Craftsman skills

[on30francisco]

I enjoy scratchbuilding structures, rolling stock, and other scenic items using wood. I sometimes build the easier plastic kits and add some additional details to them. I do not enjoy building craft train kits that have zillions of parts and a lot of tedious assemblies; I'd much rather scratchbuild. I also prefer my locos RTR.

[Anonymous]

Pretty much everything I have is kitbashed in some way or another, but I have very little that is scratchbuilt, rolling stock or engine wise.

Warren

[vsmith]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Jadran Surette

I don't scratchbuild or kit-bash because I don't think I have the skills.

Maybe you should say.."I dont think I have the skills... YET!"

Best advice, dont worry about it, just try it, maybe you will fail, but who here hasnt? we all screw up our models at some point. even skilled craftsman modelers screw up. But each time we learn and each time we get better and improve. eventually you'll be doing things like kitbashing and scratchbuilding without even reall thinking about it.

[Anonymous]

Yes, I both kitbash and scratchbuild. As for locomotives, I have four scratchbuilt live steamers using some of the tougher to make components from suppliers. I do not do cylinders, but do some valve gear as well as my own boilers. I have a Bachman Climax that is repainted, all planking done in actual wood, and a self designed battery-R/C system. Rolling stock is mostly modified Bachman Big Hauler 1:22.5. Recent project is a drovers caboose from a Bachman combine, boxcar roof and sratchbuilt coupla. Some cars are scratchbuilt, mostly log cars. Nothing is left stock except for a couple of structures. I need to scratchbuild some structures for my layout as I an sadly lacking there. Most on the layout are out-of-the-box. This must be changed. That's what winter is for, the building season.

[Anonymous]

I love to scratch build and kit bash. However I still build kits, as there are days I just want to sit back and relax and do an enjoyable small project that doesn't take hour of planning or pains taking labor to get done. I usually like to sit back and take a half hour or so and trick out an Athearn or MDC car kit. To bad they are getting hard to find now, with all that ready to run stuff on the market.

[Anonymous]

Scratchbuilding and bashing are one of my favorite aspects of the hobby. See some of my poor efforts at:

http://pages.prodigy.net/fugu/railroad.html

I encourage everyone to give it a shot!

[detting]

Scratchbuilding and kitbashing are essential to make the scenery unique and timely. The key is to start small, do not attempt to scratchbuild Grand Central Station the first time out. My first scratchbuilding was a firehose shed from plans in an old RMC. I also built the House on the hill, found in the pages of MR. With the variety of window castings for Grandt Line and others, scratchbuilding is almost as easy as building a kit.

Later...

[Anonymous]

I like to use balsa wood to make my buildings and then use a wood stain to colour it then to age it i then use chalk powder by brushing it on. I have tryed to use house plans sometimes to make a house but end up with someting totaly diffrent! Love love scratch building!

[seg57]

I've scratchbuilt over 50 structures for various layouts. Most of these are located on the HO layout at the Columbia Historical Society. I've also built structures for friends for their layouts.

[Rene Luethi]

So fare I scratch build the Wabash four-truck flatcar in HO, one of the “Dollar Car Projects”, a book from Kalmbach. I enlarged the loaded crankshaft to the NMRA load limits (in size). It really looks impressive.
The next project was a train of 13 reefer cars, also from the same book, but altered to resemble a PFE reefer.
Next was the pickle car with the four standing tanks. To add weight I cut barrels from a heavy steel tube for the tanks and covered them with Northeastern wood.
Also from the same book I made the four-wheel caboose, but with working leaf spring and equalizing system and with working brakes. I put a Kadee Coupler spring in the brake cylinder. Thus the pumping motion of the fright trains was eliminated and the brake shoes are used for power pick-up for the interior light and for the also working marker lights. But these maker lights are not satisfying; the light is too weak.
The last car was the most demanding. It was the 14’600 Gal. SP Tank car build from brass and according to the drawings in the Train Shed Cyclopedia No.36. For this car I had to construct a pneumatic riveter.
From the book “Structures of the Early West” I made the Pitkin city hall. When finished this structure went on the market as a kit! At least, mine is of wood and plaster, closer to the real thing.
In a Journal of the Grand County Museum in Hot Sulphur Springs, CO I found a useable photograph from the Grand County courthouse. It was possible to estimate the measures of this building. For constructing the sidings, I glued strips of bark from vine to card stock.
The next project is a 10’000 Gal. Vanderbilt tender for the Bachman Genesis UP 2-8-2. I am looking for drawings, but until now without success.
I find the “Model Railroader” should have more articles about scratch building.

[Anonymous]

I model Northern Pacific in 1952-3. Until recently the only reasonably priced models availble weren't even painted the right colors (Athearn F-7). I started out with Art Curren's book on kit-smashing structures. Now, for anything I need, I look for a reasonable starting point and modify tell get what I want. Built an N.P. W-3 Mike from a Rivarossi heavy mike, per an old article in MR. Built an N.P. steel, tall cupola caboose from an Athearn kit. I'm starting to look at structure kits the same way Art C. did, as raw materials for what I want.

I'm not stating these facts to toot my own horn. I am having a Whale of a good time doing these things and am proud of what I have produced!

[krump]

kitbash - yes
scratchbuild - not yet, planning several sructures with misc material

[Anonymous]

I have 23 steam locomotives, all but 3 are either all scratch built, altered kits, cross kitted or semi scratch built.
My latest job was a 4 6 0 ( the 4th I have done this way). I bought an old Varney on Ebay, used only the running gear, changed the pilot deck added a can motor . Then I added a Model Dicast Harriman Boiler and cab and Cal Scale headlight, pumps etc. I added a MDC Vandy tender which I changed

[Anonymous]

There is a wide ambiguous area covered by the question. I make the coupler lifts but buy lifting eyes to mount them. On the RTR PRS 2003 car I just purchased I changed to the the couplers to Kadee's supplied by "An Affair with Trains." I also drill and tap the coupler mounts weight and floor to keep the couplers in place with 0-80 screws. I added some weights. So this does not get many points for scratchbuilding in contests but it does add my signature and make it my car!
Lindsay

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Bergie

Do you ever scratchbuild or kitbash models (structures, freight cars, etc.), or do you stick with kits and/or ready-to-run models? Vote and then share your comments.

Kitbashing Taking one or more model railroad kits (often structure kits) and changing the construction process or combining parts to make a unique model.

Scratchbuilding Making a model from raw materials and parts, not using kits.

These definitions and others can be found in ModelRailroader.com's Glossary of terms article: http://www.trains.com/Content/Dynamic/Articles/000/000/000/396xoacs.asp



Polls on Trains.com are not scientific and reflect only the opinions of the users who have chosen to participate. The results cannot be assumed to represent the opinions of Internet users in general, the readers of our magazines, nor the public as a whole. Bottom line, our polls are meant for fun and to stimulate conversation amongst our forum users.

[CBQ_Guy]

QUOTE: Originally posted by BSJohnston

I am really new to model railroading, so I am sticking with things that are ready to run or kits that I can put together. I don't feel I am ready to try something from scratch yet. Maybe some day.

When some day comes and you are in the mood, start small and simple. Maybe do a shed, outhouse, loading dock -- you get the idea.
My first scratchbuild item was a concrete loading platform to custom fit along a curved section of track spur. I took my time and it turned out GREAT. When you're ready, do the same, and yours will too!

[RonaldB]

I just restarted my railroad modeling about a year and a half ago. I had found that I needed to modify some buildings to fit either my needs, or the space that I had planed for that structure. It was fun figuring where to make cuts, and adjustments to kits to make them look right for the spots I had intended to put them. I started with kits straight out of the box, but as work progressed I couldn't use kits in thier original form. My grandkids are amazed at what we have done so far, and are looking forward to learning more as we progress on our layout. Most rolling stock is mainly kits, Locos are RTR for now.

[Anonymous]

I don't scratchbuild or kit-bash because I don't think I have the skills.

[Anonymous]

I bought the expensive Walther's Pier and Traveling Crane kit knowing dang well it would have to be kit-bashed to form my harbor in my new layout. I guess I could have built what I wanted from scratch but, with my handy dremel, I could cut this up to what I wanted and save time. I think kit-bashing and scratch building is something a modeller of any railroad, learns fast, he is going to have to do if he is going to get what he really wants for any given situation. Have fun.

[Anonymous]

Do we kit-bash or build from the box??
Hey! does a moose sleep on the tracks on a dark moonless night?? Darn right we bash. And sometimes from nuthin, brother. Other times from sumpin.

Like my layout is steam, man. Only. Went to sleep as a kid listening to the wet, agonizing whistle of the evening local coming through. Can't get any romance or spiritual renewal outa deesuls whining up an' down and honking. No self respected motive power ever HONKED. They WHISTLE an' ring, warble an' moan; laugh and gargle ( if the driver knows how to pre-wear lovely thing's valve so he can play some emotional content throoo it in middle of the night.)

So whaza point here? Well by BASHING we can get our longest string up our wretched 4% (a novicical mistake) worst grade. How? We bashed the hull (that's not a pun, son,) offan short chasis deisel and hid the works in a Roundhouse D&WG
box car body. Hook it up behind a switcher, code the two together an' whamo! Instant bashed power.

Yes, we bash structures, too. But of course they just sit around,ya know...

[Anonymous]

I like to scratchbuild all my structures. There are times when I will kitbash something or other, but scrachbuild is more fun. If you have never done, try it.

Rob

[CBQ_Guy]

I don't seem to have the eye to take a pile of different size and texture kit parts and "see" how they can be mixed together to form an entirely new and unique structure. Too bad. The upside to this is that I can appreciate the work of those who do have this gift all the more.

One person whom I felt was the king in this area was the late Ed Curran of MR mag. I really enjoyed reading his stuff and since his passing I really miss his writings on the subject. I can imagine how much more those who knew and worked with him must feel at his loss.

[CBQ_Guy]

QUOTE: Originally posted by dehusman

One of the things that always suprises me on lists is how distainful people seem to be of scratchbuilding. One of the reasons that people give for not participating in the NMRA Achievement program is it is too oriented toward scratchbuilding and that is outdated in the RTR age, lotsa parts age.

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Hi Dave,

I have specifically left areas on my track plan "vacant" where structures need to go to force me at some point in the future to have to kitbash, scratchbuild, try a craftsman type kit, etc. as adequate time, creativity, skill level, and inspiration allows me to do an adequate job in those areas.

Don't get me wrong, many of the Cornerstone Series buildings and other shake-the-box structure kits will be well represented on the layout, in fact probably too much so! But I think most modelers would be well served to designate at least a couple of these "oases of indivual creativity" on their track plans for future FUN.

[Anonymous]

I am modelling a fictous north american railroad - the Red Rock Railroad in Z scale. As there as not a very huge selection available in this scale scratchbuilding and kitbashing is the only way to get what you want!

I.e. I kitbashed a 3 and a 4 bay Hopper out of a FR 2 bay hopper nickel-silver kit or build a 30' and 5ß' tank car from scratch.

It adds a lot of fun to my hobby!

Cheers

Kurt

[dehusman]

One of the things that always suprises me on lists is how distainful people seem to be of scratchbuilding. One of the reasons that people give for not participating in the NMRA Achievement program is it is too oriented toward scratchbuilding and that is outdated in the RTR age, lotsa parts age.

[Anonymous]

As I look over the replies, it seems that there is a lot more interest in scratchbuilding than I might have guessed. I hope that some of the owners of hobby shops are reading this topic as it is very discouraging to have to hunt for even the most basic scratchbuilding materials. I often have to resort to the internet for what I need.

John

[randybc2003]

I have a tendancy to run the spectrum from pure "shake the box" without even repainting to completely scratchbilt. I'll sometimes take a kit, often a craftsman's, to figure out how a structure is put together, and then kitbash or scratchbild similar structures from there. For simple structures it's easier sometimes to scratchbuild than modify a kit. For experience in a new medum or process, I try some simple buildings such as shanties or "training" kits. Some of the so-called "beginner" or "middle skill" kits I have found have flaws, errors, or mistakes in their instructions or materials. Creativity is therefor a necessity for successful assembly. I don't include painting in this evaluation, although I probably repaint 90% of my "shake the box" kits.

[Anonymous]

I enjoy scratchbuilding structures even though my eyes are not what they used to be and my fingers are a bit fat and clumsy. Since I model in N scale, this can really be a challenge. I have built some lineside structures from diagrams in Model Railroader, and I have built a lot of homes for my N-Trak module. I plan to add interiors to some of the kits that I will be building for my new layout.

[Anonymous]

Over the years I have done a lot of scratchbuilding and kitbashing. I recommend it for a number of reasons. Both give you the opportunity to improve your modeling skills. Both allow you to reproduce structures or rolling stock that are unavailable otherwise. Both give you a sense of accomplishment and "pride of possession."

In addition, I find it very relaxing to start a scratchbuilding or kitbashing project and work on it at my own pace.

Of course, unlike the modelers of fifty-sixty years ago, none of us has to rely as much on our own resources, so I have been known to buy some ready-made stuff ,as well, if it fits the era that I model (modern).

My current favorite freight cars are the InterMountain hoppers (HO) and I can't wait for their new corn syrup car. They are the closest thing to the old time craftsman kits that I know of, with lots of details and some challenges, as well.

John