Scratch Building

Reefers and boxcars can be made in quanity  using resin by fabricating the body and bottom then making a wax mold. Metal detail parts and trucks are readily available to finish the model.

As the president of OSTPUBS Inc., thank you for the purchase. Now you need to start reading O Scale Trains Magazine where you will learn all of the skills, tools and techniques necessary to build that modern hopper. I'd build it mostly out of styrene with brass bits for details. Start by collecting the necessary commercial detail parts you will need. Then figure out which parts you will need to make yourself. One hurdle will be the sides as the panels are not evenly spaced.

Mike, thank you for your service!!

You are going in the right direction with everything you mentioned.  And the comments so far are gold. OST is a great model builder's resource.  Kinda like RMC for 0 scale.

There is a lot to scratch built.  You may want to consider a laser cut kit to start. I did a (semi)-scratch built turntable a few years ago.  Here is a link to the picture file.   We are very fortunate that a lot of different well manufactured parts and materials are available.  There are also a lot of nice tools.   Best wishes on your project.  I have a lot of nice tools since I was an electrical contractor.   Model train seems to require a lot of work with a Belt/disk sander and a small band saw.   I did purchase  tools  specifically for model train.  An NWSL Sensipress and rivet imbosser were a valuable tools for this project. As was the tool NWSL calls the Chopper II. The links are to a PDF page where NorthWest Short Line has their tools listed/specified.    Note that there are parts from Bowser,  Diamond Scale and Boston Gear used on this project. Track and track parts are Atlas.   I also used a lot of Kappler Mill and Lumber Co. Scale lumber. I found myself, spending hours just searching for the right materials or parts. Surprisingly there is a lot available.  Some of the drive detail is Crow River  products.

Scratch is not for everyone.  I did O.K., but wouldn't want to do it a lot.

Best wishes.

Mike CT      

If you could find some back issues of Mainline Modeler there were many helpful and inspiring articles on scratch building.  Your machinist skills will be invaluable for scratch building.  Plans will also be necessary.  Building a model from somebody like Mullet River (laser cut) will help you see how to approach your project.  Good to see somebody new that is going to be a scratch builder.  You're up where the air is pretty thin.  Go for it. 

Scratch build is not so easy but is not impossible.

from this

to this

Andre.

 Check back issues of Mainline Modeler.  It was the best modeling magazine ever published.  Also look back to Model Railroader in the late 50's and early 60"s for good articles.  You will find with a bit of patience that scratchbuilding is the most rewarding part of this hobby.  There is something about saying " I built that" that is so satisfying.  You might also want to build a few good craftsman kits to get an idea of the basics.

Have fun and best of luck!

George Lasley

Thanks for the helpful information everyone, I would love to scratch build with brass but since i live in a apartment and the kitchen table will be my only building area, i don't think working with brass would be possible? I like the idea of working with styrene for now before venturing into brass later on anyhow.

I was looking at a magnetic gluing jig from the micromark website and the chopper II that mike CT suggested. beside glue and cutting razors would anyone suggest any other tools to get started?

I have been scratch building a brass steam locomotive for some years.  Most of the work was done in my daughters bedroom on an old Steelcase desk.  I have a Sherline lathe and a Sherline milling milling machine.  These are wonderful machines and all the attachments  are sized to fit on their lathe and milling machine.  If you have access to lathes and mills all the better.  Also U.S. made.  They also have a textbook on miniature machining.  I now have a basement but like I said, a lot was done in a spare room.  They are mounted on a board and could be stored in a closet.  Would you have any interest possibly in a particular locomotive?  It can be done.

Thank you Jim,

That is a wonder piece of information for anyone considering scratch build.  Viewers get their money's worth from this forum, IMO. 

Mike CT

Thanks again for the info Jim and everyone, being a machinist i guess does have its advantages but unfortunately i don't really have access to any machines expect a bridge port sometimes that may or may not be being used after work. and most likely there is no way the boss would let me use a CNC for personal use.

I am glad that i have a good idea of some tools that i need to be getting now though, i think right now my plan is to start out small with a few building supplys and styrene and work my way up the latter. my dream is eventually to build myself a mini CNC mill and get into the brass work for really detailed stuff. I grew up in the 90's and early 2000's watching the modern freight trains so naturally that's what i love and would like to model. i think it would be the coolest thing to build my own dash 9 engine out of brass and have rubber MU hoses and lights on the steps and other details just like the real thing and i think building it would be more fun than just paying overland models a small fortune for one engine haha.

also just to edit and add, i have dome some foundry work with melting aluminum and will eventually work my way into melting brass and casting parts. if anyone has some info and insight into that as well i wouldn't mind hearing anyone's advice on it.

also just to edit and add, i have dome some foundry work with melting aluminum and will eventually work my way into melting brass and casting parts. if anyone has some info and insight into that as well i wouldn't mind hearing anyone's advice on it.

See if you can get the attention of Bob2 here on the forum.  He frequents the 2-rail forum and I know from past posts that he has had parts cast and possibly casts them himself.  He has also mentioned Dennis Mashburn in Texas as a source for foundry work.

Jim

Mike,

Here is a list of websites for your perusal.  All have content pertaining to scratchbuilding or kitbashing models, mostly from styrene.  There are projects in O scale, G scale, and HO represented.  I have gleaned tips and techniques from each one.

Mike Cougill's O scale PS 5344 boxcar project:

http://www.oscalemag.com/wordp...dard-boxcar-project/

And working draft gear post:

http://www.oscalemag.com/wordp...ear-for-the-ps-5344/

And one more O scale PS 5344 project.  Apparently a manufacturer needs to get one of these made soon.

http://www.the-gauge.net/forum...9bb551a6f3b3e841abd7

G scale boxcar project.  These guys do a lot of multimedia builds, utilizing styrene or ABS, resin castings, and various metal sheets and foils.

http://www.mylargescale.com/Co...v/topic/Default.aspx

Brian Banna's modeling site.  HO and N scale content.  But a lot of tips and techniques that transcend scales can be found on the site.  He also has a Sherline mill which he finds all kinds of ways to utilize in projects.  Wander through the "Modeling" and "Stuff" pages for some great ideas.

http://www.6axlepwr.com/

Jim

I just heard that Dennis and Kathy Mashburn are not going to be in the casting business.  He would have all the equipment necessary for sure.

The Westlake Publishing Forums, especially Modellers At Work, are a wealth of information and inspiration.

http://www.finescalerr.com/smf/

Matt

The Mashburns do have their K&D Casting business up for sale.  Anyone interested in going into the casting business can contact them at dkmashburn@gmail.com

Charlie

I may have missed it, but I don't think anyone has suggested that you find an experienced scratch builder who can answer questions and show you their techniques. I was fortunate to live in Philadelphia until I was 23 and to spend many pleasant hours in George Stock's shop. George made his living as a custom builder, mostly in brass, and was always glad to answer questions about his current projects or just let me watch what he was doing, and also to critique my fledgling efforts.

Larry Kline

Pittsburgh, PA

Larry is right.  Finding an accomplished scratch builder I would say is essential.  You will need someone to talk to for advice and encouragement.  I am not a machinist by trade and I have spent many hours talking to Bernie Gallagher and Louis Bartig.  How to find a mentor can be a problem.  Used to be you could go to an "O" scale meet and see work done by several people.  My interest is steam locomotives and there were always examples to see and examine. A lot of the old timers aren't there anymore so the quest is more difficult if it is steam that you're working on.  Still a number of really good builders of rolling stock and structures. 

Purchase the DVD: 75 Years of Model Railroader Magazine from Kalmbach Publishing.

There is an incredible amount of information, drawings, tips, techniques, photos...etc. that will keep you busy for years.

Matt