Updated 4 Sep 16 - Scratchbuilt Scale Lighthouse. Ingredients: Oatmeal, Pepsi, Funnel. DONE!

The next step was to continue sealing and smoothing the cardboard cylinder (lest it be all fuzzy when painted).  I checked some model rocketry forums, and they suggested using Bondo and sanding smooth.  Here it is pre-sanding:

Funnel prep'd for rood duty:

I cut out some sections of Pepsi bottles to get a nice clear cylinder of the right height/diameter with no label residue stuck to it.  I re-attached the sections together using skor tape, made a template for the diamond pattern, then affixed the diamond pattern using tape designed to put grid patterns on white boards.  I learned the hard way that eyeballing the diamond pattern just doesn't work - but with the template, came out great!

Here's  attest fit with the roof and the sanded cylinder:

Below is the octagonal base, made out of poplar (just used a miter saw to cut 8 pieces to the right angle, then glued them together over a paper octagon template to be sure it was as regular as I could get).  I also have the top and bottom of the base, ready to be cut out of 1/4" MDF, in the picture below.  I'm using MDF just because it's handy and doesn't warp... I have several sheets laying around now that I've disassembled my home layout:

Marble on top of the funnel for a decorative finial touch!

Watching. 

I follow all your project posts. You demonstrate resourcefulness and ingenuity in your pursuit of budget building. Many modelers seem lost over the simplest tasks...you sir are and example they could learn from.

Bob

Oh Boy this is going to be good!

Max, Bob, J Daddy - Thank you for the compliment and the interest!  I'll try to make steady progress on this project, but no promises as there are a lot of balls in the air at the moment

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A little bit more progress to share.   First pic is the latest test fit, just to make sure I have the general proportions right. I noticed that once I add some kind of fence to the deck (on top of cylinder), the light housing (clear cylinder) will be slightly too low.  I started fashioning a "base" for the light housing to raise it up a little (more on that below).

Here's some work on the octagonal base.  It's actually upside down in the photo above.  Here, I'm adding the supports for the top of the base, which will be slightly inset.

Here's the top of the base:

I cut out a few circles, and have glued them together.  This piece will be Bondo'd/sanded and become the mounting platform for the light housing.  It's also where the light will eventually be mounted.

Bondo applied:

...and here's the base, with the primary structure complete.  Next up for this piece is sanding the bash flush, then starting to add trim and details.

Pretty cool, I'm beginning to sound like a broken record, I am constantly amazed at the creative talent on this forum.

Mike

I made a little bit more progress on the lighthouse over the past couple weeks:

Sealed some gaps on the base:

Started working the window installation also.  This lighthouse has a LOT of widows - sixteen large ones and 6 small ones.   I ordered some Grandt Line ones that looked about the right size:

I cut one hole and test fit a window before marking/cutting all the others:

The cylindrical part of the lighthouse is dived into 12 equal sections.  I used multiple pics of the lighthouse to determine the window pattern, then added it to the bottom of my "cheat sheet":

Here the window pattern is aligned to line-up with the pattern on the prototype.  The large windows are a little big, but close enough

Of course, cutting away that much material really cars for additional structural support.  I added some cross breams and supports to bear the log given the now more flimsy wall.

Test-fit of a plastruct railing"

Gluing detail parts to the base:

Test fit!

...also worked on the mounting mechanism for the light.  Looking at using an old toothpaste cap to support the light and hold it in position:

Great job!!!!

I often say that Model Railroading is the greenest hobby there is. We never throw anything away!!!!

Creative genius .....no kit for that out there ....I have seen a series of ceramic lighthouses that looked O scale sold in a gift shop, but not likely that one.

Absolutely brilliant!!! This is a big part of what makes this hobby so much fun. 

I'll be watching and taking notes!

Very nice work with the basic materials.  Thanks for sharing.  Nick T 

 Creative use of common objects...awesome!

Al

Thanks for all the compliments again, guys! 

It's been a little while since my last update - had a nice couple weeks of vacation, but now it's back to the usual routine and back to the hobbies!  Here's the latest on the lighthouse...

Here's a test fit of the major components again:

Adding some detail to the top of the roof:

Adding some more decorative trim to the octagonal base:

Completing the light housing and attaching it to its base:

Quick test fit again:

Here's the light that will light the lighthouse:

Adding some more trim to the top of the cylinder.  Looked at a few options, but a windshield wiper blade jas worked out pretty well so far:

Wiper blade installed:

Here's the lighthouse with the base coat of paint applied.  I also painted-up a plasticville door to be the lighthouse door:

Small windows applied:

...and a couple shots of the current status.  All windows are in, but they still need glass.

Nice! I can't wait to see what you use got the searchlight and mechanics 

Your work is quite amazing.  I just love to see how you use common household items.  Can't wait to see the completed lighthouse.  

Thanks,

Ed

Love it! I like using all the junk that lies around. Who would've thought of a windshield wiper blade as a cornice trim...

Excellent!  

WOW, you just don't stop to amaze! It's like you have a sixth sense on how to use things just laying around! I just love learning from people like you and others here on the forum!

Very cool, thanks for sharing your build techniques with us!

Amazing work. I am going to have to mark this one for myself in case I ever get to building a layout that has a port.

Your ability to work with basic materials is fascinating to me.

Very nice work.

Alan Graziano

That is pretty darn neat!

I should save this thread to a disc that I can play out our store (LHS)! 

One of our local school districts has one or more teachers at the elementary school level who have been relentless (poor word, I know!) in challenging the students in their class every year for several, now, to build a lighthouse!  Of course, I strongly suspect that it's intended to be a lesson in creativity, highlighting iconic features, Great Lakes lighthouses, of our state (Michigan) which has the longest shoreline of any state in the contiguous Union.

However, it has clearly become...like Pinewood Derby, Soapbox Derby, Little League Baseball, Soccer, etc., etc., etc....a challenge to the PARENTS, more than the kids.  I have to bite my lip and stuff my inner words whenever parents...kids nowhere to be seen, of course!....come into the store looking for the 'ingredients' to build a lighthouse!....'My kid has a school project.....I'm trying to help him/her out.....It's due tomorrow....Whatcha got?' 

Oatmeal containers, funnels,.....We don't sell them at the shop, of course, but I'd gladly show your creativity.....followed by giving the parents, each and all, a DiNozzo!

Due tomorrow. 

Right.

Good job!!!

KD

Simply amazing!!!

prrhorseshoecurve posted:

Nice! I can't wait to see what you use got the searchlight and mechanics 

I used a pre-made lighthouse light/LED from Evans Designs that slowly dims and brightens to simulate rotation.

Ed Walsh posted:

Your work is quite amazing.  I just love to see how you use common household items.  Can't wait to see the completed lighthouse.  

Thanks,

Ed

Thanks!  It's getting really close to done!

Trainman2001 posted:

Love it! I like using all the junk that lies around. Who would've thought of a windshield wiper blade as a cornice trim...

It probably never would have occurred to me either, except that I was changing wiper blades on the Family Truckster while I was trying to figure out how to do that round cornice!  The ones I used are cheap-o wiper blade replacements from China.

mike g. posted:

WOW, you just don't stop to amaze! It's like you have a sixth sense on how to use things just laying around! I just love learning from people like you and others here on the forum!

Ken-Oscale posted:

Very cool, thanks for sharing your build techniques with us!

El Classico posted:

Amazing work. I am going to have to mark this one for myself in case I ever get to building a layout that has a port.

Alan Graziano posted:

Your ability to work with basic materials is fascinating to me.

Very nice work.

 

Alan Graziano

wmtrainnut09 posted:

That is pretty darn neat!

dkdkrd posted:

 

Good job!!!

KD

bigtruckpete posted:

Simply amazing!!!

Thanks, Gents, for all the kind words!  I appreciate the support and the compliments.  Great thing about this forum is that we can all share ideas!

OK, I've been working on the lighthouse a little here and there, so it's about time for another update:

Window glass was installed next.  I used acetate sheets (more bendy than the plexi I normally use), and tacked it in place using skor tape.  I also added some glue to help keep it from coming undone over time.

Glass from the inside:

Used some small square wooden dowels for the decorative trim.  Here they are secured for painting:

...and here is the trim glued in place:

Referencing the pics below, the prototype lighthouse has some black decorative trim on the octagonal base, too.  I replicated it using small pieces of fruit squeeze lids, painted black (the same lids that make good roof vents).  You can also see the brick paper used to give the very base of the octagon a little character.

Prototype:

My door is a plasticville schoolhouse door.  Here's the back, with some trim (to give depth and make it sit correctly) and window glass installed:

Test fit on the base:

Test fit, with the railings on the octagonal base started:

Working on the wiring.  You can also see here how some gray gravel was used for the upper deck area below the lens - it's just white glued in place.

Working on the railing, trying to get it straight.  Was going to use black thread, but switched to thin black wire to give it more visibility and durability:

Ready for final assembly:

Lighthouse assembled and lighted (it looks pretty good - flashes just like a real lighthouse)

Next I need to build a base for it to sit on (complete with fence) and make a space at the club where it can sit.  More to come!

Excellent job. 

Outstanding!

Wonderful looking light house. I love how you use what you can find! show great insite!

Very nice project. I recently added the Hatteras light house to my layout. It is 193 feet tall - tallest in the US. In O Scale terms that is roughly equivalent to just under five 40' box cars stacked vertically end on end. That would be 48.2 inches. My light house is about six inches shy of that. Even so, it still looks big for the layout but is very close to scale. By contrast the Lionel manufactured light house is only 24 inches tall, no where near scale. The light on the Hatteras tower flashes every 7.5 seconds. All lighthouses are distinctive by their height, design, and color and frequency of flashing light. The best I can do so far is to get my beacon to flash every 4 seconds. Depending on available electronics it may be a while to get the desired 7.5 second intervals. It has been a fun acquisition for me. So much the better for you that yours is such a nice project. Mine was a gift from my son-in-law so it is special. In addition, it was purchase in Hatteras village on the tip of Cape Hatteras.

I just wanted to say 2 things:

1) "Nothing is better for thee than me."

2) Your work is outstanding.  Extremely impressive what you've been able to do.   

George

Holy cow!!! A true work of art. 

Thanks again for all the kind compliments! 

Here's the latest.  The base for the lighthouse is 1/4" MDF, with concrete grooves added via exacto knife.  The fence is from MTH, painted black:

I have since also affixed the lighthouse to the base and run the wiring out the bottom.  Next up is installing this puppy at the Club!

-Dustin

Great work Dustin, but then again it seams like everything you touch turns out Great! It is so nice to watch you and others with your skills here on the forum!

Your work is outstanding. I agree with Don, keep a record or a booklet on the construction. No one will appreciate the time and material that went into this wonderful project.

Outstanding  ,   inspirational for sure , doubt i could come anywhere close to your professional looking project , no matter how many time I would attempt too

To think that this started with a can of oatmeal. Incredible!!! The dudes at your club owe you a few cold ones!

It really is outstanding, Dustin. 

Now that's what I call fun modeling!