As my other build is on temporary hiatus, I decided to start a Monster Modelworks kit. The "starter structure" 3 story storefront. I've not built one of these before and was interested on how the bricks would finish as they are wood instead of plaster/resin. They look pretty good on the walls. There's basically 4 walls, some corner trim, arched lintels and a multi-piece lower front. I cut and glued the lintels on the front and back walls. The sides have them lasered onto the wood. I may wedge this in between two other structures and wanted no added width. The windows are lasered and include laser cut window material! I may not build any other kits ever again as much as I hate cutting the windows. ;D Even the bracing is pre-cut! I braced the structure and sprayed the inside flat black. I sanded the sides to may sure they and the corner pieces were square as the instructions state so you won't have a gap. I had some minor gaps. :-[
Jeff
The Americana "Heritage Brick" paint went on well, I didn't thin it at all. The gaps were pretty noticable. I didn't get one joint flat against the wall. Otherwise the gap is pretty small, but still noticable. On the side wall I tried Karls tip of taping both sides of the joint and using joint compound and it worked fairly well. I probably should have let it dry overnight, I then used the back of a Xacto to carve the bricks in. Parts of it look really good. I'll do the other gaps and let it set overnight before carving/painting.
Jeff
Great start , following your progress.
Jeff
Interesting build thread - I just ordered one of these kits as a test of the wood bricks. I like working with plaster but I'm very curious as to how these look built up. Are you coloring the bricks the same way that you would with plaster or resin? I will be watching with great interest.
I'm interested also. I have this kit on the shelf.
BIG fan of Jimmy's laser-cut brick. Finishes up beautifully. I've built 3 or 4 in the past few months, and will finish the 3-story starter structure in the next few days. I'll post pix if you'd like.
Thanks for the build thread Jeff! I haven't tried a Monster Modelworks kit (yet) but they look really interesting. :D
Yep, count me in on the followers.
Tom ;D
Thanks for following, folks. Dave, go ahead and post some pics, I'm interested to see what you do with this kit. John, I'm going to finish it the way I did the Downtown Deco kit per Randy's instructions. Paint/Umber wash/paint concrete sills/individual bricks/wash.
Jeff
I did the gaps per the first pic using some spackle. I then used the back of an Xacto to carve where the brick lines were. My finger nail did a better job. Some of them are still quite noticable, especially the one where I didn't get it lined up quite right (the back of the windowless wall). ::) I think next time I'd glue the corner pieces on first so I could put it flat on the flat side, then brace it. Parts of the spackled seams look great, other places not as good. I didn't do the front seams at all, and they look fair. We'll see how it looks after the weathering.
Jeff
Sills painted, then a raw umber wash, very light, but heavier in some places than others so it's monotone red. Added some light and dark bricks, it's a little "salt and peppery", but I think the final washes will bring it together. I only did the light/dark bricks on two sides. I want to see how the single color brick sides end up as well. It's probably going to be in the middle of a block anyway. I put a sign on it to see how it would go on the brick material. A decal would obviously work better, but again, after all the weathering we'll see how it looks. The windows are three piece (with two pieces of glass). They don't look like the windows in the instructions. ::) I'm going to use the Dap "fast and final" spackle for the mortar.
Jeff
Great start Jeff.....I'll be watching. 8)
Thanks, Greg. Here's a shot after using the spackle for the mortar. I just used my finger, wetting it at times to spread the mortar. I had dry brushed the brick color lightly onto the sign. Used some of the mortar on the sign as well. I wiped it off with a paper towel, scrubbing it off in spots ( a tiny amount of the paint came off as well, but not enough to show the bare wood. The last two pics are after a burnt umber wash and then a Vallejo black wash. I think it turned out pretty well. On to the windows!
Jeff
Got the back windows in. The panes are laser cut, a REAL plus for me. Some glue goobers on the windows :-[ , I'm gonna have to try the 3M spray adhesive Bob B used in his Sokol's build. :) The windows are VERY tight. They are press fit in, the bottom ones aren't glued in. I decided to sand the edges of the top ones. I couldn't get any of the lower window sections in without sanding them. The cool thing is you can position the lower panes "open". I'll probably have to paint up some shades now so they don't look so empty.
Jeff
Looking good, Jeff. I'm not a big fan of the laser-cut windows. I spend a ton of time sanding, fitting, and finessing them to fit well. I can see why more kit-makers are going to them...just not a fan. Enjoying the thread. 👍🏻
Jeff this looks great. The brick coloring, mortar, and weathering are terrific.
I'm curious about the windows- are they "laser board" or some type of plywood that was laser-cut? Brett uses laser-board and strip wood, Doug uses Tichy Train Group styrene windows, and George and Bob VG also have used styrene or white metal. If the masonry windows are extremely tight-fitting on this laser-cut wood "brick", would a little bit of humidity "pop" them out?
I haven't heard of such a problem. Jimmy's products sure look great and really use the laser to its utmost.
Thanks, Mike. I believe the windows are thin wood and after I put them in I thought the same thing. I've painted both sides of the brick walls. Maybe I should have painted both sides of the windows. I don't have much of a humidity problem in the basement here. Dave, I like the wood windows, even if they require a bit of fuss. The pieces are very thin, but quite strong and I haven't broken one, even though fitting the first ones required some pushing and poking. After sanding them a bit, they fit pretty well. And again, I really like the laser cut "glass".
Jeff
I may be wrong but they seem to be the same material as the storefront...maybe laserboard is the name? They don't detract from the overall quality of the kit...just saying I personally don't like working with them. Love MMW kits and recommend them highly. As I said, I've built maybe five of them in the past year or so.👍🏻
I think you are right, Dave. I tore a piece apart and it seems to be some type of paper product. Feels like wood, when I stained the front of the windows, it appeared to have a grain, so I thought it was plywood. Bob's trick for the windows (3M super 77) worked very well. No worry about glue blobs on the windows. Wish I'd done them all that way. I had to file the windows, and it seemed to help to file the hole as well, especially at the top ( I didn't do the bottom sills as I didn't want to repaint them). You have to be careful not to file the arched bricks, however. I added some shades (cardboard painted titanium white). The shades aren't quite as bright as the flash in the pictures makes them. I have a shot of the blank side where I didn't paint any of the bricks with different shades, just all the same. I think it looks good as well. I used one of the brick "plugs" to make it look like the window was recently filled in. Saved having to do a window. ;D Time to figure out how to build the front and do the roof.
Jeff
It's coming along nicely, Jeff. I love Jimmy's kits...the brickwork, lintels, etc. are excellent. I was mistaken earlier...I did the two-story starter, not the three-story. I also just finished his Union Brewery (done as an art gallery). As soon as I better figure out this new laptop I'll post pix.
Funny...I also bricked-up one of my side windows ;D Got tired of working with the windows, wanted to move on, and the knock-outs make it an easy "cheat".
Enjoying the thread!
Dave K.
Let's see if I can post on this new laptop.
Business district taking shape...
I got one of these, and may start it soon. Sometimes you just want to do an easy kit, in between tough projects (like my roundhouse...)
dave
Very true, Dave...a chance to recharge the batteries and build confidence with some quick gratification.
Dave K., the bottom pic is the same kit. I like how you finished them. Next you're supposed to take the flat storefront sections and make them into a storefront by painting, applying glass, and bending them. They don't want to stay at 90 degree angles, however. On the pic that comes with the kit, it looks like they put in a floor, and I'm going to do the same thing and attach some small pieces of wood to hold the storefront in place. How did you deal with this, Dave? I used the Super 77 again, but I got tiny bits of adhesive at the edges of the glass and doors (you can see them in the close up). I can remove most of it with a micro brush, but don't want to push nor scratch the glass. Did you have this problem Bob B.? Maybe I applied too much. I'll have to experiment some more.
Gosh darn, it IS the same one. Senioritis. Anyway, a floor is a good idea...help give more strength to the storefront. I didn't put one in so that the gentleman I'm building the town for can decide about lighting, etc.
Quote from: Zephyrus52246 on January 10, 2016, 11:22:06 AM
Dave K., the bottom pic is the same kit. I like how you finished them. Next you're supposed to take the flat storefront sections and make them into a storefront by painting, applying glass, and bending them. They don't want to stay at 90 degree angles, however. On the pic that comes with the kit, it looks like they put in a floor, and I'm going to do the same thing and attach some small pieces of wood to hold the storefront in place. How did you deal with this, Dave? I used the Super 77 again, but I got tiny bits of adhesive at the edges of the glass and doors (you can see them in the close up). I can remove most of it with a micro brush, but don't want to push nor scratch the glass. Did you have this problem Bob B.? Maybe I applied too much. I'll have to experiment some more.
Hi Jeff,
No, I haven't run into that problem. At least not ye). But then again, Sokol's was the first time I tried the spray Adhesive and there it was on some really thin mullions. :)
Thanks for the responses, guys. The base did the trick. I added the trim, except for the sign backing which goes over the tan "concrete" area, as I don't know what business will go in there. I added the roof by using thick black enamel paint which sand gets sifted onto. I had an extra door from the kit which i used as a roof access door. Monster now makes brick 'coping' for the tops of the wlals and I'll probably order some the next time I buy a kit from him as it would make the top look a lot better. This one is finished. Now to go back and work on the CCK kit. Thanks for watching!
Jeff
The coping is a nice finishing touch...need to order some more. Nice job!👍🏻
Hi Jeff And Dave K:
Both of your structures look great. I'm going to have to try one of these kits. Keep up the good work.
Karl
Thanks Dave and Karl. :)
Jeff