Does “craftsman” refer to a specific brand or are all kits craftsman? what constitutes a “craftsman” kit?
Many manufacturers make them. They tend to refer to a model that will have more detail when finished and will take more time/skill to construct. Models like FOScale, FSM and others take a lot more skill. Some of the easer craftsman kits are simpler in design and take a more moderate skill level. Some of the newer ones will be lazer cut, but some of the older ones like Campbell are just sticks and plans. Though the finished model can be spectacular, the real joy comes in the building.
Refers to a lot of detail work as compared to “shake the box” kits. Many parts, might require trimming if wood, painting, etc. Lots of detail work to challenge the modeler.
Below is one example of a simple craftsman kit.
There are some structure kits that have hundreds of parts and can cost well over $100.00 and then some.
Ok, next question will be, What are shake the box kits?
Rich
Tatan,
The term “craftsman kit” can sometimes run the gamut on meaning.
I’ve seen it referred to a laser kit, where all the pieces have been precisely cut using a laser. Although these may have quite a few parts, putting one together is time consuming but not necessarily too difficult. American Model Builders kits are an example of this.
Other times I’ve seen it referred to a kit that contained all the correct-sized “stock” but you had to cut it to the correct length or angle. The assembly instructions were written more in paragraph form with only a few pictures to enhance “interpretation”.
I put together a Suncoast Models FM Coaling tower that I probably invested 100 hours assembling, painting, and wiring. The instructions were in 1:1 scale so I had to convert everything to HO (87.1:1). That alone added time to the project. I have an Alexander Scale Models NYC Freight house that I “enhanced” that took me just as long to assemble.
Tatan, is there a particular kit that you are interested in? Or, are you just trying to understand the term? Technically, a “craftsman” kit of the Statue of Liberty could just be a block of wood…and your task would be to carve away everything that doesn’t look like the Statue of Liberty? [U]
Tom
In a way this is redundant, but I’ve always understood it to mean that you will need craftsman type skills to assemble properly. Such as carpenter, painter, modeler.
They are a lot of fun. One thing I like to do is to make sure I have all the directions understood and a picture or drawing of the prototype as well as a good count on all the parts to make sure everything is there. If the prototype is not available, then at least something close.
Richard
Craftsman kits, classically, referred to kits that were primarily wood with metal and/or plastic detail parts. Implicit in the concept was that the builder would have to sand, cut, drill, and fit parts. At least some painting during or after assembly would also be required. Metal kits that required similar actions were also included. Plastic kits don’t generally fit the definition even though they may have lots of parts. Resin kits are some where in between.
Current examples of Craftsman kits include LaBelle Woodworking, Ye Olde Huff n Puff, and Campbell Scale Models.
Enjoy
Paul
If the instructions are in 1:1 scale, what are you converting? Scale rules are for this purpose: To measure off material in real-time measurements that are engineered to your respective working scale. Your scale rule should be the backbone of your tool collection; without it, things can suddenly become very difficult.
Craftsman kits are generally thought of as quality kits that require a fair amount of experience and the ability to interpret instructions properly. Any of SRM kits , for instance,would be generally thought of as craftsman type kits; while the old Intermountain and Proto 2000 kits can also be construed as craftsman quality type kits in a different light. .
Keep in mind that, while a craftsman type kit of those types might not be for the rank beginner, we all started out as rank beginners, and it is good that we can work towards this level at our own speed and sharpen our abilities and talents samewise while travelling that road. this is a wonderful facet of this hobby
While all of what I said has validity, the connotation of craftsman level type kits can cover a wide spectrum of definition; and what one fellow calls craftsman isn’t neccessarily what the next fellow will construe it to mean. It is all relative. the important thing is to enjoy the hobby in a way that makes you happy; this is not an endurance test.
Rich
EF-3Yellowjacket
The difficulty of a “craftsman kit” is determined by the amount of profanity used in it’s construction, this includes the amount of small parts that vanish from the workbench into the 4th dimension as well…
Mark
Here’s an example with my HowTo for a narrow gauge caboose.
Wolfgang
In broad terms “craftsman kits” is used to describe kits (particularly railroad cars and structures) that are primarily made of wood, and often include pieces of stripwood you have to cut to size yourself. Some kits, like the old Walthers passenger car kits, were primarily metal. Either way, it required a lot of skill and patience to complete.
I suspect this term came into use when plastic model kits came along after WW2, since before that it would have just been wood and metal kits.
In recent years, wood “laser cut” kits have kinda confused the two; they’re primarily wood, but have the parts all pre-cut so can be assembled more like a plastic kit.
Craftsman kits are kits that are generally for the more advanced model railroader. As has been already said, it is not a brand name. Bars Mill, Fine Scale Miniatures, Campbell, are just a few of the many manufacturers of craftsman kits. I started with Campbell kits about 25 years ago. Since then, I like Fine Scale Miniature kits. [:D] Now, FSM are limited run kits, meaning that only about 600-800 are made of a particular model. I like FSM because they are very detailed. It takes me months to finish one. For me, one of the best part of George Sellios’s FSM kits are the new techniques that I learn and can use in scratch build structures of my own. Try one, you will be amazed at the results.[tup]
There are many examples given of craftsman kits, but I do not know that there is any one definition. My off the cuff definition would be a kit where the talents needed to build the kit are very much those that would be involved if you scratchbuilt the car or structure, but the manufacturer has parcelled out the materials in (hopefully) the right quantity – maybe or maybe not cut to size – and has tracked down the drawings for you, and has written instructions for you to follow.
That is not to say that pure plastic kits of the Intermountain, Red Caboose, or P2K variety do not reward craftsmanship in the assembly. But I do not think of them as craftsman kits in the way I would an Ambroid freight car or Campbell or FSM structure.
Dave Nelson