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**Dutchman** · 02-11-2005, 05:44 PM

John,

Although I voted for "I really like to design and build my own structures and find this creative part to be the most reward", I also enjoy having something just a little bit unique on the layout.

**MP_Rich** · 02-11-2005, 06:02 PM

I have thrown in a vote for other. That really means that it is a combination of most of the mentioned items plus more. I am modeling a number of structures that would be very necessary for the proto area I follow. That would mean I want a unique structure. I also find many kits are not of the style I need for this area. Many brick structures are made for East coast big city rather than small towns. I find there really is quite a difference in the look. I do find the prices high and I do enjoy the designing and building also. Can I have an "all of the above vote"? Richard

**MikeC** · 02-11-2005, 07:01 PM

John, I voted for "Other" because my answer is really a combo of choices 2 and 4.

Something else I really enjoy doing is scratchbuilding (maybe "rebuilding") various kit components. White metal doors, for example, are about as easy to replace with scratchbuilt wooden ones as they are to paint and try to make look like real wood.

**ANo10** · 02-11-2005, 07:57 PM

John,

I voted #4, but should have been "other". I'm partial to one-of-a-kind structures. I think taking a photograph, researching the subject, drawing the plans, and constructing and detailing the scratchbuild is the most enjoyable part of this hobby. But I use the techniques I learned here.

Jim

**Will_Annand** · 02-11-2005, 11:26 PM

quote:

Originally posted by MikeC

John, I voted for "Other" because my answer is really a combo of choices 2 and 4.

Something else I really enjoy doing is scratchbuilding (maybe "rebuilding") various kit components. White metal doors, for example, are about as easy to replace with scratchbuilt wooden ones as they are to paint and try to make look like real wood.

Mike, now there is a business opportunity for someone. If someone came out with a line of wooden doors and windows similar to the cast metal ones they might have a product that would sell.

**anbhurst** · 02-12-2005, 12:09 AM

John,

I have always enjoyed having things that are unique and which I can take pride in building and/or modifying. It also gives me a certain sense of accomplishment.

Allen

Modelling the East in the West!

quote:

Originally posted by Bbags

Why do you scratch build structures or rolling stock? . .

**1369_unknown** · 02-12-2005, 12:55 AM

Ivoted for "I really like to design and build my own structures and find this creative part to be the most reward", but I also need to add that I would consider building some kits, if they weren't often so disappointing to me in a few areas. Especially for what they're asking for the better kits these days.

I find that most mfrs doing masonry buildings (stone especially), have no understanding of how stone construction is prototypically done and supported, thus resulting in what I feel are usually not believable structures, and often comically proportioned. Same applies with a good amount of the brick stuff out there...especially in the cornice, window, and opening detailing/construction areas.

Lazer cut kits with trusses, windows, doors, and other features where the grain run's cross to what happens in real life are unacceptable to me.....I know that this is what results from the cutting process and material and is unavoidable....but it's just wrong. And I really dislike the often exposed dark edges or when sanded away the ply laminations, that don't stain and finish well.

I know I'm being my crotchety and grumpy self here....but I feel that these issues reduce many/most of these types of kit's desirability for me.

Marc

**jerryglow** · 02-12-2005, 01:12 AM

I voted other. My reason didn't seem to match any of the suggested answers. Generally, I'll use or modify a suitable kit, but sometimes I can't find one or what's available is so far off from what I want, its easier for me to draw it up and scratchbuild it.

**bpate** · 02-12-2005, 01:58 AM

Interesting poll John,

I could have voted for 1 and 2 but #4 is the closest for me. Building an Australian layout I will have to scratchbuild most of what I need anyway and modify any kit.

**danpickard** · 02-12-2005, 02:21 AM

This needs to be a multiple choice vote!!!

I ended up saying to have a unique structure. One thing that does frustrate me sometimes is when you can play spot the structure on several layouts. I appreciate the craftsman kits for their excellent construction, but they lose a bit of appeal or me when they appear to often. Atleast I know that if someone views my layout at exhibition, they cant say they've got that structure, or recognised it from the last layout they saw.

As for the other options...kits cost me too much, and I also really enjoy seeing what I can create from within my own head...not from opening a box complete with instructions. There is a better sense of achievement with a scratch build.

Dan Pickard

**MikeC** · 02-12-2005, 05:19 AM

quote:

Originally posted by Will_Annand

quote:

Originally posted by MikeC

John, I voted for "Other" because my answer is really a combo of choices 2 and 4.

Something else I really enjoy doing is scratchbuilding (maybe "rebuilding") various kit components. White metal doors, for example, are about as easy to replace with scratchbuilt wooden ones as they are to paint and try to make look like real wood.

Mike, now there is a business opportunity for someone. If someone came out with a line of wooden doors and windows similar to the cast metal ones they might have a product that would sell.

Will, I'll leave that up to Rusty or someone who doesn't mind the business end of the hobby.

If I got into it that way, I know from prior experinence that my wife would make me start keeping financial records and all that rigamarole[:-irked], and I'd lose interest real quick. Like I've told Rusty in the past, I have no interest in the business of the business.

**Bbags** · 02-12-2005, 09:12 AM

I decided to answer my poll.

I also picked that it is very rewarding to be able to complete a structure that you have designed and built yourself.

However as with most things in this hobby the answers do tend to overlap.

I agree that kit prices are high and I probably could build one for less than the cost of the kit.

But I do like kits also as they come complete with detail castings that I would have to search for on my own.

Also someone has taken the time(hopefully) in writing the directions that will make the kit go together with the least amount of frustration.

So I like to do a mixture of kit building and scratch building.

**Shamus** · 02-13-2005, 12:08 AM

For me, I really like scratchbuilding. For the most part I make up the drawings for the structure on computer then print it out and glue the printout onto good quality card. Also I tend to draw up the windows and doors on the computer and print these out using the epson transparencie. I have in the past bought windows and doors from Grant-line products, these are excellent.

There are the odd occasions when I just look at a photo of a structure I want to build then draw up on computer a reasonable representation of it. Print it out, stick it onto card and cut it out, then stripwood the lot. It’s a lot of fun making your own.

Shamus

**Wallace** · 02-13-2005, 07:39 AM

There is a greater satisfaction in scratch-designing and building a car or structure, than I can get from assembling someone else's highly engineered and designed commercial kit. It provides a feeling of accomplishment to be the creator of something unique. I regret that scratch-building steam locomotives no longer seems to be a part of the hobby, as it was in the 1950's and '60's, as that remains my major interest, despite the large selection of imported steam locos which lack the fine details an individual can add to make the model closer to prototype appearance.

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