ANNOUNCING: James Mitich's Scratchbuilt Model Contest.

[Anonymous]

Here is a reposting so some late comers can get clued in.

James

[Noah Hofrichter]

I'm starting to assemble the walls together. I kind of turned them into sub assemblies by detailing each part and then I'll attach them all together. I've got alot of work to go but I think I'lll just make the deadline if nothing weird comes up while painting and decaling.

Noah

[Anonymous]

How is everyone doing on their projects?

I am looking foward to seeing them.

James

[Noah Hofrichter]

Just a bump for anybody new.

[Anonymous]

However, Wood is not a bad choice if you want to model a wood prottype building or freight car.

James

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by 4884bigboy

Well, let's see. Limited budget, no materials, don't know how. Hmmm, CNW built his trestle out of wood, while everyone tells me that plater or syrene is the way to go. I suppose (if I can get the materials) I could try building a bridge or something like that. Any suggestions for a beginner?

I would go with wood to try to build a trestle

[Noah Hofrichter]

Almost forgot, Wood isn't bad for a bridge at all, but for a building or rolling stock styrene would be better.

Noah

[Noah Hofrichter]

That's the spirit! I'm with you, I'm a beginner, but I'll tell you what they told me. Just take it easy and don't get to critical of your self, if it looks anything remotely like what you were going for, enter it, just say it got damaged and wheather it up real good. I wish you luck in you quest.

Noah

[Anonymous]

Well, let's see. Limited budget, no materials, don't know how. Hmmm, CNW built his trestle out of wood, while everyone tells me that plater or syrene is the way to go. I suppose (if I can get the materials) I could try building a bridge or something like that. Any suggestions for a beginner?

[Noah Hofrichter]

I too wouldn't mind seeing a little more competition. Hopefully there'll be more next year.

Noah

[Anonymous]

come one anymore of us gonna try? Jeeze with only 5 people it's almost graunted we're all gonna win something

[Anonymous]

Last I know there were at least 5 doing it. Which I consider a good turnout for the first year.

James

[Anonymous]

am i the only left thats doing this?

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Noah Hofrichter

Glad you dicided to join Jay, I think you'll enjoy it. I'm doing my first model for the contest and it's comming along well. Can I ask what your going to build?

Noah

Well this is my first model so i'm with you noah. If you have the June issue of MR the CNW pile trestle is what i'm building only a beefed up version cuase it's gotta support SD60s and SD45s[:D] It's gonna be about 3 feet long[:)]
[Edit:This trestle so far has cost me less than 10.00 which is good becuase i'm on a limted budget[8)]]

[Noah Hofrichter]

Glad you dicided to join Jay, I think you'll enjoy it. I'm doing my first model for the contest and it's comming along well. Can I ask what your going to build?

Noah

[Anonymous]

Howdy i'm gonna do it

[Anonymous]

Here is a reposting for some late comers wondering what the rules are.

James

[Noah Hofrichter]

This is just a bump to the top to see if we can get some more people interested in the contest, who may have not have seen this before.

Noah

[Anonymous]

Noah:

I'm working on a structure from a 1950s MR article. It specifies using card stock for trim and roofing. Having put a caliper to several varieties of card stock I can tell you on average it works out to about .010 thick. In HO scale thats a bit less than 1". The thinest plastruct sheeting is also .010.

I opted for the plastic and will cut strip to size as needed. Over several years I think it will hold up better than paper and will accept the water based paints which I use to weather with less likelihood of warping or puckering.

I agree with Dave that there are many many things in the real world which are useful in the modeling world. First step in my view is to make a materials list for your future projects. Second step is to save all those odd bits and pieces which might come in handy. If you see an interesting shape just put it aside, a use will suggest itself eventually.

Randy

[Anonymous]

Noah,

For structure walls, boxcar siding and areas that need to be flat 3x5 and 5x7 type card stock is very flimsy although it could be used. I have had better sucess using the back off of writting tablets, the front and back covers of steno pads and soda pop 12 pack boxes.

To reflect window and door frames and other structure facade 3x5 or 5x7 card stock would work. These cards are .009" thick which in HO equals about 3/4". Soda pop 12 pack boxes are .019" thick or about 1-5/8 HO inches.

side note: The formula to get scale inches is; inches X scale = scale inches. I.e. HO scale 1:87.1 - .020 x 87.1 = 1.742, or about 1-3/4", N scale is 1:160 - .020 x 160 = 3.2 or about 3-1/4".

My choice as an alternative to styrene is the clear plastic tops from resturant take home boxes. I've also found some grocery items are packaged using this clear plastic. It is much stiffer than card stock, very bendable, easy to cut, and works well with CA. After cutting the pieces to size and shape, sand the surface lightly with #600 before assembly to ensure CA and paint adhesion.

AOL likes to waste there money sending me a supply of .050 material. Although not as flexible, CD cases can be used for flat surfaces like structure walls. In HO, 2 CD cases equals 1 small freight terminal. [:)]

For inside corner renforcement and framing I cut strips from popcicle sticks using a hobby knife. Popcicle sticks are .080 (HO = 7", N = 12-3/4"). I model in HO so cutting .080 strips gives me 7"x7" beams. I recently found that Star Bucks stir sticks are .050 thick and are longer than popcicle sticks. I went to my local Star Bucks, told the guy what I wanted them for and he gave me a double fist full. I didn't figure it out but it must be close to a gazillion board feet of lumber. [:D]

The popcicle sticks I bought in my local crafts store are .38 wide or in HO about 33". Two of then glued together makes 5'6". Great for making HO scale sidwalks - 7" rise from road suface and 5'6" width.

I also recently read on this fourm that the signs being used for election campaigns would also make a good alternative to buying styrene. Can't wait for the election to end, I plan to help "clean up" the old signs. [^]

[Noah Hofrichter]

To Dave,
Glad you had a good time on your trip, and glad your back.

Now for my question to all;

I have read about cardstock being used as an alternative to styrene. Is this a very good idea? will it hold up very well, or should I stick with styrene? I just though maybe it would would be cheaper and easyier because the closest hobby shop that carries styrene is 50 miles away, and I only get there once a month or so. Also, what type of card stock should I use if this is a good idea in the first place.

Thanks, Noah[:p]

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Snake

From Saturday March 6th through Sunday March 21st, I won't be available to respond to e-mails. However if you have a question and can't wait for an answer you may drop it by my hotel in Cancun, MX. [:D]

[8D] I'm back and the vacation was GREAT! although I returned with a little eye strain...

It was spring break and the beaches were packed with thousands of, [}:)] nearly naked, [}:)] college girls.

The trip cost me about $500 more than expected... some @#$%&*! stole my digital camera 2 days before we left! It wasn't so much the camera that upset me but the 176 pics that can't be replaced. My 13 y/o grandson, daughter and son-in-law went with us. Although I have many great memories I have no pics to share with friends and family.
__________

How's the contest coming along? With a week until the contest starts does anyone have any "how-to" questions that I can try to help you solve?

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the good words Randy,

James

[Anonymous]

Noah:

Welcome to the contest.

We all feel just as you are feeling when we sit down at the bench and begin a new project. We all question ourselves at the outset. That part never goes away. Actually, it is part of the fun.

When you begin on day one of the contest just remember to take it one step at a time, measure twice cut once and if you have questions just ask them.

Good Luck

Randy

[Anonymous]

Hi Noah,

Glad you have decided to give this a try. Let me give you some advise, if you build it, enter it. The artist is often their own harshest critic. So no matter how much you might be dissatisfied with the model, enter it, you never know what will happen. I wish you luck with your project and look foward to what you come up with. If you have any questions on how to do something. drop a question here on the forum, Me and Dave are offering unlimited assistance to those that ask for it.

Again I wish you luck,

James.

[Hawks05]

well least you are starting before i did. i just got into it at 17 and this is my first attempt at building something.

[Noah Hofrichter]

James,

I'm glad you finally got this thing together. I've been wacvhing all the differnet forums about it and they've convinced me to try it. Because this is my first attempt at scratch building, and the fact I'm only 12, I don't know how well it will turn out. If it looks good (what ever I make, I think it'll be a transfer caboose) I'll enter it.

Noah[:p][8D][:)]

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Grayhound Challenger

Just to let everyone know, I am offering unlimited technicle assisstance to those who feel they need it. I believe Dave here has offered the same.

James.

Yes I have offered and would welcome any questions. I'm by no means an expert but do have a broad, well balanced, background in modeling and scratch building.

From Saturday March 6th through Sunday March 21st, I won't be available to respond to e-mails. However if you have a question and can't wait for an answer you may drop it by my hotel in Cancun, MX. [:D]

[Anonymous]

Hi Jim,

Here is a tip for those that take pictures with one of those one time use cameras. I have managed to get some pretty decent shots shooting the subject outdoors in bright sunlight. A cameral with one of the advanced see through the lens view finder might be advantagous.

One does not need a fancy professional SLR camera to get good pictures. You just need to recognise the limitations of what you are working with and compensate accordingly.

James