Starting out in 7mm scale

Discussion in 'Workshop Benches' started by Matt, Jul 23, 2022.

  1. Matt

    Matt Full Member

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    Hi all,

    I've mentioned it before, and always found reasons not to do anything but I've finally taken the plunge and started a 7mm kit!

    4mm will remain my "main" interest, but I'm going to try doing a bit of larger scale modelling "on the side"!

    I've started a Slater's Palvan kit that I bought some years ago - in hindsight something else would have been more suitable, but it was an eBay bargain!

    Initial impressions are: it's so much bigger and a real step up!

    Palvan01.jpg

    Palvan02.jpg

    Palvan03.jpg

    Progress will be slow...

    Matt
     
  2. Walkingthedog

    Walkingthedog Full Member

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    Great fan of Slaters wagon kits. Really enjoy making them.
     
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  3. Mossy

    Mossy A classic grump Yorkshire man Full Member

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    Matt,

    Beware o gauge becomes addictive when you realise the extra detail you can incorporate given the extra size. Best of luck going cold turkey if/when you decide to revert to OO gauge.

    Mossy
     
  4. Walkingthedog

    Walkingthedog Full Member

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    I’ll second that. Changed from OO 3 ish years ago. Decided on 4 or 5 wagons and a couple of locos. 34 wagons and 12 locos so far.
     
  5. Andy_Sollis

    Andy_Sollis Staff Member Moderator

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    It’s called the “dark side” if you listen to Dundee!
     
  6. Andy_Sollis

    Andy_Sollis Staff Member Moderator

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    Funny as I’m still predominantly 4mm

    yet I seem to have 3 O gauge signal boxes!! :avatar::avatar:
     
  7. Matt

    Matt Full Member

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    Dark side or not, I've made more progress!

    Screenshot_20220724-231916~2.png
     
  8. Walkingthedog

    Walkingthedog Full Member

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    Excellent. The Dark Side will succeed.
     
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  9. paul_l

    paul_l Staff Member Administrator

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    :welcome: to world of real modelling :avatar:

    We've got him :tophat: :avatar:

    At first they seemed so bulky, now even 4mm wagons just seem to be missing something .... probably bulk :facepalm:

    The model looks good, and from your previous 4mm models you're gonna really enjoy the detailing and weathering the larger models.

    Paul
     
  10. Matt

    Matt Full Member

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    Hi all,

    While Palvan progress has slowed while I wait for some bits, I have started work on a small structure for research purposes (i.e to get a feel for the size etc).

    Although I prefer scratchbuilding, I decided to base this first structure on a kit for convenience, and so I can use it as a starting point for window/door sizes in future.

    This is a kit from Lcut but I've customised it a bit. I don't like laser cut surface detail in any scale so, like my 4mm buildings, it's been clad in embossed brick.

    Hut03.jpg

    Hut02.jpg

    Hut01.jpg

    I've also done a small test which suggests my brick painting technique could work in a larger scale.

    Matt
     
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  11. Andy_Sollis

    Andy_Sollis Staff Member Moderator

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    Nice. I await further developments with the popcorn on standby! :scratchchin::thumbs:
     
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  12. Matt

    Matt Full Member

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    Thanks @Andy_Sollis , you might have eaten that popcorn by the time you see progress through!

    Painting attempt #1:

    Hut04.jpg

    Not bad, but I'm not satisfied. I know the windows are incomplete and also the the bricks are not completely aligned at the corner (that has been pointed out several times elsewhere already, but bear in mind this is a practice building :headbanger:). For me the colouring isn't quite right.

    I'm working on attempt #2 at the moment.

    Matt
     
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  13. Matt

    Matt Full Member

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    And here is the aforementioned attempt #2:

    Hut05.jpg

    Hut07.jpg

    I know the window is wonky, it's not glued in place yet!

    Matt
     
  14. Rob Pulham

    Rob Pulham Happily making models Staff Member Administrator Feature Contributor

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    Nice, it will look even better once you have painted the down pipe. I particularly like the tiles, with the slightly raised one at the front edge.
     
  15. Andy_Sollis

    Andy_Sollis Staff Member Moderator

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    Knob!

    don’t forget the door knob!

    looks very good even with the bits you highlight nice work @Matt

    Andy
     
  16. Matt

    Matt Full Member

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    Hi all,

    Despite the heat, I've managed to finish my first ever 7mm building!

    I'm pretty pleased with it, it was worth all the effort.

    Hut08.jpg

    The back is plain original laser cut card. It won't be seen. Plus, note the door knob especially for @Andy_Sollis !

    Hut09.jpg

    And finally the other end.

    Hut10.jpg

    I'm pleased with the windows in general, even if the open one is a bit of a cliche! They're chopped up Lcut originals.

    Matt
     
  17. Andy_Sollis

    Andy_Sollis Staff Member Moderator

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    Did this originally come as two windows on the front?
    Lovely job Matt! :thumbs:
     
  18. Matt

    Matt Full Member

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    Hi Andy, yes it did, and a base/steps. I decided to change it around a bit.

    Matt
     
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  19. paul_l

    paul_l Staff Member Administrator

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    Nice one Matt

    I'd have given the laser cut texture a go, as with the biggers scale the box joins at the corner are the same pitch as the brick layers.

    Paul
     
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