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
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.
Unimog fire truck finished. 1/72 scale Ace Models kit, with my own 3D printed rear interior design.
November 24, 2025 at 2:46 PM
Unimog fire truck finished. 1/72 scale Ace Models kit, with my own 3D printed rear interior design.
Just trying something out 🤫
November 23, 2025 at 4:55 PM
Just trying something out 🤫
Generator fitted, roof on, and I think I’m done. 1/72 scale Ace Models Unimog U1300L Feuerlösch Kfz TFL 1000, with my own 3D printed rear interior design.
November 23, 2025 at 2:04 PM
Generator fitted, roof on, and I think I’m done. 1/72 scale Ace Models Unimog U1300L Feuerlösch Kfz TFL 1000, with my own 3D printed rear interior design.
First decals on. None of the supplied schemes quite hit the spot with the reference photos I’d found for the interior, but I found some perfect numbers in my transfers tin - from an F-105 I barely remember making.
November 23, 2025 at 8:54 AM
First decals on. None of the supplied schemes quite hit the spot with the reference photos I’d found for the interior, but I found some perfect numbers in my transfers tin - from an F-105 I barely remember making.
3D printed compressor painted up and fitted to the Unimog fire truck. Just the generator and a few extra details to go.
November 21, 2025 at 5:44 PM
3D printed compressor painted up and fitted to the Unimog fire truck. Just the generator and a few extra details to go.
Does anyone else have a tin like this? As a kid, I saved all the spare transfers from my kits - and still have them now. The Corona sticker definitely betrays my age.
November 21, 2025 at 10:15 AM
Does anyone else have a tin like this? As a kid, I saved all the spare transfers from my kits - and still have them now. The Corona sticker definitely betrays my age.
Today’s 3D printing lessons are: have a plastic tray in front of your printer and if your previous print fails, have a fish around in the resin for any bits that might have fallen in.
November 19, 2025 at 3:21 PM
Today’s 3D printing lessons are: have a plastic tray in front of your printer and if your previous print fails, have a fish around in the resin for any bits that might have fallen in.
Unimog fire truck’s body fitted and 3D printed interior fitted. All designed in Tinkercad from a bunch of photos found online.
November 18, 2025 at 5:47 PM
Unimog fire truck’s body fitted and 3D printed interior fitted. All designed in Tinkercad from a bunch of photos found online.
My design for the compressor (I think) for the back of the fire truck printed much better than expected. A few supports still to remove, but nearly there.
November 17, 2025 at 7:25 PM
My design for the compressor (I think) for the back of the fire truck printed much better than expected. A few supports still to remove, but nearly there.
Fire truck interior painted up and looking good. Pleased with the kind of detail I’m getting with the resin printer - much more of my Tinkercad design printing than expected.
November 17, 2025 at 3:09 PM
Fire truck interior painted up and looking good. Pleased with the kind of detail I’m getting with the resin printer - much more of my Tinkercad design printing than expected.
Progress made on the Unimog fire truck kit. My resin 3D print looking even better with a bit of paint.
November 16, 2025 at 6:13 PM
Progress made on the Unimog fire truck kit. My resin 3D print looking even better with a bit of paint.
Stuck for a new project on your model railway? How about making your own level crossing signs - scratch-built, with fully operational flashing lights:
youtu.be/VLVOwCkNOXg #TMRGUK #BSMRGUK
youtu.be/VLVOwCkNOXg #TMRGUK #BSMRGUK
November 16, 2025 at 8:27 AM
Stuck for a new project on your model railway? How about making your own level crossing signs - scratch-built, with fully operational flashing lights:
youtu.be/VLVOwCkNOXg #TMRGUK #BSMRGUK
youtu.be/VLVOwCkNOXg #TMRGUK #BSMRGUK
New video out now. Scratch-built level crossing signs - with working lights youtu.be/VLVOwCkNOXg?...
November 15, 2025 at 12:56 PM
New video out now. Scratch-built level crossing signs - with working lights youtu.be/VLVOwCkNOXg?...
Fire truck starting to look like a fire truck.
November 14, 2025 at 7:33 PM
Fire truck starting to look like a fire truck.
3rd evolution of my 3D printed fire truck interior design. Look, even some of my tiny valve handles have actually come out!
November 14, 2025 at 7:31 PM
3rd evolution of my 3D printed fire truck interior design. Look, even some of my tiny valve handles have actually come out!
Now you see it, now you don’t. Raspberry Pi Pico crossing light controller cunningly hidden under the signal box.
November 13, 2025 at 2:21 PM
Now you see it, now you don’t. Raspberry Pi Pico crossing light controller cunningly hidden under the signal box.
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.