How many would rather scrach build, then buy kits.

[sfcouple]

Thanks, Wayne.  The plans were relatively easy to find online and were a mixture of instructions/websites on how to assemble a howe truss (I can find the sites again if anyone interested...)  The key to scratchbuilding structures like bridges, trusses, etc. is JIGS!!! here is another of my scratchbuilds in progress...here are the prototypes:

My version (in progress gotta paint and add lights....)

Up close where the lights will be...

I have such fun finding the prototype pictures then planning and finally building...I will post pic's  of the final version soon.... working with 38GA wire is really fun (trying to make 5 working spotlights... scratchbuilt enclosures from brass!!!) 

Brian

Brian,

Please let me know what the websites are, and I'm looking forward to seeing the final version.  You do excellent work, are very accomplished, and it is nice hearing you are having so much fun.

Keep up the good work,

Wayne 

[ShadowNix]

Here are some of my resources... the first shows a great jig.  I did not do it entirely this way... if others are interested I may (???) have pictures I can show how....  There is another link, but I can't find currently...

http://www.blackbearcc.com/Truss_Bridge_Clinic_Barrett2.pdf

http://books.google.com/books?id=iRQ5AAAAMAAJ&pg=PA67&dq=howe+truss

http://books.google.com/books?id=v3WWvdOUcFEC&pg=PA24&dq=howe+truss+bridge&sig=CxbuYDgxHp2455B59ILLudv9ObE#PPA25,M1

Show your work everyone...

Brian

[sfcouple]

Thanks Brian,

The links look excellent and we can all learn from postings today.

Wayne 

[ShadowNix]

What an excellent thread, I bookmarked that scratchbuilders guild URL!

I've been a basher/scratcher for over 12 years, mostly out of necessity; I model the steel industry, and the unique structures associated with it are nearly impossible to find in kit form.  Even the ones that Walthers did ~10 years ago, they're just a starting point - I needed to scratchbuild several of the signature structures to replicate the type of mill I wanted.

Here are some of my works thus far:

1) An enlarged version of the Walthers HO scale blast furnace.  The only remaining Walthers component is the cast house - everything else is various sizes of PVC piping plus a bit of Plastruct for the smaller details.

 

 

2) An overhead traveling 'ore bridge' crane [in brass].  Walthers introduced their own styrene ore bridge kit 6 weeks after I gave a clinic on building this thing.

 

3) Kitbashed basic oxygen furnace (BOF) facility.  I started with two of the Walthers Electric Arc Furnace buildings, then added a rectangular plexiglas* enclosure with lots of Plastruct tubing and structural shapes. 

* This was in January 1997; if I had known about foamboard I'd have used that instead, much lighter!

 

I can't simply walk out of my LHS with any of these... 

Slug...these are GORGEOUS... wow.  Did you work off prototype pictures?  Where did you find them?  A MRR or RMC article?  Just wondering...plain BEAUTIFUL!

Also, got any pic's from you clinic on the brass crane? I LOVE working with brass...really a great material... anyway, I would love more pic's of that crane to give me ideas! 

Brian

[sfcouple]

An excellent thread indeed, you guys are nothing short of fantastic with your workmanship.  I would like to thank everyone for sharing their work, I have learned a lot and it has made me strive to improve my modeling skills.

Thanks again,

Wayne  

[Anonymous]

I suppose the reason why I choose to scratchbuild is mostly out of monetary necessity.  Putting a daughter AND a spouse through college makes me have to get creative if I want something other than track and trains on my layout.

[jbelland]

When I started this hobby four years ago, I bought some kits and started my small town.  I soon found out that the town I was modelling was not available in kits, so I started building my ownbuildings with balsa and bass wood.  Soon, I was getting good enough that the structures looked very much like the photos I took of the real structures.  I can't tell you how proud I am of these structures and my friends can't believe I could actually do such a thing!  Satisfaction is the key!  And the nice thing is, I can take my time and do things my way!

[loathar]

Here's a great scratch building tutorial I found.
http://www.theproto87chronicles.com/struct_proj_1/1_1.html

Here's a whole list of links I ran across. Model info. Scratch building and kitbashing links. Prototype info. The OP really put some time into this list!
http://www.freerails.com/view_topic.php?id=239&forum_id=3

 

[jackn2mpu]

I have never scratchbuilt anything more complex than a loading platform. I've done a few kitbashes with varying degrees of success. Most of my structures are kit builts with little modification from the stock plan. When I buy a kit, it is because I like the way it looks as is and is right for a specific location. I'm not against adding a few unique details, but for the most part, I find this unnecessary.

My gripe comes in the area of craftsman kits which in some cases are nothing but a pile of scale lumber that need to be cut to size according to the plans provided. In most endeavors, a person can save a good deal of money by buying raw materials and putting some sweat equity into it. That doesn't seem to be the case with many craftsman kits. If I have to cut the parts to size, what I am paying the premium price for. It seems like the more work I have to do, the less I should have to pay for a kit.

You're paying for the research and time spent in doing drawings and such. While I find it a real pain to have to make cuts for lumber (trim and so on), I'd rather do it because a kit never goes together like a manufacturer says it will. Things are off kilter, necessitating custom cutting. Besides, unless you have areally well-stocked train shop close by, you'll spend a lot of time hunting down and buying online the materials. A couple of shops I know don't carry dimensional wood because kids come in and break up the wood. The shop ends up ordering the stuff you need, and you still have to go back to the shop when it comes in.