Great share we all enjoy the hobby it’s great seeing tips and tricks or how the layout processes along the way. Thanks for bringing us along the way of your journey. Enjoyed the video
Thank you for the link to this, lol! Wasn’t the first to ask obviously. Only 36cm is small, thought mine was too small afterall, but knowing this I’m probably good as well. 👍 And we are mirrored 😊🤪
Sometimes a limit is nothing more than a motivator that boost one's creativity! And indeed are plans are mirrored. I like that you used the diagonal approach. Really makes everything look more natural.
Parellel lines are bad for the view lines and the depth, learned that from earlier layouts. Sweeping lines would add to the visual length, but that didn’t match the prototype that well. The only curve will be in the side spur leading to the edge (industry or interchange) to break the straight lines up. I like the way they use this in theaters and amusement parks.
Great video and thanks for the tour, it's a very smart layout! I was agreeing out loud at a lot of what you said! Always inspiring videos, thank you 🙂 (I secretly wish I left enough room in my switch lead for consisted power, but maybe next time..)
It’s a pretty big deal for me to get your approval on this. Your less-is-more philosophy really spoke to me, especially after the spaghetti mess I made my first time! Is there no way to push the track further to gain that extra lead space? You have about ten feet of space to play with there, don’t you?
A great video. Thanks for sharing your design considerations. Perhaps the most important "rule" when planning and building your layout: "Don't let perfection be the enemy of done." Something that's operable now will be far more satisfying than an unrealized ideal.
This is wisdom and applicable to many more aspects in life-which ultimately reinforces the mental well-being, personal development, and self-realization that this hobby also brings to the table. Thank you for sharing this nugget of truth.
I love your observations around 8:27; among all the advice about what to fill our shelves with the factors that change a collection of potential into something we want to spend time with is a journey of getting to know your own goals so you can see yourself in your work. And that comment about consisted engines. Yup. Me too. What a great example of establishing fundamental design criteria. For me, wanting to run a pair of consisted engines is important and what makes my layout mine. Once I got comfortable with such a fact other design decisions took care of themselves.
It really is an artistic creation that we can play with and while I do look at other artists or read their books to understand the mechanics behind it, it does ultimately become our own reflection of who we are. And yes, something about consisted engines. I can't explain it, but I can't run models solo anymore. Always appreciate your feedback.
@@SouthDown it’s certainly an artistic process. I find that the act of creating a layout becomes a method of discovering where interests lie and curiosities can be discovered. I admire a willingness to refine or even redirect an approach based on what we learned about ourselves because we did what we did; making the need to just try something all that much more fascinating.
It's also interesting to see how the layout evolves as we evolve and mature. Yes, mature! I find that who I was when I started, both as a person and as a modeller, and who I am now are two different people. And instead of this mastodontic masterpiece I had started with, it became a gentler, more subtle approach to reflect a variety of scenes, some which are becoming clear to me now rather than when I started. To give you an example, there is a space I had set aside by the road to do something with it and after much deliberation, I think I finally know what I want. The layout is more of an idea of the area that inspired me, with a few snapshots incorporated from past experiences of places visited. It's not sentimental but it is definitely a process of self-discovery and meditation.
@@SouthDown I like how you phrased that. To the “mature” point: I find, in my creative work, there’s an early period in development where I’m like life support enabling every design decision and then doing the work of making those things happen. At a certain point the scene has matured and my relationship changes into one that feels more collaborative. Instead of telling the layout or painting what do I look to the layout and it helps me see what happens next - it has things to say and my role becomes increasingly to listen.
Finally came around to watch this one. Great tour of your layout and I seriously enjoy the way you do these videos. Alway wise words, always some fun included and always very true statements. 👍
I appreciate your feedback! Despite my best efforts, my last video didn't please the algorithm so getting some positive reinforcement was timely, especially from you.
G'day Leo I' just starting to build a shelf switching layout and have just watched all of the videos in this section and have found a alt of useful information and help, like little is sometimes better and I plan on using that on mine. O i'm a N gauge builder but that just means a little smaller in my books. Thank you for your videos and information, I will put it to good use
You watched ALL of the videos?! Wow! How long did that take? I am happy to hear there were some useful crumbs in there. N scale is great. Looking forward to seeing more of your progress.
Hope this helped. I am showing off a very small switching layout on September 1st and arguing that space isn't an issue when it comes to making a switching layout. I hope it will inspire you!
Really timely video for me as I struggle / work-thru the planning stages of my first model layout. And it's in a very small bedroom office space, with sloped ceilings starting at 115 cm / 45 in above floor level on two out of four walls. And if you'll consider enabling your RUclips "Thanks" button, I'd like to put something in your tip jar.
I think you might like my September 1st video. I use a tiny switching layout as an example of the switching potential it offers and try it on my own layout. I’m happy to hear my last video spoke to you, I couldn’t ask more than to know I’m making something enjoyable! As for the tip jar, very generous but you need a channel with a certain degree of popularity to be eligible for it. Knowing you enjoy my ramblings is rewarding already.
We are our own worst critics and are harder on ourselves in ways we wouldn’t even think of being towards others. I think your layout is great! (Don’t deflect, just accept the compliment.)
Indeed we are. Our expectations for the self are enormous compared to what we expect out of others. Perhaps a reflection of knowing we can hold ourselves accountable? Either way, embracing my mistakes as part of learning. Thank you for your support over the years.
Great video! I am in the early stages of planning a model railroad that will have to fit in a little bit less space than that. My question is, how often do you use the runaround track? I am thinking I can omit it to save space and just have the cars always on one side of the locomotive.
A run-around was a must-have for me as I had the space for it. But if you are tight in space, just two switches can still give you a lot to do. Here is a good example from @moghobbystuff featuring two switches, lots of ops, in very limited space: ruclips.net/video/TKIBnIq0cwA/видео.htmlsi=DL86f3UEP6YPRE7Z
This might be a question to be answered in a video. Having said that, my experience is somewhat limited. Almost all my models are upgraded Life Like Proto 2000 models from over two decades ago and their running characteristics are unmatched by anything else I've owned that was made in the last couple of years.
Bravo!! That was a great video!! Again thank you for sharing. I just started weathering cars, I've done 3 now and can't wait to do some more! Like you said in your video it gives a great sense of accomplishment to do things like this! Keep up the good work!!
Glad it was helpful! There is something soothing and enjoyable in weathering a model. I'm currently spending an inordinate amount of time doing that with a legacy Proto 1000 F3. I might need to make a video about that. Thanks for the feedback!
A Commodore VIC?!? 😂😂 Awesome. And what is that red phone for at the top of the stairs? Does management use that to call you upstairs to wash the dishes? Great video. Always entertaining and informative.
The red phone, when picked up, causes a payphone to ring in the basement by the "subway" wall. I should make a video with my silly little projects, from shelving, semaphore, payphone, and a few other things. Thanks for the kind feedback!
The design stage is such a fun place to be at. Indulge your wildest plans but also challenge yourself by putting limits on what you can do on purpose. Sometimes limits boost creativity and help us see what we are after.
In a household where all the networking gear is repurposed decades-old retired commercial servers running solely through the power of Linux-based OSs, I honestly thought I could make this thing do something cool. The 8-bits is somewhat limiting but maybe I can repurpose the key caps. :) Thanks for your support!
HOOPS ? !! - you finally moved in your dream house (read basement. Don´t really care what´s above). Is it finish or on bare concrete ? Smart guy you are. Full finish with gyproc everywhere. So proud you are !!....ok, where are water and sewer pipes ? May be a gaz line ? What if someday your plumber must walk on your Rockies scenery to do fixing ? Your wife is ready for a good bubble bath session. As bathtub is filling, the neighbor lady ring at the door for some sugar and.... you see what i mean... or dishwasher, laundry machines with rubber hoses that nobody never shut off the valve and one day.... May be you´re shy and train play is for kid, or you think you´re a bad modeler or have high price stuff. Do you want furnace man to see it, or worst that he´s short peek at it is longer while you pay him 150$ an hour ? Who is he anyway ? What type of friends he have ? He could talk about to someone who sees easy money to grab.... in an icy rainstorm a big branch fall, pass through a window and lies on your layout while rain comes in.... Basement, french drain, electric pump...during that storm, power surge ! Water is slowly rising in....or municipal sewer are overflowing in through toilet.....does possible inondation, once a century zone.... in tornadoes alley, nothing to do except trying to find your layout and rolling stocks all around in the neighborhood...and anyway, nothing left above the basement... happy railfan you are, you buy with a double main line as a neighbor. You can do railfaning from your porch😊 wait til 200 loaded potash cars pass. You´ll see what earthquake means with your cars starting to roll by themselves, derail, crack your plaster scenery.... What a joy to bolt the layout to walls, no legs...bolt in concrete ? You´ll have fun...oh ya, gyproc wall...what´s behind ? Pipes, wires ? So cool to do blind screwing... Modeling trend evolve with time. The old 4X8 plywood without backdrop in the middle of the room and modeler turning around is over. Why not around the walls and modeler "locked in". That´s far more real estate....oh ya, multi level...you double or triple your fun (or nightmare and cash). Ok, at what height ? Do you want a high sky drone like view of the 50' with your flat buildings glued to backdrop looking totally ridiculous ? No, you´re smart, at shoulder height. You even think of width to be abble to reach everything at arm lenght. You´re so clever. You´re empire will provide you thousand and thousand hours of fun time....well always standing...in 20 years from now, how old you will be ? May be seating will be better.... and those multilevels ? How low and high ? Your bare truss ceiling and walls are finally complete. You even put sound deadening in the ceiling so your big speakers sound will pass through your body like a real train, those crossing whistles are so real....without annoying the family and neighbors. You even put protection around piping in case of pipe burst, overfilling bath, toilet, sink ! You´re a genious architect with superb lightning provisions !! Now, sit back, relax you deserve it. Your room is still empty. You´re proud of your work, with a big smile from ear to ear, you mentally envision the world how it will be.....except your bank account is now at zero ! Happy modeling😊😊😊😊
Fortunately I renovated the basement on my own and made sure it was done right with proper water drainage. The layout stands on its own legs and you can’t see it if you go to the furnace. And no windows! It’s my little secret. :) Thank you for your input!
Hello, I am well, how about you? As I mention in the video, this is a small switching layout. It is 8 feet by 14 inches or about 244 cm by 36 cm. The removable cassette is six feet long and as wide as having enough space to run two tracks side by side.
@@SouthDown thanks for your response. I am writing to you from Argentina. I have two 120cm x 25cm modules, from a previous layout that I am about to put together.
Great video, and thanks for the mention! I wouldn't consider myself further "down the track" than you, given that my next video will be about how I'm changing up my layout, but @mlwqc and @dmcry600 are much more advanced than me. I also love your layout's finished and neat look, something I want to explore with my own sometime in the future. A cold and somewhat dark unfinished basement doesn't help much, but that can be worked around. Thanks for sharing!
I should have mentioned that the fifth component of a layout is a finished layout room. That was the first thing I built before the layout. And in my eyes you’re miles ahead of me when I was where you are. As for a finished look, it’s totally worth it. Thanks for your support!
You can never throw out the Picard plate. Never.
I promise!
There is something about your voice accent that just keeps me listening. Thanks for not taking the hobby to seriously.
Thanks for the flattery. I am happy that despite my mangling of the English language and my puerile humour the videos work well!
@@SouthDown Humour is never puerile, it it keeps people from making war.
Truth. Thank you for your encouragement.
Great share we all enjoy the hobby it’s great seeing tips and tricks or how the layout processes along the way. Thanks for bringing us along the way of your journey. Enjoyed the video
As always, a pretty big deal to have a veteran such as yourself appreciating what I'm doing. Thank you for your ongoing support!
Thank you for the link to this, lol! Wasn’t the first to ask obviously. Only 36cm is small, thought mine was too small afterall, but knowing this I’m probably good as well. 👍
And we are mirrored 😊🤪
Sometimes a limit is nothing more than a motivator that boost one's creativity! And indeed are plans are mirrored. I like that you used the diagonal approach. Really makes everything look more natural.
Parellel lines are bad for the view lines and the depth, learned that from earlier layouts. Sweeping lines would add to the visual length, but that didn’t match the prototype that well. The only curve will be in the side spur leading to the edge (industry or interchange) to break the straight lines up. I like the way they use this in theaters and amusement parks.
Smart. There are a lot of theatrics in building a layout and your stage is already up to snuff. Well done!
Leo you are doing a great job, get organized is a key point , when you coming over , excellent video keep up the great work
Let me know when you are running your Monday show and I’ll be there! Thanks for the support and feedback!
Great video and thanks for the tour, it's a very smart layout! I was agreeing out loud at a lot of what you said! Always inspiring videos, thank you 🙂 (I secretly wish I left enough room in my switch lead for consisted power, but maybe next time..)
It’s a pretty big deal for me to get your approval on this. Your less-is-more philosophy really spoke to me, especially after the spaghetti mess I made my first time! Is there no way to push the track further to gain that extra lead space? You have about ten feet of space to play with there, don’t you?
nice commentary... I too am beginning a shelf layout and you've raised many valid points... thanks for the advice
Thanks for the kind feedback! I hope we will get to see your layout! I’m particularly biased in their favour. :)
Awesome! Yup its are Railroads. Well explaining your Layout!
Thanks! Appreciate your input and I hope this helps with your project. I just subbed!
Yea i seen that. I appreciate it. Hope im entertaining. @SouthDown
You’re building a switching layout. I’m already entertained!
Hahaha!!! Awesome! @SouthDown
A great video. Thanks for sharing your design considerations.
Perhaps the most important "rule" when planning and building your layout: "Don't let perfection be the enemy of done."
Something that's operable now will be far more satisfying than an unrealized ideal.
This is wisdom and applicable to many more aspects in life-which ultimately reinforces the mental well-being, personal development, and self-realization that this hobby also brings to the table. Thank you for sharing this nugget of truth.
great tour, convincing management is always the hardest part 😂
I appreciate the feedback and your understanding in the handling household management!
I love your observations around 8:27; among all the advice about what to fill our shelves with the factors that change a collection of potential into something we want to spend time with is a journey of getting to know your own goals so you can see yourself in your work.
And that comment about consisted engines. Yup. Me too. What a great example of establishing fundamental design criteria. For me, wanting to run a pair of consisted engines is important and what makes my layout mine. Once I got comfortable with such a fact other design decisions took care of themselves.
It really is an artistic creation that we can play with and while I do look at other artists or read their books to understand the mechanics behind it, it does ultimately become our own reflection of who we are. And yes, something about consisted engines. I can't explain it, but I can't run models solo anymore. Always appreciate your feedback.
@@SouthDown it’s certainly an artistic process. I find that the act of creating a layout becomes a method of discovering where interests lie and curiosities can be discovered. I admire a willingness to refine or even redirect an approach based on what we learned about ourselves because we did what we did; making the need to just try something all that much more fascinating.
It's also interesting to see how the layout evolves as we evolve and mature. Yes, mature! I find that who I was when I started, both as a person and as a modeller, and who I am now are two different people. And instead of this mastodontic masterpiece I had started with, it became a gentler, more subtle approach to reflect a variety of scenes, some which are becoming clear to me now rather than when I started. To give you an example, there is a space I had set aside by the road to do something with it and after much deliberation, I think I finally know what I want. The layout is more of an idea of the area that inspired me, with a few snapshots incorporated from past experiences of places visited. It's not sentimental but it is definitely a process of self-discovery and meditation.
@@SouthDown I like how you phrased that. To the “mature” point:
I find, in my creative work, there’s an early period in development where I’m like life support enabling every design decision and then doing the work of making those things happen. At a certain point the scene has matured and my relationship changes into one that feels more collaborative. Instead of telling the layout or painting what do I look to the layout and it helps me see what happens next - it has things to say and my role becomes increasingly to listen.
The universe speaks through the art you are creating.
Love the VIC-20!
I appreciate your appreciation! While it still works I don’t know why I keep it. Maybe it needs to be framed and mounted on a wall.
Great insights that make a lot of sense.Thanks so much for sharing.
Thank you for your kind feedback! I’m glad my video was enjoyed. Are you planning on building a layout?
Finally came around to watch this one. Great tour of your layout and I seriously enjoy the way you do these videos. Alway wise words, always some fun included and always very true statements. 👍
I appreciate your feedback! Despite my best efforts, my last video didn't please the algorithm so getting some positive reinforcement was timely, especially from you.
G'day Leo I' just starting to build a shelf switching layout and have just watched all of the videos in this section and have found a alt of useful information and help, like little is sometimes better and I plan on using that on mine. O i'm a N gauge builder but that just means a little smaller in my books.
Thank you for your videos and information, I will put it to good use
You watched ALL of the videos?! Wow! How long did that take? I am happy to hear there were some useful crumbs in there. N scale is great. Looking forward to seeing more of your progress.
Great tour and tips!
Thank you for your comment and support over the years!
Appreciate this, as I'm planning/building a similar size layout.
Hope this helped. I am showing off a very small switching layout on September 1st and arguing that space isn't an issue when it comes to making a switching layout. I hope it will inspire you!
You’re on fire! Loving the content. Hey friend !
142
Thanks for the support!
Really timely video for me as I struggle / work-thru the planning stages of my first model layout. And it's in a very small bedroom office space, with sloped ceilings starting at 115 cm / 45 in above floor level on two out of four walls.
And if you'll consider enabling your RUclips "Thanks" button, I'd like to put something in your tip jar.
I think you might like my September 1st video. I use a tiny switching layout as an example of the switching potential it offers and try it on my own layout. I’m happy to hear my last video spoke to you, I couldn’t ask more than to know I’m making something enjoyable! As for the tip jar, very generous but you need a channel with a certain degree of popularity to be eligible for it. Knowing you enjoy my ramblings is rewarding already.
@@SouthDown Appreciate all your suggestions and will look at that Sept 1 video.
We are our own worst critics and are harder on ourselves in ways we wouldn’t even think of being towards others. I think your layout is great! (Don’t deflect, just accept the compliment.)
Indeed we are. Our expectations for the self are enormous compared to what we expect out of others. Perhaps a reflection of knowing we can hold ourselves accountable? Either way, embracing my mistakes as part of learning. Thank you for your support over the years.
thanks for sharing
Sharing is caring. :)
Great video! I am in the early stages of planning a model railroad that will have to fit in a little bit less space than that. My question is, how often do you use the runaround track? I am thinking I can omit it to save space and just have the cars always on one side of the locomotive.
A run-around was a must-have for me as I had the space for it. But if you are tight in space, just two switches can still give you a lot to do. Here is a good example from @moghobbystuff featuring two switches, lots of ops, in very limited space: ruclips.net/video/TKIBnIq0cwA/видео.htmlsi=DL86f3UEP6YPRE7Z
One thing I do really like, is the ultra slow and smooth running, what make of models are the best for this in your opionion?
This might be a question to be answered in a video. Having said that, my experience is somewhat limited. Almost all my models are upgraded Life Like Proto 2000 models from over two decades ago and their running characteristics are unmatched by anything else I've owned that was made in the last couple of years.
Great vid!
Thank you for your ongoing support!
Bravo!! That was a great video!! Again thank you for sharing. I just started weathering cars, I've done 3 now and can't wait to do some more! Like you said in your video it gives a great sense of accomplishment to do things like this! Keep up the good work!!
Glad it was helpful! There is something soothing and enjoyable in weathering a model. I'm currently spending an inordinate amount of time doing that with a legacy Proto 1000 F3. I might need to make a video about that. Thanks for the feedback!
@SouthDown I think that would be a great idea and I would love to see your progress!
A Commodore VIC?!? 😂😂 Awesome. And what is that red phone for at the top of the stairs? Does management use that to call you upstairs to wash the dishes? Great video. Always entertaining and informative.
The red phone, when picked up, causes a payphone to ring in the basement by the "subway" wall. I should make a video with my silly little projects, from shelving, semaphore, payphone, and a few other things. Thanks for the kind feedback!
Got any tips for the N scale builder, that cant stop designing that has not started building?
So many things to tweak and change. Always a new idea.
The design stage is such a fun place to be at. Indulge your wildest plans but also challenge yourself by putting limits on what you can do on purpose. Sometimes limits boost creativity and help us see what we are after.
Nice
Thanks!
SWEEEET!!! 👍
I appreciate your enthusiasm!
@@SouthDown Your Very Welcome Buddy!!!! 😁
Good thing you kept that VIC 20 keyboard.😂
In a household where all the networking gear is repurposed decades-old retired commercial servers running solely through the power of Linux-based OSs, I honestly thought I could make this thing do something cool. The 8-bits is somewhat limiting but maybe I can repurpose the key caps. :) Thanks for your support!
@@SouthDown I hear ya. Love the 8 bit. My NES is running my house right now. lol!
HOOPS ? !!
- you finally moved in your dream house (read basement. Don´t really care what´s above). Is it finish or on bare concrete ?
Smart guy you are. Full finish with gyproc everywhere. So proud you are !!....ok, where are water and sewer pipes ? May be a gaz line ? What if someday your plumber must walk on your Rockies scenery to do fixing ?
Your wife is ready for a good bubble bath session. As bathtub is filling, the neighbor lady ring at the door for some sugar and.... you see what i mean... or dishwasher, laundry machines with rubber hoses that nobody never shut off the valve and one day....
May be you´re shy and train play is for kid, or you think you´re a bad modeler or have high price stuff. Do you want furnace man to see it, or worst that
he´s short peek at it is longer while you pay him 150$ an hour ? Who is he anyway ? What type of friends he have ? He could talk about to someone who sees easy money to grab.... in an icy rainstorm a big branch fall, pass through a window and lies on your layout while rain comes in....
Basement, french drain, electric pump...during that storm, power surge ! Water is slowly rising in....or municipal sewer are overflowing in through toilet.....does possible inondation, once a century zone.... in tornadoes alley, nothing to do except trying to find your layout and rolling stocks all around in the neighborhood...and anyway, nothing left above the basement... happy railfan you are, you buy with a double main line as a neighbor. You can do railfaning from your porch😊 wait til 200 loaded potash cars pass. You´ll see what earthquake means with your cars starting to roll by themselves, derail, crack your plaster scenery....
What a joy to bolt the layout to walls, no legs...bolt in concrete ? You´ll have fun...oh ya, gyproc wall...what´s behind ? Pipes, wires ? So cool to do blind screwing...
Modeling trend evolve with time. The old 4X8 plywood without backdrop in the middle of the room and modeler turning around is over. Why not around the walls and modeler "locked in". That´s far more real estate....oh ya, multi level...you double or triple your fun (or nightmare and cash). Ok, at what height ? Do you want a high sky drone like view of the 50' with your flat buildings glued to backdrop looking totally ridiculous ? No, you´re smart, at shoulder height. You even think of width to be abble to reach everything at arm lenght. You´re so clever. You´re empire will provide you thousand and thousand hours of fun time....well always standing...in 20 years from now, how old you will be ? May be seating will be better.... and those multilevels ? How low and high ?
Your bare truss ceiling and walls are finally complete. You even put sound deadening in the ceiling so your big speakers sound will pass through your body like a real train, those crossing whistles are so real....without annoying the family and neighbors. You even put protection around piping in case of pipe burst, overfilling bath, toilet, sink ! You´re a genious architect with superb lightning provisions !!
Now, sit back, relax you deserve it. Your room is still empty. You´re proud of your work, with a big smile from ear to ear, you mentally envision the world how it will be.....except your bank account is now at zero !
Happy modeling😊😊😊😊
Fortunately I renovated the basement on my own and made sure it was done right with proper water drainage. The layout stands on its own legs and you can’t see it if you go to the furnace. And no windows! It’s my little secret. :) Thank you for your input!
@@SouthDownyou´re a smart guy. Too many times the modeler is so exited that he makes goofs to learn it the hard way later.
Glad you like it.
Hello, how are you? Could you tell me the measurements of the layout?
Hello, I am well, how about you? As I mention in the video, this is a small switching layout. It is 8 feet by 14 inches or about 244 cm by 36 cm. The removable cassette is six feet long and as wide as having enough space to run two tracks side by side.
@@SouthDown thanks for your response.
I am writing to you from Argentina.
I have two 120cm x 25cm modules, from a previous layout that I am about to put together.
Las limitaciones en tamaño y espacio a menudo conducen a un resultado más creativo.
Do you have a track plan to share at all?
I'm assuming that the video itself wasn't helpful with the breakdown of the trackplan?
One simply does not throw away a plate with Jean-Luc Picard on it…….
You and @sophiamhartsfielf are on the same page!
Great video, and thanks for the mention! I wouldn't consider myself further "down the track" than you, given that my next video will be about how I'm changing up my layout, but @mlwqc and @dmcry600 are much more advanced than me. I also love your layout's finished and neat look, something I want to explore with my own sometime in the future. A cold and somewhat dark unfinished basement doesn't help much, but that can be worked around. Thanks for sharing!
I should have mentioned that the fifth component of a layout is a finished layout room. That was the first thing I built before the layout. And in my eyes you’re miles ahead of me when I was where you are. As for a finished look, it’s totally worth it. Thanks for your support!