03-14-00
So many things to do, where to start? I needed portals for my tunnel,
retaining walls for the dirt around this tunnel and with plans on the way from
Garden Texture for a Depot and
Covered Bridge, it was time to cut some wood.
It was the perfect day for the Garden Railway. 81 degrees, in March,
in Michigan and I had the day off. I wasn't sure what stock I would need
for the buildings but I figured I would cut some 1/2" x 1/2",
1/2" x 1/4" and some 1/4" x 1/4" stock to start.
So I dragged my table saw out from it's winter sleep, hooked up the shopvac
and proceeded to bug the neighbors for the next 4 hours. I could not
believe it either! It takes a long time to cut up all that small
stock. I started with 1 x 6 redwood boards, 5 foot long, from an old
fence. I felt like Jed from the Beverly Hillbilly's, making a tooth pick
out of a big stick!
But when it was done I had a nice pile of stock to start on my
projects.
I wanted to make some portals for my new tunnel but I could not find a
picture of one to work off of. I had the whole Internet at my finger
tips as well as a few good Train books and I never found one picture. So
I just struck out on my own, took some basic measurements from my tunnel and
started cutting my 1/2" x 1/2" stock. I was using my Japanese
dovetail saw which makes nice fine cuts and goes thought redwood like butter
with little tear out.
Then I started on the retaining walls. The results are below:
Not to bad for the first attempt. I just received my plans from Garden
Texture and I am impressed with the quality of their products. I
only ordered the plans and not the whole kits. You get clear directions,
a nice color picture of the finished project and an actual blue print like you
would have for your house. Very Nice! I'll have a better report
when I have completed the projects but so far I am impressed. Check them
out when you get a chance.
That's about it for now. I have to get some sleep some time. I
can't be staying up till midnight every night. Work, build the railway
and update the website. A vicious cycle!
Take care and remember, "If there is Steam coming out of it, don't sit
on it!"
Johnny F
