Elegant Victorian stone window made from paper, card, and something that may SURPRISE you!

[@trainmanbob]

Thank you Saint Michael. Well, you must have the patience of a Saint to build that.!!! Wonderful work as always. Cheers, Bob

[@Chandwell]

Many thanks Bob!

[@afm1948]

The maths would send me doolally. Magnificient build. A great tip about the nail decorations. Tower looks just right in it's new location. Arthur

[@Chandwell]

Thank you! I think I made the right choice to move it.

[@thomasm1964]

I came to this video to be inspired again by your modelling skills and you unleashed upon me the Terror of a mathematics I thought I had consigned to the Never To Be Opened Again part of my brain over 40 years ago! On the plus side, impressive work as always and I loved Adrian's imaginative use of nail art!

[@Chandwell]

So sorry! I should have included a MATHEMATICS WARNING!

[@alanrobertson7217]

Wow, That window is fantastic and will really elevate the building. The best bit is watching it all come together. Cannot wait for the next element.

[@Chandwell]

Thank you! I am enjoying this one.

[@vincenthuying98]

Dear Michael, very cool use of those nail decoration stickers. Have seen and bought some embossed sticker stuff for card making, but the downside of those stickers is that most are often completely out of scale. Definitely will check these nail decorations. Have made my own building decorations out of Selitac, an LDPE foam used for underfloor insulation. Have made several buildings with that foam, which easily allows for embossing building details as crowns or supports in single or several layers. Of course, because I model in HO scale, the ratio of this scale, allows for more intricate detailing than N scale. However, the ease with which this foam can be formed truly allows for individual differences between building elements, even on a single fascia for a building. After forming the elements I use full strength PVA to form a shell, on to which I flood gesso as a primer, which forms an excellent base for any further painting and weathering. Love the tower, love the vid. Cheerio

[@Chandwell]

That sounds like an excellent technique and one I should look into - thank you for the tip!

[@djrobi61]

Yes, sure did like that application. The more you trick the eyes, the better. There are always many opprtunuties to apply mirrors and expand the size of the layout. Nice. Thanks for the shout out! Don

[@Chandwell]

Thank you Don!

[@roystudds1944]

Very impressive how you went through all the calculations to create the tower and the various components. It’s coming together very well. It was a master stroke to move the tower to the street corner. I just got a little confused with your commentary when drawing the calculations at the beginning. You had written down 21.xx but said 31.xx. The end result was correct. Just the words and pictures didn’t match. Great job on the fiddly bits. Will have to look at the other layout. Thanks for sharing. Roy.

[@Chandwell]

You spotted my mistake! When I wrote the script (a few days after making the window), I typed 3 instead of 2, so I ended up reading it out when recoding the audio. Then when putting the animation together, I realised my mistake but couldn't go back and re-record the segment. So I just put the mismatch together and hoped nobody would notice!

[@thomashiggins4923]

It's looking terrific, Michael. And you are right - Adrian's work is amazing as well, full of atmosphere. Thanks. Tom (from France).

[@Chandwell]

Many thanks Tom!

[@dave3301]

Lots of work, but it really shows genius at work. Thank you for sharing.

[@Chandwell]

Thanks for watching!

[@adelwulf8864]

That window is absolutely phenomenal.

[@Chandwell]

Thank you! I am pleased with it.

[@nicolaiitchenko7610]

Totally stunned at the view of the tower moved onto the corner ay the beginning of this vieo WHAT A BRILLIANT MOVE! It looks SO like it belongs exactly there and the windo is such a feature to not only add interest but compliment the Earl Chandfield on the opposing corner. Your High Street continues to grow ever more interesting. Chandwell remains THE most interesting 'N' scale city in model railroading anywhere

[@Chandwell]

Thank you for watching, as usual! Always a pleasure to have you along for the ride.

[@grahamwalker2312]

Hi Michael, I've always considered that Chandwell did somewhat resemble Sowerby Bridge, even though the individual elements come from a wide variety of sources. One feature I do quite like about towns in West Yorkshire is the many small snickets and passageways often running between adjoining buildings. I've been told that many of these cobbled routes were built before the buildings themselves. Originally being cobbled footways to allow workers to get to / from the appropriate factories and textile mills. Also these footways began far out of from the centre providing access to work extending maybe 1-2 miles into the local countryside / hills. Another piece of information that building some of these footways did provide some paid work for the local unemployed while being constructed. Maybe this period in social history spanned the movement of work from the countryside to the factory.

[@Chandwell]

Thank you! That is fascinating! I will be sure to include some cobbled passageways between the mills in the Industrial part of the layout when the time comes.

[@jacob.munkhammar]

I was going to comment on the placement of the building and the tower after the last video, but then I thought, let the man do his thing, he hasn't let me down yet. And now, you have moved it! :-) Looking great in the new position! And the window with all its ornation is really fantastic! Excellent work!

[@Chandwell]

Thank you! I think we probably went through the same thought process. I've definitely made the right decision I think.

[@marklindsey4112]

That's such a clever technique using those nail decorations. It looks great on the tower. Really looking forward to seeing how this town hall develops.

[@Chandwell]

They’re really good. Lots of potential, I think.

[@Elvenhome]

That is some very fine work. I like the use of the nail decorations. Just shows that we can repurpose most things in this hobby. Stephen

[@Chandwell]

The more I see of Adrian's work, the more I see the uses in every day stuff. I've used a bit of jewellery in my latest build.

[@philkirk4571]

The buildings on my layouts tend to be Scalescene and some Bachmann ready to plant. I do enjoy making plastic buildings too providing there are decent instructions to follow. So, it’s beyond me how you ( and Adrian) manage to make yours from visual inspiration and totally from scratch. No instructions, no ready made bits. Awesome.

[@Chandwell]

It is great fun, and the more I do it the easier it becomes. When I started, I tried to mimic Scalescenes but now I am a lot more free-flowing.

[@doctormo]

It's really relaxing programming Inkscape while listening to your videos of you making such small things with such impressive details. ♥

[@Chandwell]

Brilliant!! What are you working on? Anything nice to help scratch building!?

[@doctormo]

@@Chandwell Export dialog. Trying to make it faster, and add better buttons to open prefs for each format when using the batch export. My video will be out tomorrow with the details if interested. ☺

[@Chandwell]

@@doctormo oh cool. Yes. I will look at that. It’s fascinating. In my “real life” I work in software development so I have a professional interest here. I saw that Inkscape was looking to hire some short-term contractors on the export functions, I seem to remember..?

[@doctormo]

@@Chandwell Yes it was. Are you on mastodon? I'd love to connect and give you some more details.

[@stevenbarnett2497]

Well done Mike tower looks nice already like the sticker detail really does finish it off nicely n gives that carved stone look gives that 3D effect makes it more realistic 👍

[@Chandwell]

Thanks 👍

[@allotmentuk1303]

Ita taking shape well done Mike B

[@Chandwell]

Thank you!

[@iansngauge]

Haha! What a time to be alive indeed Michael! Such an amazing structure you've produced! Your modelling genius never ceases to amaze me! All the best, Ian.

[@Chandwell]

Thank you Ian!

[@simonhodgetts6530]

I’ve got to say, I find your builds utterly fascinating - the attention to detail is stunning!

[@Chandwell]

Thank you so much 😀

[@mattsmith4605]

You can’t beat a Chandwell build and a mug of tea. There is going to be a rush on 3D nail art! The tower looks a lot better on the corner and I think you captured the essence of that massive window nicely.

[@Chandwell]

Thank you! Hope you enjoyed your tea!

[@rdc2724]

You can also use air-dry clay to make ornaments and stuff like that, in fact, you can make anything you want with it!

[@Chandwell]

Good call. I've used Milliput before too; that's kind of the same thing, I think..?

[@rdc2724]

@@Chandwell I've never used that, but I guess so, you can also use Fimo clay, that's very smooth, but you have to bake it in an oven!

[@eedelwit]

A very nice build! 👌 Round shaped buildings are not easy to make. 👍🏻🇳🇱

[@Chandwell]

Thank you. Definitely challenging!!

[@thegrowler-blackwoodngauge]

Very clever Michael - impressive cylindrical build and the added detail takes it to a whole new dimension. Cheers Euan

[@Chandwell]

Thank you Euan!

[@romancharak3675]

Remarkable!

[@Chandwell]

Thank you!

[@HP-Aw-Haltepunkt-Auwiesen]

Thanks for sharing ... hoping Chandwell will be a never ending story ... like eternal life for modelbuilder (men and women) ... and their fans ... 😂 ... lovely, nice and peacefull

[@Chandwell]

Thank you - that is very kind.

[@MrVinnyh]

another great build inprogress, I will have to watch Adrian's channel as well 👍👍

[@Chandwell]

Thank you! Sadly Adrian doesn't have a KZbin channel, but he is on Instagram.

[@binkman67]

Excellent video, and thanks for showing us more creators!

[@Chandwell]

No problem!

[@sebastienpajot85230]

Looks amazing. Thanks for sharing.

[@Chandwell]

Thank you!

[@lynganddistrict]

What a really clever way of using resource's from another skill. Will look out for these that I may use next time i'm in hobby craft! Loved the detail on the window ledge. I'mm off to check out that other layout now --- Regards Steve

[@Chandwell]

Please do!

[@royfearn4345]

Absolutely brilliant, as usual! Many thanks for the fingernail texture heads-up!

[@Chandwell]

No worries! It's a great tip - thank you to Adrian.

[@robertdonaghy8780]

incredible details !

[@Chandwell]

Thank you!

[@charlie1872]

Terrific modelling, you are an inspiration to us all

[@Chandwell]

Thank you!

[@Alex-cw3rz]

11:01 I can't believe that is a model

[@Chandwell]

It’s amazing isn’t it!!

[@ZAKKANWAKKAR]

A proper town hall window where a proper Lord Mayor can make proper speeches and invite proper dignitaries to light proper Christmas Illuminations and other proper stuff! The posh buggers from Leeds can only weep.

[@Chandwell]

Proper.

[@johna.dawson709]

fantastic video.. that was a great move to move the tower to the corner. makes a very interesting view in any direction. well done.

[@Chandwell]

Thanks 👍 I think it makes things a lot more interesting.

[@normanrowe2831]

Hi ya Michael. Your maths teacher would be proud. Another wonderful episode. I love the idea of using fingernail art as architectural elements. That’s a great tip from Adrian. I will be subscribing to him. Thanks. See ya next time.

[@Chandwell]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@John-yf8qh]

While the nail embellishments are used to perfection here, have you had a look into Cricut machines at all? They can cut tiny details in reasonably thick stock. Just a thought, anyway your improvisation here is inspiration to us all.

[@Chandwell]

This question comes up a lot. I’ve not considered cutting machines or laser cutters or 3D printers for many reasons. One is cost. I simply can’t justify buying yet another piece of electronic equipment for the house. But my main reason is that except for using a computer to DRAW, I get an incredible amount of satisfaction, pleasure, and joy just doing it all myself. Once my eyesight starts going and arthritis kicks in, my priorities will change, but for now, this is my preferred building method.

[@stukidson1207]

Great details on the window . . .

[@Chandwell]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@anfieldroadlayoutintheloft5204]

good build thanks lee

[@Chandwell]

Thanks Lee

[@WheelchairGuyHobbyChannel]

I wish I had your skill and your patience!

[@Chandwell]

Thank you! The only mantra I have is to just take things slow and don’t put any pressure on myself to do anything in particular.

[@jamfjord]

Spectacularly skilled and well-thought-out work as always, Michael. Thanks also for sharing Adrian Cook's layout as well - I'm not on instagram or fb so this is the first time I've seen it. Shame he's not sharing his work anywhere else. Cheers

[@Chandwell]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@billforrest4205]

I've been using nail art transfers on models for a long time now. The are an affordable solution to transfers that are otherwise not commercially available ( mainly on diecast vehicles) Another useful selection are novelty buttons (Hotdogs, coke bottles, clothes etc) I've used those on takeaway shops, snackbar trailers and the like. They may be far too large in N scale though, I model in 1:48 🤔 I was thinking about the tiny size when you did the clock tower, My town clock uses 4 cheap import ladies watches for the faces, so it actually works! (and keeps good time too lol!) 😜 Micro beads and air dry clay are great for ornate balustrades in any scale, 😉

[@Chandwell]

I like the idea of microbeads - great call. Thank you. I am pondering how to approach the balustrades on this building, so I will look into those.

[@billforrest4205]

@@Chandwell The smallest glass beads I use are around 2mm diameter. the centre hole is only just large enough to fit a small diameter dressmakers pin through. I use these for door handles, levers etc. In "N" they would be good for Balustrade "Balls" in conjunction with an old biro ink tube or similar. Or just wind layers of paper around the pin 🤔

[@davestrains6816]

Always an inspiration watching your videos. thanks for sharing. Dave

[@Chandwell]

Thanks for watching!

[@daviemaclean61]

No hammer and chisel work on the carvings! Brilliant use of frivilous decoration to make some frivilous decoration. Cheers

[@Chandwell]

That’s a good way to put it!

[@trainsfromtheuk210]

Hi Michael, just a thought I had, but with the tower on the corner, would it be possible to create a grand entrance into the building going in through the tower rather than have one on the sides so it would be a symmetrical looking? Great work as always. Keep it up.

[@Chandwell]

That would be interesting definitely. But… It would be possible but would mean starting again as the existing textures would all need re-wrapping and the grand window would need redesigning to keep the elegance of the Victorian/Classical proportions. The tower on the real thing was on the corner of the building and never had an opening at ground floor, so I am going to keep it as is to be faithful to the prototype. I quite like the oddness of the blank lower part as it enhances the sheer size of the big window.

[@grenfellroad8394]

Have you thought about using a Cricut machine in your scratch building? I wonder if it may make some parts easier, especially where you need multiples.

[@Chandwell]

I see you saw my thoughts on that in the other video! Thank you for watching!

[@maxletaconnoux6824]

From the birds-eye view of the lot between Ironworks and High Street, it looks as if you have room for 3, maybe even 4 buildings in that space!

[@Chandwell]

Yeah there is a lot of space there. I was initially intending to add various extensions and out buildings to the back of the town hall based on the rambling rear of the library in Ilkley. But now I’ve moved the tower that arrangement won’t make much sense. So there is quite a bit of space to fill and so far, inspiration has not struck.

[@maxletaconnoux6824]

@@Chandwell I think once you have High Street and the stream in place, the rest will come to you

[@svitapeneela]

Perhaps a yard, with former stables round it, that have been converted into slightly grotty garages?

[@Chandwell]

@@svitapeneela nice idea!!

[@garylong7599]

Given that you use Inkscape so well have you considered using a cricut cutter

[@Chandwell]

I’ve never been tempted for a couple of reasons. I find cutting card with a scalpel my most favourite part of this hobby. It’s very relaxing and gives me an enormous sense of achievement. I think to take it away and “give it to the machines” would detract from that. I already wish I could draw these things without using Inkscape and go one step further! Chandwell for me is more about doing thing myself than overall accuracy, which means I love its wobbly bits! And the other reason… I just don’t want yet another electrical thing taking up space in my house! I am a bit of a Luddite at heart! 😂

[@Chandwell]

… although when I get older and am unable to cut by hand I fully expect to find a cricut a very valuable tool indeed!

[@endoorrailway]

Thanks for the video - yet another masterclass and great result! I think for the finest details, if you can't find something to repurpose like those nail decorations, is where 3D printing is a game changer for the hobby. But the more that things can be done at low cost and without big equipment the better :) On the maths: was your flat plan of the windows in Inkscape a "face on view" of the tower, or the tower "unwrapped"? I'm assuming it was the unwrapped version, given that you'd measured the window dimensions on the real thing, but if it was a face-on view then the end-to-end width of the sills would have been a straight-line measure, rather than arc length, so the arc angle calculation would need to be done with a triangle of 36.25 and two lots of the radius, and the often-dreaded trigonometry. Yeah, I'm with you on that top bit! - I can see how the shape would need to vary and what causes the variations, could probably also calculate points along it, but have no idea how to turn that into the right curve in Inkscape! I look forward to the rest of the building :) Jonathan

[@Chandwell]

Thank you. Yes, it was drawn unwrapped so the length was the length of the arc as I showed. It was drawn as a representation rather than a faithful reproduction of the real thing so I had that luxury. Plotting points on the curved element would have been a good idea and would have helped me work out the curve. One for the things to remember list! I’m trying to avoid 3D printing for Chandwell. I love the idea of “make do” when it comes to my materials. I may explore 3D printing on my next layout as it’s a fascinating and promising tool!

[@JamesPetts]

That tower is impressive - as is your friend's layout. Could you not have 3d printed the balustrades, though?

[@Chandwell]

I’m trying to avoid anything 3D printed on this layout James. I may explore 3D printing on the next one, but Chandwell is an experiment in “making do” and to suddenly switch from scraps of card to 3D printed excellence would cause the overall “look” to jar a bit, I think.

[@JamesPetts]

@@Chandwell The layout is certainly very impressive for having been made in this way!

[@Chandwell]

@@JamesPetts thank you! I think I’d enjoy exploring 3D printing next time round. I’m not averse to buying some ready made items if they’re available, but I do like making my own stuff.

[@andrewpalm2103]

Hi Michael. Thank you for another excellent video. Could you tell me why you use watercolors rather than, say, acrylics for coloring your structures? Is it for the transparency they have or some other reasons? Thanks again and cheers from Wisconsin!

[@Chandwell]

Hello! A few reasons. I do use acrylics for some parts but I use water colours for the paper edges for a few reasons. They are a lot thinner and so absorb into the edge of the paper without getting any paint on the printed surface. I find this much easier to keep tidy. They are also easy to work with. I use such tiny amounts that just rubbing the brush on top of the block of paint is easier than squeezing a bit of acrylic out of the tube. It’s also easy to mix different shades. The blocks of paint are just there. They don’t dry out and need no real care. The brush is easy to clean and doesn’t get ruined if you forget to clean it. But one amazing side effect when you use water colour for paper edges… when you later brush on acrylic varnish, the watercolour loosens and ever so slightly blends with the varnish. This softens the edges and somehow makes the whole building feel more solid, more cohesive, even if you didn’t match the colour exactly right. These are all just my preferences, and of course other people get much better effects with other techniques but this works for me.

[@andrewpalm2103]

@@Chandwell A very interesting and thorough explanation. Thanks for responding!

[@Captainpubwatch]

At 6:19 I wonder how Adrian did the ‘Bar and Parlour’ pub window? I’m testing out printable acetate at the minute and wondering if this is the same, or something much more inventive! Great work and shows that card and paper is the way to go, very easy to obtain and customise!

[@Chandwell]

I can ask him. He usually prints onto paper and puts it directly behind the glazing, but that one looks like he may have printed onto acetate. Not sure. I'll ask and let you know.

[@Captainpubwatch]

@@Chandwell Thanks Michael, I’m about to test out a doubled up acetate print to see if it gives the depth to give a convincing result. On first impressions the inkjet friendly stuff doesn’t give a 100% solid result so I’ll see what happens. I’d really appreciate you asking as the results are superb!

[@Chandwell]

@@Captainpubwatch Hello - response from Adrian: The query about my pub photo was as you’d suggested; a high quality print behind a decent piece of acetate.

[@Captainpubwatch]

@@Chandwell Thanks Michael (and Adrian!), appreciate the reply and it is indeed a top job. Thanks so much 🙂

[@kennethmaney914]

Can't find Adrien Cooks channel, help please

[@Chandwell]

Adrian doesn't have a KZbin channel. He is on Facebook in the Scalescenes Modellers Group, and Instragram. There is a link to his Instagram page in the video's description, or you can see it here: instagram.com/adcook17/

[@baronjutter]

God the prototype is so depressing, most of the building demolished for a car park???

[@Chandwell]

Yeah. Half of it was pulled down in the 1960’s I think. I’ve not found out why though.