Westlake Publishing Forums

Russ -

Weeeell, yes, hardwood gas station pavement is rather peculiar.  But rest assured, a more appropriate landscape is forthcoming.

Stuart

Really beautiful, day or night!

Wow, just wonderful!

Stuart, great conversion into the model!

Well done ! The petrol pumps are very realistic.

Very Very Nice "BIG TIME"
Barney

If only battery charging stations looked like this...

Hi Stuart.
Nice clean convincing modeling.
Cheers

Back in July of 2022 I posted information about the air compressor I had designed and 3D printed for my gas station diorama. Now, two and a half years later I have finally finished and installed the project. 

I think my problem is that I get distracted.  Often while doing research, I will find some additional item that catches my interest, put down the project at hand, turn my focus to the new item and let the previous effort sit.  Gotta stop doing that.  It leaves too many projects unfinished. Anyway, I now have my air compressor in place as shown in the photo.



An air line leads to the interior of the shop area and another going underground to the gasoline pump island for tire inflation.  The air hose needs to be painted and a nozzle added.  I have yet to prepare a small dial face for the pressure gauge and I will be placing an electrical switch box on the wall above and to the left of the compressor with an electric cable leading from it to the electric box on the side of the motor.  Earlier I had thought I would enclose the compressor space in a wire mesh cage as a security/protective measure.  I may yet do that, but right now I an enjoying seeing the machinery and its detail in the open.



The roofing material on the awning is 120 grit sand paper.  The sand paper was already a red color so painting is was not a necessity, however, I have added some aging.  It represents rolled roofing material of the 1930's time period.  The 1" x 2" wood strips help hold the material in place.

 

 

To create the drive belt on the compressor I used .015" brass strip material.  I annealed the brass and then bent the piece around a template I made to replicate the pully assembly on the compressor.  The butting ends were then soldered together and cleaned up.  Trying to shape the brass around the 3D printed version would have been extremely hazardous and would have most certainly resulted in breaking everything into pieces.     

Stuart,
The compressor installation looks really good. I can see that putting a wire cage around it is a hard decision. Your belt is very convincing.

I know exactly what you mean and "distraction" is one of my enemies although I call it "scale hopping" But I think I might of settled now to one scale "I hope" it was based on what bits and bobs I have in stock and loads of it I have in 1/35th scale
Still onto Compressors having a life time experience in the Compressor and pipe work world installation and repairs included. Cages around especially compressors was not the normal thing even well into the seventies not the norm !
Most of the installations were done for smaller premises like you delightful garage  - one man or family owned where money was always tight and on the understanding "one does not stick your fingers in metal things that go round "but saying that even Main Dealers in the motor trade did not bother or think of it this way they were still blowing asbestos dust out of brake drums !!! into the 80s !! Later of corse Mr Health and Safety came into action big time !
Normally one would fit the moving bits of a compressor against the wall which helped a bit if you were mad enough to stick your fingers in the moving bits !  after saying this you would not put ones bits into a car fan pulley now would you ! all you can see now days under the bonnet of your car is big plastic covers - Hope it helps - All your compressor really wants is to turn it around  -
Barney
From a man who put wind in your pipes
   

Wind in your pipes
Barney

Barney,

Thanks for your insight.  Yes, it does seem rather intuitive that one does not go around intentionally sticking hands and fingers into moving machinery.  Beyond that, my compressor is back and to the side of the building where most reasonable gas station clientele would not venture. So, to avoid additional work on my part, I think I will go ahead and leave the unit uncaged and open to easy maintenance access.

Stuart

Thats just what would of happened often situated on the side or the back of the main building along with old exhaust pipes fuel tanks and other garage garbage
Lovely model very neat but has a used look
Barney