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
Up and running. All electrics for the wigwags now neatly out of sight under the signal box and running off track power.
November 12, 2025 at 4:50 PM
Up and running. All electrics for the wigwags now neatly out of sight under the signal box and running off track power.
New 3D printed foundations for the signal box to hold the Raspberry Pi Pico and track-power circuitry. At least the signalman seems happy now.
November 12, 2025 at 1:11 PM
New 3D printed foundations for the signal box to hold the Raspberry Pi Pico and track-power circuitry. At least the signalman seems happy now.
Foam-board excavations beneath the signal box to make way for new foundations, under the watchful eye of the signalman.
November 12, 2025 at 11:07 AM
Foam-board excavations beneath the signal box to make way for new foundations, under the watchful eye of the signalman.
I’ve managed to tidy up all the wires for my Raspberry Pi Pico level-crossing light controller. Currently printing the base to go under the signal box.
November 12, 2025 at 11:03 AM
I’ve managed to tidy up all the wires for my Raspberry Pi Pico level-crossing light controller. Currently printing the base to go under the signal box.
Revisiting my scratch-built OO gauge level-crossing lights project from a couple of years back. I’ve updated the signs with new 3D printed light hoods (still need a bit of a clean-up) and plan a more permanent set-up for the Raspberry PiPico that controls the flashing lights.
November 11, 2025 at 6:48 PM
Revisiting my scratch-built OO gauge level-crossing lights project from a couple of years back. I’ve updated the signs with new 3D printed light hoods (still need a bit of a clean-up) and plan a more permanent set-up for the Raspberry PiPico that controls the flashing lights.
Latest test print of the Unimog fire truck interior. Got some nice detail on the pump, but the floor still needs a bit of work.
November 10, 2025 at 6:43 PM
Latest test print of the Unimog fire truck interior. Got some nice detail on the pump, but the floor still needs a bit of work.
Test fitting the 3D printed interior in the back of the truck. All good so far.
November 9, 2025 at 6:27 PM
Test fitting the 3D printed interior in the back of the truck. All good so far.
I think I'm going to stop there for the main interior design. Slide out generator and compressor can be separate bits.
November 9, 2025 at 5:23 PM
I think I'm going to stop there for the main interior design. Slide out generator and compressor can be separate bits.
Very happy with first test print of my design. The floor is far too thin and has chipped along the edges during support removal, but we live and learn. Otherwise, impressed with how it has held what was some pretty optimistic detailing.
November 9, 2025 at 4:21 PM
Very happy with first test print of my design. The floor is far too thin and has chipped along the edges during support removal, but we live and learn. Otherwise, impressed with how it has held what was some pretty optimistic detailing.
More work on the Unimog fire truck interior CAD. I think I might have got a bit carried away with the pipework having found a load more reference photos. No idea how it will print yet.
November 9, 2025 at 2:00 PM
More work on the Unimog fire truck interior CAD. I think I might have got a bit carried away with the pipework having found a load more reference photos. No idea how it will print yet.
Making progress with the Unimog fire truck interior. Not entirely sure what's going on at the back of the pump, and I think there is a bit missing from the pipework of the photo I found, but generally happy so far.
November 8, 2025 at 6:41 PM
Making progress with the Unimog fire truck interior. Not entirely sure what's going on at the back of the pump, and I think there is a bit missing from the pipework of the photo I found, but generally happy so far.
I've made a start on the CAD for the Unimog fire truck interior, based on some of the photos on the ACE models website. Just the basic structure for now, which will be refined with extra equipment as I go - eventually printed in resin on the new printer.
November 8, 2025 at 12:34 PM
I've made a start on the CAD for the Unimog fire truck interior, based on some of the photos on the ACE models website. Just the basic structure for now, which will be refined with extra equipment as I go - eventually printed in resin on the new printer.
Unimog cab on. Badge and rear light clusters painted. Very small paintbrush.
November 7, 2025 at 2:16 PM
Unimog cab on. Badge and rear light clusters painted. Very small paintbrush.
On a second attempt, my first successful resin print - although I did have to glue it together after snapping while removing from build plate. Just another thing to master.
November 7, 2025 at 8:33 AM
On a second attempt, my first successful resin print - although I did have to glue it together after snapping while removing from build plate. Just another thing to master.
Ok, let’s see how this turns out.
November 6, 2025 at 4:13 PM
Ok, let’s see how this turns out.
New kit unboxed. A colourful addition to the youtube.com/@paterpracti... maker arsenal.
November 5, 2025 at 5:37 PM
New kit unboxed. A colourful addition to the youtube.com/@paterpracti... maker arsenal.
Well, this IS exciting.
November 5, 2025 at 1:53 PM
Well, this IS exciting.
A big thank you to everyone who is watching youtube.com/@paterpracti...
November 3, 2025 at 1:32 PM
A big thank you to everyone who is watching youtube.com/@paterpracti...
It isn’t really time to start your Christmas decorations yet, but one thing you can do now is get rid of all those annoying battery boxes and replace them with USB power: youtube.com/shorts/jTOX0...
November 1, 2025 at 7:42 AM
It isn’t really time to start your Christmas decorations yet, but one thing you can do now is get rid of all those annoying battery boxes and replace them with USB power: youtube.com/shorts/jTOX0...
No end of grief with those spindly rear lights, but aside from that I’m making progress with the Unimog cab. Bumper and mudguards to be painted white, so they can be done before assembly.
October 30, 2025 at 6:23 PM
No end of grief with those spindly rear lights, but aside from that I’m making progress with the Unimog cab. Bumper and mudguards to be painted white, so they can be done before assembly.
Progress made on my 1:72 scale Unimog fire engine kit. Wheels on!
October 26, 2025 at 5:54 PM
Progress made on my 1:72 scale Unimog fire engine kit. Wheels on!
New video out now - how to convert your Christmas lights from battery to USB power: youtu.be/B0ZardoGPpI?...
October 26, 2025 at 3:30 PM
New video out now - how to convert your Christmas lights from battery to USB power: youtu.be/B0ZardoGPpI?...
The brilliant new official railway clock at London Bridge has reminded me I have the facsimile copy of the British Rail Corporate Identity Manual - including amongst many other things, the 1974 version of the clock.
October 26, 2025 at 11:15 AM
The brilliant new official railway clock at London Bridge has reminded me I have the facsimile copy of the British Rail Corporate Identity Manual - including amongst many other things, the 1974 version of the clock.
Thank you Jacob and your fellow Mertonians for facilitating another successful #hourchange
October 26, 2025 at 8:10 AM
Thank you Jacob and your fellow Mertonians for facilitating another successful #hourchange