@BillYo414 posted:I remember going into my friend's garage attic/loft in the late 90s when we were kids. We were covered in super fine black dust when we came down. I wonder if it was crud from the open hearth. His house was across the street and river from 5 blast furnaces and an open hearth.
Which part of charging? Pouring the iron in or dumping the charge box? Are you going to model a mixer? I don't know if they are prototypical from years ago.
Alright just hear me out... I was thinking hot glue and an orange LED strip might get it done for pouring/tapping. Light travels decently through whatever hot glue is made of and hot glue stays semi flexible after it cools. I was thinking that you could "cast" the hot glue (or any similar pourable plastic) into the runner at the base of a BF or OH. Then activate orange LEDs in the runners when you "pour" iron/steel. I have to get my table up and the cast hour floor complete to test this but I remember how the light looked in the hot glue on the cardboard mills I made as young engineer on my first layout. I'll be tinkering as soon as I get the space to do it. I just don't know what you would create the illusion of a filled ladle with. I have printed some beautiful ladles though. I haven't painted them but I was pleased with how they looked off the printer. I attached a pic of an early version. It came from a Youngstown Sheet & Tube drawing I got at the museum archives here.
This brainstorm of modelling ideas might find itself in a new thread haha
I assume those questions were for me? I am not sure yet about what part of charging to model. I do have plans for a wide-gauge charging machine.
Weirton Steel's mixer was on the north end of their Open Hearth. I don't have space for it. The building will be roughly 34" wide x 62" long and will approach a backdrop (divider) at a 45 degree angle. Only the south end of the building will be visible / modeled. Below is an early concept / plan of the area.
I like your idea about hot glue and an orange LED strip. 
That has potential!
I love that ladle!! Can you make me one? Please shoot me an e-mail with the details.
George
