I want to try my hand at “scratch building” some structures. What tools and supply’s would ya all’ recommend? I did order a DVD and will be picking up some books from my local library. I also had a look at micromarts website.
The basic tools you’ll need are a small square, a good metal straight edge, a scale ruler (#2 and 3 can be the same item), a good set of X-Acto type knives with spare blades, a good assortment of bandaids (see item 4), and a good sharp or small lead pencil for marking.
Depending on what material you plan to use, there are other tools that will be needed or just make the job easier. For example, if you need a lot of parts the same size and angle, a tool like the NWSL Chopper makes life easier, but isn’t necessary until you’ve decided you like scratch building.
Depending on what you’ll be building, you’ll probably need paints and decals or dry transfers.
I wouldn’t recommend going overboard with tool purchases if you’re just planning to “try your hand” at scratchbuilding. Later, if you decide to stay with it, the more sophisticated tools will make sense.
Steven,
I’ve just started getting into scratch-building myself and I can’t really add anything to what Tom above has already given you. The square and rule are the most essential. And plenty of sharp X-acto blades will make scoring and cutting much easier (AND safer!) And, if you don’t have one yet - a cutting mat, like this:
Find something that you want to model and…just give it a go. Now, you may not want to pick Union Station as your first project. Start small and work up from there. Here’s my most recent project, a shanty for my scratch-built ball signal (behind shanty):
I’ve only done a few projects so far, but I’m hooked…[:)]
Tom
P.S. Steven, I’ve found styrene and wood much easier to scratch-build with than brass. I haven’t yet perfected soldering brass to make it a viable material for me to use.
Thats for the input guys, that helps a lot 
I am going to start small. and have fun with it. would you suggest buying said items from my LHS, or do you have a website to suggest to order. Also what type of glues or adhesives should I purchase? I also forgot to mention, my brother sent me a couple airbrushes, I just need to purchase a compressor.
Steven,
If possible, pick them up at your LHS. That way you can handle them and get a feel for them, too.
As far as adhesives:
- Styrene to styrene - Liquid adhesive (the thin stuff)
- Wood to styrene - CA (cyanoacrylate)
- Wood to wood - Wood glue or CA (I prefer wood glue)
Those seem to work for me.
Tom
Sounds good, I have LHS called the train staion near my work. also a Hobbyland 3 blocks for my house.
Scratchbuilding can mean different things. This is a “traditional” scratchbuilding project, a structure made from styrene. I used a Campbell roof and Tichy doors and windows, plus a chimney (manufacturer unknown.)
But this is also scratchbuilt, from very different materials.
The subway station is mostly made from Hydrocal castings. The foundation of the first building is also a Hydrocal casting, so I think of the stuff I use for mixing Hydrocal and my molds as scratchbuilding tools as well.
There are a couple of structers in my home town that I would like to build. I was thinking that I would mostly use wood or styrene.
I have always found a good pair of tweezers to be very helpful. Actually I have 2 that I use all the time - sharp needle nose and bent blunt nose.
Enjoy
Paul
Good Day Folks!
Just though I would post a follow-up to this adventure, I found a great book at 1/2 price books, along with many others, this one is called 222 tips for building model railroad structures [:D]
the first part of the book was exactly what I was looking for… setting up the work area, and this is the list I put together… feel free to add anything, all suggestions are greatly appreciated
|
Hobby Store |
General Items |
|
Hobby Knifes No.1 X-Acto |
Flat tooth pics |
|
X-Acto Blades No. 11 |
Round tooth pics |
|
Razor Blades (single Edge) |
Popsicle sticks |
|
Razor Saw 5" 46 teeth per inch |
3x5 index cards |
|
Tweezers |
Emery Board |
|
Stainless-Steel straightedge w/ scales marked |
Masking Tape |
|
Jeweler’s file set |
Scotch Tape (standard & removable) |
That is a nice list. I am a tool freak, so I have tools for everything and I love them all and use them all. However when I did most of my scratch building about all I had was an xato set.
I have a project waiting its turn to build a repica of the family farm. We will see then how much I remember.
“I am a tool freak”
Me too!
My first attempt at scratch building did not turn out to well (I didn’t take a picture, but it kinda looked like the picture below [:D]. at least I didn’t have any major cuts to the body.) But I am not going to give up… Just keep trying to I get it right and learn from my mistakes
Steven,
Although NOWHERE near as bad, it reminds me of my first DPM kit: The freight house. Two of the inside walls didn’t exactly meet at 90 degrees. You can’t really tell unless you pick it up, flip it over, and look at the bottom.
Along the line of tweezers, I have three kinds:
- needle-nose
- flat-nose
- locking (push to open)
The list you have there is a good, general list of tools. I agree with Art. I only use a handful of them when scratch-building. To the tool kit, I would also add the following:
- double-stick tape (great for securing things to be painted)
- flat-nose pliers (great for flattening bent parts) - Mine have a tip 3/16" to 1/4" wide.
Tom
In addition to the tools mentioned in the other posts, I’d add a NWSL True Sander. This is the only way to get two or more parts exactly the same size. Besides an X-acto knife and a supply of sharp blades, I’d also recommend a supply of single-edged razor blades. An Opti-Visor is a big help in modeling small, intricate details in scales from Z to G. Besides the LHS, you can also purchase a lot of these tools and scratch building materials at arts and crafts shops such as Michaels or Pearl at a substantial discount.
[#ditto] The Opti-Visor is a MUST have! [tup][tup] I use it ALL the time…
Tom
I, too, am a tool freak!
Believe it or not, I found three of my most useful purchases at - of all places - Radio Shack. They have a set of five miniature files in a nice envelope-type case, a complete set of optical-size screw and micro-hex drivers in a plastic jewel case and a set of five miniature pliers and cutters in a soft fabric case.
With the above, my trusty X-Acto knife, a lot of #11 blades, my razor saw and my miniature framing square, I’ll tackle almost anything in wood and/or plastic. They are also just about everything I need to tackle the non-electrical portions of rolling stock kitbashing and repair.
The only caution I have about using sharp edged or ended tools is:
KEEP THE POINTY END POINTED AWAY FROM THE ANATOMY!
As your skills increase, so will the satisfaction of knowing that you can create something truly unique. Enjoy!
Chuck (modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)
I am far from an expert on this (so far have only kitbashed) , but I recommend a few hemostats and some locking needle holders, (some with teeth and some without) as well as multiple tweezers… (can you guess my profession…hahahha) I have the locking type, the reverse grip type (they hold tight and squeezing releases), a right angle and a bunch of different sizes… Also, a third hand tool for holding things works real nice…
Brian
P.S. Careful with those sharp tools…somewhere around my shop is the last 1/16" of my L index finger…but blood does look somewhat like brick… [:)]