Sierra West Scale Models Sawmill Progress Videos

Sierra West Scale Models Sawmill Progress Videos

Hi folks.  I have been so busy working on the sawmill project in O Scale with my good friends Doug Matheson & Rob Kazakoff that I have not had time to create any progress posts of the various stages of the build.

I will do that in short order, but how about we 'jump ahead' and take a look at a dozen or so videos of my progress thus far.

I would imagine that there are some 600 hours of benchwork time involved at this point and there will be plenty more to go.

Brett at Sierra West calls the project the "Deer Creek Sawmill".  Doug has decided to call this build the "Liam Hicks Sawmill"...a typical small sawmill in Eastern Ontario.

To engage the videos, click on the white arrow in the center twice (slowly - once then once again).

You will notice that I have yet to put the rafters in place.  

I have constructed them but will wait to build them up as Doug, Rob & I are on the hunt for suitable O Scale figures.  It will be much easier to place them on the shop floor with the rafters off.

Doug wishes to use the diorama as a 'teaching tool'. 

For this reason we have decided to not build a full roof to allow visual access to all parts of the mill.

Yes, we know that there should be sawdust 'everywhere' but Doug wishes to keep this version of the mill rather clean.

The sawdust would have to be miniature in scale even if this project is in 'O'!

Brett at Sierra West may notice that we chose to place all of the drive shafts and belting 'above' the cross beam members. 

The kit instructions have them hanging below the beams.  By going 'up' this calls for some ingenious rafter design for later on - already done but not in place!

The Dolbeer Single Spool Donkey Engine is from Wiseman Model Services as are a few other vehicles and wagons (oxen and horses too) that will eventually appear on the diorama.

The Model TT Truck and the Linn Half Track truck are from Brett at Sierra West Scale Models.

I estimate that this mega-project thus far has consisted of some 70 mini-assignments, each taking up a few hours to a few days to complete.

I may also add that this project has brought me pure joy working with such an amazing kit from Brett with super detailed castings!

I can categorize more succinctly the 70 projects into 15 main categories.

1.  Construct, paint and weather all relevant vehicles

2.  Prime and paint all machine parts, assemble & weather

3.  Build up diorama base with all contours and add initial spartan scenery (scenery to be built up later)

With every progressive mini-scene, the sawmill's purpose came to life more fully!

4.  Construct the floor (piers, beams, joists & decking - decking in increments)

5.  Build up the main wall supports and cross beams

6.  Assemble the boiler, the engine and adhere to the base, then join together with piping

Building up the stacks of finished lumber to be shipped was fun as were all other assignments.  Doug asked me to make sure to place stickers between each layer of the finished product to allow air to move around and keep the lengths from warping.

7.  Create main headframe and main driveshaft

8.  Build remaining drive shafts and countershafts, placing the pulleys and miter gears in their proper order along the length of the shaft

9.  Belt all machines, both below and above floor decking to upper drive shafts using TYVEK material (the TYVEK does not warp with humidity and temperature changes)

The location in Doug's home where the two modules will eventually reside is against a wall tucked into a 'cubby' with smaller side walls (one being shelving) so scenes at the rear of the sawmill may not be seen very well...thus the limited detail here.  I do like the appearance of the sliding rear door.

10.  Construct all roof rafters - but hold off gluing in place

11.  Construct three main back walls with interior framing (studs and supports)

12.  Prime, paint & weather all detail parts that will bring the mill to life

While Brett has created some 'enclosed' areas such as the office area, Doug wanted everything visible from the one main viewing angle, therefore only three main walls were constructed.

13.  Create a variety of 'mini-scenes' both inside the mill and out

14.  Build sawdust bin

15.  Create upper 'jack slip' section and butt against the log ramp

I have enjoyed having Doug & Rob venture over to my home here in Ottawa each week for our morning discussions of the modelling efforts.  

Then I 'go to town' each week on a new area of the build.

As I have mentioned, this project is nowhere near complete.  We still have to create the log dump on an adjacent module.  Rob has agreed to take on the build of a nice derrick Doug purchased from Crow River Products.  

I have many more projects on my workbench including building some more wagons pulled by teams of horses and teams of oxen.

I also will add more earth and include grass and weeds to cover up some of the piers that currently 'float' in the air!

Here we see Doug holding the lamp to illuminate the sawmill as Rob photographs the module.

The lads look out over the scene.

I just finished painting and weathering this water/oil steam transfer pump from Ozark Miniatures as I will be scratch building a pump house to feed the boiler with water.

Thanks so much for checking in on this fun build of the Sierra West Scale Models Sawmill.

Mike Hamer, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada