@Mark Boyce posted:Nice use of your real scrap for scrap boxes!
You should see all the sawdust I make when creating benchwork! 
Sawdust and scrap are what I make best! 
Seriously, Mark & Bill - thanks for the kind words.
George
Updated 07/09/2023:
- All walkways on the pouring sides of the furnaces are now complete. These were given handrails (painted yellow) and weathered heavily.
- All ladders and their safety cages between the furnaces have been installed. These allow 1:48 steelworkers access between the walkways and the pouring floor.
- All furnace piping for the water jacketed doors (on the charging side of the furnace) is now complete.
- All 4 furnaces have been permanently fastened to the model floor.
- All 5 mid-line columns have been installed.
- All pouring floor ladles (except for No. 14) have been installed.
And no, we're not done yet.
More when I know it. 
George
Pour, pour, pour! It sounds like you may be close to opening for business. I hope you are well on your way to hiring experienced employees to operate this mill to its full potential! 👍🏻
@Mark Boyce posted:Pour, pour, pour! It sounds like you may be close to opening for business. I hope you are well on your way to hiring experienced employees to operate this mill to its full potential! 👍🏻
I gotta finish it first (before it finishes me)!
I think there are at least 70 hours of work left to do.
George
@G3750 posted:
I think there are at least 70 hours of work left to do.
George
😆😆😆😆😆
Updated 7/16/2023:
I am happy / exhausted / relieved to report that the electronics for the Open Hearth (at least the SMMSIG meet version) are done. What a fight to the finish! I still have a few lights to install once their wires are run, but the control panel (a bunch of SPST flip switches) is in place.
The Lean-To, which houses the electronics, is starting to take shape. The 7 uprights that define the shape and hold up the roof have been installed. The removable roof sections have been planned.
The pouring floor's inspection platform is under construction.
Painting of roof and vertical siding panels continues unabated. Plastruct, Evergreen, glue, and paint are being consumed at a horrific rate.
More when I know it.
George
That electronics stuff can wear you down! 
Congratulations on getting this part working!
@Mark Boyce posted:That electronics stuff can wear you down!
Yes, it can and it did. Took me 3 tries to wade through all the confusing wiring and get something useful for next week (yes, it's that close). Thank you!
Got the chemical dump and the 3 other sections opposite the furnaces done.
Now chasing the smokestacks. If I get that done, I may be able to button-up the Lean-To section of the building.
George
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Yuck! That setup looks so, so Mid-century foul. It just belongs at an old time steel mill.
@Mark Boyce posted:Yuck! That setup looks so, so Mid-century foul. It just belongs at an old time steel mill.
Mission accomplished!
George
Updated 7/18/2023:
Since the previous update, a lot has happened:
- The Charging track has been completed and weathered. It is removable.
- I’ve created small (2” wide by 10-11” long) removable sections (rooms) that will sit along the eastern wall of the mill at the charging track level. For now, the section opposite Furnace No. 14 is a “chemical dump”. Used GameWorks “flowers” (red, green, purple, yellow) as well as Woodland Scenics soil to create 4 bins of chemicals. Also used a Bar Mills group of acetylene gas cylinders to complete the scene.
- Finished(?) the rewiring of the mill to use flip switches. Removed the Arduino driven control panel and replaced it with a set of flip switches (SPST). Still have a set of ladle lights that aren't working, but there's no time for that now.
Cut and installed the 7 uprights for the Lean-To. These have holes for wires and smoke unit tubing.
Received the emergency order of lights and circuitry from Evan Design (thank you!) for the smoke stacks.
Painted the remaining 2 stacks and then installed the circuitry within all 4.
Finally ran power and ground wires to the terminal strips and tested. All the stack lights work!
More when I know it.
George
Your mention of the charging track brought to the forefront something packed deep in my memory. In the late ‘70s to early ‘80s, I bounced around from job to job. I spent a couple years as an electrical designer at then named Herr-Voss in nearby Callery. Most of their work was in sheet metal cut-to-length lines. They also built chargers. I spent a week at a customer site in Aurora, Ohio; a small mill helping our engineer and their electricians install a charger. I only have a couple pictures in my memory of the overall installation. I will be interested in seeing if this small installation in any way resembles your model of one of the “big boys”.
It’s funny since nearly all my time was spent in power and telecommunications, how there are little tidbits of other work that come to mind while reading about others’ modeling. Last week it was my short time at an automotive electronics company where I made a bunch of wiring harnesses for test cars.
@Mark Boyce posted:Your mention of the charging track brought to the forefront something packed deep in my memory. In the late ‘70s to early ‘80s, I bounced around from job to job. I spent a couple years as an electrical designer at then named Herr-Voss in nearby Callery. Most of their work was in sheet metal cut-to-length lines. They also built chargers. I spent a week at a customer site in Aurora, Ohio; a small mill helping our engineer and their electricians install a charger. I only have a couple pictures in my memory of the overall installation. I will be interested in seeing if this small installation in any way resembles your model of one of the “big boys”.
It’s funny since nearly all my time was spent in power and telecommunications, how there are little tidbits of other work that come to mind while reading about others’ modeling. Last week it was my short time at an automotive electronics company where I made a bunch of wiring harnesses for test cars.
I should have more accurately said "charging machine" track. This is a wide-gauge device for pushing additives or scrap (sitting on their own cars on their own track very close to the furnace) into the open hearth furnace. Charging machine in photo below.
George
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George,
Yes, that looks similar to the machine we were working on. There was a place for an employee to sit, and the machine moved a long arm back and forth into the furnace. Of course, this was a totally new installation, so I never saw one in real action.
@G3750 posted:Finally ran power and ground wires to the terminal strips and tested. All the stack lights work!
All lights on the first shot? That's a beautiful thing!!
@BillYo414 posted:All lights on the first shot? That's a beautiful thing!!
Every once in awhile even a blind pig finds an acorn.
Actually, I'm not surprised. I have been very happy with Evan Designs' work. 
George
Updated 8/7/2023:
After the crazy last week of July, I took a much needed break (of sorts). I haven't done any serious modeling, but there are a few things of note in progress:
- The Open Hearth is going to get some modifications and re-work done:
- I took a number of short-cuts to get the wiring ready and have decided that I will clean up the wiring and controls inside the Lean-To.
- I am removing the Arduino. With all the supports and furnaces in place, it's just too difficult to reach all the wiring to make it go. An integrated test (hardware and software) will probably take too much time. There are other greater priorities on the layout. We will revert to the KISS principle and use simple switches to activate features.
- I replaced some of the wire I used in the Open Hearth. Two spools (red & black) of 22 awg arrived last week.
- The smoke unit for the smoke stacks was tested and is operating correctly.
- A clean-up of the trainroom and the workshop is in progress. It's still a mess from the rushed build.
More when I know it.
George
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Looks great, George!
"Steeling" the show George. Looks great.
I'm sure you got the sulfur-metallic scented smoke fluid for the full experience
@BillYo414 posted:I'm sure you got the sulfur-metallic scented smoke fluid for the full experience
Ah! Some scents or their memories never go away. My favorite is the palm oil / HCl bouquet for preserving coil-ends.
George
Crude oil is a smell I’ll never forget. I recall it from childhood and my ‘20s. Not quite right for Weirton Steel though! 😄
The smell of the mill will be something I always remember. There's nothing like it.
I have some Pennsylvania crude from Drake's Well @Mark Boyce. I might be sick but I love it haha
@BillYo414 posted:The smell of the mill will be something I always remember. There's nothing like it.
I have some Pennsylvania crude from Drake's Well @Mark Boyce. I might be sick but I love it haha
Yeah. Not quite "aroma therapy", is it?
@G3750 posted:Yeah. Not quite "aroma therapy", is it?
Clean out stuffy sinuses, maybe…
Updated 8/10/2023:
I have a much better take on the changes I need to make to the Open Hearth. Surprisingly (or maybe not), it isn't done yet. After the mentally exhausting sprint to the SMMSIG meet, I have taken some time to consider my next moves with this model. There are a number of things that need to be done:
- One of the lighted ladle surfaces failed (probably a loose wire, but I can't reach it). I will need to re-do this.
- The ventilator roof needs to be permanently attached to the model.
- The Pouring Floor sides directly behind the inspection platform need to be permanently installed.
- The Pouring Floor sides above the inspection platform need to be installed; they will be removable.
- The Main Building's roof must be installed; I've planned for it to be removable.
- The end walls of the Pouring extension and the main building must be installed. I'm not sure what portion of these will be removable (yet).
- In keeping with the KISS principle, I have decided to remove the Arduino. The rush to get simplified wiring done for the meet forced me into a Rubicon type of situation. I really can't undo it without major surgery and re-wiring. And it would require rigorous testing of both hardware and software. Been there, done that in my professional career - we're going to pass in favor of simple and reliable operations (SPST switches). Not to worry, I have another project in mind for the Arduino and it will be way cooler!
- The teeming crane was a rush job; it needs some details, diamond tread plate walkways, and railings topside.
- Need to add the bailer (ladle hooks) stand (it's done but not installed).
- Smokestacks need their ladders and safety cages.
So yeah, still a lot of work to do and soon. The next big push for the layout is construction of the peninsula housing North Weirton. That effort starts around October York, so the Open Hearth and the accompanying Weirton Steel track work needs to be in place.
And yeah, the workshop and train room clean up is still in progress. Should be some items hitting the For Sale board soon.
More when I know it.
George
Is the North Weirton peninsula going to be more in the middle of the room? I couldn't quickly find the track plan but that's the only part missing in real life compared to the track plan that I can think of at the moment.
@BillYo414 posted:Is the North Weirton peninsula going to be more in the middle of the room? I couldn't quickly find the track plan but that's the only part missing in real life compared to the track plan that I can think of at the moment.
Yes, North Weirton will be in the relative center of the room.
George
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Updated 8/14/2023:
- Train room has been cleaned up - looks a lot better.
- The workshop is also looking better. The Plastruct and Evergreen has been sorted and labeled by type. I expect most of it will be used in completing this building and building the other structures I'm planning.
- The Arduino has been removed from the Open Hearth. I have simplified the wiring and made it slightly neater. I still have the control panel to wire, but things are moving a bit better.
More when I know it.
George
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@G3750 posted:Updated 8/14/2023:
- Train room has been cleaned up - looks a lot better.
It's amazing how a cleaned up train room feels.
I keep trying to clean the train room but my tenants (daughter and family) make it impossible. Those subtle hints of a storage unit is falling on deaf ears.
@MartyE posted:It's amazing how a cleaned up train room feels.
I keep trying to clean the train room but my tenants (daughter and family) make it impossible. Those subtle hints of a storage unit is falling on deaf ears.
Very true. The clean space is empowering. I'm still cleaning the shop; it was a complete disaster. Collecting, sorting, and storing the different Plastruct & Evergreen shapes helped a great deal. It seems that my primary by-product was scrap . But with the cost of Plastruct & Evergreen where it is, it's hard to throw away scrap pieces. There are so many spots where they may end up being used.
As to the use of a storage unit, it might be time to speak a bit louder. 
I certainly understand that. My brother-in-law's girlfriend is moving to the Central PA area. She's a hoarder, and she's totally screwed up the move so badly you wouldn't believe the details if I told you. Her disorganization and unwillingness to listen to anyone is killing everyone around her. It's a classic case of "Ready, Fire, Aim". Ever see those hats that say "S***show Supervisor"? She deserves a closet full.
George
Marty, maybe you have been to George’s too, but it seems his wife leaves the whole train room and workshop to George. Since he finally evicted the cat, he has full control! 😄
@Mark Boyce posted:Marty, maybe you have been to George’s too, but it seems his wife leaves the whole train room and workshop to George. Since he finally evicted the cat, he has full control! 😄
Actually, my wife uses the shop and is an un-indicted co-conspirator in the building of the layout. 
The cat is not welcome. Thankfully, she has not solved the barriers and remains upstairs looking down.
George
George, I forgot your wife helps out. I learned that with the Ohio River resin pour, but totally forgot! 
@Mark Boyce posted:George, I forgot your wife helps out. I learned that with the Ohio River resin pour, but totally forgot!
This layout would be nowhere without her. 
George
Updated 8/16/2023:
- Glued together two ladders and safety cages for each of the 4 smoke stacks.
- After painting I glued them to the stacks.
- Also glued together the lower wall of the Pouring side of the mill. It will be installed soon.
More when I know it.
George
Updated 8/17/2023:
- Installed the safety cages and ladders on the 4 smoke stacks. I think they look pretty good.
- One of the set of lights on a stack stopped working. I've got to trace the problem. Preliminary look yielded no quick solutions.
- After months of inactivity, I fired up the layout and moved The Spirit of St. Louis west onto the bridge and off the track that is due to be reconfigured. Not so much as a hiccup.
- Lifted the track east of Switch #36 including Switch #33 all the way to the Block Break west of Switch #32. That's a distance of just under 6'.
- Re-installed the Block Break and power/ground feeder pairs 7.02 and 7.03. And about to re-install Switch #34 after cleaning and replacing the switch spring.
More when I know it.
George
@G3750 posted:
- After months of inactivity, I fired up the layout and moved The Spirit of St. Louis west onto the bridge and off the track that is due to be reconfigured. Not so much as a hiccup.
Sounds like you've done a great job on construction and wiring.
Did you ever end up experimenting with No-Ox? Do you think you will?
@BillYo414 posted:Sounds like you've done a great job on construction and wiring.
Did you ever end up experimenting with No-Ox? Do you think you will?
Bill,
Thank you. I am very happy with how things have gone so far.
I haven't experimented with No-Ox as yet because the re-wiring has done the trick to this point. A member of our NMRA division is an electrician, and he strongly recommended the re-wiring with crimp connectors (and getting rid of the suitcase connectors). I did as he instructed. I actually have acquired some No-Ox and will probably try it someday. Also in reserve is a CMX track cleaning car, so we are prepared for all eventualities.
George
Updated 8/18/2023:
I completed the changes to the Weirton Steel Yard Exit track today. Here is the old setup (Version 124):
Changes include:
- Removal of Switch #34 (diagram below should show Switch #33).
- Relocation of Switch #33 further west (left).
- Removal of two track joints.
This will lead to the more simple track plan of Version 129 shown below:
After completing the track changes, I fired up The Spirit of St. Louis and ran it eastward (in reverse) on the track. No problems encountered. The switch throws correctly from the pushbutton as well.
More when I know it.
George
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