Wow, Peter, your scratch-build appears so impressive! Nice work! This little "home sweet home" actually looks lived in. You've added incredible touches of realism. Thanks for sharing it on TH-cam. -from Tom Pilling
Thanks. Funny you should single out the roof patching. I spent hours on other areas of the houses, but the roof patching is an effect added in a few seconds, just by copying what I saw in the prototype photo. After the whole roof is painted dark grey, I just put a drop of light gray into the mix and painted over a few random areas. When dry, the weathering coat tones it down and blends everything nicely.
I'm not a rivet-counter any more either. When I lived in England, I built dozens of O-scale goods wagons (freight cars) and every one of them was built from a prototype photo or drawing, with the correct number of bolts in the correct (and often distinctive) pattern. Now I'm not even bothered if a freight car is correct, as long as it looks right from two feet away.
Great series Peter. I really liked it. I'm new at it, but interested in N-scale scratch build. Did you make the building template; was it provided; or did you get it off the internet by chance? I'm looking for potential templates.
Thank-you for the feedback. As for a beginner's scratchbuilding project, this is probably as good a candidate as any. It's basically just 4 walls and a roof. Only the porches (and specifically the porch steps) add complexity, but by the time you get to these, you'll already have the experience of the main house under your belt and may be ready for the added challenge. The plans were supplied by the customer, who paid someone to draw them up based on a photograph. I could ask him if be minds me sharing them, but even if he is agreeable, you can probably find better plans on-line. There were a few areas where I had to change to the plans because they did not follow full-sized building practices. Also, ALL the templates for the walls and roof sections were wrong.
You're welcome. Please feel free to ask any questions you like. Also, I've just thought of a video that may be helpful to you. Check out the "railtalk" channel (there's a link under my featured channels). Although the series died after only three episodes, there's a segment in part 1 by Vinnie Sestito (aka bnsf6951) "scratchbuilding 101" where he goes through the basics for beginners.
Thanks. It seems like I've completely switched scale at the moment. I was supposed to have a four-day weekend this past week, so I planned to get the next structure built for my own railroad. Since this was to be a straightforward kit build (almost unheard of for me) I figured I should have no trouble in completing the structure in four days. Unfortunately, with Eli in the hospital again, and all kinds of other crap going on, I didn't even get to open the box. Anyway, today I received an order for two more N-scale houses. So that will be five in a row for N-scale - and to think that I had never worked in that scale until a couple of months ago. A change of scale is always fun. So far this year, I've build structures in 1:160, 1:87 and 1:1. Hopefully, someone will commission me to build something in O or G scale before the year is out.
Nice work Peter! I call that a total success. Also, congratulations on the additional order from your customer. So if Vinny has VBS structures, are yours Peterbuilt Structures? LOL! Can't wait to see next weeks HO scale build. Cheers, Dan
Actually, I've re-thought the name a tad. How about PeterBuilt Structures or PBS. Make the letters block style and angle the P and S upward toward the center and put a roof over it. Since your videos are free for the public, you could accept donations for PBS from... "Viewers Like Us". I love it already! ;-)
It depends on the circumstances. If they are a different color to the surrounding wall, it is usually neater to paint everything first. Since I assembled the basic box prior to painting, I didn't have much choice here. When I did the others (eventually the customer ordered five), I installed the ground-floor windows before attaching the porches. When I build full-sized houses, I tend to put the windows in fairly late in the process for a variety of reasons.
![โอ้เธอช่าง... - บี้เดอะสกา ft. ต๋อง เทวัญ (Prod. by ป๋าเพชร) [Official MV]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/zbWhiLFmVL0/mqdefault.jpg)
Wow, Peter, your scratch-build appears so impressive! Nice work! This little "home sweet home" actually looks lived in. You've added incredible touches of realism. Thanks for sharing it on TH-cam. -from Tom Pilling
Thanks so much for the compliments. I'm just hoping that this leads to more custom build commissions.
Really nice Peter, thanks for sharing....Jack
Great Build Peter! The houses are beautiful! The roof "patching" is very convincing!
Thanks. Funny you should single out the roof patching. I spent hours on other areas of the houses, but the roof patching is an effect added in a few seconds, just by copying what I saw in the prototype photo. After the whole roof is painted dark grey, I just put a drop of light gray into the mix and painted over a few random areas. When dry, the weathering coat tones it down and blends everything nicely.
I guess I look for detail, but never a "rivet counter"-lol..You are very welcome!
I'm not a rivet-counter any more either. When I lived in England, I built dozens of O-scale goods wagons (freight cars) and every one of them was built from a prototype photo or drawing, with the correct number of bolts in the correct (and often distinctive) pattern. Now I'm not even bothered if a freight car is correct, as long as it looks right from two feet away.
Then I suppose prototype photos are the key to it!! Thanks for sharing this!
Beautiful work!
well you do really great work
Looks great, job very well done sir!
Thank-you.
Nice build! Enjoyable to watch as always
Waw beautiful model!!
WOW - looks great
very sucsesful i would say. looks great. just need a swing on the front porch and it would be home
I've just received an order for two more. Maybe I'll add a swing to one of those, just for fun. Thanks for commenting.
Great series Peter. I really liked it. I'm new at it, but interested in N-scale scratch build. Did you make the building template; was it provided; or did you get it off the internet by chance? I'm looking for potential templates.
Thank-you for the feedback.
As for a beginner's scratchbuilding project, this is probably as good a candidate as any. It's basically just 4 walls and a roof. Only the porches (and specifically the porch steps) add complexity, but by the time you get to these, you'll already have the experience of the main house under your belt and may be ready for the added challenge.
The plans were supplied by the customer, who paid someone to draw them up based on a photograph. I could ask him if be minds me sharing them, but even if he is agreeable, you can probably find better plans on-line. There were a few areas where I had to change to the plans because they did not follow full-sized building practices. Also, ALL the templates for the walls and roof sections were wrong.
Thanks for taking the time to respond. I really appreciate your channel
You're welcome. Please feel free to ask any questions you like. Also, I've just thought of a video that may be helpful to you. Check out the "railtalk" channel (there's a link under my featured channels). Although the series died after only three episodes, there's a segment in part 1 by Vinnie Sestito (aka bnsf6951) "scratchbuilding 101" where he goes through the basics for beginners.
well done Peter... welcome to the N scale world... vinny
Thanks. It seems like I've completely switched scale at the moment.
I was supposed to have a four-day weekend this past week, so I planned to get the next structure built for my own railroad. Since this was to be a straightforward kit build (almost unheard of for me) I figured I should have no trouble in completing the structure in four days. Unfortunately, with Eli in the hospital again, and all kinds of other crap going on, I didn't even get to open the box.
Anyway, today I received an order for two more N-scale houses. So that will be five in a row for N-scale - and to think that I had never worked in that scale until a couple of months ago.
A change of scale is always fun. So far this year, I've build structures in 1:160, 1:87 and 1:1. Hopefully, someone will commission me to build something in O or G scale before the year is out.
Nice work Peter! I call that a total success. Also, congratulations on the additional order from your customer. So if Vinny has VBS structures, are yours Peterbuilt Structures? LOL! Can't wait to see next weeks HO scale build. Cheers, Dan
Yes, I've made that comment about Peterbuilts before, except that I've yet to scratchbuild a truck - I have plans for the future though.
Actually, I've re-thought the name a tad. How about PeterBuilt Structures or PBS. Make the letters block style and angle the P and S upward toward the center and put a roof over it. Since your videos are free for the public, you could accept donations for PBS from... "Viewers Like Us". I love it already! ;-)
I enjoyed your video and have subscribed. One question: Do you always add windows after assembly?
It depends on the circumstances. If they are a different color to the surrounding wall, it is usually neater to paint everything first. Since I assembled the basic box prior to painting, I didn't have much choice here. When I did the others (eventually the customer ordered five), I installed the ground-floor windows before attaching the porches.
When I build full-sized houses, I tend to put the windows in fairly late in the process for a variety of reasons.
Thanks, Peter!