Scratch building a tower and dome from card and paper : Victorian Hotel Part 15

[@jameswilson-vd5qc]

Not only great skill and creativity but also a dry sense of humour!

[@Chandwell]

Hahah - thank you! Michael

[@Haarken83]

I love everything about this series. I can imagine it would be easy for someone to look at the finished product and think I could never do that myself, it's such a complex build. But the way that you have broken it down into manageable sections, itemised your time, your materials, your expenses and your continued transparency about your successes and failures is so refreshing and so inspiring.

[@goodrails]

"continued transparency about your successes and failures is so refreshing and so inspiring." Ya, what you said.

[@Chandwell]

Thank you - that is really kind to say, and really nice to hear. I try to just show everything as-is because this is just a learning journey for me (I am just making it all up as I go!), and it's fun to show the disasters as much as the successes. It makes the successes all the sweeter, I think! Michael

[@Leonard_Smith]

Mere words cannot describe how this building has blossomed.

[@Chandwell]

Thank you Leonard! Michael

[@roberttemple8462]

I'm still amazed Michael, what a fantastic model. You should be very proud.

[@Chandwell]

I really am, Bobby. I could not have imagined that it would turn out as well as it has done. Michael

[@thomashiggins4923]

It's just magnificent Michael! It looks enormous, and wonderfully grimy. It's hard to believe it's only N scale. I really enjoy your commentary as well, and the fantasy "historical" facts like the view across the sewage farm. The 1970s is back with us again... Thanks, Tom

[@Chandwell]

Many thanks! Please watch out for my "special" video coming on Friday 15 October. If you like the historical facts, you may enjoy that one! :) Michael

[@wrigjo101]

Unbelievable as usual. A pefrect addition to the building.

[@Chandwell]

Thank you!! Michael

[@stevenhoward3358]

Looks fantastic - very Bradford, you must be feeling proud.

[@Chandwell]

I am really pleased with it Steven. There's definitely a feel of Bradford about it isn't there!? I just need to find my next muse now... Michael

[@jo-bahn8737]

" the curved elements tend to uncurve " I really do prefer the spoken comment for only one gem like this per vid ...

[@Chandwell]

Thank you! Michael

[@ianleyburn4048]

Hi Michael, absolutely marvellous modelling, as always. The tower and dome look totally amazing, just like everything else about Chandwell. It's been so enjoyable to watch this build and the town as a whole develop, not to mention your much deserved following. Thank you Michael, best wishes, Ian

[@Chandwell]

Thank you Ian. I have loved sharing this build but I am not sure what I will end up doing next! Michael

[@roystudds1944]

Absolutely awesome as always. Genius ideas for getting around the socket and a great dome. Cannot wait to see what you have in mind next. Thanks for sharing. Roy.

[@Chandwell]

Thank you Roy! Michael

[@wheezypalacemodels7726]

Hi Michael, I have said it from day one of this build and I will repeat it again now it is finally done……Amazing build, fantastic details, great build commentary and as a bonus, you’re explanations all the way through have been very interesting. Truly a work of art. Chris

[@Chandwell]

Thank you Chris. This isn't quite finished yet... Watch tomorrow's video for that! Michael

[@andrewretallick4614]

That looks amazing Michael! I'd stay there, leaky roof and all...but then I'm not fussy🤪 This has been a truely brilliant series of build videos, I shall be sad in a way to see it completed. Obviously I'll be exited too! Roll on the next video!!! Andrew🙂

[@Chandwell]

Thank you Andrew. It has been great having you along for the ride. Final build video tomorrow and then an extra-special episode the week after, which I think you will appreciate. Michael

[@goodrails]

WOW! Just WOW. I will take notes and more notes. Perhaps I love most how you describe the various 'ooops' and how you migh thave done it. Just plain wondrous.

[@Chandwell]

Thank you very much! Michael

[@markholdsworth3486]

What can I say. Amazing model, fab videos.

[@Chandwell]

Thanks Mark! Michael

[@davestrains6816]

Just a lovely build. The dome build is really amazing. Thanks for sharing. Dave

[@Chandwell]

Thank you Dave! Michael

[@brianstewart3594]

Michael. Looks fantastic. Well done. keep up the good anymore building plans like what you are doing

[@Chandwell]

Thanks Brian! A bit more to finish off here, and then I think I'll do a video about my plans because I can't quite decide what to do next! Michael

[@michaellowney6883]

Have loved watching this series. Fantastic modelling. Thank you for sharing

[@Chandwell]

Glad you enjoyed it - thank you Michael

[@thegrowler-blackwoodngauge]

Stunning building you've created Michael. Excellent to the point videos have made the whole build a pleasure to watch. Cheers Euan

[@Chandwell]

Thank you Euan. I am glad you enjoyed them! Michael

[@gaz740]

Absolutely stunning work Michael. Looks fantastic. Well done.

[@Chandwell]

Thank you so much 😀 Michael

[@Elvenhome]

I had to laugh at the fine view of the Chander as far as the sewage works. I think it is a cupola and that has come out very well. This whole model looks just fabulous. You must be so pleased with the result. It was interesting to see the cost of your time at minimum wage to build this. Stephen

[@Chandwell]

Thank you Stephen! I finished the hotel this week, so tomorrow's video will be about that. And then I have something special planned for the week after, and then... and then.... well... I don't have a clue! Michael

[@harperlarry49]

Impressive. That's all I can say. Great work.

[@Chandwell]

Thank you Larry! :) Michael

[@colinrowe6521]

Just incredibly simple..I'm inspired

[@Chandwell]

Thank you Colin! I was surprised by how easy this dome was! Michael

[@wollibar5263]

Bravo, another weekly highlight watched it 3 times great stuff....

[@Chandwell]

Wow! Three times!!?? Glad you enjoyed it :) Michael

[@jeffreydavies9036]

An excellent and interesting video on the build of the tower. All the videos of the hotel have been very informative. It looks great as a background to the station. Looking forward to the next and poss last video on this project Regards Jeff

[@Chandwell]

Thanks Jeff... One more video tomorrow... and then just another one for fun the week after... Michael

[@ngaugefouroaksstreetstatio6932]

Love buildings of that shape, looks amazing as usual.

[@Chandwell]

Thanks Chris! Imagine if you were going to cover your layout in buildings like this... it would take six lifetimes! Michael

[@SC68]

Hi Michael, Excellent video once again, it looked a challenging tower to build but the finished result looks great! Cheers Gary

[@Chandwell]

It was a challenge, but I am thrilled with how it ended up! Michael

[@colinnewmarch1106]

Superb, patience of a saint

[@Chandwell]

Thanks Colin! Michael

[@linesided]

Best cable cover ever!!

[@Chandwell]

Thanks Jonathan. Maybe I could sell them on eBay at two grand a piece. Michael

[@linesided]

@@Chandwell Gonna start saving now so I can afford one in 2029.

[@Chris-BognorRegis]

Hi Michael - When you had the hotel freestanding it totally blew me away, it looks brilliant. Well done. Regards Chris

[@Chandwell]

Thanks Chris! And thank you for watching along with the series. Michael

[@davidmurphy9078]

Great stuff, Michael! An unusual shape to model, but you did it expertly! Well done!

[@Chandwell]

Thank you! Cheers! Michael

[@fentoncentral-ngauge]

Magnificent. Superb as always.

[@Chandwell]

Wow, thank you! Michael

[@barryturner2916]

Hi Michael another master class in scratch building, great to watch and many thanks for sharing your planning and building technics. Keep them coming take care..

[@Chandwell]

Thank you Barry! Michael

[@Miertreg1]

Fantastic job👍👍. Greetings Gert

[@Chandwell]

Thank you Gert! Michael

[@slwilliams75]

Just amazing mate 👌🏻👏🏻 Well done

[@Chandwell]

Thank you Simon! Michael

[@peterstecks7660]

What a journey. I'm sure that no one, apart from yourself Michael, want's it to end. But I'm also sure you have more devious schemes planned. 😈😈😈 And thanks for the reference. I am immortal!!!! I hope when the shows start to open up, I can buy you a brew. P

[@Chandwell]

Thanks Peter! Yes, I fulfiled my promise to you, and you now have a leaky, slightly damp three-star hotel room named after you. What heady levels of achievement my friend! :) Watch out for a special video in a couple of weeks that you may enjoy... Michael

[@peterstecks7660]

@@Chandwell I'll be watching... 👍

[@omeaga27]

Fantastic work Michael , I use alot of artists materials in my builds get some dailer Rowney modeling paste it great as a filler and as a render to create a plaster of stone effect . I then add a matt medium mixed with marble dust mixed with the acrylic artists paints it transforms the cardbord . It how I got my white house diorama to the level I wanted . Keep up the great work. Stephen

[@Chandwell]

Cool, thanks for the tips! I will have to look out for some of those materials as it would be good to keep exploring new things! Michael

[@Wickford_N_Gauge]

Gorgeous work as always Michael 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 The Cupola / Dome really finished off the hotel to perfection ❤️ with views of the sewage works as pure bonus 😉 It might have been tempting to put a verdigris copper roof on 🤔 but l’m sure Stanley’s dad probably “half inched” it “during the war” 😱😂😂😂😂 Can’t wait to see what moves in beside the Hotel 🏨🌞 Very best wishes from County Wicklow ☘️

[@Chandwell]

Thank you as ever Paul! Do you really think a copper roof would last in Chandwell? You're right, the Stanley clan would be up there like a shot! There's so many leaks in the town because no building has any lead flashing left. (Stanley is a convenient excuse not to go cutting tiny bits of N-Gauge lead... the only reason for his existence!). Finishing it off next week, and then I have a "special" episode planned which you may enjoy. Michael

[@jamit2576]

You are great artist

[@Chandwell]

Thank you

[@philkirk4571]

Well it’s all coming to a conclusion! You’ll be relieved I guess ? I’ll miss the updates but there’ll be others to follow. I can’t get over how Yorkshire it looks. You must be very proud as someone below said and deservedly so. I once built a hotel tower using two toblerone tubes stuck together, looked ridiculous but very tasty! Anyway, congratulations Michael you’re a modelling ‘A’ lister.

[@Chandwell]

Thank you Phil - that is very kind. I could not be happier with how the hotel has turned out. I just don't know what to do next though now! Michael

[@davidspottiswoode3831]

Stunning. You’ve inspired me to download Inkscape, although I fear it will take some time and a few expletives to get where you are 😀. Thanks for all your work with this series, it really is inspiring! D

[@Chandwell]

Thank you David! Good luck with Inkscape! Michael

[@Staggie97]

Simply beautiful ❤️ I can’t believe how strong the structure looked once it was off the layout. Really great work. Can’t wait to see what’s in store next!!

[@Chandwell]

It is really strong. It weighs 569 grams! Michael

[@ericsainte290]

This is amazing. And the cupola roof is so simular to the one of the télescope tower of the Coincé observatory in Liege, Belgium, that I would like to reproduce in 1/87th scale... the technique is really easy and as soon as I am fitted with my wheelchair, I'll start working to learn Inkscape since I am more used to Qcad (Autocad style pgm) and Fusion 360 to create lasercut kits with 3D printed detail parts... Love this Hotel and the station and will certainly get inspiration from it, although I will use textured papers from Noch, Faller and Redutex for the bricks, stones and roofs. Hope the other buildings following the hotel along the station will also inspire me for when building my future N layout - the only difference is that I'll use wooden photography frames from IKEA with 3mm ply roadbed and 5mm wood dowels for the baseboard... must be easy to manipulate while in a wheelchair of course. I may even make a video diary like you do to share my progress, seeing how it helps having other tips and methods exchanged here.

[@Chandwell]

Sounds like you have excellent plans, Eric! I wish you all the best for them. Michael

[@TheHeritageLine]

The hotel really has been a tremendous build! they way you have documented has been brilliant! and has shown with a bit of planning and building it stages it is well within the realm of other modellers. I also love the fact that you have shown the costs and the hours taken so nobody is disillusioned by how long it takes, but in my opinion is well worth the effort, if you have the time and patience! I'm now looking forward to it's finish, and seeing what you have up your sleeve for the next build! All the best Tony.

[@Chandwell]

Thank you Tony - that is really kind. I am not yet sure what's coming next... but there are still two videos in this series to watch, so please keep watching! Michael

[@TrevTurner]

once again brilliant really look forward to your updates, im really going to have to get my head around inkscape as i feel watching your updates im missing out on my buildings

[@Chandwell]

Awesome, thank you Trev! You should definitely give Inkscape a try if you can... I find it helps so much with everything! Michael

[@shaunmorris-armitage4073]

Excellent work Sir. The Midland Hotel in front of the old Forster Square Station in Bradford is a building that I know well and your model takes me to it in my mind.

[@Chandwell]

Thank you so much! That was most definitely my muse! Michael

[@shaunmorris-armitage4073]

@@Chandwell After seeing your version of the Beehive I was impressed and this is up to the same high standard especially as it is in 2mm.

[@Chandwell]

Hello Shaun.Thank you for your comment on my latest video. I saw it briefly but KZbin automatically deleted it for some reason. It does this worryingly often but I did see it and even got a screenshot of it. I will look at those buildings as I think you may be on to something!! Many thanks, Michael.

[@shaunmorris-armitage4073]

@@Chandwell My pleasure. Please keep up the excellent work.

[@dannygriffin3608]

Great job, would like some photos

[@Chandwell]

Thank you very much indeed! I put the occasional photo on my channel's Community page, and also on RMWeb, and the Scale Model Scenery model railway club, so if you check those out, you may see some! I also post to scratch building Facebook groups, so keep your eye out! Michael

[@billpoxon]

Brilliant series lfull of inspirational ideas love the way you explain.how you make them

[@Chandwell]

Glad you like them! Thank you Michael

[@kaisattelberg5548]

A cupola is a structure on top of a roof providing light or ventilation (contrary to this dome being the actual roof of the tower). The current state of disrepair might warrant calling it that, though.

[@Chandwell]

Hahaha! Indeed! :) Thank you! Michael

[@olivier2553]

Great build. I mean very nice as well as grandiose! For the balcony railing, you may try Indian ink next time: it is very thin so will go into ever detail and very opaque too (not my idea, seen it being done by Kristina on the channel Get Hands Dirty).

[@Chandwell]

Thank you Olivier. That is a great idea about the ink. I have some and never even thought of using it. Super tip! Thank you.

[@paulsheppy4305]

I keep seeing seven rather than eight - which makes it a heptagon rather than a octagon. This doesn't affect the brilliance of the modelling; but in the interests of number-counting and geometry, it makes me wonder what I'm missing :-)

[@Chandwell]

Thanks Paul! It's a hexagonal tower, but I cut off one of the corners of the supports so that they would attach to the hotel properly - it's at the back and can't be seen. So inside, the residents of the rooms would definitely be inside an irregular heptagon! The dome/cupola is eight-sides and sits on top of hexagons. Thanks so much for your kind comments! Michael

[@MalcolmCrabbe]

Avery large and impressive structure - superb ! - enjoyed every minute of its construction. No idea where you get 158 hours from... the videos total 1 hour, 56 minutes and 2 seconds :) :)

[@Chandwell]

Glad you enjoyed it! You have spotted my cunning misdirection. It only took 1 hour 56 minutes to make, but the rest of the time I was gazing at my work, with a whisky in hand! :) Michael

[@davidrauger]

This is so inspirational and stunning, Michael. I couldn't see the imperfections that troubled you and if you could you might be able to put it down to the building sinking. It does look great. Where did you get the glue bottles from - the ones I have appear smaller and it can take a lot of effort to squeeze the glue out!

[@Chandwell]

Thanks Dave. The glue bottles... I bought them ten years ago from a lady called Anne Peak. Sadly she appears to have gone out of business now, which is a shame because these bottles are great. And the pin doesn't go rusty like my old Metcalfe ones did. Try making sure your bottles are always full, wash the tips regularly, and most important of all, store them upside down. This prevents air getting to the glue in the top, and keeps the opening from clogging up. Michael

[@davidrauger]

@@Chandwell Great tip! No pun.

[@philcorrin1035]

The cupola is testament to the power of thought. Might I ask where you got the bottles for your PVA? I have myriad needs for the precision they seem to give you. My thanks !

[@Chandwell]

I bought the bottles about ten years ago from a lady called Anne Peak. They are much better than the others I have tried to use, which had pins that went rusty. Unfortunately, she must have gone out of business as her website and Facebook pages no longer exist. Michael

[@PiddleInTheMarshbyMarkIreland]

As usual Michael, amazing to watch. As that no maths technique works so well can you please pick my lottery numbers for me because you seem to get the jackpot every time. So what is going to hide the rest of the network box I wonder?

[@Chandwell]

Thanks Mark! Just send me your bank details and date of birth and I will see what my no maths technique is capable of! :) Michael

[@TheInnocentTalesOfPiddleFolk]

@@Chandwell Emptying my account by the sound of that !😅

[@Chandwell]

Gah you foiled my wicked plan!! Hahahah!

[@jb6894]

Hi, your videos and techniques continue to be great! I first watched this one a while ago and yesterday randomly started wondering about that domed roof "no-maths" maths... I think it may have been a fluke in this case, I don't think the technique actually works - I'll try to explain The "squashing up" part works well to, in effect, get a side-on rotation of the roof profile - it's only concerned with the horizontal position of each part of the roof profile line, each point of which is rotated by the same amount around the same axis, so it just boils down to a linear squashing However, the "stretch-to-length" part doesn't work for curves - the "arc length" of any bit that you look at side-on varies depending on how sloped that part of the roof is, and since in a curve the slope is constantly changing the amount that you need to stretch the corresponding part of the "petal" is also constantly changing To be sure of this I had to come up with a simpler example: Consider a (very rough) approximation of a curve - two different angles of straight slope. Suppose the first slope is very steep - say 5 degress from vertical, is 30mm long and then meets a very shallow slope 5 degrees from horizontal and 30mm long. Looking at them side-on the first one goes up 29.9mm, the second one 2.6mm, with total profile length along their path being 60mm. If you then stretch-up the horizontally squashed side-on profile to 60mm your first section ends up being 55.2mm and your second one 4.8mm, when each one actually needs to end up 30mm long to fit the roof I'm not a mathematician and can't figure out how you'd actually calculate the petal shape as a curve - I can only see how you could plot a set of x,y coordinates along it: for each x in the roof profile apply the "squash factor" to get the petal x, then take the arc length up to x on the roof profile to get the petal y... but then you're left with a dot-to-dot exercise to make a series of triangles to approximate the curve Maybe there's advanced Inkscape possibilities - it knows how to calculate arc length, and it already has a formula for the existing curves, so there *might* be a way, though presumably the capabilities of the SVG file format are a factor too

[@Chandwell]

Hello Jonathan! Wow! Yes, I follow all that and it makes sense. I must have been very lucky with my dome! I’d love to explore this in a bit more detail as roofs and roof shapes really fascinate me as a lay person. I’ll revisit your comment in detail I think. Cheers! Michael

[@nthechocolatefactory372]

What did you use for the black railings?

[@Chandwell]

These are from ScaleModelScenery.co.uk. They are their "Juiliette Balcony" laser cut kit. They were actually developed based on photos from the original Midland Hotel in Bradford, so they are perfect for this building! :) Michael

[@Radekulis82]

I love your work, just perfect and looks so realistic. Can I ask you for help if that possible.What is the best scale if I want to do Flatiron building 87 m tall is that building ,HO scale 1/87 in that scale will be 1m tall ,that massive what you think?

[@Chandwell]

Wow. Yes, if the Flatiron is 87m tall, then it will be 1000mm in HO. You’d need something other than card to act as a frame, I guess..?

[@Radekulis82]

@@Chandwell Yes, for sure but I'm not worry of that ,just good measurement of rest,like windows,decoration,doors,the is not information about that is hard to me to guess, I'dont know how bite this.

[@Radekulis82]

@@Chandwell Is any chance to help me to make measurment for the flatiron building. I know you live very close to me(30min for sure) but not sure where exactly

[@richardbradley2335]

Its pronounced Milliput...not Milliput....your pronouncing the 'put' as ''put' not ''put''. easy mistake .No need to thank me.your welcome !....love the layout.... stunning

[@Chandwell]

This made me laugh. I am not sure if it was meant to. I can't help but pronounce "put" as "put" because if I try to pronounce "put" as "put" I just get tongue-tied. Michael