Workbench Wednesday | Plussing the Show

Posted on August 30, 2023 by Dave Meek

This week’s Workbench Wednesday gives me a chance to “plus up” a few scenes on the layout during a short break between bigger projects. “Plussing the Show” is a term from Walt Disney Imagineering that means adding a little bit extra to make something that’s already good even better. But, whatever you call it, the point is to always be able to look at your work with a critical eye and find ways to improve it.

Thanks for watching!
Dave

Cool stuff from Miniprints: https://www.miniprints.com/

Workbench Wednesday | Understanding Forced Perspective

Posted on August 9, 2023 by Dave Meek

Welcome to Workbench Wednesday at Thunder Mesa Studio! This week it’s a discussion about forced perspective, with examples from the Thunder Mesa layout and tips on using this optical illusion technique to successfully.

Thanks for watching!
Dave

Painting Foam Rock Scenery | Bandit Canyon Railway

Posted on July 29, 2023 by Dave Meek

Here’s a follow up to my video on carving foam rocks! Many people asked for a more in-depth look at the painting and finishing techniques I use for foam rock scenery, so this time out I finish up “Six Gun Butte” on the On18 Bandit Canyon Railway layout – with an emphasis on the scenic painting techniques I use most often. This is BCRy Part IX.
Thanks for watching, amigos!
Dave

3 Methods for Making Foam Rocks

Posted on July 8, 2023July 8, 2023 by Dave Meek

Today I want to share with you my 3 favorite methods for making rocks out of foam. The Thunder Mesa, Gruesome Gulch, and Bandit Canyon layouts all have a TON of hand carved rockwork so I've developed, adopted, modified or our right stolen just about every rock making technique under the sun! My three favorites make the best use of polyurethane and polystyrene foams, and I'll take you through all of the materials, tools and techniques that I use to model the canyon country scenery on my layouts.

Thanks for watching, amigos!
Dave

Polyurethane carving foam: https://www.dickblick.com/products/sculpture-block/
Sculptamold: https://www.dickblick.com/products/amaco-sculptamold/
Hotwire foam cutter: https://a.co/d/5qz9Evp

Animated Teetering Boulder! | Bandit Canyon Railway

Posted on June 3, 2023 by Dave Meek

BCRy Part VI. It's time to add some animation to the On18 Bandit Canyon Railway in the form a a teetering boulder - straight out of the old Disneyland Mine Train Ride! I use a 3RPM DC motor and a simple linkage to make the carved foam rock "teeter" back and forth as the trains pass below. It takes a little trial and error, but the final effect makes for a very fun effect. Follow along as I building the animation mechanism, tweak it 'till it works reliably, then carve and color the polyurethane foam rocks.

Thanks for watching, amigos!
Dave

A Haunted Hoedown | Sound and Special Effects for Gruesome Gulch | GGRR 22

Posted on May 3, 2023May 3, 2023 by Dave Meek

It's special effects time! In this installment of the Gruesome Gulch build, I install a pair of Pricom Dream Players with custom soundtracks from Fantasonics Engineering. Then it's time to add, lights, motion, and a UV illuminated set to the final scene in Cadaver Caverns. I use the old reliable "Pepper's Ghost" effect to bring an otherworldly western town to back to life with a cast of ghostly characters. It may not be a swingin' wake, but it's definitely a Haunted Hoedown!

Thanks for watching, amigos!
Dave

Many thanks to Jim Wells and Fantasonics Engineering: http://www.fantasonics.com/
Pricom Designs Dream Players and amps: https://pricom.com/audio/players.shtml
Tang Band speakers: https://www.parts-express.com/Tang-Band-T1-2025SC-1-5-8-Full-Range-Speaker-Module-264-939?quantity=1