I hosted a small laser kit clinic for Z Scale

[pray59]

A couple months ago, I hosted a clinic on building laser kits in Z Scale. 3 of the local Z Scalers came to see if they really could build a small laser cut kit.

I likes a kit that was available in N Scale, and wanted to model one in Z, so I drew it up, and cut the parts. I gave each participant the same parts and let them have at it, answering questions, and offering tips on painting and assembly in such a small scale.

Here I am, showing a friend how I put mine together:
http://www.geocities.com/mptuason/PHOTOS/Z_Scale/640_IMG_0065.jpg

The guys really enjoyed building these little buildings:

http://www.geocities.com/mptuason/PHOTOS/Z_Scale/640_IMG_0067.jpg

And when they were done, they all had a neat model to place on their layouts, and had proved to themselves that they could build and paint such a small laser kit, without any special skills. It's not that hard, and i thing we gained a few new converts to laser kit building in the process:

http://www.geocities.com/mptuason/PHOTOS/Z_Scale/640_IMG_0007.jpg


-Robert

[Alan]

Excellent! Good to see people being converted :D

[E-8]

Robert,

Wow... I wish I could give that a try.

Charlie

[JoeS]

So how long does it take to build a kit like that? Also what adhesive do you use? Just curious.

[pray59]

It took about 2 hours with painting to build the kits. Probably would take a guy 1 to 2 hours, depending on how careful you are to lay the roof shingles.

We glued the walls together first with white glue, then painted them. Next we painted the trim pieces while still on the trim sheet, then glued them on. We used a "poultry needle" to apply glue, as it gives good control, and lasts longer that a toothpick. Get them at the grocery store for dressing Turkey's.

Next came the window glass, then the roof and shingle material. These guys had never built a laser cut craftsman kit before, but had built plastic kits. They all liked the fact that white glue and acrylic tole paints were used instead of plastic cement and solvent based paint.

-Robert

[Alan]

Those paints are the same ones I get from a local store just down the road! Checked the bottles, and yes, it says "Made in America"!

How are the shingles laid, singly, or in strips with slits cut in them?

[pray59]

The shingles are precut strips, laid down in strips and overlaped. I looked at gummed backs, and decided against it, and am now looking into peel and stick roofs, so the shingle strips can just be pressed onto the roof in strips.

-Robert