Ameri-Towne Buildings Kitbash

Blank/all brick wall panels were cut (1/2) and assembled as a reduced building.

Here are a few building flats using Ameri-Towne parts. The same techniques would apply to making a longer building by joining parts such as storefronts, etc. horizontally.

Here are Ameri-Towne parts combined with an upper level using parts from a different brand kit:

Parts with doorways can be used on upper levels by adding a small balcony. Also, use wood strips to board up a few windows.

To join parts, just sand the pieces carefully for a tight fit. Cuts can be made with a Zona (razor) saw (or even a bandsaw to save time and effort).

I use a liquid plastic cement such as Bondene to join pieces and then reinforce the joint with wood strips attached with a contact cement such as Plumber's Goop or Walther's Goo.

Sometimes, I also hide joints with a thin strip of styrene on the front of the flat. Also, some roof trim, cornices, or other details are removed to fit pieces together.

I did a two part article in OGR Runs 234 and 235 about kitbashing Ameri-Towne buildings.

Jim

Thank you ... Mike and Jim ... your pictures are very helpful.  

After posting my request, I found this thread ... 

https://ogrforum.com/t...37#41130793859374537

I couldn't find it via the OGR Forum search but Google found it ... very helpful for those who want more information on this subject.

Thanks again.

Those are some really great kitbashed buildings. I've done those as well. A little bit of work to cut the Ameritowne sections down and make them fit. If you have power tools, however, it shouldn't be that hard. I'll give you one other thought, depending on how far back the buildings are and if there are other buildings that block some of the views. I've had very good success with adding sides to Ameritowne fronts from Gatorboard and then painting (spray can) the sides the same color as the front. Since these were background structures and the sides are pretty narrow, it's barely noticeable and I often added wall billboards to the sides and vines on the seams that show or weren't adequately blocked by other structures. Very easy to do and very inexpensive. Regardless of what method you use, just make sure you brace the inside with stripwood which will make the side/front wall connections very sturdy. Just a thought. 

Jerrman ... thanks for the tip ... reinforcing the interior corners.

Any thoughts of the best glue to use?

Jeffrey:

Plastic to plastic I use Plastruct Plastic Weld. It will melt the plastic and fuse parts together. If you are thinking wood then a good CA glue will suffice.

In addition if you are cutting walls and re-gluing it is a good idea to cover the joint with a piece of plastic for the added re-enforcement. Also make sure the surfaces to be glued are sanded flat.

Joe

I like to use hot glue when reinforcing inside corners. Often, you don't even need any extra material--the glue itself forms a fine gusset. 

glue, of course, depends on what you're gluing . For Ameritowne, I've usually used 5-minute epoxy. Gives you time to work before setting and a very strong bond. You can certainly use CA glue, but if so, I use the medium density as the thin version sets way too fast for me. Even the medium is a bit quick. Also, I hate glueing my fingers together (but, that's just me, I guess). CA holds well but, it doesn't have the tensile strength I like. If you bend a CA joint a bit too much, it will "crack" and separate. For the inside corners, you can use hot glue as Pete said (I never thought of that). It's a good idea. I use 3/16" or even 1/4" strip wood. Most glues on the wood to the wall will work,  even tacky glue, especially if the inside is painted as the glue bonds with the paint. You can also use Goop. As the wood is porous, you want something with some thickness so it doesn't get absorbed before curing. 

Jim:

I have seen this picture a few times and never did mention to you it is an excellent kit bash of OGR walls. The top wood portion is what makes it a standout. I may have to plagiarize your design.........................

Joe