Dimensional stripwood 24" in length that is sold by the piece can be purchased at most larger discount arts and crafts stores for much less that most LHSs charge. This dimensional lumber is much cheaper and sometimes identical, especially in the larger scales, to the lumber prepackaged for a particular scale.
Good to know !
Thanks
At $3.99 for a package of 15—2x4s that are 11 inches in length from the LHS
scratch building can get expensive !
Prime,
Good points, I do plan to extensively go over my SRM kits plans in order to garner the construction method and adapt the general process for this project. I’ll draw up my own elevations and framing via CAD and take it from there.
Even if I paid a premium for dimensional lumber I’d still come out with a 70% savings on the raw material.
The only additional investment I’d have to make would be some additional jigs for cutting, measuring and such. Which in the long run is money well spent.
BTW,
Anyone here build their own roundhouse?
Structurally they look to be very simple structures. Big circle shaped sheds. I’d like to be able to remove my roof as well to show off my roster.
Anyhow I’m going to pick up the “Scotty Mason” DVD’s with which to hopefully gather additional tips and techniques.
$34 x 15 stalls = $510.00
Versus my SRM kit which now is worth about $2K give or take for 8 stalls.
The economy speaks for itself!
H:
Holy Toledo! Two thousand for a structure kit?
I looked at the SRM website but there aren’t any prices I could find - “If you have to ask…”
Sell, it, man, sell it. I had no idea.
AND then go out and look at a real roundhouse and build one of those. You’ll be miles ahead of SRM.
Lots of roundhouses at HABS/HAER:
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/collections/habs_haer/
Type “roundhouse” in the search box and let the magic happen.
Sell the kit and scratchbuild your own roundhouse - you’ll have something that’s unique, and probably more accurate/realistic than the kit anyway.
I have no background or experience in the full-size building trade, but I’ve successfully scratchbuilt structures that are based on real buildings.
If I can do it, then you certainly can.
Good luck with it,
Mark.
Beautiful work Mark!
Yup.
Their value has appreciated dramatically since I bought mine. Original cost was $425.00 + $180 for the extra stalls.
Let me just say though, SRM makes fabulous kits! Bob Van Gelder is a Master Craftsman, and a nice guy to boot!
30francisco’s comments are spot-on!
"… plan and construct it the way I want, and have a truly unique model."
1:1 railroads were notorious for constructing all manner of things which fit a specific need, in a specific place. Some results looked as if built by a high school shop class, while others truly looked “Store Bought” and everything else in between. Why should modeling be any different?
I prefer to create my own designs, as there are many odd shaped pieces of real estate to be found in railroading. Also, such a mindset may create unique versions of motive power and rolling stock. This too, is not a bad thing…