Pater Practicus
@paterpracticus.bsky.social
Practical dad, Brendan McGrath – maker, mender and modeller. Always curious, always learning. Sharing project videos on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@paterpracticus
That just about wraps up my 2025 scale modelling. Diorama video coming soon as a follow up to the 3D printed fire truck interior build: youtu.be/fvEHAaIRJiA?...
December 28, 2025 at 2:47 PM
That just about wraps up my 2025 scale modelling. Diorama video coming soon as a follow up to the 3D printed fire truck interior build: youtu.be/fvEHAaIRJiA?...
Unimog diorama finished. Forest fire just about extinguished, apart from a few glowing embers, our brave fire fighter returns to the truck to pack away and head home.
December 28, 2025 at 11:48 AM
Unimog diorama finished. Forest fire just about extinguished, apart from a few glowing embers, our brave fire fighter returns to the truck to pack away and head home.
Looking back at my scale modelling year, returning to the hobby after a number of years focusing on the model railway and other stuff for youtube.com/@paterpracti.... Huge fun combining my own 3D print designs, either to rescue a tired old kit or add a bit extra to a new one.
December 27, 2025 at 12:24 PM
Looking back at my scale modelling year, returning to the hobby after a number of years focusing on the model railway and other stuff for youtube.com/@paterpracti.... Huge fun combining my own 3D print designs, either to rescue a tired old kit or add a bit extra to a new one.
Ern is back at work on the #ChristmasTreeRailway overseeing the #BoxingDay clean-up, as wagon-loads of wrapping head to the recycling plant.
December 26, 2025 at 12:52 PM
Ern is back at work on the #ChristmasTreeRailway overseeing the #BoxingDay clean-up, as wagon-loads of wrapping head to the recycling plant.
Muppet Christmas Carol ✅
It’s a Wonderful Life ✅
It’s a Wonderful Life ✅
December 26, 2025 at 10:32 AM
Muppet Christmas Carol ✅
It’s a Wonderful Life ✅
It’s a Wonderful Life ✅
A final delivery on the #ChristmasTreeRailway - a gift for Ern, the hardworking signalman, about to finish his shift for the day. Merry Christmas everyone!
December 24, 2025 at 4:55 PM
A final delivery on the #ChristmasTreeRailway - a gift for Ern, the hardworking signalman, about to finish his shift for the day. Merry Christmas everyone!
Latest version of the Unimog diorama base now fitted with flickering LEDs and ready for painting.
December 23, 2025 at 1:55 PM
Latest version of the Unimog diorama base now fitted with flickering LEDs and ready for painting.
Latest version of the Unimog diorama base 3D print. Painted black and smeared with filler to hide some of the layer lines - although most of those will disappear under the static grass anyway.
December 21, 2025 at 4:32 PM
Latest version of the Unimog diorama base 3D print. Painted black and smeared with filler to hide some of the layer lines - although most of those will disappear under the static grass anyway.
Hogwarts Express now running on the #ChristmasTreeRailway
December 19, 2025 at 2:26 PM
Hogwarts Express now running on the #ChristmasTreeRailway
First up on the #ChristmasTreeRailway is the Network Rail Inspection Train to ensure track is clear of needles.
December 19, 2025 at 11:09 AM
First up on the #ChristmasTreeRailway is the Network Rail Inspection Train to ensure track is clear of needles.
Getting the #ChristmasTreeRailway set up for another year.
December 19, 2025 at 9:52 AM
Getting the #ChristmasTreeRailway set up for another year.
Test effort on the diorama looking pretty good. Now onto the real thing with the addition of some burnt stumps, tyre tracks and general chaos incorporated in my next print.
December 16, 2025 at 6:18 PM
Test effort on the diorama looking pretty good. Now onto the real thing with the addition of some burnt stumps, tyre tracks and general chaos incorporated in my next print.
Unimog diorama under-painted with acrylics, and static grass applied. In the final version I want more tree stumps, but this is good to try out some techniques.
December 16, 2025 at 4:34 PM
Unimog diorama under-painted with acrylics, and static grass applied. In the final version I want more tree stumps, but this is good to try out some techniques.
For those who followed my Unimog fire truck build, I’ve just finished a video about how I made the 3D printed interior, in case anyone is interested in doing something similar. youtu.be/fvEHAaIRJiA?...
December 14, 2025 at 3:16 PM
For those who followed my Unimog fire truck build, I’ve just finished a video about how I made the 3D printed interior, in case anyone is interested in doing something similar. youtu.be/fvEHAaIRJiA?...
After a long day editing, latest video is just about ready for posting tomorrow.
December 13, 2025 at 6:48 PM
After a long day editing, latest video is just about ready for posting tomorrow.
Mesmerising @gailmyerscough.co.uk slipmat design. Almost a shame to cover it up with a record.
December 12, 2025 at 11:09 AM
Mesmerising @gailmyerscough.co.uk slipmat design. Almost a shame to cover it up with a record.
Treated myself to a pre-Christmas gift from @gailmyerscough.co.uk. The slipmat looks absolutely brilliant on my Systemdek.
December 11, 2025 at 6:48 PM
Treated myself to a pre-Christmas gift from @gailmyerscough.co.uk. The slipmat looks absolutely brilliant on my Systemdek.
Currently looking more like something from Netflix’s Frankenstein than a Bavarian forest, my transparent 3D printed terrain is at least operational - with flickering amber LEDs mounted close to the surface for the last embers of the fire.
December 8, 2025 at 3:11 PM
Currently looking more like something from Netflix’s Frankenstein than a Bavarian forest, my transparent 3D printed terrain is at least operational - with flickering amber LEDs mounted close to the surface for the last embers of the fire.
3D printed firefighter painted up and positioned on my diorama base with the Unimog. Singed stumps and shrubbery next.
December 5, 2025 at 2:32 PM
3D printed firefighter painted up and positioned on my diorama base with the Unimog. Singed stumps and shrubbery next.
New 3D printing adventure - clear resin. Quite a tricky design for the missing windows on the old Comet kit, but third time lucky and I’ve got a pretty good fit.
November 30, 2025 at 6:23 PM
New 3D printing adventure - clear resin. Quite a tricky design for the missing windows on the old Comet kit, but third time lucky and I’ve got a pretty good fit.
Part 2 of my flashing level-crossing lights project is out now - with the building and programming of the Raspberry Pi Pico controller hidden away under the signal box: youtu.be/n7_GesFAiSY?...
November 29, 2025 at 4:07 PM
Part 2 of my flashing level-crossing lights project is out now - with the building and programming of the Raspberry Pi Pico controller hidden away under the signal box: youtu.be/n7_GesFAiSY?...
New video out now: make your own level-crossing light controller powered by a Raspberry Pi Pico: youtu.be/n7_GesFAiSY?... (Part 2 of my flashing crossing sign project).
November 29, 2025 at 1:59 PM
New video out now: make your own level-crossing light controller powered by a Raspberry Pi Pico: youtu.be/n7_GesFAiSY?... (Part 2 of my flashing crossing sign project).
Question: how many Raspberry Pis can you see? Answer: none. But, there is a Zero in the train, streaming driver’s eye video over the WiFi, and a Pico hidden under the signal box flashing the crossing lights.
November 28, 2025 at 2:21 PM
Question: how many Raspberry Pis can you see? Answer: none. But, there is a Zero in the train, streaming driver’s eye video over the WiFi, and a Pico hidden under the signal box flashing the crossing lights.
Remote control for my Raspberry Pi Pico level crossing lights. I’ll disguise the buttons with some sort of track-side equipment in due course.
November 27, 2025 at 6:14 PM
Remote control for my Raspberry Pi Pico level crossing lights. I’ll disguise the buttons with some sort of track-side equipment in due course.
Exactly 7 months since I started the Tower Models Regent bus I now have 3 finished models. Maybe something that isn’t red next.
November 25, 2025 at 8:16 AM
Exactly 7 months since I started the Tower Models Regent bus I now have 3 finished models. Maybe something that isn’t red next.