new N Scale kit manufacurer

[pedro]

I’m working on the American Gothic house. Mine arrived in 10 days.

Before I go crazy trying to edge-glue .010x styrene strip for a better representation of a standing seam roof, does anyone have any better ideas for such? Not thrilled with the engraved suggestion of the standing seams. Note in this picture that I’ve added a ridge cap of sorts cut from a paper bag. It’s hiding the tab/tab seam, one of the visual weak points of the kit. Lack of carved/turned porch posts would be the only other criticism, but not sure I really want to go there. Otherwise it falls right together. Very precise! Can’t argue with the price at any rate.

[wazzou]

That's probably the way I'd approach it is with the Styrene.  You may try .020 x .020 to see how that looks.
I've built an AMB Nine Mile House Tavern and it's roof was similarly engraved and after paint, it doesn't look objectionable just the way it is.

[peteski]

While the design seems good (and good to know that the fit is precise), the material thickness is a deal killer for me.  The muntins in that door look like they are a foot deep. Well whatever 2mm scales out to be in N scale.

I'm  also puzzled at the double engraved lines for standing seam roof. I see plenty of metal roofs around my area (and my house has a standing seam metal roof) and the seams are singular, not paired.

[pedro]

While the design seems good (and good to know that the fit is precise), the material thickness is a deal killer for me.  The muntins in that door look like they are a foot deep. Well whatever 2mm scales out to be in N scale.

I'm  also puzzled at the double engraved lines for standing seam roof. I see plenty of metal roofs around my area (and my house has a standing seam metal roof) and the seams are singular, not paired.

The kit is 1mm MDF, and though I understand your point, the muntins aren’t that bad in person. The closeup is never kind…
Separate, thinner doors and windows with trim would have been a nice upgrade, but as-is, this kit is <$15; I’m not really going to complain.

The double engraved standing seam lines will make it easier to line up styrene strips. I’m going to give .010 x .020 a try.

[peteski]

The kit is 1mm MDF, and though I understand your point, the muntins aren’t that bad in person. The closeup is never kind…
Separate, thinner doors and windows with trim would have been a nice upgrade, but as-is, this kit is <$15; I’m not really going to complain.

The double engraved standing seam lines will make it easier to line up styrene strips. I’m going to give .010 x .020 a try.

Are you going to stand the strip on end, or lay it down flat? The standing seams on my roof are about 1 3/4" tall, and about 3/8" wide.

[Maletrain]

Are you going to stand the strip on end, or lay it down flat? The standing seams on my roof are about 1 3/4" tall, and about 3/8" wide.

Yes, to "fine scale" that would take 0.002" flat material standing on edge so that it rises only 0.011" above the roof surface!!!  If I was going to try for that, I would be putting wider 0.002" material into slots so that it sticks up only 0.011",  (But, I am not trying that!   )

Still, I am thinking that a single laser cut slot that would take thin styrene on edge would make a better model, even though it would probably be oversized in thickness, at least.  The thinnest stuff I am finding quickly is still 0.010" thick, so 5x too wide.  Even fine wire running in shallow slots might look better than Evergreen plastic standing seam roof material.

[thomasjmdavis]

No real need to worry about .002 material. The standing seams on the house in question are considerably wider than 3/8".  This building is based on the painting "American Gothic".  If it's good enough for Grant Wood, should be good enough for us.  It does look to me like the grooves on the model roof are too wide.  If I were building it, I would opt for .010x.010 square stock- granted, this is too big (.005 square would probably be about right), but I think would give a close appearance to the painting.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Gothic#/media/File:Grant_Wood_-_American_Gothic_-_Google_Art_Project.jpg

[peteski]

True, that vintage standing seam roof is a bit different from mine.  Looking at that painting reminded me of a quick Photoshop job I did as a joke at work.  I worked with couple of inseparable guys. They always worked as a team.  I even printed copies, framed them, and gave to both of them.  They loved it.

[pedro]

Yes, to "fine scale" that would take 0.002" flat material standing on edge so that it rises only 0.011" above the roof surface!!!  If I was going to try for that, I would be putting wider 0.002" material into slots so that it sticks up only 0.011",  (But, I am not trying that!    )

Still, I am thinking that a single laser cut slot that would take thin styrene on edge would make a better model, even though it would probably be oversized in thickness, at least.  The thinnest stuff I am finding quickly is still 0.010" thick, so 5x too wide.  Even fine wire running in shallow slots might look better than Evergreen plastic standing seam roof material.

You're both right, of course, but to me it's the "diamond plate walkway conundrum:"  You know it's oversize and out of scale, but your eye still wants to see it.
.010x .020 on edge looks good to me "in context." (Plus I had it on hand!) One side is complete. At least the standing seam is finer scale than the window muntins! Might give it a light sanding once the CA cures.

[peteski]

. . .
 At least the standing seam is finer scale than the window muntins! Might give it a light sanding once the CA cures.

LOL!  True.  The important thing is that you are happy with the model.

[pedro]

Sanded as best I can to about .010x.010. It’ll do.


The other problem is going to be those chimneys. I’ve got some aftermarket options in the mail. Kit parts no bueno.

[peteski]

That looks better than I expected (and that is even before painting).  I"m also wondering whether instead of metal roof, that is a tar-paper roof with wood strips nailed over to hold it down?  Either way, it came out pretty well.

[hegstad1]

It would be a pain in the a$$, but individual panes of glass would improve the look of the doors and windows.  That or the old Kristal Klear technique.