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Home > Details, Featured > Scratch Build a Billboard Frame pt1

August 30, 2009

17 Comments  0 Forum Responses 

Scratch Build a Billboard Frame pt1

by

Have you ever needed a frame to stick a billboard into?  You see them everywhere, on road sides, sides of building and on the roofs as well.  While there are many great commercially available ones available, I will teach you a few basics on how to scratch build one.

Unlike previous articles this one will be a little different because it is the first that I have experimented with video.  Many have requested that we start doing video tutorials and while I agree, it takes allot of time.  I came very close to not add these videos to the site because of the poor quality, as stated before this was the first attempt.  But even with the flaws, I decided that they would still have some value to you.  I now know of a few things that I will need to change that will improve on future versions.  So please excuse the amateur issues and hopefully you will learn something.

Construction

Tools

Materials Used

Evergreen Styrene

  • .010x .020″
  • .010x .040″
  • .020x .040″
  • .060x .060″
  • .060x .080″
  • .010″ sheet styrene

Polly Scale

  • Aged Concrete (414320)
  • Burlington Northern Green (414209)
  • D & H Grey (414197)
  • Rust (414323)
  • Dirt (414308)

Misc.

  • Elmers Stix All
  • Billboard of Your Choice

The paint listed is the colors I used and I encourage you to make yours unique and use whatever colors you chose.

Video

Stay tuned for part 2 as we finish the art deco billboard frame.

Related Topics: , , , , , , ,

About the Author

— Co-founder of N scale Limited, Chris was bitten by the model railroading bug when he was 14, originally working with HO scale he soon discovered the limitless possibilities of N scale. It was only a few years ago when Chris decided that it was time to break free of the kit bubble and begin scratch building structures. The few structures Chris has built have gone on to acquire multiple Best of Show awards in NMRA and non-NMRA judged shows. He is also a member of the budding Junction City N-scalers modular club based out of Ogden, UT that will strive for the best of what N-scale modelers have to offer.
  • Greg Woolliscroft

    fantastic….just what the doctor ordered…..thanks

  • http://www.nscalelimited.com Frank Giacobbe

    And finally some tutorial video that you guys have been asking for! Nice build, Chris.

  • Chris Brimley

    Greg,
    I am glad that you like it, I still need to fix a few things for when I do the next one so its a little better. If you have any questions, just let me know cause I blocked a few key pieces with my hands or did them off camera.

  • Frank Giacobbe

    HA! That’s the exact reason I haven’t put up a tutorial video yet. I started one, but 25% of the build was up in extreme right corner or cut off. LOL. We’ll figure it out.

  • tommy

    What is the exact name of the glue you use and where did you find it?

    Thank you,

    Tommy

  • Greg Woolliscroft

    I agree about the problems using glue.The best applicator I have found is the long slim metal one on the Revell contacta professional..for plastics….it allows real accuracy, and because the feeder tube is so long and thin, its about 4cm long and about 2mm wide…if that…you can glue anything, anywhere…apart from that, I’ve found superglue gel a godsend…Superglue liuid is a nightmare to use, the feeder gets clogged all the time and the adhesion not always reliable……….

  • Frank Giacobbe

    Completely off topic, but Hobby Town USA still exists?! They closed every one of them around here — meaning haven’t seen one anywhere on the east coast in about 10 years. I thought the whole company shut down.

  • Chris Brimley

    The Hobby Town USA by me just opened a few years ago. I am not that big of a fan of it and will only go if my local hobby store is out of a size of styrene or cement. Other than that, I wont touch it.

  • tommy

    Chris,

    Thank you for the information on Tamyia, I will get some and use it

  • June Lopez

    Thanks for sharing your n scale secrets with us. Looking forward to adding sum of the techniques to my layout.

  • Chris Brimley

    You are welcome, I am glad I can be of help.

  • http://www.nscalelimited.com/2010/01/06/printable-plans-art-deco-billboard-frame/ Printable Plans: Art Deco Billboard Frame : N Scale Limited

    [...] few months ago I did a tutorial on how to scratch build an Art Deco style billboard frame.  It had been brought to my attention that I had neglected to add a set of plans to aid in the [...]

  • Kurt

    I realize I’m about a year late, but can you tell me the correct name of the cutter you were using in this video? I tried a google search, but the term chopper is more likely to come back with motorcycles than a modeler’s tool.

  • http://www.nscalelimited.com/ Frank Giacobbe

    “The Chopper” is made by NorthWest Short Line.

  • Kurt

    Thanks for the quick response. Now to go find one…

  • http://www.nscalelimited.com/2011/04/03/printable-n-scale-billboards-electric/ Printable Billboards: Able Electric : N Scale Limited

    [...] deco billboard previously featured on N Scale Limited. Learn more by visiting our articles ”Scratch Build a Billboard Frame Part 1“, “Scatch Build a Billboard Frame Part 2“, and “Printable Plans: Art Deco [...]

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