Scratch building

Scratch building

Scratch building is the process of building a scale model from raw materials, rather than building it from a commercial kit, kitbashing or buying it pre-assembled.

Scratch building is easiest if original plans of the subject exist; however, many models have been built from photographs by measuring a known object in the photograph and extrapolating the rest of the dimensions. The necessary parts are then fashioned out of a suitable material, such as wood, plastic, plaster, clay, metal, polymer clay, or even paper, and then assembled. Some purists consider a model not to be truly scratchbuilt unless all of the parts were made from raw materials. However most modellers would consider a model including commercial detail parts as scratchbuilt.

Motives

The reasons hobbyists scratchbuild may vary. Often a desired model is unavailable in kit form in the desired scale, or entirely non-existent. Sometimes the hobbyist may be dissatisfied with the accuracy or detail of kits that are available. Other times a hobbyist will opt to scratchbuild simply for the challenge. Less frequently a hobbyist will scratchbuild out of economy, as sometimes the raw materials cost less than a packaged commercial kit.

Techniques

Most hobbyists develop their skills by building kits, then progress to kitbashing, where various kits are combined to create a unique model before attempting to scratchbuild. Sometimes scratchbuilders utilize discarded parts of other models or toys, with or without modification, either in order to speed up the building process or to allow the process to continue in spite of certain parts being difficult to make. Some companies sell parts that are of little use to anyone but scratchbuilders.

Building Stock

Building stock, in whichever material, can be plain sheets, strips, bars, tubes, rods, or even structural shapes such as L or T girders. Stock can also be embossed or textured to replicate a certain prototype material (such as plastic sheet embossed with grooves to mimic a scale brick wall).

For example, to scratch-build a small board fence, the modeler could use plastic rod stock to form the vertical posts, then use plastic bar stock to form horizontal rails affixed to the posts, lay plastic strip stock vertically on the horizontal rails (perhaps 'distressed' with a wire brush to mimic wood grain, or by using thin strips of actual wood), trimming the top and bottoms of the strips to be even, adding details like nail holes (using a small pin), and then finishing and weathering (making a model look like it has been used via dust, dirt, stains, and wear).

Method

There are as many ways of scratch-building models as there are modelers, but generally the modeler obtains plans of a prototype, or designs his own, transfers these plans to paper or other material as patterns (much easier since the arrival of household computer printers and copiers), and uses these patterns to cut, trim and affix the stock together to form the model. Finishing work (such as sanding and polishing, painting, weathering, distressing by forming dents and rust, dust, etc.) is done to complete the model and (hopefully) bring it to a life-like state.

References

*cite web|url=http://culttvman.com/a_j_madison_s_scratchbuilding_.html|title=Scratchbuilding FAQ|author=A J Madison|accessdate=2006-11-25


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем написать реферат

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Scratch building — Scratchgebauter Lotus 88 Formel 1 Rennwagen (Karton) Als Scratchen oder Scratchbau (englisch: Scratch building) bezeichnet man den Eigen oder Umbau eines Modells, bei dem, anders als beim Modellbau, nicht auf vorgefertigte Teile zurückgegriffen… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Scratch building — Se ha sugerido que este artículo o sección sea fusionado con Slot (modelismo) (discusión). Una vez que hayas realizado la fusión de artículos, pide la fusión de historiales aquí. En slot (modelismo) es decorar un coche, desde despintar una… …   Wikipedia Español

  • Scratch — (engl.: Kratzer, Schramme) bezeichnet: Scratchen oder Scratching, das bewegen einer Schallplatte durch einen DJ Scratch (Bahnradsport), eine Disziplin im Bahnradsport Scratch (Programmiersprache), eine visuelle Programmiersprache Scratch building …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Building Cities From Scratch — Связать? Building Cities from Scratch Студийный альбом O …   Википедия

  • Scratch n' Match — is a sweepstakes promotion from the New York s Daily News. The promotion has been held throughout the Spring and the Fall since September of 2004. They recently began distributing new game cards on Sunday, August 27, 2006 and will run up until… …   Wikipedia

  • scratch — [[t]skræ̱tʃ[/t]] scratches, scratching, scratched 1) VERB If you scratch yourself, you rub your fingernails against your skin because it is itching. [V pron refl] He scratched himself under his arm... [V n] The old man lifted his cardigan to… …   English dictionary

  • scratch-built — adjective a) Describing a building built ad hoc, with whatever materials are to hand, and often just from ground level. b) Describing a structure, e.g. a car, model or toy, built with minimal cost and at short notice, with rudimentary materials …   Wiktionary

  • Linux From Scratch — Company / developer Gerard Beekmans et al. OS family Unix like Working state Current Source model Open source / Free Software Initial release …   Wikipedia

  • Delaware River Iron Ship Building and Engine Works — Former type Private Industry Shipbuilding Predecessor Reaney, Son Archbold Successor Chester Shipbuilding Co. Founded 1871 …   Wikipedia

  • scratchbuilding — scratchˈbuilding noun • • • Main Entry: ↑scratch …   Useful english dictionary

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”