Clever Models is offering a free O scale Paper model Track side structure for a contest they're having. They have mostly HO available right now, but the O Scale stuff will be coming next (from what I've read on the site). They make some beautiful stuff. I'm not affiliated with them. Just thought I'd pass it along. You will have to email Thom to get the O scale version. He responds pretty quickly with two emails containing the O scale version.

Free O Scale Bldg

Bobby

This message has been edited. Last edited by: BobbyDing,

Thanks Bobby for the heads up. The site was slow to load, which made it a little confusing - in my impatience I started clicking onto other pages when I should have waited, but found it eventually. I checked out the HO version and the details look very nice. I hit the contact button and sent in my request for the O scale.

The blog said on Aug 17 that the model will only be available for 2 weeks - that should make it Monday, Aug 31. So not much time left.

Wow, I didn't notice the expiration. I'll have to update this thread come Sept 1.

Thanks,

Bobby

Thanks for the heads-up Bobby. I just received two emails from Cleaver with the O Gauge downloads. The maintenance shed come in 6 downloadable files. The graphics are outstanding. I printed a set onto cardstock and sprayed it with a matte fixative. It'll be a rainy day project.

WM (AKA Nick)
I have also received 2 emails from Cleaver with the downloads. (Thanks Bobby, for the tip!) Did you print directly on the cardstock? What weight paper, and where do you find it?

Chris
LVHR
PS I agree: The graphics look VERY good indeed!

Got mine. Trying to figure out what type of stock to print it on.

I suggest that you print the kit out on ultra-bright 65 lb cardstock (for those pieces that are going to be folded (sides and corners) and 110lb for those pieces which will be flat (doors, windows, roof material). The 110 lb give the structure some structural integrity and, because it isn't usually ultra-bright, will be a little duller (some free weathering).

Jim

Jim,
Will stuff that heavy go through an inkjet printer without issues? I've never tried it.

Chris
LVHR

Chris,

As you might know, I have been doing test kits for Clever Models for a few years now (they send me pdfs, I try to assemble them - some of the kit results are posted over on the Narrow Gauge forum and in a recent article in OGR). I have a plain old Dell Ink Jet printer/scanner/copier at home and it takes 65 and 110 lb just fine. I recommend individual feeds of cardstock sometimes it won't grab the paper out of trays). Finally, set up the printer so that it is a photo quality image but tell it that it's cardstock (that loosens the feed in the rollers a little bit).

Jim

Chris & Matt - I use XEROX 110# Card Stock and it works great in my Canon PIXMA MP500 inkjet printer. Like Jim said set your printer for cardstock. I also set the printer to the highest quality print. BTW I bought the cardstock at Staples and bought the 250 pk. I don't recall what I paid for it. The 110# weight will cover any cut out and fold projects you have. My grandaughter uses it for doll cut outs and my grandson uses it for mid-evil structures whenever they visit. It's good stuff.

Thanks guys! Sounds like a trip to Staples is in order. My printer is an HP D4160 inkjet type. I think there is a way to feed the sheets in from the back, but I need to check HP to be sure.

Chris
LVHR

Thanks for the tips. I have an HP5510 all-in-one at home, but I have access to HP Color LaserJets at the office.

I found that using a wallpaper seam roller gives me nice crisp folds when using 110# cardstock. I have a couple of them leftover from my papering days. They come in a few different widths but the 2" size is my favotite. The good ones like the one pictured run around $20.00.


Matt you're fortunate having access to a color laser printer. I've thought about buying one but the cost of the ink is a little too much for my pocketbook.

Dear All,

Since the contest is close to being over (about another five days) and since the kit is no longer available for download, I thought I would show what I have done with the building. This is not an entry in the contest. Clever Models has asked me to be one of the judges. But, more than any other group of modelers, this group knows more about the value of cardstock as a modeling medium, so I just thought it would be worth showing.





This is supposed to be a cooper's shed on my small brewery. The whole structure will be finished in about a week or so and I will post pictures of the entire building. Any suggestions or comments are greatly appreciated.

Jim

That's beautiful, in a manly sorta way.

Jim,

Any word when the winner of the Clever Models contest for the maintenance shed will be announced? I have not seen any update on their website. Since the contest has been over for some time, I thought I would include a couple of pictures of the one I completed and added to my layout:




Rick

Rick,

I enjoyed viewing all of the pictures of your build. Since I was a judge, I got to see them a couple of weeks ago. The winners were announced on the KitForums website. Another one of our forum members, Maria Poklemba, won first place as I recall. However, all entrants are receiving a copy of the Clever textures disc, I understand. It was a tough call when judging (at least from my perspective) ... don't know what the other judges might have thought. All of the entries were quite well done. I think that they will post pictures of all of the entries on the Clever Models website soon.

Jim

Glad to hear that they turned out so well. But I'm disappointed.
I requested an o scale version download by e-mail, using the link on the website. This was according to the instructions posted. I placed my request two days before the deadline. Never got a response. Does Clever they ever check their e-mail?

There was also a blog on the site. Some were asking for the O scale version there. However a blog is not an e-mail contact - unless I'm too technical here.

Ed Bommer

Ed,

Unfortunately, I am not affiliated with Clever Models, other than doing some test kit building for them from time to time. They are usually pretty prompt in replying, so I don't know what happened. If you are still interested in getting a copy of the kit, contact me at my personal email (jgore@ut.edu) and I will make sure that you get one.

JIm

Jim,

Thanks for your response. I appreciate the time you took in being a judge. All of us who participated are winners if you can use the build on the layout. Thanks again to you and also thanks to Clever Models if they read this website.

Rick

I checked out Cever Models when they first started and found that their prices are not competitive. For the price of a Clever structure you can buy an Amertowne and have something solid w 3D details, 1/4" thick walls and not just a hunk of paper.

Hi Everyone!
For those of you who sent me an email asking if the photos of the winning models were posted anywhere. I just received an email from Thom & Dave at Clever Model. They will be posted on their website any time now.

Looking forward to seeing the entries!

Maria Poklemba

quote:

Originally posted by Dennis LaGrua:
I checked out Cever Models when they first started and found that their prices are not competitive. For the price of a Clever structure you can buy an Amertowne and have something solid w 3D details, 1/4" thick walls and not just a hunk of paper.

What do you mean by competitive? This one was a free download. When was the last time you got an Amertowne anything for free?