I have been into scratchbuilding since I got into this MRR thing a few years back and heard all manner of ideas about what scratchbuilding is/was/should/could/might be. My own opinion is that it could be whatever you think it should be at whatever stage you are at. I have some dubious skills at making my own can motors–although some don’t always work!–and fiddling around with brass pieces that don’t always cooperate. Some people I run into assume that scratchbuilding has to start from the raw material–ie metal stock,wood etc.–like one has to weave it out like a spider does from itself could/should that be the case? Have fun with this one…
I’m a kit mingeler myself , but if you want to make all those little bricks your mortar lines ought to be the best
wayne.
Barry,
In a nutshell…
scratch-building - The reproduction or fabrication of a prototype or fantasy part or structure where there are no drawings, directions, and/or parts provided by a source (e.g. manufacturer) in order to build it.
I don’t think this is a perfect definition for it…but it’s the best I can come up with on short notice. [:)]
Tom
I’ll step in on this one with the understanding that this is just an opnion and nothing more. “Scratch building” is when you make your own kit from plans then assemble it. Of course one can use available things like trucks and couplers or motors and running gear. But the majority of the model is hand crafted. In the old days we did a lot of scratch building. If I remember correctly, MR had plans for cars and buildings in their magazine for this purpose years ago. Also, years ago you could purchase, for a box car for an example, cardstock sides that were printed with the correct color and logos, that you would glue to the sides of your scratch built car. “Kit bashing” now, is a different animal. This is when you take two or more kits and make something that none of the kits was intended for. Ken
Tom,
It sounds good except for the part about parts. Do you mean that if I’m scratchbuilding a box car I can’t purchase trucks, wheel sets, and couplers?
Also if you use drawings from a prototype your definition is saying that it’s not scratch built.
I think your on the right idea, you can’t purchase a kit and call it scratchbuilt.
Jim
It’s tricky.
How about: scratchbuilding something requires the production of an item that didn’t exist previously with any of the included parts, where one uses those parts, in combination with raw stock of other materials, to make a recognizable component of a scale model, or the model itself.
Edited.
Jim,
I totally agree. As I mentioned previously, it’s not a perfect definition - as you so rightly have pointed out.
Some folks would argue that you have to fabricate EVERY part in order for something to be truly “scratch-built”. I think it really depends on what you are building and to what degree you build it. For me, if you built from scratch a 40’ - 6-panel wood box car and used commercial trucks, wheel sets, and couplers, I would still consider that a scratch-built model.
I know that the NMRA has local, regional, and national scratch-building competitions each year. I wonder how they define the term?
Tom
Here’s the NMRA definition, as per their web site:
- **Scratchbuilt**
-
To be considered scratchbuilt, a model must have been constructed by the applicant without the use of any commercial parts except
- Motor
- Gears
- Drivers and wheels
- Couplers
- Light bulbs
- Trucks
- Bell
- Marker and classification lights
- Valve gear
- Car brake fittings
- Basic wood, metal and plastic shapes
A model is considered “scratchbuilt” if at least 90% of the model’s pieces/parts (other than those specifically exempted in the list above) are fabricated by the modeler. This is a quantitative assessment based on the number of pieces with no weight given to complexity. This is a separate determination from the scratch building score. [underline mine]
If some points of the exempted parts are also scratchbuilt, the modeler may qualify for Bonus Points (see definition above)
The term “scratchbuilt” carries the implication that the builder alone has accomplished all of the necessary layout and fabrication which establish the final dimensions, appearance, and operating qualities of the scale model
Again, that’s the NMRA’s definition. Others mileage may vary.
Tom
I would agree with the NMRA definition.
Why?
Because is one that is oriented towards model railroading and has the broadest base of common understanding. If everybody has a different definition, then there is no discussion possible because everybody is speaking a different language. The definition doesn’t change with experience either, its the same. What changes is your ability to achieve or accomplish scratchbuilding. If you change the definition there is no need to improve. If you put the responsibility onto yourself and make scratchbuilding a goal for yourself, then you force yourself to improve to reach the goal.
I think to be 100% scratchbuilt you should make
-
Drivers and wheels
-
Couplers
-
Trucks
-
Bell
-
Marker and classification lights fixtures
-
Valve gear
-
Car brake fittings
as well. In other words all the parts from the prototype. Admittedly, I don’t do this, but then I call mine scratch/parts built since I use parts where I can. Having or not having plans does not mak
Unless one is entering and competing in model contests, does it really matter? If you are, then the NMRA guidlines are the ones togo by.
Me, I’m just a model builder and that includes scratchbuilding or using kit parts if I need to, and I’m not adverse to using a commercial product that’s as good as or better than anything I can scratch, especially if it saves me time and/or money without sacrificing the level of fidelity I’m after, (and my level’s pretty high). I’m not doing this to enter competitions, so the rules don’t apply! “It’s my railroad and I’ll build it the way I want to”.
However, the best way to develope your modeling skillls, is to have to create something from nothing.
I’m thinking of an evolving definition here–it is where you are at what stage you are at
I know one fellow up here who has a live steam( I have no idea as to scale–grr) that was completely done from ‘scratch’ ie; all trucks, drivers, even the boiler( had TSSA cert. for that) but his definition was do it whichever way you need to–he wasn’t a competition scratcher.
The NMRA definintion is a good rule of thumb to go by. “Scratch built” can mean making your own couplers of a type that is not available over the shelf, fabrication of the correct brake wheels etc for the running gear, and/ or fabrication of the correct window shapes of buildings or car sides etc. I say correct because if you feel the need to scratch, then there must be a prototype reason to do so that is not available as a commercial kit or part. I have no qualms about using commercial castings etc, if they will do the job I want, normally I buy rolling gear for cars because I just won’t be able to make them properly myself, but I will modify them to more closely resemble what the prototype had.
But to me, “scratchbuilding” is making what you don’t have but really want. Simple as that.
I guess if you’re into competitive running and run around the block and say you’ve been in a marathon run, the only person you’re fooling is yourself.
If you build models from basic materials as in the NMRA definition, then you are scratchbuilding. If you assemble parts from various models to make a diiferent one, you are kitbashing. Seems pretty simple to me. Either something is built from scratch or it isn’t.
This HO scale CN double ended plow was scratchbuilt from styrene. Commercial parts were the trucks, couplers, horn, lights, grab irons:
This On30 caboose was kitbashed from two short cabooses:
There is a difference.
My definition of scratchbuilding is when you turn a pile of nothing and build it into a boxcar, a building etc. Adding store bought details like trucks, hand brake wheels etc is OK as long as the basic structure came from a piece of wood, a piece of styrene or even a chunk of clay.
When I scratchbuild something I generally use whatever is lying around, pieces of wood, glass, paper, plastic. Sometimes I throw in a piece or two from an old kit and use pieces of plastic sprues.
Since I consider sheets of styrene siding, brick etc or sheets of shingles on the same level as paneling or plywood doors and such for real buildings. I would say anything short of “kit bashing” to be scratch building. IMO
Scratchbuilding is what you do after you plunk down $350 for a craftsman kit and find out what you have paid for is a set of plans, window and door casings, and a whole lot of scale lumber that has to be cut to size, primed, painted, and weathered.
Paul,
The NMRA definition is for 90% scratchbuilt. That is why ‘bonus’ points can be added by the Chief Contest Judge when the modeler goes the extra mile to scratchbuild things like the drivers or couplers.
The big item in a contest is the Construction - this is the big one(40 points out of 125). Scratchbuilding only garners a maximum of 15 points out of the 125. So, if the modeler did scatchbuild everything, he would only get 15 points. If the actual fabrication of those scratchbuilt items was poor, he would lose out in the construction catagory. The modeler has to make a judgement call if he can scratchbuild a better part than buying it off the shelf. So, it is very possible that all the work a modeler put into scrachbuilding the drivers will only get him an extra 1.5 points, and he may loose more than that if his scratchbuilt drivers are of poor quality.
Many modelers enter contest without doing research and documenting what they have done. That is a sure way to miss out on points. Trust me on this - I am the TLR Contest Chairman and have had to guess what was scratchbuilt because the modeler did not put much effort in the entry form.
If you want to see how judging is done, go out to this URL:
http://www.nmra.org/education/achievement/pdf/2006-judging-guide-lines.pdf
Jim Bernier
Well… if you only use wood from a tree that you planted, and forge your own metal parts starting from the iron ore you acquired during vacation…
Personally, I’m not quite that particular.[swg]
Jim