Well, I just got the word from the project manager that work has commenced on the civil work in the substation. I'm using 1/4" H-beams by evergreen. These would be a scale foot wide... maybe a bit big, but they'll work and it's the size I used on the plot plan.
My angle cutting came out a little too shallow on the first piece I did and I used that as a template for the remainder. I suspect that since these towers aren't going to support any switchgear, that the narrower leg stance won't be a problem. I scored the angle with a single-edged razor and broke the piece off at the score line. I sanded the cut line so it was truly flat and then used solvent cement to glue the legs together. When this set up, I measured and cut a single reinforcement piece. For the angles, I reset the fence on the Precision Sander and put the angle on both pieces. It's the same way I did the truss angles for the bridges project.
I then reset the fence again so I could sand the bases of the H beams so they would properly sit on the base plates that will be glued on next. I also sanded the top joint flat and level.
I've found some problems with the Touch-n-flow glue applicator. The plastic and the solvent cement seem to have opposite static polarities. Sometimes the drop at the end of the capillary tube simply jumps off the applicator and hits the plastic WHERE I DON'T WANT IT. Add to that my unsteady hands (hadn't had lunch let an blood sugar was down) and there's glue where I don't want it. I sanded off the high stuff, but I'll use a touch of Sovereign Green model putty to level it all out before painting.
Oh, I also cleaned up the work area before starting this next phase. I got word today from O'Scale Mag that there is the intent to publish the next phase construction article. I'm hoping to do a long-running series on the entire substation build.
