Bog done

 

With the hinges sorted, all that remained to finish the wooden toilet was to fit the latch, which is in the kit, and glue the roof down. 

 A tenner well spent I think. Everything goes together nicely. I've made a bit of a meal of it with the woodstain and a couple of extra details. On balance, I wish I'd added some strips of venner down the front to hide the plywood. I'm not doing it now, as matching the stain would be a nightmare. Anyway, the kit is cheap enough to just go and buy another. 

Was this the fun stick-it-together project I needed? It certainly came pretty close. The model could be assembled in minutes if built straight from the box. I just feel the need to mess around, but then that's the fun part isn't it?  

Hinges

 

I've been pondering the door hinges for the wooden WC for some time. The kit is provided with a couple of laser-cut plastic versions. These look nice, but of course, they won't work, and my inner child says it would be more fun if the door could be opened. 

Complicated, but accurate versions soldered up out of bits of brass and tiny tube were considered, but even if I did manage to make these, the process was going to be frustrating. 

Then I had a brainwave. Take a strip of brass, bend it around some rod, clamp it tightly, and glue it to the door. My initial idea for the rod, was to use a staple, but brass is weatherproof, and there was a better chance of the things working. 

Result - a couple of hinges that actually work. Time to make them, a couple of minutes, or about 1% of the time taken to come up with the idea!

At last, a good use for the Sun!

 

Just a little detail for the wooden WC - something to clean up with after your visit!

The newspaper front pages come from ScaleModelScenery, but in 4mm scale. I had them for a magazine project, and thought "why not enlarge them for this one?"

The result looks OK, and makes me chuckle. A Peco track pin keeps them in place. I had to drill a hole all the way through the wall, glue the pin in place, and then cut the excess away on the outside with some flush cutters.  

Unfortunate stains on the WC

 

I've been pondering the paint job for the wooden WC. Nothing too smart I feel, but I'm not up for the sort of paint peeling masterpiece beloved of military modellers. This is a quick build, not a chance to pour hours into learning new techniques. Not that they wouldn't be useful, just that this I'm doing this for FUN. Anyway, if I go that route, those plywood ends beside the door would need attention. 

Anyway, with wooden models, step one is usually to age the wood with EDM Models weathered wood stain. A quick coat of this usually turns the wood a delicate silver, with further applications for a deeper shade. 

Not this time. My bottle, which is main years old, is a bit thick, and sent the wood a deep silver in one hit. A less than subtle result, and one that makes me think I need to buy some new potion next time I see Paul. 

It's not a disaster, but it's not really the effect I was looking for, so in an effort to bring the colour back a bit, I tried Coach & Wagon Works Old Oak Wood Stain.  

 

 Much better. There is still ageing, but this looks like a building that has enjoyed the occasional coat of creasote every few years. 

Annoyingly, where there is glue on the surface, neither stain penetrates. Not an issue, except around the toilet roll holder inside, so I might have to hit that with the weathering powders.  

Dunkum Dunnies

 

Time for a little research. I bought this book over a decade ago from a small bookstore near the beach in Adelaide. Can you think of anything more Australian that isn't a cliche? 

All I really learn, is that "dunnies" come in all sorts of shapes and sizes. Corrugated iron seems to be a popular feature, but then it is across the country. I worry that it would get a little bit toastie in a toilet made of wiggly tin in the outback sun, but I guess you get used to it if this is the only option!

The authors certainly found plenty of variety!

According to Google's AI overview: 

"Dinkum Dunnies is a classic Australian non-fiction book by Douglass Baglin (photographer) and Barbara Mullins (writer/collaborator) that explores and documents the history, culture, and unique character of traditional outdoor toilets (dunnies) across Australia through beautiful photography and text. Published around 1980, it's a nostalgic look at rural life, featuring stunning pictures of flora, fauna, and the outhouses themselves, making it a beloved collector's item for Australian history and photography enthusiasts."

Not bad, but the first edition came out in 1971, and the fifth (which I have) appeared in 1974. A popular book! 

Double planking

 

Laser cutting is wonderful. It results in easy-to-assemble kits, where all the parts fit properly. 

But, the surface engraving is normally only on one side. The other is plain.  

For the WC, I wanted to be able to look inside, and that means we need planks on both sides of the bits of wood. 

I started by scribing the lines with a heavy craft knife, but while neat, they were less distinct than the laser-cut lines. I pondered this for a while, and decided to experiment with the same tool I use to do this job on Plastikard - an Olfa Cutter. 

The result isn't pretty, but once the surface is lightly sanded, the results are pretty good. Easily OK for the inside of a slightly rough'n'ready structure like this! 

Framed and seat fitted

 

Once I'd persuaded the cat to vacate my modelling board out came the PVA, so construction could start on the wooden WC. 

Everything slots together perfectly, with no sanding or fettling required.  The only odd bit, for which I wanted to consult the instructions, is the double-thickness top board with holes in. It slots in place easily enough, and with a bit of thought, the position is pretty obvious. 

That seat doesn't look comfy, but then I suppose it's functional! 

You're not helping cat...

 

There I am, happily cutting out the toilet parts, and sticking them together, and our cat, Stampy, decides that my modelling board would be the perfect place for a snooze. 

Now, he does sleep there during the day sometimes, but he's never marched on when I'm using it, and curled up for a kip. 

I wouldn't mind, there is a bit of spare space, but he was lying in the instructions! 

Does anyone else "enjoy" feline assistance?  

Leek and Manifold WC

 

I'm in one of those states where I have no enthusiasm for my hobby. Regular readers might have spotted the lack of me actually making things, other than for work projects. 

To be honest, by the time I've finished another day in front of a computer screen, my enthusiasm for doing anything than slumping isn't there. Things I love doing don't appeal. I've hundreds of potential projects knocking around. Most are ready to go, but what isn't in the box is the zeal to sit down and do them. Pity this can't be bottled and sold, I'd buy some!

Anyway, in an effort to find my mojo, I'm trying a simple kit - a Leek & Manifold Railway Outside WC from Bole Laser Craft. Spotted at a show last weekend for a tenner, it appealed to my sense of fun. Better still, construction should be quick, and painting doesn't need to be amazing. I will not be digging out the airbrush for this one!