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Scratchbuilding Articles

"Scratchbuilding" Products

The author describes the various parts that go into scratchbuilding a model, such as wood and styrene strips and sheets, as well as detailing parts that don't need to be scratchbuilt. Includes many photos of the author's layout showing scratchbuilt models.

A Simple Shack Beside the Track

Consider building a small shed to get started in scratchbuilding. Also, the author states that even for experienced modelers it is nice to build a model in one day. The accompanying photos show lots of ideas for small sheds the author has built in various scales.

Add to Those Walls

Planning the construction of a scratchbuild building should include gathering and layout out the many details that go on the walls of the building. Many examples are shown in the accompanying photos.

Added Strength

Various tips and techniques for making structures stronger to live longer.

Angle Irons from Foil

Using aluminum foil from throw-away baking pans to make angle-iron stock.

Anglin' for a Roof

The authors shows how he calculated and then made a six-panel roof.

Back to Simple

Evaluating the complexity of a project, purposely choosing a simple project, or making a project simple can yield a lot of dividends for the layout without it taking a long time to complete.

Background Building

Building a background structure from foamboard and printed textured brick paper.

Bar Mills 1-Kit

Using the kit to create buildings and car sides.

Beyond Just Glue

Some joints require reinforcements beyond what glue can provide. Includes many tips and tricks and several photos of same.

Board by Board

The author shares his thoughts on when board-by-board scratchbuilding should be used, how to simulate peeling paint, and provides tips on how to put the building together.

Bracing and Support

Ideas for bracing the internals of a building, how to protect certain materials from warping, how to do bracing differently based on the scale modeled, and even using a solid block of wood to model outhouses.

Casting Your Own Detail Parts

Step-by-step instructions on how to cast parts using RTV silicone rubber.

Challenges

How do you tackle a huge, complex, or intimidating scratchbuilding project? One bite at a time! The author describes various large projects he started, facing his initial fears.

Corrugated Siding by the Ton

The author describes how he makes large quantities of economical corrugated sheet metal using Evergreen Scale Models' sheet styrene as the template for the shaped aluminum foil. The article also covers painting and weathering the aluminum foil.

Creating Building Signs

Bob discusses the various modeling scales he has used and why, explains the HO-scale layout he has added, and coming up with and producing creative building signs.

Creative Stonework Methods

Making masters, and casting walls for masonry buildings.

Detailing Structures: Five Simple One-evening Projects

The author describes how to add gutters and downspouts, electrical hook-up, indoor plumbing, flashing, and ice dams.

Details, Again

Bob's history as a detail manufacturer, balancing between buying and making your own details, and how details bring a scene to life.

Details, Details, Details

Building a small hand pump for a water well from scratch. An isometric drawing for three different types are shown in the article.

Details, Details, Details

How to build a three-raised-panel door with a two-pane window.

Details, Details, Details

Suggestions of several small additions that can be made to an existing structure or kit that make them unique or more interesting.

Distress

Using various tools to distress wood to give structures that aged and weather-beaten look.

Doors

The author describes how to model various doors, some of which may have to be built from scratch.

Foundations, Bases, and Footprints

The author describes various materials that can be used to make building foundations. Footprints are important, especially when the structure is to set close to the track.

From the Scrap Box

The author talks about organizing leftover scraps, knowing when to throw a scrap piece away, using scrap to "super-detail" a scene, and using a blender to make scrap look unrecognizable for use in scenes.

Getting Glassy

This article, copied from the September/October 2014 issue of The O Scale Resource, covers how to cut real glass to make windows for cabooses, engine cabs, etc.

Going the Extra Mile

The author describes his philosophy about which projects deserve going the extra mile for in their detailing, its construction, and how to know when it is enough.

High-tech Scratchbuilding

The author describes an example of how he used a computer-controlled milling machine to cut the parts he needed to build a Denny's restaurant.

Home Improvements

The author discusses how models you built a while back may not look right anymore. Either your skills have improved or they are not the right size. He suggests not throwing the models away, but rather built them into a new structure, or moving them to the back of the layout.

Ideas for Cold Winter Nights

Short articles with drawings about how to build a rail rack, an oil drum rack, a flat car loading ramp, and a coal bin.

Interiors - Philosophy and Practice

The author shares his views on when and when not to detail the interior of buildings, and how he creates some of the interior details he has used.

Ladders and Stairs

The author describes the construction materials and jigs he uses to make ladders and stairs.

Light 'em Up!

The author used to be a locomotive engineer at the Illinois Railway Museum, and remembers enjoying running the engines after dark. Because of that, he puts lights in nearly everything on his home layout, examples of which are discussed and photographed in this article.

Making Brass Railings

The author shows how he makes railings (for really any use) using brass wire, a jig, and a soldering iron.

Making Frames

The author has his steam locomotive frames made from CAD drawings in a computer-driven machine. This article describes how that is done.

Making Stone Walls

How to make a wall master and then casting a number of them for structures.

Mass Production

The author shares his experience when it is time to build a lot of identical items or parts.

Material Choices

The author talks about the different dominant materials we can use in our scratchbuilding projects, which materials to use to simulate certain prototype materials, and a bit about how to cut window openings.

Metal Working III

The metal working series continues with this installment that covers drilling and tapping.

Metal Working IV

This installment covers using a lathe to mill metal.

Metal Working Pt II

Bob continues his article on how to do metal working, covering filing and soldering.

Metal Working Pt. I

The basic about how to work with metal and some of the tools required.

Michael Byle's Trash Bash

The author won the Craftsman Class, Steam Locomotive category at the 2018 NASG Convention with his PRR 4-6-2 model. He describes how he built his model in this photo essay.

Mock-ups

The author uses mock-up buildings made out of foam board to represent buildings that are yet to be scratchbuilt.

Modeler's Notebook

The article contains a chart that lists the Evergreen strip styrene part number with the actual dimensions and with their S-scale dimensions.

Modeling Building Roofs

Bob describes various roofing types and how he models them.

Modeling Corrugated Metal

The author describes how he makes corrugated metal and applies it to a structure.

Modeling with Cardstock

Building models using cardstock.

More About Plaster

The author is learning how to cast structures in plaster, and this month's experience includes building a masonry building. The finished model is beautiful.

More About Roofs

The author discusses what kind of interior bracing he uses on which conditions for roofs, and how he models standing seam metal roofing.

More on Roofs

Bob describes various roofing techniques and how he builds the foundation of his model roofs. It follows up on his February, 2005 column on roofs.

More On Walls

How you build your structure's walls depends on whether or not their interior will be visible. Includes a discussion on how to strategically light the interior of the building.

More on Wood

The author shares his views on storing strip wood, using glues, and provides construction tips (staining and cutting).

New Tracks

Creating models using card-based materials. Several models are shown, but not all are O-scale. Several individuals are interviewed, not many related to O-scale.

Notes for a New Scratchbuilder

The author describes how one can build a storage shed from scratch in under 5 hours of modeling time.

Nut-Bolt-Washers

This article covers how to better install the NBW castings.

Of An Evening

Using your time, even small increments, to get some small modeling projects done around the layout. Try to set some time aside each week. Includes a number of photos of small things the author added to his layout that didn't take but an evening's worth of time.

Old Decals

The author letters a River Raisin PRR X33 for a Detroit Toledo & Ironton box car, which used the same design as the PRR's box car. He also shows a Northern Pacific 40-foot box car, using the RR PRR X31 box car. Both of these were lettered using leftover decals from other projects.

One Day (Really?)

The author covers the idea of building a small structure from scratch in one day. The building in question is an S-scale small storage shed.

One Person's Junk... Another's Treasure

The author shares his ideas for salvaging detailing parts from old pens, straws, toothpicks, plastic bottles and their caps, etc. Article includes many photos of these common household items re-purposed into layout details.

or what I call Scrap Building

The author also won 2nd place at the 2018 NASG Convention with his NYC short-caboose. He describes how he built it.

Out of the Fringes

Bob discusses what could be considered the fringes of our model railroading hobby.

Paper

Using paper for scratchbuilding. There is commercial paper, and the author also discusses how to take photos of prototype structure walls, print them, and apply them to your scratchbuilt structure.

Philosophy, Small Bridges, and Culverts

Bob covers his recent interview with "The Model Railway Show" podcast, and covers how to get started in scratchbuilding, and then continues with how to scratchbuild small bridges and culverts.

Photo-modeling

Using photos of prototype buildings or structures on the layout, the author describes how he photographs and prints walls to be glued to structures. This is great for back-of-the-layout type of structures.

Prove It, Bob!

Bob's wife challenges him to build a structure in an evening, based on his column from the previous month (he built a supply shed-type of building in 236 minutes).

Realistic Model Window "Glass"

Using Micro Scale's Kristal-Klear to mimic glass in engines and structures.

Scale Drawings

The author discusses how to convert scale drawings in a scale other than the one you are modeling into the scale you are modeling. Conversion factors are listed.

Scale Scene

The author describes his method for creating rivets in styrene, using a die-covered lightbox.

Scale Scene

The author takes a look at mechanisms in Bachmann On30 locomotives that could be used to scratchbuild S-scale locomotives, and how he was NOT successful in converting an 0-4-0.

Scale Scene

The topic is the (lack of) availability of S-scale steam locomotive driver wheels.

Scale Scene

The author mentions that his layout is soon to be expanded. He also describes a scratchbuilt steam locomotive that his friend bought, and an Alco switcher at a recent show. Photos of both models are included in the article.

Scale Scene

The author compares using cardboard, wood, and styrene for scratchbuilding structures, and concludes with how to build multi-pane sashes for windows.

Scene Around the Layout

Turning N- and HO-scale styrene strips into scrap piles.

Scrap Building

The author describes how he built a small incinerator using an empty cinnamon container. He also shows how to build a smaller one using a spigot from a two-gallon water container.

Scrap Building

The author describes how he scratchbuilt a freight house from the window blind slat! Includes design diagrams, and construction and final photos.

Scratch Building

This article is about scratchbuilding and why one should try, but the article appears to have been cut-off somewhere in the middle, and ends mid-sentence, so it is not complete.

Scratch Building My Steam Locomotives Pt 2

This installment covers the spring rigging and frame assembly. Includes many construction photos.

Scratch Building My Steam Locomotives Pt 3

This installment covers the cylinder assemblies. Includes lots of step-by-step photos.

Scratch Building My Steam Locomotives Pt 4

This installment covers the cross heads, guide bars, and crosshead hangers.

Scratch Building My Steam Locomotives Pt 5

This installment covers the construction and installation of the fire box, motor mounts, and boilers. Includes many construction photos and diagrams.

Scratch Building My Steam Locomotives Pt 6

This installment covers the construction of the rear end beam and cab supports, the cabs, the domes, and the exhaust stacks. A sidebar covers some of the tools the author finds the most useful.

Scratch Building My Steam Locomotives Pt 7

This installment covers the construction of the lead trucks and pilots.

Scratch Building My Steam Locomotives Pt 8

This installment covers the valve gear.

Scratch Buildings

The author describes the basic starting principles to scratchbuilding your own structures, and takes you through the major steps. Several example photos are included.

Scratchbuilding 1" Scale Diorama Models

The author describes what it took to build a museum diorama in 1:12 scale. The diorama shows the interior of a railroad shop in the middle of constructing a reefer.

Scratchbuilding 101

Using cotter pins and eyelets for eyebolts to hold railings and piping, and polling-pockets, respectively.

Scratchbuilding 101

Using pressed foam, used for artificial flower arrangements, the author builds some granite and marble quarries loads. Includes construction photos.

Scratchbuilding Stone Structures

The author used Chooch Enterprises flexible retaining wall sections glued to styrene sheet to form the walls of the buildings.

Scratchbuilding Ward's Sawmill Part 3A

This installment covers the construction of the woodworking shop, which houses the turbines, drive pulleys, and belts and shafts that power the bandmill equipment and the woodworking shop machinery.

Scratchbuilding with Monster Model Works Etched Wood Part 2

In this installment the roof and additional details are modeled.

Scratchbuilding Without Brass Part One

Locomotives don't have to be made out of brass; they can be made out of styrene, and the author shares his methods for doing so. He uses existing mechanisms. He describes how to form the boiler, how to make styrene domes and stacks (using a "finger" lathe), and how to make the cylinders.

Sharpies Work Best After a Flat Finish

Using Sharpies pens.

Short and Easy

Building a roof stair access cupola.

Simple Beginnings

How to begin in scratchbuilding structures.

Smaller is Easier

Describes how to make accurate miter cuts for such things as window trim and roof trim.

Snap-Out Styrene Building Techniques

The article proposes the idea of scratchbuilding something specific being easier than trying to kitbash an existing kit. Includes a photo essay on how to build a basic building from styrene.

Some Thoughts on Scratchbuilding

Bob describes his experience learning to build from scratch starting in 1956.

Something From Nothing

Using the scrap box to build models, the author describes how he built a simple shed.

Stone & Masonry

The author shares various techniques he has used for modeling a brick or masonry foundation or structure using molds he made.

Stonework Walls

The author provides tips on how he models stonework, especially dealing with issues related to the corners in structures.

Strange Ideas

Bob shares his ideas of using cigarette ashes for weathering structures, staining wood with old coffee, and using an old blender to make scenery base material from left-over, non-metal scrap materials.

Taking Notes, Keeping Track

The author makes a case for keeping track of notes and time spent on scratchbuilding projects. This would then make it easier to guesstimate your next project.

The Advantages of Glass

The article describes how to use microscope glass to model real glass in structures and equipment.

The Devil is in the Details

The author ran a parts-manufacturing business for a number of years. He shares his thoughts on details, and shows several photos of creative ideas.

The Milwaukee Road EP 3 Quill Part 1

The author describes how he scratchbuilt a The Westinghouse motors, Class EP-3s, electric locomotive. This first installment covers the prototype information (with drawings), starting the body, and starting the sideframes.

Things to Do Before Supper

The author describes various small things he does before he is called to the dinner table.

Unlike Rome: Built in a Day

Covering a variety of scales and a variety of projects, the author discusses things that can be built in 8 hours or less.

Up On The Roof

The author describes how he scratchbuilt and details building roofs.

Weekend Projects

The author takes on the challenge of scratchbuilding a structure for his Sn3 layout over the weekend.

What You'll Need to Scratchbuild

Review of a large collection of handy tools for doing scratchbuilding work.

Window and Door Screens in HO Scale

This brief article with plenty of construction photos shows how to use silk-screen to simulate window and door screens.

Windows

The author shows how to scratchbuild windows, including a simple jig he uses to ensure that multiple windows are the same size.

Working with Plaster Part I

This introductory article covers the various types of plasters available, how to create your own molds, and how to cast with plaster.

Working with Styrene

After describing what styrene is and how it is used in making model railroading models and parts, the author describes how he works with the material to make scratchbuilt models.

Working with Wood

The article discusses when it is best to use strip wood and when sheet wood is better for models.