Scratch Build Cost?

[Izzy]

For me the hobby is the build process - I sell what I build so that I don't have a ton of stuff laying about or to fund the next build. I do try to keep things reasonable but my interest in what I could do sometimes gets me in trouble..

for example - I had pulled some favors and had that grill made for the 20000 Freightliner for Freddy - if I had wne to a local machine shop and had that made it would have cost well over $2K since it was about 20 hours on a CNC wire EDM - not something we can do..... but since it was aspecial one off thing I had some favors built up and the guy was interested in doing it as much as me - therefore it got done. Unfortunately he left for greaner pastures and I have changed postions.....but the opportunity was there.


I know that cost is always a factor - but if you spread it out, barter for things and generaly be patient a custom build is rewarding - and like said previously - you will be lucky to get out of it a bit more than the materials you have put into it.

Chris

[anthonymcc]

What kind of tools do you guys use to do most of your scratch building? Could a newbie/ beginner do some basic builds with tools around the house?

[TRUCKMAKER]

Originally Posted by anthonymcc

What kind of tools do you guys use to do most of your scratch building? Could a newbie/ beginner do some basic builds with tools around the house?

If you have never built a kit before, I would start there. Just pick a truck kit you like and build it stock out of the box. Tamiya's come with the unquie tools you need and if you have basic hand tools such as small screw drivers pliers etc. you'll be fine. Then when you have the basic assembly skills you can take the truck apart and start over, scratch building what you want. Sratch building from a beginner stand point is not the less expensive way to go to when your first getting started. You can easily build a basic truck and trailer kit with radio and have some fun for well under a $1000.00 if you do your home work. Scratch building could most likely take you well into the thousands depending how deep you want to get. That being said, a drill press, scroll or band saw and belt/disc sander are a good low dollar start to the never ending list of scratch building tools.
This is all just from my experiance and my opinion, there is a lot of talent, experiance and information on this forum. Use the search feature and search for tools, you'll find threads with pictures and descriptions of what some of the builders use. Good luck and and have fun!

[SonoranWraith]

Originally Posted by anthonymcc

What kind of tools do you guys use to do most of your scratch building? Could a newbie/ beginner do some basic builds with tools around the house?

That depends, I know some people whose idea of tools around the consists of screwdriver and tape! If you want to build in styrene, then you need a knife, sandpaper, patience, and imagination. Square stuff is obviously easier, but you can get curves too.

Definitely start like the OP and read as many threads as you can and you'll get great ideas. Also you might try looking at German truck/machinery forums as they have more varied builds and years ahead of us in the development of this part of the hobby. In europe there are many shops dedicated to scale trucks and construction. They also have many many large shows and more hobbyists in this arena on the other side of the pond. Some of them have joined this forum and shared their work. Our forum definitely showcases some amazing builds and people with a wealth of talent. Everyone was a newbie once!

I have seen amazing stuff done with brass, aluminum, steel, wood, plastic and even builds that mix all these to make amazing machines.