DIECAST Dioramas / Discuss

PMC 1stPix    says:

Frequently Asked Questions about my set-up; size, materials, techniques, etc.

* What scale are the dioramas?

Most of my creations are 1/64 scale. (S scale) Since most of my models are 1/64 scale. I do have a decent amount of 1/87 (HO scale) vehicles as well, but the 1/64 stuff has practically taken over. I've expanded into 1/43 scale and 1/50th scale models as well, but I only have some police, emergency, trucks and a handful of "regular" models. I mostly concentrate and try to stick to 1/64 scale diecast.

* Where did everybody go?

A lot of people ask if I would, or plan to put figures on my set-ups. For now, I can't ever see doing that, because you can't really get affordable 1/64 figures that look real- at least to me- and unless you use the kinds on little stands, or glue them down, they look even more unrealistic. Not to mention that I would have to open all my vehicles and put people inside as well. Since all my scenes are inter-changable and nothing is "fixed" in place, that wouldn't work either. Plus, I think the figures take away from the vehicles, and the scenery, which is more important to me.

* Who am I?

I am a cop in medium sized city; somewhere on the East Coast, USA. I had been a volunteer firefighter and a truck driver in the Marines, so that's why a lot of my stuff is emergency or truck related. Obviously though, I have a lot of regular diecast too. I've been collecting since I was a kid and building dioramas for about 12 years now. This is just a hobby for me, and I tinker with the dioramas, cars, and take pics in my free time. I spend a couple of hours a week setting up, taking pictures and adding them to the site. I still post on the diecast collector forums occasionally. There is nothing for sale.

* How Big is my set-up?

Right now I have about 18 30 inch X 8 foot set-ups, 15 or so smaller ones and a three tiered 17-25 foot long by 3-5 foot wide wraparound layout. I'm not good at math- but that's a lot of scale footage. Most of the boards are stacked on portable shelves, or mounted to the wall, so they don't take up much space. At one point the set-up was divided into two spare rooms and a full size basement.


(Old) Mystic Beach Layout


NEW Interstate Highway 'Wing'


NEW Country Road Layout


New Wild Dunes Beach Set-up

* How many?

I have no idea how many cars I have. I stopped counting a long time ago. I'm a big fan of ripping them right out of the box though, and I'm not really into displaying my collection on shelves or in cabinets. I do have a couple totes full of vehicles waiting to be customized, as well as a few boxes of "parts".

* How hard is it to build and maintain?


Highway Layout


Believe it or not, it's pretty easy, and doesn't cost very much. All of the set-ups are based on MDF (Medium Density Fiberboard) so it's strong, fairly cheap and better than plywood for my purposes. Some of the overpasses are made out of scrap wood, but the grain shows through. I do use wood for some of the retaining walls. All of the layout bases and most of the scratch buildings are constructed from MDF. The rest is model railroad stuff, hand made details, plastic, landscaping material, glass, paint, etc. Some of the scenery and off-road set-ups are made using "sculptamold" or Woodland Scenics lightweight hydrocal. After you get the hang of it, it comes pretty easily. I only use simple power and hand tools. All it needs as far as maintenance is an occasional vacuuming or dusting.

* Where do all the details come from?

I get most of the stuff from model railroad supply sites. Everything else is scratch-built or modified from something else. I get most of that stuff from home improvement and craft stores. Once you know where to look, you can find details, structures and accessories at a reasonable price.

Some of the buildings are 1/64 scale, but most are 1/48 scale, with modified doors and other details to make them 'fit' in. I like the look of the larger buildings and there is not much available in "S" scale. Most of the buildings are MTH, Walthers, or Atlas brand. All of the larger storefronts, parking garages and other larger structures are scratch-built.


(Old) Mystic Beach Level 1 & 2 18' Layout


NEW Mystic Beach Keys Blvd. Layout


(Old) Mystic Beach Layout 1st Level 18'X5'


NEW Commercial Blvd. Layout


* Where do I get the cars?

I get most of my cars and trucks from internet sites. There are about 7 or 8 sites I order from every couple of months or so. I occasionally come across something at the big box stores, and a few out of the way ones. I've never bought or sold anything on E-bay.

Here is a little list of sites of use frequently: I'm not affiliated with any of these, or endorse anything; but I've never had a bad experience with any of them. You've got to shop around; one might have different prices at different times. If I had to pick my favorites it would have to be Fire and Cop shop and Past-Time Hobbies; not only are they family run businesses, but they offer great personal service. 3000 toys, Diecast Direct and Milezones' also have competitive prices, good service and discounts . Midwest Replicas is my favorite Truck source. Troy's Toys & Collectibles and Collectables Corner also offer some good deals. I'm sure they're are plenty of other great sites out there too. I get most of my buildings, scenery and "train" stuff from MB Klien, Discount Trains Online or Internet Model Trains.

3000Toys.com

CollectiblesCorner.com

DiecastDirect.com

DiscountTrainsOnline.com(Go hobbies)

FDNY Firezone

Hobbylinc.com

InternetTrains.com (Internet Model Trains)

Midwestreplicas.com

Milezones Toys.com

ModelTrainStuff.com (MB Klein)

Past Time Hobbies

Troy's Toys & Collectibles



* How do I detail the vehicles?

Other than wheel swaps, removing and adding decals, and minor customizing, I don't do much to my models. Some of the trailers and other accessories are modified or customized from other vehicles and parts. I do add license plates, paint lights and mirrors where needed. Nothing too fancy.

* How do I take the photographs?

Although I do a lot of nature and wildlife photography when I travel, I'm not much of a camera nut. I eventually figured out how to adjust the settings to create the effects and get the shots I wanted. I've found that the most important things to concentrate on are: Lighting, Focus, White Balance, and Exposure Compensation. I use fluorescent lighting over most of the set-ups, or sunlight in many situations with no camera flash. I usually set the camera on Aperture Priority to get the sharpest focus over the widest depth of field. White Balance and Exposure Compensation adjustments can be used to reduce glare, white-wash (pictures of bright objects- such as white cars) and give the pictures a more natural look to depict different time of day. I don't think the specific camera is all that important, as long as it has the features you need. I'm not, nor claim to be, a photography expert; In my opinion, it just takes practice, tinkering with the camera and figuring out how to use it. I've just figured out, after a lot of practice, what works for me.

I'm not a big fan of Photoshop or using any kind of photo magic, or HDR. I do make minor adjustments as needed: (exposure, tint, crop, correcting blemishes, etc) using Photoscape (Free). I don't use photographic backgrounds either, not that there is anything wrong with doing that.



* Where do the signs and stuff come from?

I make all the signs, including billboards and license plates myself using a Label Factory (Nova Development) and Testors Decal program. I print the signs on photo, label, and decal paper. Some of the pictures are simply stock photos from the programs, but most of the nature and landscape shots on the billboards are mine too. I make use of those little cardboard inserts from diecast packages when I can. I use a regular HP printer; nothing special. I do use good quality photo paper and hi-gloss color labels though. Although there are a lot of references to real places and things, it's all fictional... there are more shots dedicated to some close up shots of signs and billboards in the layout set: The
Layout (Set)


FDMB markings using MicroScale decals and High Gloss Labels created with Testors Sure Thing Decal Maker Standard.


Billboards and Highway signs created using Label Factory Deluxe 3.0 printed on plain cardstock and HP photo paper


* What brand are the vehicles?

I collect several different brands of diecast vehicle, mostly in 1/64, 1/43, 1/87 and a few 1/50 & 1/24 scale.

1/64 Scale cars & trucks (In no particular order)

Johnny Lightning
Greenlight
Matchbox
Maisto
SpecCast
Hot Wheels
Norscot
Shelby Collectibles
Diecast Promotions
Liberty Classics
Motormax
Malibu International
First Gear
Ertl
Revell
PEM Tonkin Replicas
Code 3
M2 Machines

1/50 scale
TWH Collectibles
Norscot
Ertl

1/43 Scale
Motorart
First Response Replicas
Gearbox
Maisto
Motormax
New Ray
Luxury Collectibles

1/87 scale
Model Power
Malibu International
Boley



* Where do the traffic cones/ barrels come from?

Believe it or not, I get e-mails and comments all the time about those cones. It's the MOST frequently asked question I receive. The cones are plastic, and came from Walters Model Railroad supply. (Several years ago) I don't remember the brand, and they are no longer available on the website. I have no idea where, or if, you can get them anywhere else. The barrels are all scratchbuilt. The earlier ones are made from PVC, and the more recent ones from wooden rods and dowels. I paint them orange, of course, and the stripes are car pinstriping. The bases to the barrels are simple metal washers.

* How do I paint the lines/ lanes on the roadways?

I just use paint markers with a straight edge. First, I mark the lanes or shoulder using the ruler (1 for yellow, 1 for white) generally I use 2" lanes for 1/64.

Then, I use a straight edge- not a ruler, and hold the marker at a right angle alongside the guide, so the point doesn't actually touch the edge, just the surface. This prevents smudges and paint transfer from the edge.

I use either the piece of composite rail or a section of shelf support pictured above. Usually I just hold it tight, but it's not a bad idea to clamp the edge down to ensure a perfectly straight line. I tend to make mine "not quite perfect" for realism.



* Is anything For Sale?

Short answer: NO

I'm always getting comments, e-mails, messages etc. about buying items from my collection, even though I've stated that nothing is for sale. I collect diecast and build dioramas as a hobby. I'm certainly not a hoarder and I don't buy extras to try to sell for profit. I've never used Ebay for anything and don't know much about it. NO diecast vehicles or accessories from my collection are for sale. In other words: NOTHING IS FOR SALE.
Please DO NOT send me messages or make comments about buying any of my diecast models...
I enjoy sharing my hobby, and I have no problem answering questions about the layouts, techniques, even help other builders find materials and models themselves, (which is why I created this FAQ section) but, I just don't have the time to sort through all these pesky "Can I buy this?" and/or "How much for that?" messages.
NOTHING FOR SALE means NOTHING FOR SALE.


* How can YOU find the diecast models?

Well, and you might want to sit down for this... a lot of my collection is older; in other words, SOLD OUT. Although the list of suppliers is fairly comprehensive, I don't remember where each and every different model came from. But, I have gone to great lengths to accurately describe the models in the titles and tags, so you should have no problem searching for them on the internet. If you come across something that I haven't identified, I'd be happy to provide the maker and model, but as far as finding it for you... that's probably not going to happen (Of course, if I remember where it came from, I'd be happy to pass it along).

More Questions? I'd be happy to answer any specific questions, and welcome any comments.
Originally posted at 2:45PM, 29 August 2010 PDT (permalink)
PMC 1stPix edited this topic 2 weeks ago.