Picked this up because I wanted to try a resin kit and I got it for cheaper that resist. But there’s no paint, no, trucks, wheels or couplers, a zillion white parts, white decals on white paper with lettering smaller than I could read with a microscope, sticks of wire…
What the heck did I get myself into?
A mess???
Hi Space Mouse
You are now in the deep end its sink or swim time
If you take your time read the instructions a million times you should be OK be a bit wary on some resin kits the instructions are not always that clear.
But if you get it right it will be a very trying learning curve but very rewarding in the end.
Just like the first scratch build is.
regards John
Fun?
This looks like a great kit to learn resin-building skills. With two complete kits included, build the first one for practice, then do the second, which should be better for the skills you’ve learned on the first.
Have fun, Chip! I tried a resin kit last year and ended up giving it to a friend, who still hasn’t tackled it.
Chip…Take your time and 1 step at a time…You can do it…we will be waiting for a photo…Cox 47
Chip, you should be happy with the latest MRR issue with its “how to” on resin kits. Are they writing specifically for you?
I haven’t got August yet. I’ll watch out.
Have at it, Chip! Give it your best shot and enjoy!
F&C comes here to NE Ohio every year in October for the NMRA Divison #4 train show. They sell their kits buy one, get one free. I’ve been tempted to try one but haven’t as of yet. Those short PRR flat cars ought to look nice when completed.
Chip, I’ll be interested in how you like putting them together. If they end up bustin’ your chops, I’ll be glad to buy them off of you and take a crack at them myself. If you end up enjoying them, let me know. I can keep my eye out for any kits that your are interested in at the show in October.
Make sure you add the wood planking on top of the cars…
Tom
That’s why they’re called a “Craftsman Kit.”
It doesn’t say craftsman anywhere on the box.
But I aint ascared.
I gotta add planking too? They should call this a “semi-kit” or a “enough parts to get you started” kit or a “you just started spending money on this” kit.
It may not say Craftsman Kit on the box, but their web site and listings in the Walthers catalogs nearly always mention exactly what you get and state that their products are all Craftsman Kits.
Their web site is at http://www.fandckits.com/ and might give you a little more information on their products.
The best approach to assembliing one of these kits is to take your time, and allow lots of time to the task. Also pay close attention to the types of paints and adhesives recommended for kit construction, and the preparation of parts such as washing in warm, soapy water to remove the mould release compound. Selection of the wrong type of paint or adhesive can potentially destroy a casting.
You might consider putting the kits on the shelf until you gain more experience. Then take use the plans to knock out some cars in plastic or wood.
Have fun
It’s called modeling. As in railroad modeling. As opposed to model railroad purchasing.
ROFL! It’s still a kit and I still bought it.
I would suggest that it is not what you purchase so much as how you use it that makes you a “modeler.”
Just wait until you try a LaBelle kit, chip…it’s basically a box of sticks and wire with an instruction sheet.
[:-^]
Hey Chip,
Give it a try (one of them). If you don’t like them, always remember E-Bay is on duty 24 hours a day.
Long live the “WOBBLY”
Johnboy out…
Thanks guys for the encouragement. Although I pitched and moaned I don’t believe these “kits” are beyond my skill level. I think they will look nice. I really look forward to building them. But they will be shelved for a while for several reasons.
I haven’t built the layout to put them on.
The time I spend on them will not equal the productive progresss I would make on the layout in other ways.
My autistic son doesn’t know how to handle rolling stock yet, and they would be at risk.
The best way to gain experience, is to jump in and get your feet wet!
Try your best, take your time and don’t worry too much about making mistakes. One of fastest ways to gain experience and hone your skills is fixing the mistakes to the point where they don’t show. For those of us who think of themselves as craftsmen, we all made lots of mistakes but we also learned a lot fixing them. It’s all trial an error, but if you just sit in your armchair and do the easy stuff and don’t challenge yourself, you’ll never get any better. Have fun and good luck and if you get stuck, just ask!