Any update on Miller Engineering?

bostonjim Dec 8, 2020

  1. John Bartolotto

    John Bartolotto TrainBoard Supporter

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    Jim,

    Thanks fir the accolades, but Frank gets all the credit, he pushed it with ME. I was just a fly in the ointment.

    John
     
  2. husafreak

    husafreak TrainBoard Member

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    I would like to know a little more about how these go together before I jump in. My limited experience with Z scale structures is mostly Archistories and they don’t need paint. Painting these looks like a LOT of work, but maybe it’s not so bad?
     
  3. z.scale.hobo

    z.scale.hobo TrainBoard Member

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    Thanks John. I'd say it started back in 2014 as I kept hitting up Miller about making them again. Also revisited the topic with more sales data in 2018 and he finally let on that he was considering. I also encouraged other dealers to join the call. When Miller gave me this inkling, I did mention on several boards to have everyone contact Miller to express the community interest. At that point - I THINK that the people who contacted him also contributed to his decision - so thanks to all of you.

    While I was a bit pessimistic above about a 3rd run due to his recent comments - I think that a 3rd run will depend on the popularity of this run at the new price point ... we might be able to convince him again but I am sure it would take another bigger price hike to get to run 3. It took at least 8 years of requests to get to this point - maybe 2030 for run 3? :D hehehe

    Enjoy!
     
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  4. rray

    rray Staff Member

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    They recommend using either a razor of the fold is small, or a thin steel flat ruler, as a "bending brake" to fold them, and use superglue and accelerator to glue them together. Not hard really, BUT... you MUST Wash them with soapy water before assembly, and use nitrile gloves, because fingerprints will make primer not stick so well. prime them before painting with Tamiya fine primer. Use a couple very light coats of primer before painting. Add window glass last, so you may have to leave some parts unglued till after painting and glazing to finish them right. Just stop and think before sealing it all closed.

    Some people wash, then prime the parts flat, then fold them up afterwards. My Grandpa was a Z Scaler and he loved metal kits, and that's what worked best for him. I find I have to re-prime again cause the corners scrape the primer off after folding.
     
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  5. husafreak

    husafreak TrainBoard Member

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    OK assembly will go easy enough. And the painting? Are surfaces such as brick painted and weathered first? Then the window mullions and stonework painted freehand with a brush? Are the building surfaces all one piece? Or do the widow frames drop in like on a cardboard kit? They look wonderful in the pictures, nice sharp color delineations.
     
  6. rray

    rray Staff Member

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    I like to airbrush everything, and use Tamiya masking tape to separate brick lines from siding. Windows are on another sprue in many of the structures, so you can spray them another color. For brick I like to use Red Oxide Auto Primer, because it has a good flat finish that looks like brick when dry, and you can run on latex tan tole paints then wipe off the excess with a sponge and it stays in the grout lines as shallow as they are. Yes, hey are very much like a cardboard kit, just metal instead of cardboard. I can assure you this, if you see it, get it, for tomorrow it will be gone! If you get them and do not like them, someone else will be overjoyed to snap them up from you.
     
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  7. husafreak

    husafreak TrainBoard Member

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    Thank you very much, I think I will put together an order now with the confidence that I will enjoy building these and with a good result. If you can use masking tape and have separate window frames it should go well. And I am full equipped in the airbrush department ;)
     
  8. MIHS85

    MIHS85 TrainBoard Member

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    Great that the Micro Structures kits are back again. If someone could now please also revive the Zscale bridges from Micron Art… :whistle:

    I’d also would be happy if Archistories expanded on its already great series of American structures and added some downtown buildings to the range.

    Cheers,

    Christoph
     
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  9. SMR

    SMR TrainBoard Member

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    OPS 1 Houses Stummi.jpg

    I am happy, too. I ordered the full set. You never know..........
    Best,
    Sven
     
  10. ztrack

    ztrack TrainBoard Supporter Advertiser

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    Unfortunately, I have heard that Reynard Wellman, of Micron-Art has passed away a number of years ago.

    I am working on more kits with Archistories, including downtown buildings. We have a few new kits lined up before we get to the downtown series.
     
  11. SMR

    SMR TrainBoard Member

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    [​IMG]

    Sadly no chance, Christoph, sorry!
    We have to live with what it left.
    However, very few have been built.
    May be one would give you one if you promise pictures?

    [​IMG]

    Best,
    Sven
     
  12. MIHS85

    MIHS85 TrainBoard Member

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    That’s great to hear, thanks! Looking forward to see what you will come up with.

    Great photos and tempting offer, but I think that any of the remaining ones (from your well stocked stash?) should be used by master modellers like Dirk Kuhlmann or Karl Sinn and not amateurs like myself :). I saw Karl’s Southern River Crossing layout with these bridges at Altenbeken last weekend - just amazing...
     
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  13. HoboTim

    HoboTim TrainBoard Supporter

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    Working on it!!!!
     
  14. John Bartolotto

    John Bartolotto TrainBoard Supporter

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    Please contact me off line if you have a Micro Structures Z-986 fence that you’d be willing to sell.

    Thanks,

    John
     

    Attached Files:

  15. Kez

    Kez TrainBoard Member

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  16. John Bartolotto

    John Bartolotto TrainBoard Supporter

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    Thanks Kez. I tried brass railing. It’s nice, but I need the rigidity of the stainless. John
     
  17. SJ Z-man

    SJ Z-man TrainBoard Member

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    Take a look at Tom’s Modelworks, (1/700) 791. Nice variation of pipe and chain.
    Item: 112667860312

    I think we have broached the micro-miniature wall.
     

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