Perhaps it's something as simple as the magazine saying 'Thank You' to Woodland Scenics for spending their advertising money with that magazine...
"Jim, if you commit to 3 ads per month in our magazine, we'll be sure to use and mention your products whenever we do a 'How To' article in our magazine...."
Don Z.
Research; it's not just for geeks.
Good point.
I also make my own ground foam--it is a LOT cheaper than the stuff you cn buy, and looks at least as good, if not better.
You can find non-WS plaster cloth, too, so you get the same benefits (less messy) without having to pay the "modeler's price."
Industrial grade towels (like you see in public restrooms) are available cheap at office-supply stores like Office Max and they really are better than regular roll-towels.
I also built the hand-held bug-zapper static-grass tool for about $6--and it makes a spark strong enough to (accidentally) start a fire--instead of buying the $100+ commercial version.
BTW-back in the Al Kalmbach days, the magazine's policy was to write about whatever worked, not to 'thank' manufacturers for buying ads.
Beginning modellers need this kind of information. To those who say "Why use WS glue when Elmers is the same, and cheaper?" I ask "Why use Elmers when generic white glue is the same and cheaper?" When you're new to the hobby, every purchase has a daunting array of options, so telling people a specific brand that will do the job, even if it costs a bit more, will help them get over that initial hump.
Also, people can go to their LHS and get WS stuff. If the LHS doesn't have it, chances are the owner can recommend a cheaper alternative, which starts the thought process of different products, and also opens the communications channel with the LHS.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
MisterBeasley wrote: Beginning modellers need this kind of information. To those who say "Why use WS glue when Elmers is the same, and cheaper?" I ask "Why use Elmers when generic white glue is the same and cheaper?"
Beginning modellers need this kind of information. To those who say "Why use WS glue when Elmers is the same, and cheaper?" I ask "Why use Elmers when generic white glue is the same and cheaper?"
MisterBeasley wrote:Beginning modellers need this kind of information. To those who say "Why use WS glue when Elmers is the same, and cheaper?" I ask "Why use Elmers when generic white glue is the same and cheaper?" When you're new to the hobby, every purchase has a daunting array of options, so telling people a specific brand that will do the job, even if it costs a bit more, will help them get over that initial hump.Also, people can go to their LHS and get WS stuff. If the LHS doesn't have it, chances are the owner can recommend a cheaper alternative, which starts the thought process of different products, and also opens the communications channel with the LHS.
I will readily confess that I go to A.C. Moore arts and crafts supply store more often than I go to my LHS. They have cheap acrylic paint, Envirotex and off-brand plaster cloth, plus a better selection of balsa wood strips. I go to my LHS for train stuff that I can't buy at hardware stores or craft shops. (I spend more at my LHS, though.)
Still, if you tell someone to get WS Scenic Cement, they're going to come back with a product they know will work. A total newbee will come back with Elmers, and use it straight instead of diluting it. Or, he'll pick up carpenter's yellow glue instead, and be really upset with the color change. If you say to use Hydrocal, you'll avoid the situation someone described here a while back where his castings didn't look very good - because he used a "substitute" that was more like gypsolite.
Experienced modellers know what substitutions can be made, so there's no problem when the article mentions WS products. For those who are reading an article as a detailed how-to guide for a technique they've never tried, though, having a step-by-step "cookbook" with a detailed "list of ingredients" is a good way to improve their chances of success.
The kind of info I like is found at this post: http://cs.trains.com/forums/1490779/ShowPost.aspx
I like the way he talks about what worked and did not work for him, ie Alumilite vs the Micro Mark prodcuts for casting. This I can learn from.
I would suggest it's also a matter of scale. While the "name" brand is more costly, the savings vs time may not really matter as you're not using enough to warrent huge cost savings.
Such as plaster cloth. Using my own experience as an example, I went through 3 rolls of plastercloth on my layout, two rolls of generic, and one woodland scenics. The cheap stuff was $5 a roll at a local train show, I paid $7 to mail order the WS. So for $17, I was able to do my entire 4x8 layout. I was able to unroll, cut, dip in water, and lay the cloth in about two hours total (mostly because I ran out, and had to do it in two sessions).
So if I run to the box store of choice, to buy the cheaper materials, it's going to cost me an additinal hour of my time, not to mention $2-3 dollars in gas, and the cost of the mats. Sure, I may have enough to go around the basement, but I don't need that much at this time. I could have saved $10 or so, but I would have spent arguably twice the time.
I had a similar calculation with ballest. I spent $8.00 on a large WS ballest container, that is more than I needed for my whole layout. Making my own, as there have been some good articles about on this forum, would be cheaper, but what am I really saving? 50% of $8 is still just $4, and when the time factor is doubled, well that may not be the best equation, at least with my time demands.
I've been experimenting with trees, and I'm currently growing two species of flowers to dry out and use as "free" tree structures. But I also just purchased two boxes of the Scenic Express supertrees while they were on sale at Walthers, and I think these are a great deal - each box makes a ton of good looking trees, and when you break down the per tree costs, it's pretty minimal. When I consider that I purchased the plants that I'm growing for $10 a piece, and I'll only get X number of trees annually from them, well, it's going to take some time for those to pay off (although I like the fact that I'll eventually have different forms on the layout).
I'm not into wasting money, but as has been noted elsewhere, the hobby equation for me takes into effect a lot more than just money. Do I have the time to make my own plaster cloth? Of course I do. I'd just rather spend that time doing something that to me is more fun, such as constructing a building, or rolling stock.
Cheers
I'm trying to model 1956, not live in it.
Scarpia wrote: So if I run to the box store of choice, to buy the cheaper materials, it's going to cost me an additinal hour of my time, not to mention $2-3 dollars in gas,
So if I run to the box store of choice, to buy the cheaper materials, it's going to cost me an additinal hour of my time, not to mention $2-3 dollars in gas,
You have to drive to hobby shops, too, and mail-ordering costs postage.
MisterBeasley wrote: Experienced modellers know what substitutions can be made, so there's no problem when the article mentions WS products. For those who are reading an article as a detailed how-to guide for a technique they've never tried, though, having a step-by-step "cookbook" with a detailed "list of ingredients" is a good way to improve their chances of success.
Good points about money saved versus time saved.
Sometimes it's simply easier to spend a couple of extra dollars to save a few hours.
Conversely, sometimes, if the savings are significant enough, the money saved will still go to hobby perchases, thus increasing the benefits to the hobby shop, hardware store, and the hobbyist.
Like many things, it's situational. Having alternatives is good for beginners who can't afford a big outlay of cash when learning the ropes.
Starting earlier, rather than waiting until they can afford the name brand products, will help develop skills they'll need later as well. I'm just getting started actual building now at 42, and I wish I had access to many of the alternates illustrated in posts here years ago.
I for one will continue to use WS scenery material while white glue will come from Elmers..
Why Because its easy to work with and a well proven material.Its as simple as that for me.
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"
Midnight Railroader wrote: Scarpia wrote: So if I run to the box store of choice, to buy the cheaper materials, it's going to cost me an additinal hour of my time, not to mention $2-3 dollars in gas,Either you live a LONG way from Wal-Mart, or you get horribly bad mileage. Here's a tip: Combine trips. The next time you go for something else, pick up scenery supplies, too.You have to drive to hobby shops, too, and mail-ordering costs postage.
6 miles, round trip is 12, truck and car get 20-24 mpg. I don't think my mileage is that bad, and we do combine trips. Closest decent hobby shop is at least 30 miles plus one way.
I order a lot from online trains, order more than $50 it's free shipping.
I noticed you didn't mention the time factor I was discussing.
I think Mister Beaseley hit the nail on the head when he said, "you know you're going to get something that works."
I used to mix my own scenic cement using matte medium and water.
Now the time I have for modelling is so precious, I prefer to spend what time I have actually modelling rather than prepping the materials for modelling.
If it costs a little more, then that's fine -- I've gained a lot of precious time.
Craig
DMW
Scarpia wrote: Midnight Railroader wrote: Scarpia wrote: So if I run to the box store of choice, to buy the cheaper materials, it's going to cost me an additinal hour of my time, not to mention $2-3 dollars in gas,Either you live a LONG way from Wal-Mart, or you get horribly bad mileage. Here's a tip: Combine trips. The next time you go for something else, pick up scenery supplies, too.You have to drive to hobby shops, too, and mail-ordering costs postage.6 miles, round trip is 12, truck and car get 20-24 mpg. I don't think my mileage is that bad, and we do combine trips. Closest decent hobby shop is at least 30 miles plus one way.I order a lot from online trains, order more than $50 it's free shipping. I noticed you didn't mention the time factor I was discussing.Cheers
I also get a lot of satisfaction from not having to rely on a proprietary material made by someone else--if they go out of business, I'd be screwed. (And it does happen, especially in this hobby.) So I try to avoid that as much as I can nowadays.
I didn't mention the time factor because, although I am busy, too, it is a hobby, and everything I do is part of the fun, so I'm in no hurry. Then again, I handlay track to save money and get the results I want.
MisterBeasley wrote:Experienced modellers know what substitutions can be made, so there's no problem when the article mentions WS products. For those who are reading an article as a detailed how-to guide for a technique they've never tried, though, having a step-by-step "cookbook" with a detailed "list of ingredients" is a good way to improve their chances of success.
Midnight Railroader wrote:If the closest decent hobby shop is 30 miles each way, then all the more reason not to use "official" hobby supplies.I also get a lot of satisfaction from not having to rely on a proprietary material made by someone else--if they go out of business, I'd be screwed. (And it does happen, especially in this hobby.) So I try to avoid that as much as I can nowadays.I didn't mention the time factor because, although I am busy, too, it is a hobby, and everything I do is part of the fun, so I'm in no hurry. Then again, I handlay track to save money and get the results I want.
If the closest decent hobby shop is 30 miles each way, then all the more reason not to use "official" hobby supplies.
MNR, this is again why I do mostly mail ordering. As I mentioned, Online trains is basically free shipping, and I even order a fair amount direct from Walthers. They're shipping is reasonable at the $75 product cost range, and more importantly, they have what I want/need. Their $8 shipping fee is in fact less than the gas I would spend driving to the halfway decent hobby shop that is 30 miles away.
Now I would love to have a train oriented LHS within 20 minutes, but I don't think that's going to happen.If I did, I would frequent it.
I agree with your idea on propriety materials, but I thought what we're talking about here were things like plaster cloth. These basics seem generic enough that it may not be an issue.
I applaud the handlayed track, I hope to get there too some day, it's just the turnouts that have me a bit nervous, and the "jigs" I've seen online don't seem, well, that inexepensive. I'd be worried that my frustrations in laying the turnout without a jig would drive me nuts. Kind of like trying to cut corner molding with a hand (not back) saw, and no mitre box. Sure, it can be done, but I'd be afraid of wasting time, material, and jacking up my irritation level.
Scarpia wrote:I applaud the handlayed track, I hope to get there too some day, it's just the turnouts that have me a bit nervous, and the "jigs" I've seen online don't seem, well, that inexepensive. I'd be worried that my frustrations in laying the turnout without a jig would drive me nuts. Kind of like trying to cut corner molding with a hand (not back) saw, and no mitre box. Sure, it can be done, but I'd be afraid of wasting time, material, and jacking up my irritation level.Cheers
Scarpia wrote: it's just the turnouts that have me a bit nervous, and the "jigs" I've seen online don't seem, well, that inexepensive. I'd be worried that my frustrations in laying the turnout without a jig would drive me nuts. Kind of like trying to cut corner molding with a hand (not back) saw, and no mitre box. Sure, it can be done, but I'd be afraid of wasting time, material, and jacking up my irritation level.
Autobus Prime wrote:I can understand using an expensive proprietary supply like ground foam or scribed siding when there isn't any common alternative, but things like the Scenic Cement puzzle me. It's glue. White glue works fine and is cheap. Why spend more?
Its been what I consider one of the more distressing trends in MRR. Everything seems to be done with woodland this and woodland that.. usually with a picture of the product prominently displayed as its being used. I suppose for some cost is no issue.. but I am always trying to find ways to save. Money for my hobby is a much lower priority than forumla, diapers, daycare, and gas..it seems like articles used to describe the generic product, then perhaps provide a few vendors.
Even things like ground foam there are cheaper available supplies. For instance, Scenic Express sells 64oz jugs of the stuff much cheaper then WS.
The one positive with WS is that they have become ubiquitous in every kind of hobby shop. In a pinch, I can get some of their stuff at the local wargame shop while I woud have to order the less expensive products from Scenic Express.
Regards,
Chris