Apartment Building Front

I hope you'll keep updating to the end of the project.

Ron:

No problem - look for at least a weekly update

Good start Joe.

Alan Graziano

Did some more work on the building front.

The front door entrance has an arched entry. I traced the archec on a piece of 40 mil styrene then used a compass with needle point to start a groove. I finished up with an exacto blade.

The rest of the entry way was straight pieces of 40 x 250 styrene. I then used 30 x 60 mil rectangular strips. Glue the top portion first then work your way down.  

I then started on the window trim

I hope to have more status this Sunday.

Joe

I am loving this thread! Keep er' goin' I wanna see more . 

Makes the heart glad to see talent like yours. Thanks for the construction tips!!!!

Very nice.

I have been working on the windows. I first glued the exterior aprons to the brick face then I glued the casing to the insides of the windows. After the casings were installed I started working on the interior sashes and muntins. I am leaving the upper exterior trim till last since these will be the most difficult to build.

I was toying with the idea of building the sashes and muntins as a complete box and gluing to the inside of the window but decided against it since it would complicate gluing the window 'panes' in.

Inspirational!

I'm liking the window frames.  Just like the photograph of the original.

Rex / mark:

Thanks

Did more work on the windows. I decided after all to glue the muntins internally. I glued support rails on both sides of the window and the muntin in between so it will be easier to glue in the 'window panes'. Since this is a building flat what I did is ok. If this was a four sided building I would have built the assembly as a box. I found it a lot easier to do this rather than cut all the muntins to size.

The internal muntins are shown below.

Next came the upper exterior trim. I started out by scribing a ring on 40 mil styrene with a needle point compass.

I cut the trim to size then used the leftover inner circle to cut the half moon trim that sits rigth above the window casing.

I outlined the top trim with 20 mil styrene stock. The end result is shown below. I will most likely leave the trim off the brick until after painting. This way I can the brick  / mortar then tape and paint the windows. Taping will be much easier with the top trim off.

Very smart, Joe!!

Mark:

Thanks

Impressive craftsmanship. 

Joe,

I know the time you put into those windows. When I cant make Grand Line windows fit I know I have a lot of work ahead of me. Good job.

Alan Graziano

Alan:

thanks

Did some work on the foundation. I used a sanding disc to file the curvature in the top piece of plastic. The rest was just 'cut and glue'. The grating comes from Grandt Line. I will be working on the side walls next then the cornice.

Pretty neat replica.

Thank you for sharing.

Andre.

Andre:

Thanks

Joe

Very nice!

Peter

Did some more work on the apartment building front.

The sides were laminated and attached to the front. I used a double layer of 80 mil styrene to add stiffness and glue surface. The styrene was laminated with a Plastruct brick sheet.

To make the door I used 40 mil styrene, cut out the window holes with an exacto blade. The panels are more 40 mil styrene cut to size. The trim was 40x60.

With the bottom concrete trim done I started the cornice. First course was some 40 mil sheetwork. To make the roof brackets I used Grandt Line  Victorian brackets (see below). An insert was used to make sure the spacing was exact. I started by gluing brackets at each end then one in the center. I then measured the space in between one end bracket and the middle bracket to make the wood spacer.

The top courses consisted of two 80 mil and one 40 mil sheet cut at a 45 degree angle.

Next up are the stairs and railing then this building should be ready for paint.

Joe

The steps and stairs are done.

The top level of the steps started out as a box. The bottom portion are 1/4 in square rods stacked on top of each other (1, 2, then 3). Making the steps this way gives a 45 degree angle which is useful (see below).

The railing has to be scratched built. I use 60 x 60 and 40 x 60 strips. Since the angle is 45 degrees construction was relatively easy.

Next up is paint.

Joe, that is fantastic work. 

Started to paint the structure - 

All plastic brick will get a dark gray primer. The brick will then be oversprayed with a 'Heritage' red color. the customer likes the darker red brick (see the top of the sample panel next to the building). The popouts, cornice and steps will get a coat of light gray then off white to give a dirty painted cement look.

I will have to take the painting slow. There will be a lot of taping needed so I need to let the paint cure for a few days before applying any tape. My plan is to tape the windows, cornice and bottom first and spray the brick color. Once that is cured I will tape the brick and paint the concrete.  Once everything dries I will add the mortar.

Joe

That is really looking good!!!

Finally finished the building.

The most difficult part was the mortar. I started with Robert's Brick mortar but kept having 'bald' spots. I finally mixed up some thinned out acrylic paint and applied to the 'bald' areas. It helped. I am still looking for a good way of applying mortar.

WOW! Really nice!

Peter

Excellent!  Beautiful building.

To all who have been following - thank you for your comments and your likes!

Joe

That is just brilliant.  I'm blown away.

That is awesome well done

Mike

Nice work! Enjoyed the work-in-progress pics!

Great job of taking us through this step by step! You've done a terrific job. Thanks for sharing all of the details.

Thanks for all your comments.

I am glad the members like the 'step by step' approach so I will be posting more in the future.

Joe

Amazing!! Really nice. Can't wait to see the next project. 

One word: fantastic!

J'aime!

jpv in France

Joe, I've been following this thread from the beginning you did an excellent job!.

Joe

Like those who posted, I really appreciate the step by step.  But what also impresses me is your architectural details:  The corbels along the roof line are echoed under the window sills, the arch trim above the windows match the curve of the upper window frames, the keystone above the door arch, the panel molding on the entrance door, and the 45 degree grates over the windows at ground level. Little things like that greatly contribute to the both the realism and the interest of the building.

Thanks guys - I appreciate

Joe