I have 10 to paint and assemble. I am using a rattle can to paint them and I will use airbrush and brushes to detail. I will add some lights etc. My first attempt building these. Any advice on clamps?
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Jim:
I have tried corner clamps, specialty clamps advertised in the model train train magazines but always went back to the simple 12 inch bar clamp.
Purchase a small square (Micro Mark sells a thin version idea for this stuff), a cutting mat that has lines on it and a bunch of 12 inch clamps. Use the square and the lines on the cutting mat to keep things square while you glue. Use a little super glue on the top and bottom to hold the walls together, lightly clamp (don't over power this), check square then apply your plastic cement.
Joe
Looking forward to your progress.
If you are going to post in this thread, please edit the thread's title to include the date of each update.
I have found simple binder clips, those used to hold paper together, to be really useful when joining building sections together, plus they are inexpensive.
If you’re just building standard 4 wall kits, just bind the walls together with a bunch of rubber bands, check it’s square and dribble a bit of plastic solvent down the inside of the joints.
Its simple and efficient, requires no special tools.
Working on one now too. Bar clamps work great. Just don't over do it.
I used a small combination square to keep the corners square.
I've seen other guys glue some wood strips to the back of the panels before assembling the double wall sections.
Bob
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Bob - my method exactly. Just add a little super glue top and bottom to help hold the walls together while placing the clamps.
Joe
Looks good to me!
They both look great Jim.
Mine's getting there too. I had to grind the bottom's of the roof vents flat, did you?
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Yes, I did. It wasn't too bad.
yea- same here. I held them with a clamp in my vice and hit them with my dremel.
Many of the downtown buildings around where I live are painted and especially the older factories. That is the reason for the paint jobs on the buildings. Some, ready to assemble have Robert's Mortar on them, others do not. I want a variety of looks.
Going to do the window treatments after I get the buildings all finished. All touch up will be done at the very last. Slow and steady will get it finished. Here are the last 2 I have finished, Beckett's and Claire's. Learning curve but it is best you figure out the easiest way for you to do it. My skill is improving with each one. I have a Woolworth's 5 & 10 by River Leaf and a Sinclair gas station. The gas station is a craftsman kit and I figured that I will do that one last. I also have 4 three story Ameritownes to put together.
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Nice work Jim and RSJ.
pennsynut posted:Nice work Jim and RSJ.
Thank you pennsy. I am still certainly a novice but getting better. 
Jim:
The mortar work is excellent. what method did you use?
Joe
Joe- not to hijack Jim's thread but I used a mix of white and tan acrylic paint thinned to a wash. I used a 1" brush to apply and wiped the panels with a clean rag. This is my first attempt at one of these kits too. Once it dried I did some touch ups with a damp rag.
Bob
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Joe Fauty posted:Jim:
The mortar work is excellent. what method did you use?
Joe
Brush on Roberts, let dry and wipe with damp cloth diagonally. Then spray with matte finish.
