Smart Models compared to Scalescenes?

[philsandy]

I've seen a Smart Models small terrace shop that would be ideal for my layout.

How do these kits compare with Scalescenes?

I have downloaded some Smart Models brick papers, but they did not seem quite as authentic as Scalescenes brickwork.

I also would need to build it in half relief, I assume this is possible like the Scalescenes kits?

[ELTEL]

Having seen both manufactures products, my vote would be for Scalescenes

[Chubber]

Philsandy,

 

 There is a third alternative I'd consider, kit bash a Scalescenes small terraced house kit to include a shop front and build it as LR?

 

Doug

[Jinty3f]

Cover the Smart Model that you want with Scalescenes brick paper?

JD

[philsandy]

Cover the Smart Model that you want with Scalescenes brick paper?

JD

 

Philsandy,

 

 There is a third alternative I'd consider, kit bash a Scalescenes small terraced house kit to include a shop front and build it as LR?

 

Doug

 

Thanks for all your replies.

I think either of those ideas is the way to do it.

[carl1962]

scalescenes every time!

[stephenashton]

Scalescenes works better for me. Somehow the textures on the Smart Models kits seem a bit unreal. It's hard to put your finger on why, it's just the Scalescenes kits look more 'right'.

[Campaman]

I have built the Smart Models free signal box and I thought the textures weren't too bad.

 

As already stated you could re-cover with scalescenes if you want the finishes to match, to be honest I think a variation is better, not all buildings in an area are built with the same bricks or materials.

 

I like the scalescenes stuff and have a few of the kits, the one thing I miss is a variation in the roofing texture, you can tell the scalescenes Grey Roof Tiles a mile off, I have now started creating my own roof textures for variety.

[DelticBlade]

I have just about built the freebie signal box too, this afternoon. I have done a few Scalescene bits and pieces including the small signal box.

It will be interesting to see how the Smart Models kit sits amongst the other stuff when I go in the loft tomorrow.

[idlemarvel]

http://www.smartmodels.co.uk/products/railway-models/railway-buildings/free-signal-box

[Rammy]

Some of these kits are looking quite good too, but not tried any yet:

 

http://www.modelrailwayscenery.com/building-kits/

[Bill Radford]

Some of these kits are looking quite good too, but not tried any yet:

 

http://www.modelrailwayscenery.com/building-kits/

Not quite the complexity of Scalescenes. (for me that was not such a bad thing!)

 

Have built the Industrial unit and it stands well alongside the S/s and Wordsworth buildings.

[DelticBlade]

I can't remember if it was a free trial as it was a long time ago.

The box was the first attempt I had had at making a kit that was precut. I now do mix and match on our layout, the kids get a chance to do bits and pieces without worrying if things go wrong as we can print out new sheets.

In terms of which kit is better, I think much depends on what you're after as the Smart Models fit well into layout with lots of Deltics.

[idlemarvel]

I have made many cardboard kits, ready cut and DIY, over the years.  I recently tried smart models, the free signal box.  It looks okay when assembled but compared to others I have tried it was quite tricky to construct.  Cutting the window frames (about 2mm wide) requires extreme care, and covering each side of the window posts with small strips of paper is very fiddly.  I think a wrap around approach would be better.  The brick texture looks quite good to my eye.  The roof slates came out very blue on my printer, but that is my printer as it looks okay on the screen.  I'm not sure the "strips of tiles" approach looks that much more realistic than printed sheets, given the amount of extra time it takes.

I've also tried the concrete platform.  I think the platform sides are quite effective.  I used it to re-cover an existing Metcalfe platform kit.

The instructions are very good, detailed explanations with photographs of each assembly stage. On the whole I think these models are good quality, value and complementary to the range of models from scalescenes, which to my mind is still the benchmark for print and cut models.

[BristolBill]

Why are the doors on card kit garages, sheds, workshops, factories etc., nearly always blue ? 

[EHertsGER]

Prototypical accuracy - my Dad was obsessed with painting doors and things blue - he even painted his bubble car with the same paint and brush. Tough to get texture right in printed 4mm scale card kits of Messerschmitt bubble cars though...

 

And you think I'm making this up - I've got the photographs to prove it!

 

Best,

Marcus

[Shanghai Diver]

I've seen a Smart Models small terrace shop that would be ideal for my layout.

How do these kits compare with Scalescenes?

I have downloaded some Smart Models brick papers, but they did not seem quite as authentic as Scalescenes brickwork.

I also would need to build it in half relief, I assume this is possible like the Scalescenes kits?

Three years after, but adding another view for anyone else asking.

 

Having done a few Scale Scenes and the free signal box from Smart Models (with the pre laser cut backing) it has to be Scale Scenes.  There is more logic to the approach - more thought on how things like walls need to wrap and built in with margin for error for those of us not so expert.  Smart Models has been a fairly unsatisfactory experience.  I enjoyed every minute of Scale Scenes, but not Smart Models.Scale Scenes may seem less complex but the end result has been much more satisfactory.  A little more effort in the pre planning of the modeling design might really help.

[ColinK]

I'm working in 7mm scale and using 'Purple Bob' buildings. These are a bit of a halfway house (no pun intended) as they come already printed on card but you have to cut them out youself.