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Scratch Building Tutorials:
There are many excellent kits out there for model railroads and dioramas, but an alternative that is gaining considerable popularity is 'scratch building'. Scratch building is the practice of building a model from basic materials, as opposed to assembling components from a kit. The advantages of building from scratch are often cost, versatility, and for many, a deeper sense of accomplishment. Since many kits need a certain amount of preparation - sanding and trimming of the included parts, the extra steps involved in scratch building are often not that daunting considering the benefits gained.
Modellers and hobbyists often develop their own styles and methods, but we'd like to share with you some of the techniques that will help you to achieve success in constructing from our plans sets.
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On this page:
- Cardstock Tutorial
- Cardstock Video
- Corner Boards
- Downloading
- Drive-in Theater
- Gable Decoration
- Glitter Houses
- Louvers
- Metal Siding
- Model Builder Software
- Plank deck
- Post & Beam
- Quonset Hut
- Scratch Building Tutorial
- Scratch Building video
- Shake roof
- Stairs
- Windows – Customizing
- Window – cutting out openings
- Window size chart
- Z, S and T scale
- Garden Scale
Cardstock Modeling Tutorial
A step by step guide on using either of the card stock options of scalemodelbuildings.co plan packages.
Corner boards for Horizontal Siding
Butt joints are a lot easier than mitred corners, but don't look as realistic. Using "corner boards" can simplify the process while at the same time, adding interesting and authentic detail to your model.
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Up to 15% off!
Make a "Working" Drive-in Theatre
There is an easier way to install electronics, and is included in your plans.
This is a supplement to Plan 1515, the Stardust Drive-In, which uses a standard 7" or 10" digital photo frame to create a dynamic drive-in theatre.
Gable Decoration
Gable decorations can be ordered through suppliers listed on our Links page, but this brief tutorial shows an easy way of making your own.
Making Glitter Houses
This tutorial shows you how to make Christmas Glitter Houses using our Plan 1226S.
Window Louvers
This tutorial was designed for Plan 2455, the East Broad Top Railroad Blacksmith Shop, but comes in handy for other projects as well.
How to Make Inexpensive Metal Siding
Includes Link to free building plan.
Using scalemodelbuildings.co templates with Model Builder software
Model Builder software allows you to create and print out your own cardstock structures. Each of our Plan Packages include template files that import into Model Builder to allow you to easily create your own custom version of our catalog plans.
Making a plank deck or platform
A simple tutorial on making your own "ship decking".
Post & Beam Construction
Post and Beam, or Timber Frame construction is a very suitable method of model building when you want to show an authentic looking interior of a model structure. Most of the plans from www.scalemodelbuildings.co can easily be adapted to post & beam construction.
Tin Can Quonset Hut
An experiment in recycling - making a quonset hut from tin cans.
Scratch-building Tutorial
If you've assembled kits before, why not take the next step? Choose either the scaled plans or traceable templates, both are included in our plan packages.
Scratch-building Video Tutorial
This is a three part video on scratch building, applicable to building with styrene or scaled lumber. It is based on Plan 576.
Making your own "Barn Shakes"
Make your own realistic looking shake roof using wood veneer and a standard paper cutter. It's easier than you might think!
Window and Door Size reference chart
A listing of available door and window sizes to help you choose and order pre-made scale doors and windows for your model. Also, hints for using HO scale windows in N scale models, etc.
Customizing Windows
Can't find the windows or doors you need? It might be possible to make one.
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Up to 15% off!
Cutting out Door & Window Openings
The EASY way! (FREE Template download) Use the downloadable template to cut out window and door openings.
Z, S, and TT scale construction using ScaleModelPlans
scalemodelbuildings.co Template files can be printer-reduced to construct just about any common structure scale. The example to the left is a Z scale structure constructed using an N scale plan 1511.
Garden Scale
Make your Own Garden Scale Windows & Doors
If you have access to a table saw or band saw, with a bit of time and effort you can create many of the doors and windows for your G scale construction projects. This tutorial is intended to supplement the Construction Tips included with your ScaleModelBuildings.com Plan Package.
Garden Scale Structures Using Coroplast
Following the plans from ScaleModelBuildings.com, this tutorial uses Coroplast corrugated plastic sheet as as inexpensive means of scratch building a Garden scale structure.
All Structure images on this site are photos of actual scale models
Scale model plans
for HO Scale, N Scale, OO and O Scale model railroad buildings and structures. Create realistic,
inexpensive scale model buildings for your model railroad layout, diorama, or toy train set. Build to accurate scale with Computer Aided Design miniature plans or simply cut out the traceable templates. As an added limited time offer, you can print out color patterns to card stock to create paper models of buildings and structures. If 'kit-bashing' is more your style, try customizing, or combining patterns. Use up your leftover model building supplies to create a unique scale model structure. View our on-line catalog of HO Scale , N Scale, OO and O Scale plans to get started on your next building in scale project. Beginners Welcome!