I can see the title now!!!
Scratchbuilding for Beginniers.
If I wrote a book showing how easy it was to make things from scratch, would you buy it?
Tell me your thoughts.
James
I would have to see it first, but since after almist 50 years in the Hobby, I am still a beginner, I probably would.
james,
If there isn’t a book like that there should be one,
I would buy that, I would have special interest in tips about “recycling” stuff,
like cardboard and plastic pakaging, popsicle sticks, matches "
how to turn walnutshells into ballast.
keep us informed!
Lupo
Take a look at what enterprising G scalers are doing that can’t afford the super high prices of everything in that scale, like using coffee stirrers, popsickle sticks, toothpicks, cheap ‘dime-store’ jewelry chains, pieces of wire, clear plastic packaging, bits of clear 35mm film, brass pin heads, shapes from model cars, washers, rivet heads, pcs of tubing, grommets, old clock gears, scribed sheets of plastic, cardstock, ‘diamond plate’ strapping tape, and brass staples from cardboard cartons, to just name a few. I’ve used them all in scratchbuilding large scale stuff – admitedly lots of the stuff I’ve referenced would be too clunky for smaller scales, but your proposed publication wouldn’t have to confine itself to just one scale. Good luck.
You Bet!
A book with following is something I will need in the near future
A chapter to the building of farm houses and barns.
A chapter on stone walls
A chapter on trees/shrubs
A chapter on rock formations
I’m sure the list can go on and on.
I would be interested if it included S scale. How scratch were you planning? I have seen a lot of scratchbuilding articles that included a scale specific list of parts. So if HO is your emphasis, it wouldn’t help me a lot. For me the biggest problem with scratch/parts building is finding the parts. Now if you intend to show us how to make things like K type brake cylinders, 6 spoke brake wheels, etc across all scales - great.
Enjoy
Paul
The Idea is that although the projects I used as demonstrations would be built in HO, (For use on my own railroad after all) the techniques, ideas, and even the plans could be applied to any scale.
James
Yeah I’d buy that book, or at least try to convince my library to. I’ve always wanted to scratch build stuff, but have no clue how to get started.
Well it looks like I have a project to work on this summer and fall.
I just had this idea yesterday, so give me a while to get something done.
James
I would probably buy it, I am willing to learn as much as I can About scratchbuilding. It would depend on how much it cost though, but under $20.00, I would probably buy it.
Noah
It might be an idea to first see what other similar books are out there. I have a copy of Wayne Wesolowski’s book “Model Railroad Scratchbuilding” published many years ago in paperback form. Dr. Wesolowski (I think he has a Phd in chemistry) has published many articles in the model railroad press also.
There’s also “The Model-Building Handbook” by Brick Price. Brick’s firm builds models for movies and TV programs. There probably are many more.
If you are still interested in offering a book for publication, do you have credentials that a publisher would want to see? Have you had articles published in the model railroad press? Have you earned Achievement Program certificates from the NMRA? Etc.
As per one other suggestion in this thread, such material does not have to be scale specific - supply the methods and allow readers to adjust material needs to their own scales.
Good luck - you’ll need it!
Bob Boudreau
Canada
I’d like to see some information on the importance of the quality of your workspace and your tools, when it comes to scratchbuilding, kitbashing, painting, or detailing. My mistake was growing up with extremely poor habits of workspace cleanliness and organization, and I have to admit it shows in the models I produce. I simply have too much clutter; if I had dedicated shelves, say, for paint, versus for styrene sheets, versus kitmingle-remnants, or even families of tools, I might be a bit more productive than I am. I’m 33, been modeling seriously for 20 years, and I’m only now starting to learn these lessons. Nobody ever modeled proper “table manners” for me! Instead, I read the articles on how easy it is to build from scratch, went at it, and created a never-ending cycle of clutter.
You are absolutely correct. But I don’t see those works mentioned hardly at all in the contemporary press and you don’t see them marketed anywhere at all! Railroad Model Craftsman is currently doing a series called “Scratchbuilder’s Corner” But the common perception for that many people seem to have about that magazine is that it is for old foghies who are 20 years behind the times, and that it is the magazine for people who can’t cut it for Model Railraoder. I belive that is false and while the magazine has an older style to it, I like it and believe that Model Railroader is the magazine for people who can’t cut it for Railroad Model Craftsman. (Yeah I know MR is the better known magazine, but their standards for craftsmanship are much lower to in my opinion. You won’t find how to detail a mostly detailed Ready to Run GP-9 in RMC)
I probably don’t at this time. But I am not really worried about a publisher. I have contacts with a local printshop that is geared to print books, and they do really good work. I just have worry about getting them distributed. As for articles in the Model Railroad press, I have submitted a few, but they have not been printed yet, and no
I can agree with the tangible items you get from the NMRA, as I now belong as an associate member and don’t get the Bulletin; its only about $21 a year. But the point I was making re the Achievement Program is that you have the opportunity to have your scratchbuilding skills evaluated by qualified modelers, and thus improve your skills and have proof that you can offer advice to others.
To obtain AP certificates for Master Builder - Cars, Structures, Locomotives, and Scenery you have to demonstrate your skills as most require a great deal of scratchbuilding effort to qualify. They also require that you acquire points in NMRA contests where you compete against others. You may be the greatest scratchbuilder around, but how can you demonstrate it to others when your work may never have been compared to the work of others?
I served as the Achievment Program Chairman for the NMRA’s NER region for five years, so I have seen examples of others’ work. I have also earned all of the above awards myself (except Locomotives - I still have to scratchbuild one!), so I have experience in this matter. I have also had many articles printed in the hobby press.
Please keep us advised on your publication progress!
Bob Boudreau
Canada
I might buy your book as long as I could skim it before i bought it
and the price was right.
If the book contained general scratchbuilding techniques applicable in any scale and the price was under $20, I would look into it.
Ok. Thank you for your insights. I will keep this in mind and look further into it.
James
If you wrote it in simple English with plenty of pictures and ideas, yes! I need a lot of help with scratchbuilding, since I want to model a Burlington E-5 and scratchbuild a grain elevator.
Don’t forget the most important Chapter, the one that tells how many beers it takes to build this or that. You know what they say, timing is everything and time is beer.[:D][:D][:D]
LOL. That is great.
However I do not drink beer. Would Coca-Cola be a good substitute?
James