Monster Modelworks Starter Structure

[Mike Engler]

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.

[Zephyrus52246]

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

[Dave K.]

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.👍🏻

[Zephyrus52246]

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.      Time to figure out how to build the front and do the roof. 

Jeff

[Dave K.]

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    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.

[Dave K.]

Let's see if I can post on this new laptop. 

[Dave K.]

Business district taking shape...

[deemery]

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

[Dave K.]

Very true, Dave...a chance to recharge the batteries and build confidence with some quick gratification.

[Zephyrus52246]

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. 

[Dave K.]

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.

[ReadingBob]

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.   

[Zephyrus52246]

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

[Dave K.]

The coping is a nice finishing touch...need to order some more. Nice job!👍🏻

[postalkarl]

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