N scale Craftsman Kit manufacturers

[tommot]

The phrase “craftsman’s kit” has been watered down and this thread is a perfect example. Of course it’s Ebay and everyone is trying to sell what they have, but an Ebay search of the word “craftsman” will turn up everything from plastic trees to little people manufactured in Asia that come in about 2 or 3 different colors.

Without mentioning specific kit manufacturers, some of the kits mentioned would never be mentioned as craftsman kits if the thread was for HO scale. When I think of HO scale craftsman kits, I think of Fine Scale Miniature and South River Modelworks to name a couple. NONE, of these N scale kits mentioned come close to what is offered in HO scale.

Bottom line, I am an N-scaler and I would like to see actual craftsman style kits produced. I have several N Scale Architect kits, and a lot of the other kits mentioned, but in my opinion only Bar Mills is offering anything that comes close to a craftsman style kit. Some of the manufacturers mentioned supply four walls, adhesive windows and most are those are out of scale. Come on, paper as a craftsman kit????

I’ll apologize ahead of time if any kit supplies take offense to my response, but I’m just venting.

Tom

[mthduggan]

Tom,

I invite you to purchase one of my Curtis Bros Plumbing Supply kits. If it doesn't meet your standard for a "craftsman kit", return it and I will return your money including the cost of shipping.
You can find the Curtis Bros kit here -http://www.pawofabear.com/N_Scale_Kits/N_Scale_Curtis_Bros_Plumbing_Supply_Co_Kit.html

Or if you'd rather have something urban, try the Building Facade No. 1 conversion kit for the DPM building. It takes a basic DPM kit and converts it into a foreground worthy model. Same offer applies.
You can find the Building Facade kit here - http://www.pawofabear.com/N_Scale_Kits/N_Scale_Building_Facade1.html

The Ranch House kit is less of a craftsman style kit. The kit is almost a snap together kit in its engineering. Any interest to be had from that kit is in how you paint and detail it, though I will boast that the herring-bone walkway and stoop are pretty amazing. Though I wouldn't call this kit a "craftsman kit", I will extend the same offer; however, I wouldn't want you to judge my ability to produce "craftsman kits" on this one.
You can find the Ranch House here - http://www.pawofabear.com/N_Scale_Kits/N_scale_Ranch_House_No_1.html

Cheers,

[tommot]

Tom,

I invite you to purchase one of my Curtis Bros Plumbing Supply kits. If it doesn't meet your standard for a "craftsman kit", return it and I will return your money including the cost of shipping.
,

Hello Michael

That's a generous offer and I might take you up on it. But, I think a craftsman kit is like pornography, I can't define them, but I know them when I see them, I think.

Tom

[Janbouli]

I encountered a source of kits today I had not heard of before, http://www.creativelaserdesign.com/, they have all the scales but most of their kits are N-scale, and they sure look good.





Anyone had any experience with Creative Laser Design

[clevermod01]

A craftsman kit is one that is intended to be built by a craftsman. It does not refer to being wood or having castings. N scale paper kits are far more " in scale" than most other kits. If YOU are a craftsman, try building one.

[Rail and Tie]

I would agree. I think a craftsman kit is one that is very scale in appearance, is somewhat complicated to build because of the numerous parts and generally takes a good level of skill to do it right. I remember my days in HO as a kid and saw Campbell's Craftsman Kits and steered away from them because they might be too complex for me as a beginner. So I have considered "Craftsman Kit" to be more complex then 4 walls and a roof for a speeder shed.

So what is the real definition of a Craftsman Kit. Board on Board, Laser Cut, Injection Molded, Paper? I have tried some of Clever Models freebees and I can say that it takes great cutting skill to make them look right, but when you get it right, the end result is fantastic. I have built DPM kits and they need a lot of work to make them turn out great.

[tommot]

A craftsman kit is one that is intended to be built by a craftsman. It does not refer to being wood or having castings. N scale paper kits are far more " in scale" than most other kits. If YOU are a craftsman, try building one.

A craftsman can build a Life-Like kit, does that make Life-Like craftsman kits??????????

[Janbouli]

A craftsman kit is one that is intended to be built by a craftsman. It does not refer to being wood or having castings. N scale paper kits are far more " in scale" than most other kits. If YOU are a craftsman, try building one.

I don't know why you answered this here, didn't answer any of my questions about Creative Designs, now this thread is becoming a discussion on what a Craftsmen kit is, that was not our intention, just creating a list of possible N-scale manufacturers.

[Rail and Tie]

Jan, sorry we got dragged off topic...


How about Zoomco? They are coming out with some neat little kits.


Also, us, Interactionhobbies.com. Home of "Rail and Tie" structures and details.


Never heard of Creative Designs, but they look to have some interesting stuff as well.

Darryl

[Janbouli]

How about Zoomco? They are coming out with some neat little kits.


Also, us, Interactionhobbies.com. Home of "Rail and Tie" structures and details.


Never heard of Creative Designs, but they look to have some interesting stuff as well.

Darryl

Found zoomco on Facebook looked good but is almost prebuilt when I believe their site.

As for Intractionhobbies, well those are on there way to me now if I am right, can't wait to build one of your kits.