This 9x5" mini module features the water tower kit from Archistories, It is made entirely from paper w/ a veneer finish w/ the name "Sanders" pressed into the veneer. The other details are made from different materials, wood, resin, metal and plastic. I have read negative things about paper kits. Mostly they don't look convincing. I would not want an entire layout made of paper kits, but the right ones scattered around will hardly be noticed. This kit needed little weathering. I added some rust. But it looks like this out of the envelope.
Nice build! We try to steer the naming of the Archistories kit material to "architectural grade cardboard" which is much more sturdy than the sound of "paper." Holding it in your hands certainly dispels many preconceived notions you may have about "paper" or "cardboard." These kits' details are truly amazing and the construction fit is worlds better than the sloppy tolerances found in molded plastic kits.
I am truly convinced that good cardboard models are better that plastic moulded. They look much more convincing without weathering then plastic ones ! I think we should also make a distinction between cardboard models with 3D effects and real paper models wit bricks (or something else just printed. In my opinion highly recommended brands (European) for cardboard are: Archistories, MBZ, Lafont and some smaller manufactures. BTW there was a discussion concerning commercial structures in Z scale. I do not have this type of structures planned on my layout but I have an suggestion. There is a very nice product of Archistories. This is A4 cardboard with bricks laser-engraving. It is possible to lasercut or even handcut this for big builtings walls. I did some smaller structures following actual prototypes using this product. It is as I remember 0,8mm thick cardboard.
Thanks for posting your photos. I was wondering if anybody was using cardboard to kit bash or mingle with other types of kits. You have done a great job. Who sells A4 stock? Is it available from ZSM? It would beniceto have a sheet or two for scratchbuilding. Take care, kim
This A4 sheet is Archistories. Available here: http://www.archistories-shop.de/epages/62672593.sf/de_DE/?ObjectPath=/Shops/62672593/Products/816111 Unfortunately only in German language. I have no idea if it is available in US...
At my behest, Archistories produced these sheet items. Archistories 801161 red brick: http://zscalehobo.com/archistories/801161.html There is also a stone sheet, Archistories 802161 tan stone: http://zscalehobo.com/archistories/802161.html The versions I have were full-sized A5 sheets - they were not selling so I ended up splitting them into two (A6) and offering at a lower, more manageable price point. For what it's worth, they say (as of March 09, 2018 at 10:18AM) that they won't be producing these anymore due to long production time. I might suggest ordering while the links are up either directly at Archistories or the links above.
A rose by another name is still called rose...You are absolutely right about the tolerances of these kits. They go together precisely and they are pretty sturdy once they are put together. I have completed the windmill kit. I am looking at the half-timbered signal tower for my next Archistories build. It looks distinctly American. I removed several of the tabs on the larger parts to make lining up the walls easier. It did not effect the strength/bond of the parts.
Thanks, Frank. I will be placing an order for one of each sheet shortly. They look like they will be useful. You can't have too much scratch-building materials. Especially in z-scale. Jim
Hi Frank, Are there any kits out there that evoke the style of brick row homes here on the East Coast? I haven't seen any in Z scale and am thinking I'll need to scratch build. Now that you mention Archistories plans to discontinue all of these cardboard/paper/whatever-you-call-it sheets, I'm thinking I should stock up. How easy is this material to work with? Is it fragile or sturdy like styrene?
I have worked with both Archistories and other cardboard lasercut (that is: relief showing) brick sheets. The looks are (as Pavel / Zdrada mentioned) distinctly different from paperkits. I have tried paper kits, they have a lot going for them: affordable, many designs, can be printed at home, etc; but I am personally not fond of the look of it. And to me they are not really compatible with buildings made of other materials, such as the regular kits in styrene or resin. The lasercut cardboard kits are more like the lasercut kits in wood or polybak. I found the A4 size brick sheets by Archistories too thick for easy cutting, but very sturdy. I prefer brick sheets that are thinner, easier to work with. Here is a picture of some brick sheets compared: The square in the middle is Archistories. The top left is from a kit by Markenburg (https://www.markenburg.nl/en/ - scroll down till you see "Markenburg; Now also in 1: 220 (Z)" for an overview with links to their z scale kits). Bottom left is by MKB Modelle, as is the beige one on the bottom right (http://www.mkb-modelle.de/index.php?cPath=247_339 - I know there is no picture of the brick sheets, but it is a good product and a reliable service provider) Btw MKB Modelle came out with a nice range of houses as well: http://www.mkb-modelle.de/index.php?cPath=246_378, some of the more modern ones might work on a USA style layout). Top right is per request made by Mehbu, that didn't follow up on its first, magnificent kit with a brick backgable that was beautiful. This is their kit: (http://mehbu-lasertechnik.de/product_info.php?products_id=67) Btw for east coast style brick factory etc you may also consider resin kits such as the Artitec re release of their kits: http://artitec.nl/index.php/en/kits/category/z-1220 E.g. Cheers, Matt
Matt, Thank you for this comparison of materials. I found MKB as unknown for me by now. I will have to try !
Thanks for this info, Matt. I have a couple of Artitec kits (this one) on my wish list. I have one small shed w/crossing gate from them. I will probably use the sheets for larger wall sections without windows. JTT makes sheets of brick in z-scale in styrene. I prefer styrene for scratch building. Jim
Nice comparison, Matt. Thanks for making these direct correlations. The Archistories sheets I stock are in either A5 format (upon request) or A6 (as sold on the product page). In talking with Mr. Drees, the sheets I was supplied are 0.5mm thick (measured via caliper) while the ones he has listed on his direct shop site are 0.9mm. The thinner ones in my inventory should be easier to cut.
Thank you, Pawel (?) is that correct? I have ordered a couple of sheets from a US dealer. I will add it to my scratch-building library. I agree, 3-D printed paper is superior and it is printed on various thicknesses of stock giving it a dimensional look, something that is lacking in other paper kits. I think it is much easier to weather paper structures. I bit of chalk is all you need. I have a wish list of paper structures. Several by MKB. If you complete one before I get around to placing my order, please post pix of it. I must "binge" read this thread again. You have shared a lot of tips and top notch work. It's appreciated at this end. Jim
Jim, I would like to add that the Archistories brick sheets are a bit thick, but you fairly easily peal of the top layer of bricks. The resulting thin layer can be sanded very lightly and can then be glued to cardboard or even styrene. I found this out while building the Archistories 'Torrnstein' railwaystation (still in slow progress). I am bashing this kit a bit to make it look more like a Dutch station a want to model. I needed to replace one of the sidewalls and I am using Archistories brick sheet for that. That's when I found out the sheets are thicker than the ones used in the kit. Unfortunately, the pictures aren't very good, but you get the picture In the last pic you see the resulting brick sheet is pretty much the thickness of the kit's wall. +1 on your compliments towards Pawel Matt