Newbie seeking advice

I've built some Plasticville and Bachmann kits. Both were very easy. Compared to a Tamiya, Italeri, Revell or Monogram kit they're pretty basic and I was honestly rather unimpressed with the level of detail and also the fit of the parts. 

depends on what kind of buildings you are interested in. if you like wood structures that are more realistic then try some if the simple structures from Bar Mills (barmillsmodels.com), bts one nighters (btsrr.com) or banta (bantamodelworks.com). the all have relatively easy builds with good instructions. they also only require white or wood glue for assembly and a sharp hobby knife. I'm not really familiar with the more toy like buildings but am sure others on the forum can point you in the right direction for those.

jerrman

 

While I don't have a plethora of experience with a huge variety structures, the ones I have built have been much easier than most plastic military models.  Identifying pieces, piece orientation, being plumb, level, and/or square enough are the challenges I associate with structures.

All of the plastic structure kits I have seen for O gauge (or HO or N, for that matter) are simple by comparison to Tamiya and similar kits: think of the simplest model tanks kits (e.g, about ten pieces): maybe the worst is a bit more complex than that.  You have a lot of windows in some buildings and so more opportunity to glue on clear plastic and mar thire finish than on tanks and rockets, but other than I'd rate that O gauge buildings easier to do than model tanks.  

 

Wooden kits run the range from fairly-easy-but-different (way different than plastic) to nearly imossible.  The nearly impossible kits are because the instructions are nearly obtuse and the kit little more than the materials you need for a scratch-build.  Bar Mills and others won't be that difficult: wood is a different materiel and wood glue is a very different glue - it is just different than plastic.  Try it.  Wood is fun.  

 

It is the resin kits I have found the most difficult.  Not that difficult, not like some resin model ship kits (the most difficult kits I run into, period).  Not hard to understand what to do, but I've encountered my share of warped parts or brittle parts that have to be heavily trimmed and don't quite fit.  

Since you've built tanks and rockets, you already know what it takes to construct a really great model just by that experience.  I have seen some really great work done at train shows by fellows who take an stock MTH building and make it look like a scratch-built work of art.  They invariably use airbrush technique which will require you to have a quality airbrush, generator, and compatible paints.  If you use kits, then you also have to do the construction and possibly tweak it in spots to make it fit right--stamped plastic parts are notorious for burrs and other small imperfections that have to be smoothed, as you are probably aware.  When I look at what those talented people do at train shows, I realize that at this stage, my skill not up to par and so I opt to simple use ready-built buildings and let it go at that.  I guess I am my worst critic and could never look at my own work in a less jaundiced eye and forgive my imperfections in that regard.  But for you and others who want to venture forth with kits, my best wishes.  We all look forward to see your creations in the future.  Bona fortuna!

Nice kits that haven't been mentioned are the un-built Woodland Scenics structures. They're built-ups are very nice, and they're now offering these buildings as kits for less money. They're unpainted and will give lots of finishing opportunities. 

 

What really differentiates the wood kits is whether or not they're laser-cut. Die cut kits (or worse; uncut) leave lots of work up to the builder for locating and cutting out windows and doors, whereas laser-cut kits often have these done for you plus lots of locating tabs.

 

I'm just getting into my first resin kit and like Al said, it's warped and going to require lots of work to get right. 

Hey all,

Sorry for the late response! I really appreciate the information/advice that I received. I ordered an Ameri-Towne building, which I am very excited about! I hope you all had a wonderful fathers day!

Thanks,

Greg

www.youtube.com/trainbros89