Hello all, i am new to this site and i am in the middle of building an around the walls shelf layout in the garage ( live in Florida,no basement or extra rooms). It is a generic layout not based on a single period or location, i just like collecting and running trains from 50's to modern day. After working out some issues with building a long liftout section to span my single double garage door, no easy task BTW, i have my trains running smooth. I am now ready to start some scenery and was wondering if Hobby Lobby has a good selection of Woodland Scenics products?
I there a store near you, or are you thinking of mail ordering? In their on-line catalog (http://shop.hobbylobby.com/search/?keyword=woodland%20scenics&perpage=12&match=AND&F_Sort=2&pg=2) it looks like they carry 20 plus items. I don't know if the stores are different because there are none near me. But Woodland Scenics sells more than 20 items.
HL's WS selection is somewhat limited, but way more than 20 items at our local one. They have a few other model railroading items, but do carry an extensive selection of art and craft supplies that can be useful. Michaels is another option.
Oddly, neither one carries Sculptamold, although I'm told it can be found at other locations of both chains. I get it from a local art store within walking distance of the layout here.
Mike Lehman
Urbana, IL
to the forums SCL Modeler,
As Mike has already mentioned, Hobby Lobby store's selection varies widely by location. You don't mention where in Florida you are. Some parts have excellent local hobby shops where other parts are a hobby shop waste land.
I'd also like to recommend a online store for you
www.modeltrainstuff. com
One more thing, if you're going to Hobby Lobby don't forget to check their website for a coupon code to use at the store.
Welcome again
Derek
At one time Hobby Lobby carried a modest selection of actual model railroad items, as well as scenery material and craft items of course that appeal to a broader audience. But I always found their choice of selection to be very strange and could not help but wonder who was guiding them or what led them to make the choices they did -- what hypothetical customer could they possibly have had in mind?
If they have a WS account however maybe they can order the stuff for you that they do not carry on the shelves.
Dave Nelson
SCL Modeler,
Once again, .
Not only does the selection vary by store location, the one near me selection varies based on day and month. They have a tendency to change some out here and there, every now and then. My local store also, in addition to the selection of woodland scenics items, carries a selection from JTT, of their line of flowers/bushes. I will, occasionally, find something there that I can use between the two companies.
I do however use them as my go to store when it comes to generic paint (including dullcote/glosscote, general colors such as white/black, etc... and airbrush thinner.) and items such as glue, knife blades, etc... Every now and again I will find a scenic item there on occasion, and with their ever present weekly coupon, if it's a decent price, you get a pretty good deal. (Hint.... The weekly coupon is usually 20-40% off one item, and, sometimes, if you ask, you can use it on a sale item, in addition to the sale price. I got a awesome deal one day on pre-made trees that way...)
Ricky W.
HO scale Proto-freelancer.
My Railroad rules:
1: It's my railroad, my rules.
2: It's for having fun and enjoyment.
3: Any objections, consult above rules.
A new Hobby Lobby opened here in North Myrtle Beach about 5 months ago. They have "a selection" of Woodland Scenics, but I would not call it a "good selection." I am happy to have them in the neighborhood for spray paint (dullcoat, etc.), some dimensional wood, paint brushes & etc. Previously, I had to drive about 20 miles to Myrtle Beach to quietly enter a model airplane store and purchase such items (they sometimes get upset there if one asks about model trains!). So, Hobby Lobby is worth a visit. Woodland Scenics' offerings are so extensive, however, that it would be worth a "tour" through M.B. Klein's on-line site to make sure that you have some idea what you are shopping for.
Bill
In addition to a limited selection, the HL near me has mostly the small sizes so your unit costs are higher.
I suggest you mail order from some place like MB Klein
Good luck
Paul
Try Xtrains4u on ebay at http://stores.ebay.com/xtrainsmodeltrainsupplies/
Very good selection and service competitively priced. I have no connection--just a happy customer and acquaintance of the owner.
Hello All,
In my experience Hobby Lobby is a generic crafts store that carries a little bit of everything- -not necessarily a specialty store for model railroaders.
That being said with some knowledge and imagination you can purchase supplies for your modeling needs from them.
I picked up a heat gun at Hobby Lobby intended for embossing. It was inexpensive and with an online coupon it was downright cheap! With shipping less than $20.00. It's small size is perfect for shrink tube work when installing decoders and wiring my layout. And it's lavender too boot!!!
Another store I would recommend, if they have them in your neck of the woods, is Michael's Arts & Crafts. Again, it's not a model railroad specific store but they do have things like Gesso, different kinds of plasters, paints & paint supplies, airbrushes, solvents and finishing products.
Often you can find a product that has been repackaged as a model railroad specific item in it's generic form for much less. I purchased a dual-temp hot glue gun and a pack of 12 glue sticks at my local big box store for about half the price of one advertised as a railroad modelers specific product.
In the May 2015 issue of Model Railroader magazine; pg. 71, Tony Koester recounts his experience of searching for scale corn in the pet department. It highlights the imagination that many of us modelers use.
Just bcause it was not intended for modeling railroads doesn't mean it can't.
Hope this helps.
"Uhh...I didn’t know it was 'impossible' I just made it work...sorry"
There are 3 Hobby Lobbys in my city.They all carry different items when it comes to MRR.The only reason I ever shop HL is because of their 40% off coupons.
I will echo the above and say HL is a great place for paint, brushes, and modeling tools. Mine has a few Bachmann EZ track sets and a small selection of Woodland Scenics and JT items, but only the small packages. My local Hobby Lobby does have a large supply of stripwood and brass wire and sheets, though, which has turned out to be very useful. The weekly cupons help too.
Hi SCL! Welcome.
You're in Florida? Cool!
Check out Colonial Photo & Hobby in Orlando. Excellent selection of model railroad equipment and supplies with reasonable prices.
http://windwardhosting.com/shop.cphfun.com/wecs.php?store=photo&content=train.html
Another excellent model railroad business is Gulf Coast Model Railroad and Hobbies. Located in the Sarasota area.
http://www.gcmrr.com/
"I like my Pullman Standards & Budds in Stainless Steel flavors, thank you!"
I think the lichen you are referring to at Michaels is called spring moss or something like that. I chop it up for ground cover.
Joe Staten Island West
Another store, if you have one near, is Hobbytown USA. We have one in Virginia Beach that carries a fairly extensive line of Woodland Scenic products.
I'm also from Fl, Miami actually and get my supplies from LHS READY TO ROLL. They have it or can get it all.