Branchline Trains Laser Art kits

I have not, but agree that the fallen barn looks terrific.  I am considering a farm scene for one corner of my layout, thanks for pointing this out.

They are great kits.  Read the instructions all the way through BEFORE starting to build.  Then reread it again to familiarize yourself with ALL of the parts.  Then go for it, they are really nice structures when done.  Not affiliated, just like the kits.  Russ

Okay, I ordered one off of ebay NIB.  With everything else I've got going on it might take awhile, but looks like fun.

I am building Finley House.

Looks like a great kit.

 

Eliot

I bought a few of them when I was in N scale.They are very nice. Like previously posted read the instructions thru and keep them handy.
I think they have a good product

David

I built the gas station,  but converted it to a used car lot office.  It went fairly smoothly.  Instructions are straightforward. I glued mine together with Zap A gap CA+, being fundamentally too impatient to wait for wood glue to dry.   I did not like the roof that came with the kit, so I made my own shingles with construction paper.  As you can see, i lit the interior, so making the walls light tight involved an extra step.  The peel and stick windows can use some Zap-A-Gap to help them stick. Also, the kit did not come with a base, so I made one from three pieces of 3/32 x 3" bass wood sheet edge glued with gorilla glue.  

 

Okay. I just received the kit and it seems easy enough.  I have a question though.  It says in the instructions that they used Elmer's white glue, while yellow wood glue or ACC super glue could also be used. Any opinions on which to use before I start?

I like aleenes tacky glue for wood. Very similar to elmers but pmore sticky and sets quicker needing a little less holding.  I always stain or paint wood before gluing it otherwise absorbs the finish different where the glue was used

Good luck with the kit. They are great fun. Just wanted to say kudos to John Sethian. That is a beautiful model and photo. Nice work. I really like the roof shingles and the understated colors.

I've eyeballed the Crosby Coal kit a few times, but at $200 bucks, could never take the plunge!   I keep watching EBAY for one, however!   The old fallen down barn kit looks good, also.  I do agree that they are really great kits....

I've built a couple of their kits and I agree that they are great kits.  Follow Russ' advice and read through the instructions a couple times and familiarize yourself with ALL the parts before you start.  Assembly is straightforward and the results are awesome.

 

FWIW, I prefer to use Floquil (solvent based) paints for these wood kits and avoid any warping issues.  Use of water based paints required that I paint both sides at once or the pieces tended to curl.

I like the thick CA glue . It just lets you keep moving forward .elmers just takes to long to set.

I painted both sides of my parts before assembly and you can touch up areas that need it afterwards. I think it's a good precaution as these kit's are not cheap and I didn't want mine to warp.
David

There is a bit to getting use to using white glues and wood materials, you may want to practice.  White glues do fine with wood on wood, but if there is paint involved on a surface the yellow carpenter's glue is a bit more aggressive as is CA, Cyanoacralate (Super Glue). So where with a white glue there is little or no clean-up, Carpenter's glue will dry yellow and requires more care and clean-up.   Most white and yellow wood glues are water or acrylic base and will soak a piece of wood causing it to expand and in some case twist and bend, keep in mind as the glue dries the wood piece will tend to go back to it's normal size.   Clamps and holding device might be of help.  Sometimes as I attach trim pieces I apply the glue with a small paint brush let it set and tack-up a bit and then apply the piece.  CA, I'd use a Gap filling or thick, both give a little more set time, is great for instant attachment or holding pieces together until the white glue sets.   Pretty good chance that by the end of the kit assembly Frank you will have figured that all out. I'm on my third major kit and still learning.   I also think a base or foundation for a model is a must.

Take your time and have fun.

Mike

"can't hold a candle to the laser kit's result for 'WOW!-factor'. "  I quite agree.  I'm a pretty good wood butcher and create a pretty convincing scene, but if I need a focal point to draw folks in, then laser kits make me look really good!   Russ

I'll second that.  Exception is a lot of amazing scratch built art work I've seen here on the Forum.