vsmith
G Scale indoors, O Tinplate, Micro Layouts
Time to share this, began it over Christmas when instead of doing yardwork I was cowering under a 90+ degree heatwave. Started with a barrel half that have intended to use for this for a couple years but never got around to until now. Built my own brackets from 1x4s and 1x2s on the barrel planter and used my next to last 31" circle of track. The barrel is on a roller base so I can move it around.
Couple detail pics of the brackets. I pre-drilled the holes thru the 1x2s and countersunk for the screw heads to prevent splitting, which can be an issue with thin wood like that. I also pre-drilled the hole for the track fastener for the same reason. The 1x2s laid flat give a nice wider platform for the track. I used 8 brackets total for good support.
Someone smarter than me suggested filling in the bottom with a false bottom or filling it with styrofoam to take up space and lighten it up. So...three Lil Big Hauler box fillers later. Will use sand to fill it so it will drain better than the adobe hard dirt we have.
Two bags of sand laying around, rocks from the pile, gravel topping. I added rocks sculpturally I have and infilled the top with crushed gravel. In keeping with my tradition of using whatever the hell is available when I build, I then hacked together two structures using some treated lumber scraps, looks reasonable if you squint. I have a couple ideas to reduce their brutality. Next over time I will sort in small succulents into the nooks and crannies. But it's getting close. Best part of this is that so far I haven't spent a dime on this, everything used was either recycled or just laying around.
Latest additions to the Barrel of Fun , the 2018 Mik's Building Challenge Hole in the Head mine is added, along with a couple little extras and some succulents as color.
This last pic is my favorite, it's nothing elaborate but I can't help but smile a wide grin whenever I look at this photo.
Couple detail pics of the brackets. I pre-drilled the holes thru the 1x2s and countersunk for the screw heads to prevent splitting, which can be an issue with thin wood like that. I also pre-drilled the hole for the track fastener for the same reason. The 1x2s laid flat give a nice wider platform for the track. I used 8 brackets total for good support.
Someone smarter than me suggested filling in the bottom with a false bottom or filling it with styrofoam to take up space and lighten it up. So...three Lil Big Hauler box fillers later. Will use sand to fill it so it will drain better than the adobe hard dirt we have.
Two bags of sand laying around, rocks from the pile, gravel topping. I added rocks sculpturally I have and infilled the top with crushed gravel. In keeping with my tradition of using whatever the hell is available when I build, I then hacked together two structures using some treated lumber scraps, looks reasonable if you squint. I have a couple ideas to reduce their brutality. Next over time I will sort in small succulents into the nooks and crannies. But it's getting close. Best part of this is that so far I haven't spent a dime on this, everything used was either recycled or just laying around.
Latest additions to the Barrel of Fun , the 2018 Mik's Building Challenge Hole in the Head mine is added, along with a couple little extras and some succulents as color.
This last pic is my favorite, it's nothing elaborate but I can't help but smile a wide grin whenever I look at this photo.
