While impatiently waiting for UPS yesterday, I started a new project. I used pieces from my last rolling mill to start a new one. This is located in a far corner of my layout. It all lifts out in two pieces so it can be worked on. It will also feature a complete interior.
Replies sorted oldest to newest
Very nice. Hope UPS made it to the house!! (LOL)
Looks really good Dave.
That looks good.
Full interior? that ought to be fun to build!
Really great looking Dave.
Art
WOW, beautiful job on this structure.
Dave,
Everything you touch looks excellent.
Alan Graziano
Dave
Looks Great.
Question - If the building has no windows and no view to the inside why detail the interiors?
Steve
Steve,
The bottoms of both structures are open.
Dave
dave,
Do the tops (covers) lift off of the new style coil coaches? Are they protective covers to keep the new steel clean?
I worked a little on my rolling mill today. This is in a small corner of my layout with very little room. One building will be a blooming mill. The other will roll coils. I wish I had more space!!!
Dave
Looking good! Very natural weathering. Who made the rolling stock in the photos, particularly the covered cars in back?
nice work dave!
Lee,
The squared off hoods are K-Line coil coaches. The round hoods are Atlas. Both are pretty close to the prototype.
Dave
Keep up the great work Dave!
Tell us about the interior you are planning
Brad,
The building on the right will have a six stand roller in it. Here is what part of one side of the stand looks like. I need to make 11 more.
The is not much room in the building on the left. I might have to put some sort of photo in there. I don't know what I am going to do there. Something will come to me in time.
Dave
Looks great.
Dave,
outstanding! What did u make them with? Rapid prototype print or scratch build? I would like to create a set myself.... If you would share size, materials and method I would be grateful
Brad,
Thank you!
Wood, plastic, steel, aluminum 
When I feel inspired to make more, I will post some photos. I might make a mold and cast the rest.
Dave
Dave this is moving forward and looks great. Did you end up making a mold? Thanks for posting.
Your work is always a treat to see! Thanks for sharing the photos.
Thanks guys!
Bill,
I never got around to placing a Smooth-On order so I ended up making each stand individually.
Dave
Today's progress.
Dave
Very impressive work. 
Dennis
The buildings turned out great. Weathered and a little rust. But the work on the rollers is especially nice.
Love work like that.....fantastic look!
I had a boss that worked in the PA steel mills late 1950's.
He had real horror stories about rolling mills......was it that bad???
But I do wish I could have seen the mills running full blast in the winter time lighting the entire region!!!
WARNING! BAD PUN COMING!
Dave:
The project is rolling along beautifully! Excellent work.
Dave,
Is this what you built? Finishing Stands?
I found this 1946 Documentary. I wanted to see their function in the process.
22:38 in the video
Basic bloom or slab shaping with heated material was done with a (2) high roll mill. One roll on top, one roll on the bottom. Operator controlled the direction of the metal, back and forth, could also turn the slab 90 degrees and vary the width between the rolls.
Dave's set up is a continuous roll mill. Each set of rolls reduces a bloom or slab to a final sheet thickness. Continuous roll could be done either hot or cold.
Eventually the continuous caster eliminated a lot of the roll mill work.
Outstanding Dave!!
Great job! Very cool.
Today's progress.
Dave
OMG, are you sure you are not a magician because that's magic right there, man. Oh wait. No. Not magic. Your work is pure artistry. You are a master-craftsman. Cool as it gets, too!
FrankM.
Definitely a steel master! Right now I'm concentrating on scratch-building structures. Eventually, I'll get around to scratch building things like you're doing. You're an inspiration.
I made this coiler last week and did a little interior work today.
Thanks,
Dave
I made this coiler last week and did a little interior work today.
Thanks,
Dave
(Referring to the two photos immediately above....)Waaaaaaaaaaay beyond cool-as-it-gets! Wonderful.
FrankM.
(I think I must qualify as a Minarik Craftwork Groupie, by now.)
Access to this requires an OGR Forum Supporting Membership
