Scratch Building 101

Justin, I would think a lot depends on what medium you want to scratch build in: plastic, wood, or another medium. For instance, to make a straight cut in styrene, you can score it with a hobby knife, and then snap it off on a bench edge (if it’s thin enough). I’ll let the pros weigh in.

@Artie-DL&W posted:

Justin, I would think a lot depends on what medium you want to scratch build in: plastic, wood, or another medium. For instance, to make a straight cut in styrene, you can score it with a hobby knife, and then snap it off on a bench edge (if it’s thin enough). I’ll let the pros weigh in.

I only would build with wood

I mostly build with wood, structures and railcars, but on this site we know superb cabooses are made in styrene.  I built a Skelly gas station in styrene, due to its complicated curved roof, and bashed a collection of "different" Plasticville RR stations using styrene. I wish l was more comfortable working in it, for if l ever hope to get a McKeen car, with its curved body shapes, styrene will probably be the medium.

@colorado hirailer posted:

I mostly build with wood, structures and railcars, but on this site we know superb cabooses are made in styrene.  I built a Skelly gas station in styrene, due to its complicated curved roof, and bashed a collection of "different" Plasticville RR stations using styrene. I wish l was more comfortable working in it, for if l ever hope to get a McKeen car, with its curved body shapes, styrene will probably be the medium.

What techniques do you use for building your cars?

I prefer styrene. The primary reason is it is much easier to paint. No filling needed. I do use Tamiya primer then ScaleCoat II.

Dick

@CBQer posted:

I prefer styrene. The primary reason is it is much easier to paint. No filling needed. I do use Tamiya primer then ScaleCoat II.

Dick

Which brands do you recommend?

The best way to learn is to first build a wood rolling stock kit.   You will learn construction skills and also have an idea how to design your own.  Many kits are available at train shows and on the big auction site from Mainline Models, Ambroid, Quality Craft, Walthers, All Nation and others.   Here are a couple of kits under construction.

Here is a brief tutorial and a scratch building thread from MRH I found online.

Bob

@RRDOC posted:

The best way to learn is to first build a wood rolling stock kit.   You will learn construction skills and also have an idea how to design your own.  Many kits are available at train shows and on the big auction site from Mainline Models, Abroad, Quality Craft, Walthers, All Nation and others.  

Good suggestion!  Once you get some experience with wood kits, tools, etc. in hand, then you can move forward with some confidence to scratchbuilding from plans , drawings, or just your own designs.

@RRDOC posted:

The best way to learn is to first build a wood rolling stock kit.   You will learn construction skills and also have an idea how to design your own.  Many kits are available at train shows and on the big auction site from Mainline Models, Ambroid, Quality Craft, Walthers, All Nation and others.   Here are a couple of kits under construction.

Here is a brief tutorial and a scratch building thread from MRH I found online.

Bob

Thanks!

Yes, l first built metal-sided Athearn box cars, but had built a number of HO car kits before, then graduated to building Walthers passenger kits to kit bashing them into coach-cabooses, and then into powered gas electrics.  I would suggest building a Walthers passenger car kit....which should give you the needed skills.

@colorado hirailer posted:

Yes, l first built metal-sided Athearn box cars, but had built a number of HO car kits before, then graduated to building Walthers passenger kits to kit bashing them into coach-cabooses, and then into powered gas electrics.  I would suggest building a Walthers passenger car kit....which should give you the needed skills.

Definitely gonna keep that in mind when buying kits.