Edit post

Edit your reply below.

Post Body
Enter your post below.
After sratchbuilding a few things (currently 2 completely from scratch, a few other things I have added on to) out of balsa, I don't think I will use a kit for anything but what I need a lot of. My first project was an HO iron ore mineshaft. Rather interesting, as the only information I had on it was one picture [URL]http://www.mg.mtu.edu/eurek3.jpg[/URL]. Took me about three weeks of hobby time to make. I had to guess every measurement, as the photo has no real scale reference that I could have used. I also only had a view of two sides, so the other sides were also guessed at. The finished model stands about a foot high and is currently sitting on a diorama awaiting scenery. After three weeks, I was anxious to start another project, so the scenery got put to the backburner. My other scratchbuilt project (which, I am happy to proclaim "finished") is a small wood caboose. I worked from some hand drawn blueprints that I found somewhere. The only commercial parts are two Kadee sprung trucks, a cut down Athearn chassis rib, and Sergent couplers in Kadee boxes (oh, the irony). The sides were cut from balsa sheets, the roof from an old manilla folder, and copper wires for all the grabirons. I fitted it with a full interior, painted and lettered it myself. Brings some nice compliments down at the club! I'm suprised more people don't scratchbuild. It's dirt cheap (about $1 worth of materials for my mineshaft and $.50 for my caboose, minues the commercial parts), provides a lot of hobby time, and the end result is a unique model that no one else has and one can be proud of. And no, those craftsmen kits do not count as scratchbuilding, because they have instructions.
Tags (Optional)
Tags are keywords that get attached to your post. They are used to categorize your submission and make it easier to search for. To add tags to your post type a tag into the box below and click the "Add Tag" button.
Add Tag

Update Reply

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Model Railroader Newsletter See all

Sign up for our FREE e-newsletter and get model railroad news in your inbox!

Subscriber & Member Login

Edit post

Post Body

Tags (Optional)

Subscriber & Member Login

Users Online

Search the Community