thanks, Boomer.

[@boomerdiorama]

Do the things you fear to do and the fear will disappear . . . Thank you. Cheers ~ Boomer.😉

[@adamstein5773]

Boomer, great stuff! Thank you. You had mentioned about a thicker plastic weld could you tell me the brand please. Thanks

[@boomerdiorama]

@@adamstein5773 The thicker stuff is the same stuff, but older in the bottle as it thickens as you use it up. I save those half filled bottles aside for thicker applications.

[@adamstein5773]

@@boomerdiorama got it, thank you.

[@painter662]

Thank you. You made a comment not to long ago that basically said thin the paint out. It’s never really to thin, if it is add another coat… I grew up hearing everyone preach… don’t go to thing you’ll break the bindings or what ever, so I had always thinned cautiousely… meaning I always ended up with gummed up messes formally known as air brushes. As a result I always hand painted everything. I’m pretty good at hand painting.😁 but today I found myself working on an inexpensive model of a building that holds a special spot in my heart. Randy’s Donuts. I wanted the donut on top to look more realistic than the actual donut at Randy’s looks. To achieve this by hand required a lot of thin glazed, unfortunately on a plastic donut shape that led to a lot of paint runs… not a pleasing event. So today I said to heck with it… let’s try an airbrush. Your advice saved the day. My big donut in the sky looks like a raised glazed😁 thank you

[@boomerdiorama]

That was with Oil and Solvent based paints. Acrylics are a whole new different kind of paint with a different type of pigment. I thin acrylics down, at will, with no problems. You learn faster and achieve better results when you paint with thin washes.

[@Vman7757]

Just wow! Thanks for sharing. I just about scratch build everything or kit bash now. There is so much out there I can't get in N scale. Thank you for sharing. Now if I can just get brave enough to share what I've learned. LOL

[@boomerdiorama]

It's good to add things already built as well. I mean why torture oneself. lol.

[@Vman7757]

@@boomerdiorama LOL. One man torture is another man fantasy. LOL But you get what you really want.

[@MyFingerLakesRailwayLayout]

Another great lesson. Some of the comments (I read them all) talked about eyeballing as opposed to measuring. A misspent youth on a pool table will hone your eye. Ask me how I know 🎱

[@boomerdiorama]

I hate to admit that. Of course I measure things but I eyeball things all the time and they seem to come out O.K. I usually do it when the ruler is out of reach . . . lol.

[@CPRRAMSEY]

You have way of making your own details exciting and fun which I really enjoy

[@boomerdiorama]

It's a part of the hobby I really love.😁

[@CPRRAMSEY]

@@boomerdiorama thats cool never stop

[@555metroman]

Your comment about my first scratch builds being 'mine' is right on. I guarantee that nobody has the three warehouses like mine. I like 'm an friends have been impressed. Go figure! thanks for the inspiration and 'add a boy'. Your work is so good.

[@boomerdiorama]

That is awesome!

[@stevenlitkey9354]

Totally agree with you Boomer, Evergreen is far superior to Plastruct. Sadly no one in my area carries a good selection of Evergreen so I’m “stuck” using Plastruct. I make it work 😀😀

[@boomerdiorama]

I still use Plastruct though. Plastruct has many profiles that Evergreen does not that I like to use as well like triangle stock and really small diameter rod, etc.

[@davidsteuber7174]

I feel the same. I enjoy watching all your work. I learn so much.

[@boomerdiorama]

😁Thank you!

[@bluefj-wc3vz]

I love the Tamiya brush in that cement. And the cement. Got tired of the Testors bottle with the giant broom mounted to lid. Cause then i always used a small paint brush and lid would be hanging open completely fumigating room. Lol

[@boomerdiorama]

The Tamiya is good for sure . . . but man does it stink. 🤣

[@allen-n4nn]

Can't remember my first model but remember vividly my first paint job! As a kid in the mid '50s I did the same as you using Testors paint and probably the same style brush. No guidance. The paint was more like toothpaste than paint and the brush dried stiff soon after starting to paint. Even as an excited kid it was a disappointment. I never painted another one for many years!

[@boomerdiorama]

I quickly learned how to thin paint with solvent after that one. ;-)

[@canoeingnav7618]

Thanks Boomer for making it okay to make mistakes. I am very new to scratch building and certainly have 'get started nerves'. You inspire us to dive in and try. I am in the research phase for my first project, and after watching your Carrier Princess build videos am looking forward to begin my journey of learning.

[@boomerdiorama]

Try to make the first projects simple and take your time. We all make mistakes in our pursuit of excellence. Cheers ~ Boomer.👍😁

[@jonpowell-ov3yh]

I know you haven't taken any sponsors, but you need to submit some photos of this ship to Evergreen. I can't imagine they wouldn't want to include it on their web site and in their catalog's selection of "example" pictures...it's gorgeous. 👍

[@boomerdiorama]

Thank you for the suggestion!👍

[@David-yo5re]

You're modeling skills are top notch. Your layout and that car ferry are outstanding. I can't wait to see the car ferry when you complete it.

[@boomerdiorama]

You and me both!

[@railscanner]

Boomer No Fear modeling 101: kinda scary but very inspiring none the same.

[@boomerdiorama]

There are things that still scare me, but I barge in like a bull anyway . . . lol.

[@bobrussell1957]

Thanks!

[@boomerdiorama]

You are awesome! Thank you for the "Super Thanks" Cheers ~ Boomer.😁👍

[@MRR_Shadowolf]

Another outstanding video in this series! How did you make the stairs/decking (ie stringers) to get them all aligned and material used? Thanks again for sharing your wisdom and experience. In awe after watching each video!

[@boomerdiorama]

I cut out a paper template first then traced it onto .020" Evergreen plastic. Then glued them on.

[@MRR_Shadowolf]

@@boomerdiorama Makes sense, thanks!

[@ADPeguero]

@10:28, your skills are so good that I had to do a double-take to realize that this image is of the real thing, or is it?

[@BrooksMoses]

Oh, good, that wasn't just me!

[@boomerdiorama]

That pic is the prototype. It is my main inspiration for the scene I am attempting to model. Cheers. ;-)

[@heinschonberg2108]

Wow, Sir, this is all so impressive what You show: The work, the relation between prototype and model, the materials, Your skills, patience, overview, teaching language ... fantastic and outstanding and I am happy I found Your channel here so that I can follow You. I work as architect and I would be glad for my "scenario" if I had this combination in professional work. Designing excepted maybe ;) Thank You so much and all best wishes !

[@boomerdiorama]

Wow, thank you!

[@heinschonberg2108]

@@boomerdiorama Just a little truth ... and it refers to the whole project ;)

[@blaketatar1239]

I love the stairs and the railings but the life rings got me thinking. Scratchbuilt tires for model T’s and other vehicles from the era that I model! That boat is going to be quite an impressive piece!!

[@boomerdiorama]

Sometimes the simplest little details are hard to aquire. The "Model T" tires idea sounds great!

[@ISAACBATENBURG]

The stairs are a model on it’s own. They look really convincing!

[@boomerdiorama]

Thank you. It's nice when things work out. ;-)

[@daviemaclean61]

Ha ha! You and me both. My first model was a WW1 Fokker Albatross painted, as they did at the time, gloss red about a scale inch thick! It became a monoplane after a trip down the back of the chest freezer! Cheers

[@boomerdiorama]

I wish I still had that little model. ;-)

[@FarlandHowe]

The ladders are brilliant.

[@boomerdiorama]

I love the staircase more than the model . . . lol.😉

[@FarlandHowe]

@@boomerdiorama So much to learn and so little time.

[@PeterTillman3]

You sold me on scratch building 👍👍

[@boomerdiorama]

Lol . . . it's a "niche" for sure. ;-)

[@jstockton303]

Thanks for sharing a lot of great information on scratch building. I see the deck is finish, I really like rust colors, will you have a video on how you finish the deck surface?

[@boomerdiorama]

Please be patient. It's in post. Video production takes huge time apart from actually building the model. Cheers.

[@jstockton303]

@@boomerdioramagreat, looking forward to see it in the future. I bet you spend as much time, if not more in production, your videos are so good, easy to follow, loaded with educational value share by no one else on KZbin, you are the “Master”.

[@boomerdiorama]

@@jstockton303 It does indeed take longer to produce the videos. Thanks for supporting the channel the way you do! Cheers. 😁👍

[@bobrussell1957]

Hi from Winnipeg. Love your videos even though I’m not a railway guy. The scratch built boats and terrain interests me most of all. You use a set of nippers to trim off the excess of your stairway railings that I’ve been seeking for some time. Can you give me a brand name for them and lead on where to buy? I’ve searched “nippers” and get lottery every set of plier type nippers in the known world! lol.

[@boomerdiorama]

Try the web page "Intercity Trains & Hobbies" they have them there. They are the local hobby shop here in Langley, B.C. Canada. Just phone them up and ask for them. They will gladly send them to you in the mail. Cheers.😁

[@BrooksMoses]

I've seen them called "cutting tweezers", and searching on that brings up mostly what you want. I first came across them in the electronics industry for cutting the pins on components to length after through-hole soldering them, and a fair number of suppliers still seem to be selling them for that industry. And at prices intended for that industry -- presumably with quality to match, but I don't think I need $130 of quality in my cutting tweezers! On the other hand, I'd probably stay away from the no-name Amazon ones too. The higher-end ones seem to come in a range of standard styles, and "15agw" is a common style number; searching on that will also bring up a bunch of options.

[@bobrussell1957]

@@boomerdiorama Located and ordered! Thank you so much. Keep on building and doing these videos. I'm not a Railway modeller, but modellers appreciate everything done on a small scale - or I do at least. I especially love your scratch-built ships and boats. I knew you were a fellow Canadian when I heard you speak. 🙂

[@warrenholmar1129]

We have a Harvard in our town. It is right at the north entrance in the middle of the road. Ours is Yellow with RNZAF markings.

[@boomerdiorama]

That is awesome. I used to love watching the best Harvard pilot in the world fly every summer at Abbotsford Airshow growing up. His name was Bud Granley.

[@danielfantino1714]

Thanks Boomer to all the learning tricks you take the time to show us. Sort of Wikipedia for modelers. The neophyte sees a photo, like that ship and say "i won´t be abble".... sure he won´t. He sees the ship in one step. Boomer will see it in different steps Just like pages of a book telling a story. He´ll do water first, cause ship must be on it. Just plain stupid water. Then the hull in different steps. Experienced modelers will make the story one page at a time. Easy isn´t ? Of subject but, my neighbor is replacing good old searchlight signals by the new led ones. Funny enough, new blocks aren´t at same location So i see their digging and what will be in the ground that modeler will never see. Quite big stuff to hold that mast signal. If i can i´ll take some measurements. It can be a nice scenic story never made on layout. Is there a way to contact you. I find no "Public email adress" of Boomer. Thanks again for thevtime you put in us.

[@boomerdiorama]

Respectfully, and please don't take this the wrong way. If I took emails the channel would have to end. Everyone thinks it's just only them, but it is the collective numbers that all think the same way that kill my time. I don't have time to answer personal emails. I answer comments on the channel which already eats up a ton of time. Thanks for sharing. Cheers ~ Boomer. ;-)

[@danielfantino1714]

​@@boomerdiorama Privacy and only 24 hours in a day. Don´t worry, i understand. Cheers to you and Dusty😊😊😊

[@boomerdiorama]

@@danielfantino1714 No problem. Cheers!

[@rogerbivins9144]

Ok, this series has just about reached a stage of insult. Mr Boomer over here offering classroom type instruction for a project that could be used for a limitless budget film industry scale ship duplication, as if we mere mortals could possibly replicate the work being demonstrated. JK I do seriously appreciate the opportunity to witness the process and have no doubt the experience will enlighten my own building techniques. Cheers.

[@boomerdiorama]

The nice thing about film, if you have a good budget (which is highly unlikely), you can throw lot's of model makers at the project at once to get her done. ;-)

[@SkipJack1950]

What are the flush nippers called that you use? Specially the ones I see you use to cut fence posts & railings. Not the ones commonly used as track nippers (sprue cutters).

[@boomerdiorama]

You can get similar ones here: InterCity Trains & Hobbies. Phone them and ask for them.

[@SkipJack1950]

@boomerdiorama thank you for that. I would have showered you with compliments on your work and express how appreciative I am for your videos... everyone beat me to it. We all feel the same way and do appreciate you sharing your skills with us... it's very inspiring to watch your videos... they often are playing in the background in my home studio while I'm working on my own projects... it feels like you're in the room here with me as we work on our projects together. You have so many interesting techniques to share... each time I watch you work, I get a little more from it. Thank you for also interacting with us the way you do... many content creators just post and forget about it. Your fan base is strong and dedicated 👍. Thank you, Boomer.

[@boomerdiorama]

@@SkipJack1950 Thank you for taking the time to share that. I appreciate it. Cheers. 😁👍

[@cameronwheatley7792]

Morning, it's really hard, basically impossible, to get Plastruct cement in Australia. You mentioned the green Tamiya cement, is that just as good but stinks? It is the one thing I'm struggling with. Paint, mediums, pastes etc no problem, but the cement and CA you use we do struggle with getting here, I'm guessing because of the shipping and probably how flammable they are. If you couldn't get Plastruct what would you use?

[@boomerdiorama]

Use Tamiya plastic cement.

[@cameronwheatley7792]

@@boomerdiorama thank you

[@BrooksMoses]

According to the MSDS, Plastruct Plastic Weld is mostly dichloromethane (methylene chloride), with about 5-10% methyl ethyl ketone. If I couldn't get Plastruct, and didn't want to use the Tamiya because of the painful fumes, I'd probably look into getting some small bottles of those from a local chemical supplier and making up a similar mix.

[@cameronwheatley7792]

@@BrooksMoses fantastic thank you for the info

[@tcarney57]

Much of your process of cutting and assembling parts without detailed measurements, jigs, or other guides, follows the Jimmy DiResta principle: "If it looks straight, it _is_ straight."

[@boomerdiorama]

I agree, but also, just because a line is straight does not mean it is accurate . . . lol. 😁

[@vikingofengland]

"If it looks good it is good"... Essential Craftsman.

[@boomerdiorama]

@@vikingofengland . . . and if it doesn't, I just squint my eyes more . . . lol. 😉

[@abuBrachiosaurus]

Do you have any tips for making streetrunning tracks? What do use for the street itself? How can I make sure the street doesn't interfere with switch points and rolling stock flanges, etc

[@boomerdiorama]

It depends how "finescale" about it you are. I am publishing a whole video on the very thing you are talking about in a few weeks. I will show how I model flangeways in buried track - but in this case on the Ferry deck which is the same thing.

[@abuBrachiosaurus]

@@boomerdiorama Looking forward to it

[@bobrussell1957]

Any leads would be so appreciated. 👍🏻😀👍🏻

[@boomerdiorama]

Cheers! 😁😁👍

[@jaimegarcia9944]

As always, I am left depressed.

[@boomerdiorama]

Be inspired. When I see modelers better than me I turn it into motivation to do better. If I don't - so what? - Cheers.😁

[@jaimegarcia9944]

@@boomerdiorama I'm too old