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Post by dave on Apr 5, 2016 18:40:37 GMT -5
Good evening...The lack of pre-built Z-scale structures has forced me to try something new. I started building a couple of simple laser wood structure kits made by Creative Laser Designs. I met the owner a few weeks ago at a local train show and picked up a barn set and a sugarhouse. These kits seem to be pretty easy to put together and paint. I have ordered some Bragdon weathering powders to try my hand at that. Anyway, my question for all of you is this. What brands and/or kits have you assembled and can you give some feedback on them? Here are the brands I am looking at.
GC Laser
RS Laser
Micro-Trains
Animek (Polyback)
Archistories (colored cardboard)
Monroe Models
Stonebridge Models
Thanks for your input.
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Post by markm on Apr 5, 2016 20:10:17 GMT -5
Dave,
I've done a bit of Monroe & Stonebridge (products are mostly OOP)and some GC Laser, RS Laser and MTL. They all go together well, good fit, adequate instructions. IMO my RS Laser hotel has particularly good detail but MTL, Stonebridge and GC laser are close behind. You might also want to consider Randy Brown if your layout is in need of adobe style structures. If you can find them, the Townbuilder series (long OOP) have excellent detail.
On the laser kits, I like to reinforce the outside corners of a building with 8'-10' scale 1/16" to 1/8" square base wood. It helps keep the wood from warping, makes a good light block in the corners should you light the building and a place to set wood or cardboard to simulate a floor or ceiling.
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Post by dave on Apr 5, 2016 21:42:37 GMT -5
markm,
Thanks for the reply. Can you post a photo of the reinforcement you mention?
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Post by Curn on Apr 6, 2016 0:28:48 GMT -5
Also look into the offerings from Showcase Miniatures. I recently finished the freight shed, and it is a well thought out and easy to build kit. Kits from Nansen Street Models are also good.
Micro-Trains, GC Laser, and Stonebridge kits are all great, and usually easy to build with good instructions. Unfortunately I think GC Laser kits are the only ones currently in production. I hope Karen from Stonebridge expands her Rouge River Models into more kits.
RS Laser kits are always available, and are good kits with good instructions. They tend to push the limits of laser detail, and have many thin parts with intricate detail. They do take a little more patience and care, but RS-Laser will send out replacement parts if you have any trouble, no charge. Their rolling stock kits are great!
I've only built one Animek kit, Dorothy's house, and it an easy and fun kit. Everyone who has built one his kits speaks well of them.
Can't say I have any experience with Monroe or Archistories.
Wild West Models have two Z offerings, but easily have the best instructions. Their assay office comes with a 23 page spiral bound instruction booklet.
If you need some pre-built structures look into the Grey Brothers Z scale offerings.
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Post by emaley on Apr 6, 2016 10:13:56 GMT -5
I have built all of those kits except Archistories and Stonebridge so far. I have been pleased with all of them. I recently built the freight house and fred's One Stop from Showcase and they were very nice. I use Testors enamel paint because I have worked with it since I was about 8 years old and am comfprtable with it. I like the solvent based paint because it does not tend to cause warpage. Also it can be thinned and give a stain like finish. I just finished the nansen roundhouse and it was a really nice kit also. I'm trying to get it on my layout now with the Rokuhan turntable. Animek kits are very nice also, although a bit intimidating because they are so small and detailed. I would love some Baz Models kits, but I snoozed and "missed it by that much'. I built his coaling station and I absolutely love it. Being a lifelong scale modeler, I love the challenge of Animek kits.
I tried a few brass kits recently and they have great detail, but i am still working on my technique for them. The key to all these kits I think is to take your time. It pays off in the long run.
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Post by zscalehobo on Apr 6, 2016 19:33:05 GMT -5
I have built all of those kits except Archistories.... Pardon the interjection, but z.scale.hobo is now offering the Archistories line. The low end of the pricing scale are the small houses. I am really amazed at the quality and fit of the Archistories kits. Take a look: zscalehobo.com/archistories/archistories.html |
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Post by markm on Apr 6, 2016 21:43:33 GMT -5
Dave, I'm not well known for my photographic skills and I'm not currently working on a laser kit, but I hope this helps. The wood I'm using is HO scale 4x4" stock:  |
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Post by dave on Apr 7, 2016 20:49:54 GMT -5
Thanks everyone for all of your responses; they will help me along as I get deeper into Z. Have a good evening.
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