Are there any web sites out there that deal with basic sizes of things like doors or windows? I'm having a hard time making scratch buildings look anything scale. Oh yeah, doors and windows from the 1950-1960 period. Thanks.
I first have to welcome you aboard Trainboard! Secondly, I have no scratchbuilding skills, but there are many here who have 'taken the plunge'. Good luck in your project! Good to have you with us!
Star Tours, welcome to Trainboard A good question, I am about to embark on some scratchbuilt structures, although I am mainly doing modern industrial buildings which don't have windows! For older buildings it may be possible to look at photographs (or go out and take some) which have something in them to get a "scale" (like people) and then work out basic dimensions. Spacing between floor levels, height and width of windows and doors can be estimated to make convincing buildings. I have been looking out for DPM kits for the wall sections with doors, windows, etc. but with no luck.
I'm getting ready to do scratchbuilding also. I have a friend who is a General Contractor. I'm guessing he would be a good source of information. Granted, he builds by todays standards but usually people know considerably more about things that pertain to their industry. I'll post when I get some feedback from him.
um i will be planning on doing some scracth building i have spoken to several people at the last train show I was told to work on scratch building i should get a scale ruler to aid in my scratch building make things a little easier you know a door is approximatly 3 feet wide then you use the scale ruler and make a door in 3 scale feet wide N scale conversion 1.92mm = 1 scale foot 1/160 scale HO scale conversion is 3.5mm = 1 scale foot the scale ruler i just got from the local hobby shop is made by General Tools MFG. CO.,INC. it cost me about $8.00
Thanks for the replies. I do have a scale ruler for the building part of it and the ruler helps alot Alan, I do try to take pictures of older buildings when I get the chance but that means only every so often and usually without people I've even resorted to hobby cataloges and old HO buildings to try to get an idea for the size of the windows/doors. This means that my buildings are either really close to scale or really not.
You can also go to a Home Depo store and pick up some flyers that show new windows and doors. Some have sections with dimensions. It also provides you with various styles. Get the ones for restoring the older "gingerbread" type homes if you want the 1900's look. The same goes for commercial doors and windows, but you have to look in the Yellow Pages to find them. Existing buildings need replacement doors and windows after storms, so they are available still today. You can also go to a Hobby Shop and buy one packet of windows and doors, then scale those as patterns for any you want to make after that. (Don't use them, keep them as patterns, see?)
I have a plan to build a bottle shop with figures doing the "beer walk". I am planning this as my first scratch building project, does anyone make roller doors in n scale? I wish i knew something helpful in regard to this question, but i dont I also want to have a back to the future car and a shuttle craft or runabout from star trek hehe. i have my work cut out for me
