That black and tan will look nice, and provide a stable base for the outdoor toys! The painting and floor looks really good, too.
It's been a while since I updated , as I ran out of money to continue, but today I finally had my son over to help me install the Mini Split Heat Pump. Over the past couple weeks I had troubleshot all the electrical issues, and wired in all the outlets, overhead light fixtures, and light switch. This is a newer design smart switch that has a built in intercom system, voice control, and can actually control any other smart device as well as dimmer, weather, clock, etc. For $49 it was worth it, and it had the unreleased "Matter" protocol built in. "Matter is a protocol that allows smart devices from different companies to communicate with each other. Basically, devices that 'speak Matter' operate on the same commands. Interesting to know is that it is not a new wireless networking technology, but instead a set of standardized commands sent over local IP networks." I also wired in a POE Network Switch. What's nice about this one is since it provides power over the ethernet cable to POE devices, All I need is the ethernet cable connected to the Access Point, and no extra wall wart. I can also power the security camera when I get around to installing it: Here is the Access Point, nothing special, except Wi-Fi 6 and seamless handover between this access point and all my other ones. As I walk towards the house, my phone automatically connects to the nearest AP, and they all have the same SSID: Here is today's work, we mounted the condenser unit for the mini split heat pump on the side of the shed, connected the lineset, power, and condensate drain, and wired the whip from the disconnect to the condenser unit. We still have to mount the lineset covers to finish up: This was my first time doing an AC unit like this. I bought all the tools, including the gauges and vacuum pump, and had to pump out the lines and leak check them. The first few tests of the unit failed by tripping the ground fault interrupter in the garage, and finally I just removed the GFIC from the wall and wired direct to the breaker with WAGO lever connectors. Since the breaker never tripped, it must be the GFCI is faulty. After that, the unit worked just fine, and is controlling 70 degrees temperature nice and silently. I also moved my desk and computer out here, and have blue-toothed the PC sound into my Amazon Echo Dot, which is way better than the built in monitor speakers. So now I have an Alexa group where from anywhere I can tell Alexa to turn on the shed, and the lights will go on, and the heat will be set to 70 degrees to be comfortable for me when get out to the shed. The next order of train shed business is custom window blinds and curtains, which by chance all arrived today.
Outstanding! good work! must be nice to have a nice place to play! looks like you might need a bigger desk! Well done Robert!
WOW! LOTS of nice work there! I love the idea of issuing a command and by the time you get to the shed, it's all nice and comfy, ready and waiting.
It's great to see the room coming along Robert. That smart switch looks super interesting and I like how it's displaying the weather.
If I my add? the Desk looks great might be a little small But I did a glass top on mine to make it bigger! Outstanding!
Robert, Two thumbs up on all you have done thus far. I imagine one of these days you will begin thinking of what sort of layout you will build, unless you have been mulling that over for some time already. I think we are all impatiently waiting for you to begin your layout. Building projects certainly can run over budget as I found out when rebuilding our home after the fire back in June of 21. I still have three projects that need attending to once I find the goose that lays the golden egg. In reading your posts on your train room project, I wanted to comment on several areas. You haven't mentioned lately anything about what sort of lighting you will have and I wanted to tell you what Tom Miller did for his layout some years back. He modeled in I think it is called F scale,, a variation of G scale. He had a much larger budget than most and he actually spent around $50,000 I believe on lighting alone, but don't quote me as my memory is fading faster than the days are growing shorter. It was a lot of fun getting to help him on several occasions with scenery construction, and the lighting set up was second to none. He had a computer operated system which would gradually transition the lighting from sun up to sun down and through the night, Of course much speeded up, and the lights in all the structures would come on at dusk. Very impressive and fun to experience. And he had sound effects to mimic crickets, and frogs that came out at night. Maybe a little over the top, but still you had to hand it to him for realism. Secondly, when I added a family/train room on my home years ago, I made the French doors open out so as not to lose any floor space when they were opened. Only requirement was for there to be no more than 3" distance between door bottoms and the porch outside.....code requirements. I can also relate to your tale of lost? love when you came home to find a moving truck and your life took a sudden turn for the worse/better? Same thing happened to me back in 2014, I came home from the last run day at Railroad Park in October to find a moving van in my driveway and out the door she went, and took all the lasers to boot. Oh well, it is what it is and I can't complain. Enough for now, we will eagerly look forward to the first report and pictures of your new bench work. and hopefully soon to be track work being laid. Keep up the journey, we are all enjoying it. Loren Z Train Things
PS Robert, If you need evergreens in the future, I know where you can find as many as you want........Z scale of course.
The evergreen trees are just what I need, even as many as on just one of the module you sold to Bryan would be simply AWESOME!
I have been doing a little work here and there. I got all 6 of the window blinds installed, as well as added some window film to the two door sides as the sun beams in bright from that side of the train shed. I had also bought 4 rolling office chairs off Craigslist for $120, and a solid oak pedestal table for $49 off Craigslist so I can have a reading area in the corner. The table was super heavy to move in myself, so I rolled it on it's edge all the way back here. I had to wait till this morning as it was raining an turned my yard into a mud puddle, but this morning the ground was frozen solid so it rolled in the side yard with ease. As you can see in the photo, I am sanding down the reading table and will re-stain and seal it to look like new. I want to get a couple 4 foot high book cases for all my train books, so I have been looking on Craigslist for a suitable set. I also have some curtains that need to be hung over the French Doors yet. The train Shed is finally getting comfortable now, and the heat pump works great in the freezing weather. We are looking at 20's to mid 40's these days, and it's snowing on the hills here in Idaho. I don't understand people these days but what is happening is any furniture that is made from particle board, plastic, or is painted dark gray or black commands super high prices, yet at the same time, if it is made out of solid heavy oak, and it has that orangish oak color, people feel it is not worth anything and dump such pieces for $25-$50 bucks, when brand new they cost $500-$1500. Solid Oak is lifetime furniture people, then you can pass it down to your heirs.
Robert, Nice progress! Love the "stained glass" door lites. That is a fine looking table, I like oak furniture myself. Scott
It's my old Porter Cable setup. The random orbital sander automatically turns on the dust collector, and off 10 seconds after I turn off the sander. This is all 20 year old technology from when Porter Cable was a respected brand. It has a hepa filter too, so works great.
Train Shed Progress, I finished sanding the table, first with 60, then 120, and finally with 220 grit. Then I hung the curtains over the French Doors. There is definitely a comfort element in the train shed now, as I can close off all outside eyes if I choose now. I have my side by side parked just outside the shed, so I think I'll go for a rip up the irrigation canal, now that the water has been turned off for the season. I have to buy some stain for the table anyways. So I got some Classic Oak color Minwax Polyshades stain and sealer from Lowes, and started on the table: And the first coat is applied. It has to dry overnight then I can sand with 220 and apply an second coat. I really like the durability as well as the look of solid oak. A nice clean reading table is just what the train shed needed. I am still looking for a decent bookshelf, but if it takes 6 months to find just the right one, then that's what it takes, as I am doing this in economy mode, off Craigslist :
Robert, I will be glad to grow some evergreen trees for you, but I need t know the sizes you need. I grow them from 1" up to about 3 1/2" but can do any height you need. My fee is 50 cents per tree as they are a bit involved to make. I can even do some snags if needed, or some fire damaged. View attachment 275523 If you recall from years ago at the Cow Palace I ended up selling a customer 1500 trees. Needless to say, it took me more than a week to make I usually don't coat the trunk at the base with CA to show the trunk, but can do that too. When you design your trackwork if you need some tunnel portals or abutments, I can help you out there also. ok now turn off the TV and get to work on your bench work.
Table looks fantastic! Back a few year I had pick up a 8 foot across helm Wheel out of wood and had the center base like you have on your table. I was going to make a table out of it but then got divorced and she got the Wheel and sold it! That was the end of that didn't know who bought it! That would have made a nice table to with a glass top to protect it! Looks like a really nice train shed or better than any old shed!
