Which kits to buy, where to start?

I suspect that if you can build furniture that kit building will come relatively easy to you - and then kit bashing - and then just straight to scratchbuilding.

 

There are a host of laser cut kit vendors in the source list. 

Hi John,

 

Welcome.

 

I thick there are a lot of great suppliers in O scale.  You may find some of the items we have to your standards.  We offer a range of kits from very simple to more elaborate.

 

I invite you to check out our web site

 

www.korbermodels.com

 

let me know if I can be of assistance.

John,

 

If you are looking for a brick pattern small town structures I invite you to check our website at www.riverleafmodels.us

 

Any further assistance please don't hesitate to contact us.

 

Andre.

 

 

buy a kit that reflects the layout , town or area you are modeling...There are plenty of choices for 50'-60s time periods, practically none for modern era.

I would think that a smaller, simpler, but stick built wooden component kit might be

the best place to start, from which you can learn all the skills you need for any of

the kits out there, up to that $1000 stamp mill kit, Korber kits, whatever.   As said above, if you build furniture, you can use that wood glue and probably have the skills you need, only need to think smaller.

I'm not to worried about the building aspect, I guess the things I'd most like to learn is all the weathering that you guys do to make your models look so real.  Thanks for the replies so far.  I'm open to any and all advise.

 

 

Thanks,
John

That's more of an art form and it's best learned by trying and putting to practice, practice, practice the various techniques until you get a good handle on those that work best for you.

John:

I was also a wood worker when I crossed over into model railroad structure building. I started with wood bridges and decking then got into plastic scratchbuilding. I echo what mwb says. It will come natural to you since you have the tools and mindset (nothing like a good ol' table saw to make straight cuts plastic!).

WRT weathering just do a search on YouTube for weathering structures and you will have enough videos to last a good while!

For my work I tend to rely on spray cans for initial weathering then if needed I go to powder.

Good luck

Joe

All the kits that have been mentioned so far are excellent choices. I would add Altoona Model works to that list! Good luck! I find building kits to be addictive!

One of my more advance kits.  BTS Cabin Creek Coal tipple.  Click on the underlined phrase to access a slideshow.    Best wishes with your project, have fun.

Mr. Clifford,

 

Bar Mills Models,

Model Tech Studios,

Banta Model Works,

BTS,

Laserkit.com,

Mount Blue Model Co,

Branchline trains,

-http://www.kitwoodhillmodels.com/railway-structures/

-www.minutemanscalemodels.com/aboutus.asp

-https://www.sierrawestscalemodels.com/oscale/oscale.shtml

-http://www.cheapsk8buildings.com/building-descriptions.html

-http://foslimited.com//index.php?main_page=index&cPath=14&zenid=b07e428de6396b0a01a2fc0a5282a360

-http://www.rustystumps.com/products.asp?cat=3

 

All supply wood kits.

All of which I have model of on my model RR that I bashed into something else..

Tools.. 

-wood glue of course.

-sanding blocks

-90 degree blocks to make the building square.

-sharp hobby knives. 

-if you're going to stain the building, then do it before you glue as the glue acts as a block and the stains won't stain the wood.

-on large walls, make sure you glue to the back side, stiffeners.. because if you paint the outsides with water based paints, the walls will warp.

-paper towel that is damp to take excess glue off the walls.

-weights.. these are used when gluing the back stiffeners. or th water based glue will then wrap and the stiffeners won't be straight and flat… 

-prepaint the corner pieces before gluing together. it is easier.. 

-prepaint the walls too before putting the structure together.. 

-I also spray paint the interiors black.. 

 

Hopefully these are some tips before you get into working your first wood kit that

you can use and helps you build a great 1st model.

 

Take care, Good luck!

Dan

Thank you for the responses, I appreciate the help. I have a few kits that I've bought recently. I have:

 

Model Tech

DPM (I think that's what it's called)

2 Korber

Branchline laser art

Banta

and a Stoney Creek Designs on the way. 

 

I can already see the differences in the various kits materials and instructions. I can already tell I'm liking the more expensive kits. I'll have to get building and see what I like and don't like. One thing is for sure, there's a lot of options out there that I was never aware of. 

 

 

Thanks again,

John

John if you will send me an e-mail, I will send you a couple of lists that will probably be helpful. I have a spreadsheet with sources divided into structures, lighting, furniture and fixtures, people, etc. 

 

We buy most of our stuff on-line and it really saves a lot of time. I will be glad to add some notes on which ones we prefer and why.

 

Hope it will help you. My e-mail address is in my info.

 

We do the interiors of many of the buildings that we build. Do you plan to do them, lighting, etc? It is not difficult and really adds a lot if you are so inclined. Also have some sources for good weathering techniques.

Thanks Bill, email sent. 

 

 

John

A small Korber kit was my starter.  

Frankly, when I start building again, AG/Andre's River Leaf Models will be my first stop.

FrankM.

Layout Refinements

I agree , River leaf is first on my list to visit in York!

Thank you a lot for your confidence, guys!

You will not be disappointed!

Frank, are you going to visit York?

 

 

Andre.

 

Korber has announced another 50% off sale. You might want to buy and start with one of these kits first. Not much $$ but a lot of details are in these kits.

Buy em ALL!

That way you allways a rainy day.

I have a stock pile of kits ready for

just such an occasion.

 

Another great source of detail parts and neat smaller buildings is Berkshire Valley out of Fenton, MO. I have use a few of their kits and like them a lot.

 

Dick

I can't, Andre. Ideally, I'd like to have been there in my usual spot and inviting you to use some of that space (a plan I had been considering which I had not mentioned to you, though) for your display of River Leaf, but I won't be present at all this Meet.

Be well and have great success. And say Hello to our friend, Frank, for me. Have fun.

FrankM.

Another factor is how much time you wish to put into building a kit. The Stoney Creek kits are great, come with terrific instructional CDs, but involve a lot of work. The buildings always involve a great deal of personality.

 

Steam Era Structures is at the same end of the spectrum. I don't think he is active, but I see his kits once in a while. I have bought all of them (about 12), am building one now and have one more to go. Fabulous structures. His approach to kits is unique: you get a bunch of sheet material and stripwood, and an incredibly detailed set of drawings and templates. I love this guy, hope he is well.

 

My specialized tool wish-list is the biggest of all. There is no substitute for squaring jigs, clamps, cutters, etc....

 

Good luck with your projects!!!

Goes with building a model base, but having a good reliably flat work surface is a must.

 

I have 4 sheets of 1/4" glass ~18 x 24" in my bench at use at any given time.

You may need a dictionary. Many instructions use building terms.

Purlin

Joist

Sill

Stool

Rafter

Stud

Plate

Sash

Lintel

Fascia

Soffit

Collar tie