In response to Tom's challenge, I'll offer this as a quick discussion point. As I mentioned in the Diner recently, I just completed my first wooden building kit. Similar, yet in many ways, much different than assembling a plastic kit. For the most part I enjoyed it more than plastic, though it took longer. And after final staining it looks better than any of my plastic kits, though few have ever been painted. so which to you prefer?
Regards, Chris
Chris, I just haven't had the opportunity to try a wood kit. Maybe some day. Perhaps a picture would convince me .
Simon
Simon, just before the forum went wonky, I was asked on the Diner for pics of my classic Corvette. I responded that when full model railroading season began (for me around Thanksgiving after all outdoor fall chores are done) I would learn to post pics. So, hang in, and in 6-8 weeks I will respond to you with a pic of that kit. Might even have pics of my second kit (which might be in progress). Hopefully by then the forum will be back in full fashion and we'll have many more former members back in the fold.
Chris,
I like and have put together both types of kits. In general, I find that wood kits - laser or craftsman - are more challenging yet more satisfying once I've completed them. Most I have spent time detailing the interior beyond what was provided with the kit, which makes them even more valuable & endearing (to me) due to the amount time I spent on them.
Here are a few wood craftsman kits that I spent a number of hours cutting, assembling, painting, detailing, and illuminating...
Alexander Scale Models PRR Flag stop
Alexander Scale Models NYC Freight house (Caledonia, MI)
Suncoast Models F-M Concrete Coaling tower
The flag stop was assembled for a friend. The latter two were the center pieces of my previous layout and will most likely be on my next one.
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
Years ago when I was just starting to build structures for the layout I tried doing a simple California Model kit. While I didn't have a great soldering iron at the time it came out OK. I decided it was best for me to stick with plastic kits.
A few years ago I ordered the JL Inovative water tower without giving material a thought. When I opened the box I had a sinking feeling because it was paper and wood. I got it together but needed to fabricate the roof out of styrene because I couldn't get the paper one to look right.
Going forward I guess I would try another wood kit if I saw something that really appealed to me and I had the time to devote to it but I would say that I am solidly in the plastic kit camp.
Rick
My first foray into using wood was scratch building a covered railroad bridge. I really enjoyed it. I later scratch built a little garage and enjoyed that experience working with wood as well. Sadly those are my only times working with wood. I would really like to try one of the laser cut kits, hopefully sooner than later.
Mike
Tom, you have raised a good question in my mind. Could you briefly explain the difference in a "craftsman" kit and a wood "laser" kit?
TophiasCould you briefly explain the difference in a "craftsman" kit and a wood "laser" kit?
For me, "craftsman" kits contain the wood, hardware (doors, windows, fixtures, etc), and instructions needed to assemble a structure or piece of rolling stock. A few larger pieces of wood may come precut but most wood requires you to cut it to length and glue it together per the assembly instructions. A majority of wood used in craftsman kits is balsa basswood.
Some kit manufacturers paint the ends of the wood strips with colors so that you can distinguish them from one another, as some can be very similar in shape and dimension. Instructions may list the lengths of the individual wood pieces in scale dimensions. Others may list them 1:1 and you have to convert them to scale. I had to do the latter with my Suncoast Models F-M Concrete coaling tower.
Precision cutting is crucial to a good fit. Fixtures or squares may be needed to make sure that walls and joints are perpendicular and/or tight. Wood glue or CA can be used to assemble parts together.
Laser kits come with all the wood pieces precut by laser to the exact size and shape needed. All that's required is to remove the pieces from their frame, peel off the adhesive backing paper, and press the pieces together per the assembly instructions. A few very narrow strips don't always have enough adhesive on the back so CA is needed to fasten them on more securely.
Laser kit manufacturers generally provide a labeled key so that you can differentiate the indivdual pieces, as the frames do not contain numbers for each wood piece - like those found on plastic kits. The wood used in laser kits is generally hardwood, although "framing" pieces (that support exterior siding) use balsa basswood for the foundation.
Because laser cutting is very precise, squares are not generally needed to make sure that corners are perpendicular to one another. That makes assembly easier and quicker than craftsman kits.
HTH,
I believe that craftsman kits of the model railroad variety are actually made using basswood, not balsa wood. Similar materials, but not the same. I looked at the Northeastern Scale Lumber web site and they reference basswood.
But, I could be incorrect.
Thanks, maxman. I believe you're right. Correction made...
Tom, thanks for that explanation. Therefore, I need to correct a post I made on the Diner a couple of weeks ago. I said I assembled a craftsman kit, which now is incorrect. It was a laser kit by BEST (Bollinger Edgerly). Nevertheless, it was still challenging and a very nice diversion from a plastic kit. I think for now I'll stick with a few more laser kits before attempting an actual craftsman kit.
You're welcome, Chris. Some laser kits are more or less complicated to assemble than other similar kits. I've put together two American Model Builders (AMB) structures: Dill's Market (below) and a small interlocking tower. Neither was real complicated to build but still very enjoyable to assemble and paint.
I also like the option to adjust the windows sashes either open, partially open, or closed. I think that adds realism that you don't generally get with plastic kits.
IMO there is a place for the use of wood, styrene, and even card, including a mixture of all three, if they suit a particular build. I guess I should also include castings as well.
Wood Craftsman kits are few and far between here, and those I have seen do not have a place in my "world"., but hopefully, one day...
I can't see any other way of scratch building my boats other than carving them from a solid wood block, I think trying to get the hull profiles from styrene would end up in a twisted mess, and a lot of muttering not suitable for the Forum!
LF by Bear, on Flickr
Tarp by Bear, on Flickr
However, styrene is my go to for scratch building freight cars.
CSIX500 by Bear, on Flickr
deck by Bear, on Flickr
If laser cut and engraved MDF can be called wood, then I've had fun assembling these HO scale kits produced locally by a friend.
Dave Schenkels HO scale Logging Camp Cabins by Bear, on Flickr
Cheers, the Bear.
"One difference between pessimists and optimists is that while pessimists are more often right, optimists have far more fun."
For me it boils down to what the building represents as far as material. Brick for me is always plastic and things like coaling towers are wood. Plastic is just much better representing concrete, steel and brick but if a quality kit just dosn't do justice to wood unless you are a very high skill level. Now background building can be plastic if far enough back.