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Kit Bashing

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  • Member since
    March 2013
  • From: Hixson (Chattanooga), Tn.
  • 99 posts
Posted by daff on Tuesday, December 24, 2013 3:25 PM

I just found the book on EBAY and bought it!

Thanks

  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: Bedford, MA, USA
  • 21,481 posts
Posted by MisterBeasley on Tuesday, December 24, 2013 9:40 PM

This is a kit, not a scratchbuild, but I used some of the same techniques here.  On the left side, you can see where I used 1/4 inch balsa strips in the corners.  This not only gives me a much more solid joint, but it also seals the corners from the inside and prevents embarrassing "light leak" when you illuminate the structure.  I attach the balsa strips to the inside with CA glue, which bonds well to both the wood and the plastic.  You can also see the balsa strips around the roof and the bases of the floors.

This building is a hotel, so I wanted some lights on and some off, along with a rudimentary interior.  With mostly small windows, I used City Classics window treatments (Venetian blinds and shades) to partially cover most of the windows, so the simple interiors were perfectly adequate even in illuminated rooms.

Most kits are butt joints, not angled miter joints.  Unless there is a particular decorative trim feature on the corner, that's probably the way to go.  No one will ever notice anyway.

It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse. 

  • Member since
    March 2013
  • From: Hixson (Chattanooga), Tn.
  • 99 posts
Posted by daff on Tuesday, December 24, 2013 9:57 PM

Is that the Atmore Hotel kit from Walthers?  Looks familiar.  Like the idea of balsa in the inside corners.  Lighting is going to be my next adventure.  Smile

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