I feel like I already belong here. Have been reding past topics over the last 2 months. I have already learned a great deal from all of you. I am still “backreading” currently on page 436 out of 580!
I am expecting some HO kits soon by Funaro & Camerlengo and am looking for hints and/or quirks as I realize they are a more advanced kit than say a BB.
I always thank everyone in advance for responding. Have a great weekend
Max
Resin kits aren’t much different than building any top-end plastic kit. The glue’s different, you have to do a lot more sanding, and you have to drill out all the grab holes, but that’s really it.
If you’ve only built BB kits, you need to get ready to build resin. Build a kit or two from Intermountain, Red Caboose, Proto 2000 or Branchline, to get a feel for assembling a quality kit. After you’re comfortable with building those, move on to the pinnacle of plastic kits: Tichy. These are resin kits in plastic. The glue’s different, but the rest of the process is the same: you have to square up the model, you have a million parts, you have to drill the grab holes, and you have to paint and decal them. The nice thing about Tichy kits is their low price; if you screw a $14 kit up before you scre up a $32 resin kit, you won’t cry as hard.
Once you’re ready for resin, invest in back issues of RMC for their “essential freight car” series (ongoing). This series is the single best resource for anyone interested in building resin freight cars. It’s MUCH better than the instructions that come with the kits (most say that F&Cs intsructions are garbage. That’s true, but so are Sunshine’s, Westerfield’s and Sylvan’s), and better than Westerfield’s “how to build a resin car” video (which may be the single most boring tape I’ve ever watched. It is informative, however)
Thanks Ray. Very useful info that I will keep on hand. I have built Proto 2000 kits in the past, have a few more on the table for practice as well as some Red Caboose kits. I’ll check into Tichy as well. Many thanks again…Max
hey another canadian , welcome to the forum !
you actually read old topics ? you probably already know more than the rest of us [:D]
have fun with the F&C , i haven’t built a resin kit yet but i’ve tried the tichy ore car . now that’s no shake the box kit ! someday i’ll build the 18 i have sitting around
I would suggest you start with the one pc. body kit first. Some are “flat” sides, ends , top & bottom must be glued together in pretty much perfect alignment. the roof is in pc. also. you have to drill & tap the botsters to attach the trucks, make sure they are properly centered. Some handrails may have to be fabricated, especially the roof grabs. As you probably know ,you have to paint & decal them. They provide minimum instructions, but they are some of the best looking models when assembled carefully. I have assembled many & am pleased with every one. Good Luck
I would suggest you start with the one pc. body kit first. Some are “flat” sides, ends , top & bottom must be glued together in pretty much perfect alignment. the roof is in pc. also. you have to drill & tap the botsters to attach the trucks, make sure they are properly centered. Some handrails may have to be fabricated, especially the roof grabs. As you probably know ,you have to paint & decal them. They provide minimum instructions, but they are some of the best looking models when assembled carefully. I have assembled many & am pleased with every one. Good Luck
The Tichy ore cars are fun to build and turn out to be really nice little cars. If you want to speed up the assembly process, replace the trucks with one-piece trucks from Walthers, Roundhouse, etc.
be sure you invest in a set of pin vises and pin vise drill bits, a hobby knife, some fine grit sand paper, jeweler’s files, tweezers, a razor saw w/ miter box, a scale ruler, and some sprue cutters before you start…the right tools will help you do a good job with the detailed kits…chuck