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Post by Commodore on Jul 29, 2018 10:49:36 GMT -5
Nobody seems happy with their "urban" structures. Micro Structures are discontinued (and are expensive when found.) Old plastic kits look plastic.
The other issue is in the "footprint" of these kits. One inch wide kits are a scale eighteen (18) feet. They seemed designed to also work with briefcase layouts. Not many want all their buildings with narrow storefronts.
What is everyone else doing for authentic looking city scenes?
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Post by cwrr on Jul 29, 2018 17:45:05 GMT -5
Personally, I like to model the western part of the USA, so mostly smaller buildings that you'd find either trackside, or in small towns from the 1950's-60's.
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Post by neverland on Jul 29, 2018 18:03:54 GMT -5
Rory, when you say urban, are you referring to cityscapes versus small towns? Because in my mind the Miller micro structures seem best suited for small & mid-size towns rather than large cities. Which era are you trying to produce? Deb
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Post by Commodore on Jul 29, 2018 20:43:20 GMT -5
I'm looking to model typical small downtown areas. The hardware store, general and department store is more than 18' wide. A jeweler may work out of that space. Two inches deep in z scale is only 36 feet. Most stores are longer than that.
Any ideas?
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Post by Deleted on Jul 30, 2018 1:10:24 GMT -5
There is the " Pizza store" at Shapeways by Stony Smith. Warning : it is made of sandstone, windows are not "broken through", so You cannot put a light inside. Ans then take a glance at Rokuhan's town buildings, they look very "american", too ; for myself I will use them (I won't add fire escape ladders, they are too "fragile" in Z).
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Post by neverland on Jul 30, 2018 3:14:00 GMT -5
While your calculations of the Miller structures versus prototypical stores is certainly valid, you have to factor in the size of Z scale people who will populate your town. Frankly, the figures being produced in Z are quite small & when placed nearby, the structures look commodious. A much larger structure, albeit prototypical, would dwarf these figures further. Merten's figures are larger due to the molded base but the company's offerings are more limited. I bought a couple of plastic buildings from an eBay seller who was creating larger (taller & deeper) structures that had the Miller "look" & came finished. I bought two office-type buildings & a Gulf gas station that looks identical to Miller's. Unfortunately the guy is battling cancer at the moment so he has put further items on hold. He hopes after treatment to resume his fledgling business.I'll email you if I hear from him again.
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Post by smr on Jul 30, 2018 3:59:12 GMT -5
I like the buildings from Archistories. The owner of Archistories is very open for suggestions. Frank did a great job by placing a first order for a typical American depot. If you know what you want, let him know - he loves happy customers! Best, Sven PS: Every now and then there is a company that is offering fully assembled, laser cut light wood buildings. Does somebody have the details of this company? Here are some examples of their buildings, I like them a lot - top quality!!
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Post by smr on Jul 30, 2018 4:21:17 GMT -5
I used one of them on my NILES JUNCTION layout; just a little bit of weathering was necessary: Best, Sven
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Post by neverland on Jul 30, 2018 5:56:01 GMT -5
Sven, He sells on eBay under the name Cachu1853. I have his train station on my first layout. Fell in love with it immediately. His attention to detail is wonderful.
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Post by markm on Jul 30, 2018 9:53:49 GMT -5
If you see it, buy it. Tomorrow it will be gone. - Robert Ray
Unfortunately makers of Z structures come and go. People underestimate the time, effort or cost of producing structures. Also personal situations change. And occasionally there are the cease and decease orders due to trademark infringement.
Probably the best mid-century downtown building were the TownBuilders system. If you can find them, buy them, very prototypical and excellent detail. We might be able to convince the makers of these models to do them again, but not at the original prices.
The Rokuhan buildings can be a good choice. While they come pre-assembled, they just snap together and can be taken apart to detail or kit bash. Good detail.
A number of people such as Animek and Randy Brown can be a good choice although limited in range. Also check out GClaser and RSlasr.
I've used all the makers I mentioned, as well as the various German manufacturers and MTL. But overall you'll have to hunt.
The big thing is taking the time painting and detailing. With enough work even the plastic kits can look good. I generally spend as much time planning the construction, paint scheme, details and prep, as I spend on the actual construction.
About the only type of structure missing in Z are the pre-fab tilt-ups, which I would think would be an 3D print project. BTW: Robert Ray is approaching retirement and is planning to do structures.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 30, 2018 13:38:27 GMT -5
And don't forget all other houses by Stony Smith (at Shapeways), there are already a few available in white plastic ...
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Post by Commodore on Jul 30, 2018 16:33:05 GMT -5
If you see it, buy it. Tomorrow it will be gone. - Robert Ray Unfortunately makers of Z structures come and go. People underestimate the time, effort or cost of producing structures. Also personal situations change. And occasionally there are the cease and decease orders due to trademark infringement. Probably the best mid-century downtown building were the TownBuilders system. If you can find them, buy them, very prototypical and excellent detail. We might be able to convince the makers of these models to do them again, but not at the original prices." Thanks, Mark. That's what I'm looking for. I've got many of those you named but ...I need downtown row types at the moment. You're definitely right, Townbuilders are worth double the original list price. Am working on several "alternatives". But, really would like me some townbuilders! Buy 'em in a heartbeat.
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Post by zscalehobo on Jul 30, 2018 18:37:16 GMT -5
the figures being produced in Z are quite small & when placed nearby, the structures look commodious. A much larger structure, albeit prototypical, would dwarf these figures further. I wonder if you are speaking about different buildings, as Archistories work well with Preiser/Trafofuchs figures next to them. Photo courtesy of Kuhlmann and used on the item's product page.
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Post by neverland on Jul 30, 2018 20:20:35 GMT -5
the figures being produced in Z are quite small & when placed nearby, the structures look commodious. A much larger structure, albeit prototypical, would dwarf these figures further. I wonder if you are speaking about different buildings, as Archistories work well with Preiser/Trafofuchs figures next to them. Photo courtesy of Kuhlmann and used on the item's product page. [ No, the point I was trying to make is that if structures increase in size too much, the figures being made would look too small. Miller Engineerinf brass steuctures & those made by Archistories work well together. I use both. As a dollhouse miniaturist who works in 1:12 scale, I've learned that the range of 1:12 scale varies. In Z there is an obvious difference between Preiser & Merten figures re. size. You can use them both on a layout but not necessarily side by side. The same goes for buildings. Not all Z is created equal.
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Post by Commodore on Jul 30, 2018 20:55:05 GMT -5
I remember that being said by you in reference to some z scale buildings being too small...
Small world 🌎 😈
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