Header: Hal-Zuzzu Model Railway Build Blog
	Published: Sunday, December 3, 2023
	Post: #156/174 - Views: 45006
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	Taking scratch building to the next level.. At least for me.. I have frequently pondered the level of difficulty involved in achieving the perfect scratch-built structure. While I've attempted a few myself, they fall short of perfection. My doors and windows lack parallel sides, most corners deviate from 90 degrees, and even a seemingly simple task like cutting a 15cm wall poses challenges. The swinging motion of the knife often results in uneven faces after gluing, making it challenging for the walls to stand at a precise 90-degree angle to the floor. However, a game-changer has emerged in the form of the Cricut Maker 3. Witnessing various videos showcasing its capability to cut a myriad of materials for crafts and arts, I was particularly intrigued by its precision when cutting styrene for an OO Gauge layout. The prospect of using it to bring my ideas for an N Gauge layout to life is both exciting and promising. The shift from the struggles of manual crafting to the potential precision of a tool like the Cricut Maker 3 marks a significant transformation in my approach to model building. It becomes quite straightforward to utilize the Cricut Maker 3, especially after having experience cutting styrene for various projects. The process involves drawing shapes, incorporating doors and windows, "slicing," and then initiating the cutting phase by selecting "Make it" or "Make." To execute this, one simply lines up the styrene sheet on a mat, slides it into the Cricut, and presses the arrow to commence the cutting process. The accompanying screenshot showcases walls with neatly cut-out doors and windows, along with images of the ceiling and floor. The software employed for this purpose is "Cricut Design Space," which, in my opinion, is user-friendly and straightforward. Although some may argue in favor of InkScape, a more intricate software, I find it a bit complex for my current needs, considering the simplicity of the drawings I require. As my skills progress, and if the need for a more advanced software arises, I may explore using InkScape. Only time will tell. Here's the outcome after removing it from the mat and doing some minor cleanup. During my initial building cut, I opted to incorporate some 1mm, 2mm, and 3mm strips of material that I anticipated would come in handy. Without delay, I promptly proceeded to dry-fit the components. In the accompanying image, Adam, positioned on the right-hand side, provides a visual reference for the building's scale, aligning with the 1:148 N Gauge scale. In the subsequent image, all the walls have been securely affixed in place. I'm particularly satisfied with how precisely the corners of the building align, creating a seamless and robust joint. To emulate the architectural style seen in many buildings here in Malta, I incorporated 2mm strips both above and below the windows. Additionally, I adorned the upper section of the building with strips of all three sizes, reflecting a design reminiscent of structures from the '60s and earlier. The final touch involved using the strips to fashion a drain pipe, although adherence to architectural accuracy, especially whether it should be attached to the front wall, remains a subject of contemplation— adhering to RULE #1. The subsequent step involved sketching and cutting out the door and windows. In the past, I would have cut a piece of styrene and then meticulously trimmed it until it fit snugly into the wall opening. However, the process has evolved. With the precise measurements of the windows and door at my disposal, crafting them to the exact size was a straightforward task. The assurance that everything would be impeccably cut at a precise 90 degrees heightened my anticipation as I looked forward to fitting them into place and witnessing the final result. With utmost care and gentleness, I delicately extracted the door and windows from the recently cut styrene sheet. The interior section of the door, measuring a mere 0.6mm in width, proved to be extremely delicate to the touch, especially considering my somewhat clumsy hands. In this instance, you can observe that I have installed the front window. Here is a crisp image of one of the windows. Take note of that slender 0.6mm frame … and in this view, you can observe the completed structure from all four sides. Next on the agenda: Painting. Similar to my approach with other scratch-built structures, this one will be painted in a limestone colour. I'm contemplating using green for the door and windows, creating a striking contrast. It's a nod to my memories of buildings like this from my younger days. Subsequently, I proceeded to paint the building in a limestone hue. I applied the paint generously, and after two coats, I continued brushing until the brush was nearly dry. I plan to weather it before incorporating it into the layout. Interestingly, I unintentionally introduced some green paint onto the brush with the limestone color. The result is a slightly dirty appearance on the building. Personally, I find it appealing—I didn't want it to have the pristine look of a new structure. I applied a coat of paint and commenced the assembly of the door and windows. Rather than using glue to attach them to the structure, I opted to insert a clear plastic piece to serve as both the window glass and a secure holder for the entire window frame. This method was applied to all four walls. I carefully applied PVA glue to the plastic and inserted it into the interior of the building. Once the glue dries, it will also become transparent. The next step involves weathering. It wouldn't be realistic to have a pristine structure near a railway track, right? I utilized a small amount of black wash, thoroughly soaking the structure and then diluting it evenly, with particular attention to the windows. For the grand finale, I enlisted Adam to showcase his best talent – looking attractive and posing for a photo I incorporated some beer kegs and positioned the structure near the track at the refueling station. I believe it turned out fantastic, especially considering it's my initial attempt at creating a structure with the Cricut Stay tuned and don't forget to register for post updates... Check out the live CCTV camera HERE