Hi

Please can someone tell me the difference between bilt-eezi and Metcalfe card kits, I've noticed the bilt-eezi ones are cheaper. I might google it but as this is my first post and I'm new I thought I will ask here.

Thanks in advance.

the built-ezi kits are on a single sheet of card and must be cut out, i bought a few and thought they'd need too much bashing and structural supporting so gave up on them,,,, the metcalfe ones are the opposite pre cut and far more sturdy but with a more chunky feel once finished,,,

So that explains why the bilt-eezi ones are so much cheaper.
Thankyou for your answer.

Can't comment on the Bilt-eezi kits as never come across them, but just wanted to say welcome to NGF


Paul

Hi,
Adding my "welcome" to the forum 
As Fratton says, not self-supporting - the term 'card' perhaps implies something sturdier but 'thick paper' might be more realistic.
However, as with Scalescenes and other more recently available printable buildings they can form the basis for adaptation and working in relief detail.  Here's my 'work in progress' L&SWR Goods/Parcels rework, walls placed together for this shot, pasted to thin ply as it'll be partly structural supporting the upper level trackbed:
[smg id=5036]
They do seem to have been around forever, and part of the appeal for me was the nostalgia - "it ain't what it used to be"  - element, I also intend to modify their Factory sheet when I get to that element of the layout, if they were good enough for Andy Calvert:
[smg id=5037]
I think it's worth taking a look around at a whole range of products to see what may work best for your layout's 'look', it's hard to justify not having a play with these at the price I'd venture 

Regards, Gerry.

There are two other differences :

1) the Bilteezi artwork is more realistic

2) they are produced to different scales - Metcalfe buildings are bigger than Bilteezi ones.

Best regards,

Joe Cassidy

 

To add my half a sixpence worth, Bilt-eezi "kits" are as described a simple sheet of card that needs to be cut out and glued together. They also have a nice "50's" feel about them. The milkdepot/factory has stood the test of time and is seen in various guises on many layouts. I have used the factory and the school/warehose as low reief buildings. In early days I built a row of the terraced house/shop kits but compared to the scalescenes offerings they have been left in a box somewhere, also they seem rather small in comparison. Some of the kits are difficult or fiddly in n gauge as they are reduced from "OO" so some of the fold lines need to be ignored as they are very small.
However they are after all CHEAP so worth a few ££,s to try them out.

Metcalfe kits are easier to assemble but I personally find them a bit shiny in finish and some look a tad oversizes. I do like the factory and brewery.

Still try them out and see.

Jerry

I'm not overly impressed with Metcalfe card kits although with a fair bit of effort they can be made to look good. But then so too can Bilt-eezi as Bernard Taylor demonstrated here:
http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?topic=2649.msg29522#msg29522

It 'obsons choice really, depending on what particular building you want. Also take a look at Scalescenes and Smart Models down-loadable card kits for additional choice. But overall I prefer to make my own card buildings.

H.

Just sent for a couple  of  Bilt-eezi  kits  it'll  be interesting to see how they compare with   Metcalfe  buildings

Thanks for the welcome and replies everybody. 
I think I might try them both the bilt-eezi ones are really cheap on the NGS shop. I will get a couple of Metcalfe ones as well. Not too sure if any has any farm buildings through as the the scenecraft ones by Bach/Farish are a bit pricey.

Quote from: Agrafarfan on May 11, 2013, 01:47:16 PM
Thanks for the welcome and replies everybody. 
I think I might try them both the bilt-eezi ones are really cheap on the NGS shop. I will get a couple of Metcalfe ones as well. Not too sure if any has any farm buildings through as the the scenecraft ones by Bach/Farish are a bit pricey.

Hi  Agrafarfan, 

The Metcalfe Manor farm kit builds up giving a nice scene.

http://www.metcalfemodels.com/n-gauge-manor-farm