Good morning all, I got some chalk yesterday from Hobby Lobby and am wondering if they will work for weathering. They are "Artist’ Drawering Pastels’’ made by Gallery. Has anyong used them? Also can I hook up two Atlas switch machines to work together from one set of push buttons, sort of take the short cut or the long way?I should be able to do it if the ampers are not to high. Thanks and have a good weekend. Mike[^]
I have hooked two together before, none on the present layout, just make sure the button can handle that surge. In the past I have had cheap buttons weld shut and then the switch machine go up in smoke.
I just started with the chalk with the binder included and I think I will learn to use them. I have been told that it is hard to get the pastels to stick, but BG certainly has learned how. Let us know how you do.
Art, I do not understand,"chalk with the binder included’’ would please be more specific? I guess I am kinda dumb. Thanks. Mike
Mike, Bar Mills, along with others, makes a Wheathering powder assortment that has some kind of a binder built in so as you rub it on, it sticks and does not blow off when you mist with dullcoat. I have the instant rust set of four and each time I use it I like it better. Google Bar Mills and you will find their site. I hope some of the guys who are better at this and know the other brands will chime in so we all can learn a little more.
Art
I have used the Hobby Lobby chalks and they work nicely. You may want to spray some Dullcoat (lightly) after applying the chalk to seal on your work (although you’ll find your chalk isn’t as visible after you do that.)
Art is right though. Much better is the chalk with “fixative” included. The more you brush it on, the more it stays put (sticks). I bought a sampler set of the the Bragdon Enterprises chalk and will never go back to the artists pastels. If you’re serious about weathering, this is the good stuff. http://www.bragdonent.com/
I’ve used both Bragdon and artist pastels from Hobby Lobby and like them both. Here’s 2 examples
mikesmowers;
On page #437 of my WEBSTER’S NINTH NEW COLLEGIATE DICTIONARY is a word. The word is experiment.
I have seen but have not used these “drawing pastels”. A week to ten days ago I related in a post on weathering about an individual I knew who “grimed” his motive power/rolling stock/structures using tobacco ashes mixed with alcohol to form a thin paste - his object was to get everything to run downward a la rainwater. Sounds weird but the effect was startling - and relatively cheap, I might say, because cigarettes at that day and age were running only $1.76 in the commissary; Floquil was going for less than a dollar a bottle in those heady days of yesteryear but tobacco was about half that price and the volume of this guy’s modeling required a hefty amount of “grime”. When he was done he sealed the weathered item with a light spray of dullcoat to seal it. It has been my experience - and observation - that using chalks works better if, as the individual did with the tobacco ashes, you make a paste for application.
Keep us posted, dude!!!
this pic made me think of something, is that a moonshine still on that flat car? Made me think I might like to have a moonshine still on the mountain, down by the tracks. Has anybody ever modeled this befor, if so wherd can I get (or make) one. Nice work, Mike
This works fine with either the Atlas push buttons or DCC control. Works great for crossovers.
Jerry
Mike,
I’ve done the two Atlas switch machines off one Atlas momentary slide switch w/o problem.(in two places on the layout) Needless to say distance from power source will affect switch(s) performance if you’re stingy with the wire gauge. Also Atlas slide switches are built to an affordable standard which sometimes adversely impacts their reliability/durability. Might want to consider using some commercial replacement for the Atlas slide switches. My source for such replacements was always Radio Shack. That’s dried up since parent corporation included two local R-Shacks in their list of stores to be closed. Might try Miniatronics at your local hobby shop or via mail order. Miniatronics often runs ad in Model Railroader.
Based upon other forum member responses my hookups of these switches seems to be fortunate happenstance-no thinking about amperage or other considerations. Read all forum member contributions. You might as well do it right! [:D]
Jon [8D]
I like the Bragdon weathering powders, once you try them it’s hard to go back to pastels. A little pricey, but they go a long way.
this the stuff?
http://www.bragdonent.com/weather.htm
Think I’ll try some of these myself
I have used this product for weathering, it is a alchol based wash but works for me. I also use the chalks, but I apply them when the paint is still wet!