Friends,
I would like to build over the winter the factory and the brewery and the bus depot and interlink them all so as to construct a sort-of manufacturing place!
Are the kits not for the novice or are they reasonably easy to glue etc?
As an aside, will rolling stock go under the roof of the bus depot because I do not want buses but entry portals to the manufacturing complex?
Regards, Peter.
These Kits are fairly easy to build with easy to follow instructions, you should be alright with them. As to the size of the Bus garage doors I have no direct experience of this kit but from the pictures I would think railway stock should go through them OK.
The brewery is one of my favourite kits and an enjoyable build.
Seeing what you have already done, Peter, I would say you'd do a great job.
Dave G
I have to agree with all the posts above, you should be fine but make sure you have a sharp knife, and take your time.
Any problems just shout and we will see if we can give any input.
Peter, I'm 80, had one cataract op and due another, a headband magnifier works for me, I still seem to manage handling things. I built the factory last year as well as the corner pub and shop which I modified, I've also scratch built a number of terraced houses. They're currently sat on a diorama until I eventually move out of this house into a flat and build a new layout.
[smg id=13037]
I won't say it's easy, but it only needs a bit of practice. Maybe start with something like the low relief terrace houses, fronts or backs or some other buildings which will be placed nearer the back of the layout.
Biggest problem I've had with the factory and boiler house is that with it installed near the front of a layout the chimney is very vulnerable, easily caught by a sleeve or the lead of a soldering iron, and many other things.
Nice photo, Mike. :thumbsup:
Dave G
Nice model, too. Is that smoke coming out of the chimney?
They are good kits. All you need is a good light, sharp knife, rocket glue and a cutting mat.
Take your time and read the instructions carefully.
My little tip is to use double sided tape to stick with windows in in these kits, it holds them a lot better than glue does.
For sticking windows I have found that by using a combination of both liquid polystyrene and white PVA they stick really well.
What I do is first using the brush of the liquid poly wipe it on the outer edges of the window where it will be stuck to the inside of the building, put that aside for a minute. Then using either a brush or one of those small plastic bottles with a fine nozzle, put a small fillet of PVA around the window opening but spread it out using a cocktail stick or similar to ensure it doesn't run onto the window acetate.
By now, the liquid poly should've started to eat into the acetate to provide a key for glueing, with tweezers pick up the window and put it in place checking that it is square in the opening.
To hide the white edges of window openings and external folds I have a packet of the cheap coloured fibre pens and choose a suitable colour to run down the edge before glueing up. Once you get glue onto the card, the pens don't work, that's why I suggest before you glue it up.
Job done.
The bus garage doors are 33mm high and 54mm wide and will take a wagon/engine
I have always enjoyed making up Metcalfe buildings they were the first buildings I made. I have now moved on to scalescenes and similar buildings but still do Metcalfe but I always use a head magnifer
Good tip about the windows
My biggest problem is that how ever carefully I try I always get glue somewhere it should not be. Now I use Rocket card glue and a matt spray that helps but it still happens
Caz's note about coloured pens for the corners is a good one.
Couldn't find any fine fibre tips so I do a similar with watercolour pencils. Just have them very sharp and the *slightest* bit damp and carefully run down the fold. Makes a huge difference to the finished article.
Sainsbury's were doing a whole set very cheaply just the other week.
Dave G
Hi Peter, despite my addiction to scalescenes kits, I think the Metcalfe brewery is one of my favourites. It is relatively easy to build just take your time. Forgive me if you know but the kits are pre-cut with just a tiny cut required to remove each piece from its sheet, in addition the instructions are clear and in the case of the brewery each section can be assembled before you need to work our how you want them to join up.
Good luck and looking forward to your progress.
Jerry
Quote from: Jerry Howlett on September 23, 2014, 05:31:14 PM
Hi Peter, despite my addiction to scalescenes kits, I think the Metcalfe brewery is one of my favourites. It is relatively easy to build just take your time. Forgive me if you know but the kits are pre-cut with just a tiny cut required to remove each piece from its sheet, in addition the instructions are clear and in the case of the brewery each section can be assembled before you need to work our how you want them to join up.
Good luck and looking forward to your progress.
Jerry
Thankyou Jerry,
I have never constructed ANY buildings in "N" before so it is very much of a "learning curve"!
I just need something to do of a winter evening when the layout room is too cold and inhospitable!
Regards Peter.
My sincere thanks to everyone thus far for the advice, the tips and general information, it is just what I needed!
Regards, Peter.
Hello Peter,
Why not have a go at one of the free kits that can be downloaded?
There is a signal box from www.smartmodels.co.uk (http://www.smartmodels.co.uk)
http://www.smartmodels.co.uk/products/railway-models/railway-buildings/free-signal-box (http://www.smartmodels.co.uk/products/railway-models/railway-buildings/free-signal-box)
or a low relief warehouse from Scalescenes
http://www.scalescenes.com/products/R002b (http://www.scalescenes.com/products/R002b)
This way if you accidently make a mistake you can print off more at minimal cost ;)
cheers John.
That's an excellent idea, John. I hadn't seen the signal box before... it's pretty cool - especially at the price! :thumbsup:
George
Quote from: scotsoft on September 23, 2014, 07:22:02 PM
Hello Peter,
Why not have a go at one of the free kits that can be downloaded?
There is a signal box from www.smartmodels.co.uk (http://www.smartmodels.co.uk)
http://www.smartmodels.co.uk/products/railway-models/railway-buildings/free-signal-box (http://www.smartmodels.co.uk/products/railway-models/railway-buildings/free-signal-box)
or a low relief warehouse from Scalescenes
http://www.scalescenes.com/products/R002b (http://www.scalescenes.com/products/R002b)
This way if you accidently make a mistake you can print off more at minimal cost ;)
cheers John.
Thankyou John,
I have no need of a signal box but I will consider the warehouse. I have just ordered a tiny nozzled glue applicator ready for my endeavours!
Regards, Peter.
A wot? ???
Sounds like a family planning aid :D
Whoa there! The Smartmodels free signal box is not an easy make and does not stand comparison to the Metcalfe kit in any way - especially for anyone new to card modelling.
I lost the will to live trying to make the N scale steps for the downloaded freebie whereas the Metcalfe kit was actually enjoyable to make and after a bit of weathering looks perfect (to me.) You also get four buildings in the Metcalfe kit and can practice on the lamp hut and platelayers hut before tackling either of the signal boxes.
I am just about to complete the Metcalfe smaller station - another superb kit.
I'm 100% converted to Metcalfe and don't care if every other layout in the land has the same buildings :)
another thought - the Roket card glue is perfect for all card modelling and comes with a blue plastic fine tip - just dot a small amount of glue onto scrap paper, dip the tip into it and then paint a line of glue where you want it - no need for the fancy and expensive 'applicators' at all.
There is a world of difference between the Metcalfe kits and the downloadable ones. I use Scalescenes a lot and the results can look great but there is a lot of work involved. Some of the other downloadable suppliers do have simpler kits which would be easier to start with modelrailwayscenery.co.uk comes to mind
The download market has really grown since I started using them
I agree about making the steps!
I have built most of the N gauge Metcalfe and enjoyed making them. I would say start with a Metcalfe kit then one of the download ones
The little blue applicator which comes with rocket glue is great but blocks very easily my solution is as soon as I have finished the piece I am working on I take off the applicator and drop it in to some water
Interested to see the comments about gluing the windows.
I'm using Bostik (Glu & Fix All Purpose Clear) which I've decanted into a Metcalfe fine tipped applicator bottle, and it seems to be working great on both the card and glazing. Bostik is one of the glues Metcalfe recommend.
(But I'm no expert - I've only recently built my first card kits since I was in school, so perhaps they'll fall apart soon, but so far, so good.)
I've enjoyed putting the kits together. Nice quality. Look good.
The only other comment I'd throw in is to read the instructions carefully. Then read them again. And once more before gluing.... They're not always quite as good or as complete as they first appear. But that's a problem that's hardly unique to Metcalfe, sadly!
Quote from: Northman on September 24, 2014, 09:53:27 AM
another thought - the Roket card glue is perfect for all card modelling and comes with a blue plastic fine tip - just dot a small amount of glue onto scrap paper, dip the tip into it and then paint a line of glue where you want it - no need for the fancy and expensive 'applicators' at all.
That's what I use, for both the card assembly and sticking the windows on. I have a supply on a bit of scrap card and use a cocktail stick to apply the glue to the relevant components to stick them together.
Quote from: Bealman on September 23, 2014, 11:18:54 PM
That's an excellent idea, John. I hadn't seen the signal box before... it's pretty cool - especially at the price! :thumbsup:
George
We are going :offtopicsign: regarding Peter's original post... However I am sure I posted the smart models freebie signal box a year or so back. I did try to build the steps but after 20 secs of sanity check bought some pre made plastic ones instead.
Back to Peter I use one of those fine tip glue thingy's and they are brilliant.
Step into the world of card Peter...
Jerry
Quote from: Bealman on September 24, 2014, 09:47:30 AM
A wot? ???
Sounds like a family planning aid :D
FYI!
http://www.finetip.co.uk/ (http://www.finetip.co.uk/) Fine Tip Glue Applicator or as I described it "a tiny nozzled glue applicator", same thing but different!
Quote from: petercharlesfagg on September 24, 2014, 05:33:19 PM
Quote from: Bealman on September 24, 2014, 09:47:30 AM
A wot? ???
Sounds like a family planning aid :D
FYI!
http://www.finetip.co.uk/ (http://www.finetip.co.uk/) Fine Tip Glue Applicator or as I described it "a tiny nozzled glue applicator", same thing but different!
That's the one I bought Peter. I also purchased a pack of 2 replacement nozzle pins, so naturally I still have the original one after a year dropping said pin several times a day on the patio. lFor info keep it topped up with your choice of glue and it wont let you down,
Jerry
Another handy piece of kit you might wish to consider Peter is the Sakura Glue Pen. I have been using these for a few years and they are very good for those odd awkward bits ;)
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Quickie-Glue-Roller-Pen-Removable-Permanent-/151414377413?pt=UK_Crafts_RubberStamping_RL&hash=item2341000bc5 (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Quickie-Glue-Roller-Pen-Removable-Permanent-/151414377413?pt=UK_Crafts_RubberStamping_RL&hash=item2341000bc5)
cheers John.
That is crying out for an answer, but I'll refrain myself and leave it for the Kiwis when I arrive in Wellington on Saturday. >:D