If you've used Outland Models - the popular eBay seller - and their products what's been your experience? It looks like it takes a good 1- 2 weeks to get their stuff to your door from China. How good can these buildings be made to look? My only concern is they look a little generic. I like the modern designs but how real can they be made to look with weathering - all of the surfaces look ultra smooth. I'm considering purchasing but I'd like to see how far people have been able to take them to look real.
I recieved a bunch of them last a year ago Christmas but never got to them. While researching them I came across this guy: He uses them quite a bit for a very unusual city. Careful, Warning, it is quite the 'Rabbit Hole' to go down.
I'd give them a 6 out of 10..........I bought several smaller buildings and a "park set". Buildings are decent but accessories are hit and miss,,,,,,legs on some of the playground equipment were bent,broken, or didn't finish printing and same on the garage accessories. Car dealership arrived with an extra of one wall, and missing another. Contacted them and they sent me a complete new kit, which is good customer service. They also need a bit of cleanup from printing.
It's odd to me that the industry isn't adapting. Or maybe it is in HO and I'm just unaware. Or maybe the consumers don't want more modern structures. I'm just trying to design a modern day layout and finding newer buildings is tough. As I told the others, I realize many early 20th century buildings are still standing and that's cool. But why does the aftermarket have to design a Starbucks or a McDonalds? Thanks for the feedback Dave!
I have heard: "We model what we know/see." I didn't see much in the way of trains growing up so I model anything from streamlined steam to Shinkansen. I'm not sure if you mean actual or fictional coffee / burger joints. Actual frachises are copyrighted / patented down to the color and arch of a roof. Kato and Tomix make 'modern' buildings but they might be hard to find in the US. There is another guy on YouTube that has a modern Japanese city. I can get you the link if you like. My layout is predominantly modern. I will be using empty 'K-cups' for my coffee kiosks. I will have veggie joints - but not sure what it will look like. Skyscrapers will be printed to cardstock and reinforced in several using several methods. Since I'm 3 years 6 months sober as of yesterday there won't be any bars etc. Afterthought To model a mondern city you would need several different styles of buildings ranging from 60 yo to ultra modern. That would be a very expensive undertainging for a fairly small market. As for 'smooth'? Yes, In an 'N-Scale' a modern building surfaces would be quite smooth. The fancier a building is the more expensive it is to build and maintain. I frequent downtown Boston. Those modern buildings are all either glass, (John Handcock Tower), or smooth concrete or stone, (100 Federal Street aka 'The Pregnant Building). Might be more than you asked for but hope it helps.
Still, folks may want to watch a few. He has some serious skills - especially for weathering. His results are credible.
'Grey One' "I will have veggie joints - but not sure what it will look like." Try an ear of corn with a leaf as the awning. Toad stools for tables. Well it's time to go back to the big game. Night all. Richard
My experience has been hot and cold the last one cold. Got a fish hatchery that is in use and a boat shed at my marine research center that are small enough and painted so that you don't notice the lines in everything from the printing. Last batch of small out building were so bad I threw them in the trash and went with some paper buildings that I ordered which were 20 times better,
Congratulations to ya Grey One. I,m comin' up on six years myself. Lots more time and money for modeling, better results too.
Aww!! Come on!! Where's your sense of humor, leave it on e-Bay? We've seen may imitation food items as buildings for selling foods. A giant domed apple pie for selling sweets. A giant hamburger for selling same. And on and on and on! Richard
My impression is their buildings have gotten better over the years. And they are one of the few doing really modern stuff. One of my N scale buddies has been using their stuff for a while: https://conrail1285.com/cheap-n-scale-buildings-from-china/
Congrats on your 5+. ☻ Yes, after a year the family gave me 1/2 the living room for my layout and The Wife gave me a viable budge.
I have a few Outland Buildings for my "inside a window" layout in Z (!) Scale. The imperfections -- and there are some -- are not noticeable at 1:220 proportion. The price/value ratio is reasonable to me. I don't think I would go larger than N Scale. I have since found better quality 3D printings from other sellers, mostly on eBay. I have not ordered anything from them in a while but when I did I did not always get what I ordered. I was able to use what they did send. It took north of a month for arrival, and that was pre-COVID.
Yes they are a bit generic, but overall I have enjoyed them. I was building a small city for my tram layout and I picked up a few of these for quick buildings for the layout. I think they turn out pretty ok. I have painted some, and left others alone. Some come with window film, some dont, it’s hit or miss there. They are easy to assemble, even when they don’t come with instructions. I think so far only 1 of the ones I bought came with instructions and it really wasn’t needed. As for shipping time… well since the virus stuff I have been able to get them quicker. I think the main reason is they are being loaded on airplanes now and not ships. Last time I ordered any was about a year ago and I got them in about 2 weeks. The time before it was nearly a month and I honestly forgot I ordered it. I have also ordered other stuff from China recently (Arduino project boards) and they only took a week or so to arrive from China.
I only have z scale buildings from them. When you look close they're not perfect, but overall they look pretty good to me. For assembly I usually go back to the listing and study the pictures carefully as there are no instructions. Shipping takes forever. Example of my brewery silo and factory building with minor paint accents.
