Darn, seems like I have opened a Pandora's Box BUT in what I think is a good way. Can only hope (yeah right) that someone from walthers reads all of this and takes notice.
I really pity you HO guys who use walthers kits as they are hanging around. Rumor has it though that walthers is exiting the N Scale market which (if true) from everything said here will NOT be a devastation for us N Scalers
Tony,
What if you set the pieces outside with a weight on them for several hours? The warping might come out of it with the heat of the sun.
Mike,
You and others have read my mind, or I yours. Last night I removed each part then "cleaned them up", laid them flat and sat a couple of metal blocks on them. It has taken out a little bit (very little bit) of the warping on the floor section but the walls just bounced back as soon as the weight was removed. I might try it again later in the week when the temps here get back over 70 OR stick them in the oven on "low" for a short time then apply weight and rapid cool them.
Tony - I admire your patience in wanting to detail the inside of an "N" scale structure. I am looking forward to the result.
Thanks mate but this Car Shop is a "BIG" structure so there is plenty of room in it for detailing and will be like detailing a HO Kit. The entire structure is 7" long by 5 1/4" wide by 4 3/4" high, so the challenge of detailing the interior probably wont be all that impressive when said and done. Of course you can forget about the dimensions and just think N Scale ... that might make it look more impressive
Regarding Walther's structure kits. I only have experience with their HO line of structures and I can tell you that warpage, poor instructions and ill-fitting parts are the norm in my experience. I would think that being the industry leader that they would have better quality control, but nothing has changed in the 35 years that I have been dealing with them. It's too bad as well, because they are about the only manufacturers that make "industry-sized" structures for model railroaders. I do possess some exceptions that I believe are made by their Danish supplier.
I have learned to overcome most of the shortcomings and I have over thirty of their industries and an equal number of other structures. Mike's suggestion works to some extent on the HO parts, as does submerging them in warm water for about 15 minutes and then weighting them down. I have straightened smaller walls by super-gluing popsicle sticks to the inside.
Not sure if I can agree with you on the "industry leader" side of things BUT considering how long they have been in business you would have thought they would be a little more diligent and pay more attention to detail. Personally, I would have thought DPM would be considered the industry leader (or one of them) when it comes to kits be they HO or N Scale.
The one thing that I noticed, when comparing a wall section of this kit with a wall section from a DPM Kit (also N Scale) was how much more solid the DPM wall was. There was no flexing of the styrene or ABS (which ever material they use) and it felt solid and rigid. Only thing I can conclude from that is walthers uses a lower quality or lower standard styrene or ABS.
I might give your "water and weight" idea a go and see what happens. The two good things (I think) are that I wont be needing the floor section, other than as a template and the walls are flimsy enough to be held in place and shape when all connected and with the roof, which seems okay, along with the detail items I'll place along the walls, more or less replicating your idea of using popsicle sticks to hold things straight. I'll probably use 1/4" styrene and pretend they are benches
I have to second what Tony suggested. Maybe some heat on a flat surface to reshape the plastic. I have found my magnet board has become a heaven sent for squaring and truing up misaligned parts and piece. I don't know the melting point of styrene but if the sun is anything like it is here in Georgia, should get plenty warm. There is the oven as well.
The oven might end up being the method I try, although will only test it on the floor section. If I melt that into oblivion then so be it. If I melt the walls into oblivion then I will be "pis#ed" at myself. Now all that is left to do is convince the better half to let me use the oven
Tony. I can understand your frustration with the Walthers kit. I have had the same experience with the warping. They are nice building if and when you can complete them. Their directions are more like suggestions too.
I have used my wifes hair dryer to heat parts of them to get them closer to being straight and true.
I agree whole heartedly with he "instructions" ... a diagram with numbers and a fairly obscure written explanation. The one thing I will say is the kits are so basic (parts wise) it isn't that difficult to figure out what goes where and how.
I did contemplate using my hair drier (um ... the one I use for drying my painting that is...) but couldn't see myself sitting here for X amount of time looking at the part and just getting really peeved thinking why am I doing this? Why should I NEED to do this????
I was just putting together the Northern Lights sub station. The base for it is bowed up 3/16" on each end. I'm going to have to find a way to screw it down to straighten it out. I have a BUNCH of Walthers buildings that I've built in the last several years, and I'll bet 75 %, at least, had warped parts. It gets very disgusting time after time. I've also dealt with Walther's customer service and was not impressed at all.
Joe
I have to admit that I did buy (in my HO days) some walthers passenger cars that they recommended an 18" radius for (this is HO remember) Bought the cars and, despite my track being 18" radius the wouldn't/couldn't stay on the tracks. Running ONE car at a time, not a problem. Put more than one behind a train and instant derailment. Anyway, I got hold of walthers and told them problem and they basically called me a liar. Sent them a video of what was happening and again blamed my track work and stated it was less than 18" radius. So yeah - customer service? Excuse me while I choke through laughter.
My New River Mine kit was all wonky as well. Its the only Walthers kit I've done. I hope my Dairy Queen kit doesn't have warpage (I haven't opened it yet).
Mike,
For your sake I hope it doesn't either BUT you want put a small wager down that is does
The frustrating part walthers is they do make kits that no one else seems to want to and the kits themselves "look good". If only they would consider the quality of the materials they use and make them better, more solid, more accurate (fit wise) and be more diligent on the condition of the parts when sent out. IF they would do that, they would be a great kit, but if this has been going on for 35 years (give or take) then that tells me a lot about walthers practices.
Anyway, lets forget that the kit is a walthers, or try to - I promise I wont bring their name up again unless under duress
It looks as though my "Peco Inspection Pits X 3" will be arriving from London (Hattons) this Wednesday. As it is 12:15 am on the East coast now, that'll be tommorow
So, I'll have all day today to try to get the walls etc as "flat as possible" after which I might need to reach for (not just stare at) my 20 lb mash hammer
Once the Pits arrive and I loo at how they go together, the "build will commence" Yeah! Oh, while I think of it - if this build turns to "poo", I guess we all have provided me with the perfect excuse/reason for that happening
As I am pretty excited about this, I am seriously hoping that it will go together and will look as good in life as it does in my mind ... where ever I left that!