Modifying an MTH 5 story building

Bob,

use .040 styrene sheets for the flooring. You can support the perimitter of the floors with 1/8” styrene solid square stock. 

You can use a pipe in a pipe for a hinge for the back wall. You can also buy styrene pipe for this. 

I modified a Korber Grain silo building in this way about a year ago. If you look up my posts you may find it.

Alan Graziano

Bob,

Not sure if they are all the same but the RK building I took apart surprisingly had a lot of internal plastic structure. It was designed in a way to unscrew a layer and add a layer to make a 2story building a 3 story building.

Not that it can’t be done, it just won’t be as easy as modifying a Menards or a woodland scenics building. They seem to be simpler hollow structures.

wmcwood posted:

Bob,

Not sure if they are all the same but the RK building I took apart surprisingly had a lot of internal plastic structure. It was designed in a way to unscrew a layer and add a layer to make a 2story building a 3 story building.

Not that it can’t be done, it just won’t be as easy as modifying a Menards or a woodland scenics building. They seem to be simpler hollow structures.

 

Thanks for your reply; but mine building is not modular. it has a 6 X 9 foot print and is 5 stories with no separations.

In addition to what Alan said you could also get some brass or plastic channel for the back wall so you can slide the wall in and out. I am building a set of building fronts with 1/2 - 1 inch side walls. The customer wants lights plus back walls so I am going to try the channel.

Joe

pennsyfan posted:

wmcwood posted:

Bob,

Not sure if they are all the same but the RK building I took apart surprisingly had a lot of internal plastic structure. It was designed in a way to unscrew a layer and add a layer to make a 2story building a 3 story building.

Not that it can’t be done, it just won’t be as easy as modifying a Menards or a woodland scenics building. They seem to be simpler hollow structures.

 

Thanks for your reply; but mine building is not modular. it has a 6 X 9 foot print and is 5 stories with no separations.

Is it like this one? These should come apart floor by floor. What are the MTH product numbers?

As Marty mentions, the item number always helps IIRC only the 3 story townhouses are one piece.

Thanks for all the input, and yes the two I have look like that; one is tan brick the other red. No I don't have the numbers, the boxes are long gone. I suppose I could look them up on the MTH website; but there is no need now that you have enlightened me.   looks like I'll be screwin' around or really unscrewing taking one apart floor by floor.

Thanks again to everyone.

After you take them apart you can just stack them back up on the layout without installing the screws to allow for internal access floor by floor unless of course you are invaded by a Godzilla cat.

Good idea thanks, there aren’t any 4 legged creatures and the buildings are on the upper level away from little hands. I was just thinking that I may make them taller now that I was made aware that’s possible 

pennsyfan posted:

Good idea thanks, there aren’t any 4 legged creatures and the buildings are on the upper level away from little hands. I was just thinking that I may make them taller now that I was made aware that’s possible 

We have made a few where they are just stacked for that reason. When making them taller by purchasing two, we've ended up with a few one or two story versions. Couldn't sell them at a TCA meet for $10, we now give them away to kids. I recall the MTH lights plug in at each floor, the Lionel ones are nightmares with their wires soldered together...

By any chance, does someone know the MTH part numbers for these?

Thanks,

George