Classic Metal Works 1974-76 Buick Estate Wagon in N Scale?

[cfritschle]

I know this is a sensitive subject, but I finally had the opportunity to replace the "stock" wheels on the CMW Buick with the wheels from another model.  I first attempted to use the wheels from the CMW Impala, but the axles were too short, and I wanted to "restore" the Impala after I tried the axle switch.  A TomyTec Nissan Cedric station wagon from the N2 set was next to my workbench, so using the wheels from that model led to my second attempt to replace the wheels on the Buick.  While I did have to enlarge the axle "slot" on the CMW Buick in order to accommodate the TomyTec axle and wheels, I do think the larger wheels are an improvement.  Although I am going to see if I can find some that look more like the wheels one would likely see on a mid-1970s station wagon.

Here is a before and after view of the CMW Buick.


I also decided to leave the roof/luggage rack off the modified Buick at least for now.  However, I was curious as to how other manufacturers simulated a roof/luggage rack on a station wagon, and this Atlas Fairmont wagon happened to be handy.



All Atlas did was mold a raised ridge to simulate the roof/luggage rack, and then pad printed it silver.  It even looks like the CMW Buick has the beginnings of a raised ridge that could simulate the roof/luggage rack.

And yes, it looks like the front end of the Fairmont could stand to be lowered a bit. 

The following photo also shows another benefit of using the TomyTec wheels and axle.  They fit within the fender wells!


Granted, all one would need to do is shorten the CMW metal axles so the wheels won't protrude beyond the fender wells, but I also like the look of the "fatter" TomyTec tires.   

[peteski]

Yes, this model need seom work to  make it usable.  Actually your photo clearly illustrates one of its major shortcomings.



Compare the sharply defined window outlines to the thick and rounded shape of the Buick's windows.  Why can't CMW produce a model that is better executed? Atlas model is also made in China, but the execution and its fidelity is miles ahead of the CMW model.

[sirenwerks]

Yes, this model need seom work to  make it usable.  Actually your photo clearly illustrates one of its major shortcomings.



Compare the sharply defined window outlines to the thick and rounded shape of the Buick's windows.  Why can't CMW produce a model that is better executed? Atlas model is also made in China, but the execution and its fidelity is miles ahead of the CMW model.

It helps that the only paint Atlas seems to apply is for detail, with body color being carried by the actual plastic.  This has drawbacks, but none as drastic as the load of fudge the CMW model is under.  I imagine that, if you could strip the CMW model, you might have a decent starting point for repaint.  I am not, however, the person who will be attempting that.

[peteski]

It helps that the only paint Atlas seems to apply is for detail, with body color being carried by the actual plastic.  This has drawbacks, but none as drastic as the load of fudge the CMW model is under.  I imagine that, if you could strip the CMW model, you might have a decent starting point for repaint.  I am not, however, the person who will be attempting that.

I'm pretty sure that the Atlas model is painted.  I have the sedan version in metallic brown and it is painted (with nice thin  layer of paint).  Atlas Ford Taurus is also painted and its features are just as crisp as the Fairmont.  As for the CMW model, while the paint is applied much thicker, the problem is really with the softly modeled features in the plastic shell itself.

[cfritschle]

Compare the sharply defined window outlines to the thick and rounded shape of the Buick's windows.  Why can't CMW produce a model that is better executed? Atlas model is also made in China, but the execution and its fidelity is miles ahead of the CMW model.

It may be that the CMW tooling is designed to work with both metal and plastic.   

When Bill Cawthon reviewed the CMW 1950 Dodge/Plymouth/De Soto model in Model Railroad News he mentioned something along the lines that CMW needed to design their tooling for plastic models (with much thinner body shells) rather than designing the tooling to make diecast metal models like on all of their earlier offerings.  The CMW Impala has an amazing plastic interior that even includes the side armrests.   

I have also noticed with the Buick that the sliding molds do not mate as well as they could.  This is particularly noticeable right behind the headlights and right in front of the taillights.  The River Point Station Fords showed me that if done properly, the parting lines for the sliding molds can be essentially invisible!  Of course that extra investment in tooling is going to result in a more expensive model. 

[peteski]

It may be that the CMW tooling is designed to work with both metal and plastic.   

When Bill Cawthon reviewed the CMW 1950 Dodge/Plymouth/De Soto model in Model Railroad News he mentioned something along the lines that CMW needed to design their tooling for plastic models (with much thinner body shells) rather than designing the tooling to make diecast metal models like on all of their earlier offerings.  The CMW Impala has an amazing plastic interior that even includes the side armrests.   

I have also noticed with the Buick that the sliding molds do not mate as well as they could.  This is particularly noticeable right behind the headlights and right in front of the taillights.  The River Point Station Fords showed me that if done properly, the parting lines for the sliding molds can be essentially invisible!  Of course that extra investment in tooling is going to result in a more expensive model.

While the plastic/metal mold thing might have applied earlier on, the Buick is a brand new model for 2020. I doubt that they had any plans for ever making it in metal.  Also, I have some Fleischmann and Minitrix locos with die-cast metal shells, and the level of detail on them is amazing (same as the finest plastic shells). Very fine details, so I'm not sure that what Bill mentioned holds true.

Also, which was the last N scale vehicle CMR cast the body out of metal?  I know that for a while the underbodies were diecast, but the Buick is all plastic.

I also agree with you Carter that the entire tooling (and even the assembly/inspection process) for this model is sub-par.  As for the price, I would gladly pay the same price I would pay for the Atlas Ford Fairmont or Taurus to get that kind of quality from CMW.

[tehachapifan]

I actually like the look of these. Yes, the windows have that Krystal Kleer-type look to them but, overall, the body and the paint look pretty good to me. I think what might be playing a part is the high glossiness. Glossy finishes don't scale well and need to be toned down the smaller the model. otherwise, I can make the model look like it's coated in honey or that the paint is applied too thick.

[wazzou]

As far as I'm concerned, the CMW Buick looks like something I'd expect to see in a stop action claymation video.

[peteski]

I actually like the look of these. Yes, the windows have that Krystal Kleer-type look to them but, overall, the body and the paint look pretty good to me. I think what might be playing a part is the high glossiness. Glossy finishes don't scale well and need to be toned down the smaller the model. otherwise, I can make the model look like it's coated in honey or that the paint is applied too thick.

I'm surprised that with the high modeling standards I see you using for your lcomotives, you find that roughtly carved bar of soap of a model acceptable.

It really doesn't  look much like the 1:1 car, except for the general shape.  Glossy paint is the least of its shortcomings.


And to borrow Bryan's photo, even their Galaxy 500 Impala model produced years ago looks 1000% better. Just look at the crude roof pillars on the Buick vs. much finer ones on the Galaxy 500.  Even the body seems to be much thinner.  And the Buick was just made this year.  The quality took a nose dive.

[cfritschle]

And to borrow Bryan's photo, even their Galaxy 500 model produced years ago looks 1000% better. Just look at the crude roof pillars on the Buick vs. much finer ones on the Galaxy 500.  Even the body seems to be much thinner.  And the Buick was just made this year.  The quality took a nose dive.

Uh, that is the CMW 1978 Impala in Bryan's photo.   

http://nscalevehicles.org/resources/era_1970-1979.php

[peteski]

Uh, that is the CMW 1978 Impala in Bryan's photo.   

http://nscalevehicles.org/resources/era_1970-1979.php

You're right Carter - I just went by what Bryan wrote in the post I borrowed his photo from.  It is a late 70s Chevy Impala. I edited my post to correct it.  But the comparison of the quality of both models remains the same.  Impala's execution is much better than the new Buick wagon.

[wazzou]

I think another thing CMW should try and avoid, is the attempt at putting some type of metal flake in their paint.
Whatever it is, it doesn't scale all that well and could be what leads to the appearance of heavy handed paint application.

[Mark5]

I think another thing CMW should try and avoid, is the attempt at putting some type of metal flake in their paint.
Whatever it is, it doesn't scale all that well ...

Heartily agree!

[R L Smith]

The very first car I bought with my own money, back in 1980 or '81, was a 74 Buick station wagon... 

At the time, I worked in a small music store repairing band instruments. The store owner played guitar in a 5-pc jazz combo. Their sax player got sick and had to quit the band, so they asked me to fill in. Turns out the store owner, the trumpeter and the piano man, all in their late '60's or older, all drove two-seater sports cars. The drummer had no car. Guess who hauled the drummer and the PA equipment to every gig?   

[peteski]

I think another thing CMW should try and avoid, is the attempt at putting some type of metal flake in their paint.
Whatever it is, it doesn't scale all that well and could be what leads to the appearance of heavy handed paint application.

Yes, that type of problem often shows up in respect to model automobiles. Even in 1:24 scale. For example Testors has a line of spray bomb paints for model cars, and those also have rather coarse metal flakes that when used on a model car, that paint ends up like a metal-flake finish used on bass boats or dune buggies.  Way out of scale!  This appearance is not as objectionable when viewed in-person, but in close up photos it shows up like a sore thumb.

But there are metallic paints out there using very fine metallic particles. The Atlas models are a good example of using such "scale" paints.  Someone there understood the concept of "scale paint".