[LateStarter]

Typical Fos quality & detail
Configurable for variations.

I've built six different Fos kits.
They're not cheap, but supremely satisfying.
Although replete with hundreds of parts, they're easy to assemble.
Finger-jointed stone walls keep joints invisible.
This kit can be configured three or four different ways.

 

[QueenoftheGN]

wow....

 

[Stumpy]

Agree. FOScale makes nice stuff.

I hope I can do the Rust Rock Falls kit justice. hwell:

 

[skud312]

WOW! Incredible. I just completed 4 FOS small kits and purchased his "Red LIght District" I'm terrified to open the box and get started,nbut practicing on Doug Fos' other kits is really helping. Any suggestions for working FOS kits?

 

[LateStarter]

... I just completed 4 FOS small kits and purchased his "Red LIght District"

Wow, you went big!
Ok, you're in for a long ride. Lots of parts here. Just go slow, and keep things square (and flat) as you go, or you'll have roof-fit issues.
FOS instructions sometimes have typos, so think each step through beforehand.
CA and Elmer's (or Weldbond) work well.
Pre-paint windows, doors, chimneys, etc. Seal everything with DullCote.
You might want to paint both sides of all the walls to help minimize warping. I like to use extra internal bracing.
If you're good at weathering, these kits make pure contest entries.
Good luck, and show us your progress!

 

[skud312]

Wow, you went big!
Ok, you're in for a long ride. Lots of parts here. Just go slow, and keep things square (and flat) as you go, or you'll have roof-fit issues.
FOS instructions sometimes have typos, so think each step through beforehand.
CA and Elmer's (or Weldbond) work well.
Pre-paint windows, doors, chimneys, etc. Seal everything with DullCote.
You might want to paint both sides of all the walls to help minimize warping. I like to use extra internal bracing.
If you're good at weathering, these kits make pure contest entries.
Good luck, and show us your progress!

Wow, you went big!
Ok, you're in for a long ride. Lots of parts here. Just go slow, and keep things square (and flat) as you go, or you'll have roof-fit issues.
FOS instructions sometimes have typos, so think each step through beforehand.
CA and Elmer's (or Weldbond) work well.
Pre-paint windows, doors, chimneys, etc. Seal everything with DullCote.
You might want to paint both sides of all the walls to help minimize warping. I like to use extra internal bracing.
If you're good at weathering, these kits make pure contest entries.
Good luck, and show us your progress!

LS. Thanks so much for the great advice. All agreed. I try to be meticulous while moving ahead. I will complete my old west town first. So far 20 odd builds and it looks great. I have to do the dirt road and saw how Doug Fos did it. I’m going to use plaster as I’m good at working it and carving. I am going to work with elevations for the buildings and keep the details correct. Then I’m gonna crack open the big kit. I watched the build on Fos Gorge. Looks like the same process I’ve become proficient at. I get it. It’s in the weathering at the end. Less is more. I’m learning. I’ll keep you advised as I could use a bit of mentoring if you don’t mind. It’s a big hobby with a lot of skill sets. I’ll admit I don’t know enough. Thanks.

 

[LateStarter]

So far 20 odd builds and it looks great.

Your Blue Bird Taxi is superb. Extremely well rendered!
As good as (or better than) anything I've seen.
Obviously you have talent, patience, experience, an eye for detail, and a good imagination.
You won't have any trouble with the bigger kits.
Excellent work!
I think we'd all like to see more of it.

 

[LateStarter]

Duplicate post... Don't understand why.

 

[skud312]

Your Blue Bird Taxi is superb. Extremely well rendered!
As good as (or better than) anything I've seen.
Obviously you have talent, patience, experience, an eye for detail, and a good imagination.
You won't have any trouble with the bigger kits.
Excellent work!
I think we'd all like to see more of it.

Your Blue Bird Taxi is superb. Extremely well rendered!
As good as (or better than) anything I've seen.
Obviously you have talent, patience, experience, an eye for detail, and a good imagination.
You won't have any trouble with the bigger kits.
Excellent work!
I think we'd all like to see more of it.

I finished this little FOS tonite. Cute. I’m waiting on some Vetero stains. I’m using 1, 2 & 3% ink alcohol solution. I cannot find 90% alcohol. Battling warp. But learning how to properly brace. Can you describe your recommendation for wood painting. I am finding layering is working for me but I’m never sure of what I’m gonna get. This one below I completed all wood detailing and then 3% ink. When dry it was weathered grey. Nice look. I then used Vallejo ivory and thinned it 50% with reducer and applied with misting at arms length with air brush. The first mist coat was absorbed. Two more misting resulted in a weathered and worn look and my detailing still showed through. I am still no good at the sponge. Gotta work on it.

 

[skud312]

I finished this little FOS tonite. Cute. I’m waiting on some Vetero stains. I’m using 1, 2 & 3% ink alcohol solution. I cannot find 90% alcohol. Battling warp. But learning how to properly brace. Can you describe your recommendation for wood painting. I am finding layering is working for me but I’m never sure of what I’m gonna get. This one below I completed all wood detailing and then 3% ink. When dry it was weathered grey. Nice look. I then used Vallejo ivory and thinned it 50% with reducer and applied with misting at arms length with air brush. The first mist coat was absorbed. Two more misting resulted in a weathered and worn look and my detailing still showed through. I am still no good at the sponge. Gotta work on it.
View attachment 554626

Your Hendrix Foundry is just astounding. I’m looking at how you detailed it and it is jaw dropping. True artistry!!! were You an professional artist

 

[LateStarter]

Your Hendrix Foundry is just astounding.

Hold on there!
The pics in this O.P. Jan 31, 2020, are FOS website photos.
I haven't done that kit... I was just promoting it.
Sorry if you were deceived. It wasn't intentional.

 

[LateStarter]

Truth be known...
Although I consider the FOS and ITLA world of kits to be the ultimate in challenges and satisfaction, 95% of my structures are plastic kits of the moderate price universe.
I prefer the DPM, Walthers Cornerstone, etc kits above all others, because they lend a handy access to my preferred method of weathering... Drybrushing (especially for concrete and brickwork).

 

[Stumpy]

Your Blue Bird Taxi is superb. Extremely well rendered!
As good as (or better than) anything I've seen.
Obviously you have talent, patience, experience, an eye for detail, and a good imagination.
You won't have any trouble with the bigger kits.
Excellent work!
I think we'd all like to see more of it.

Since LS typed it out for me... Ditto!

 

[LateStarter]

I finished this little FOS tonite.

Excellent work.
My only advice is to work on a drybrushing technique, which eliminates sharp demarcation of painted-on rust etc.
Otherwise, your work is exemplary.

 

[LateStarter]

I’m using 1, 2 & 3% ink alcohol solution. I cannot find 90% alcohol.

Sorry, I have no experience with inks and alcohol...
I use acrylic washes, mostly CreateFX and Vallejo.

 

[skud312]

LS - TThanks so much for the advice. I'm going to work on my dry brush technique. I'm always terrified at the end of build that I will screw up all the hard work with paint.

 

[skud312]

My Wild West Street. I'm looking for suggestions on how to0 craft the dirt road to run through the center of town.

 

[LateStarter]

Wow!
Superb job.
I have the Green Door Lounge. I hope I can do it as well as you have.

 

[LateStarter]

My Wild West Street. I'm looking for suggestions on how to0 craft the dirt road to run through the center of town.

I wish I could give you advice on dirt roads because I love them, and I have a few on my layout.
But they're all basically pathways or secondary lanes that pass through woods and fields. I render a center-strip of grass & weeds onto them.

I start with a base of 1/8" 3M Patch-Plus-Primer, and sprinkle a mix of earth powders and plaster of Paris on it for texture. Then I spritz it with a water mist. I might airbrush it later to tone it.
Then I add tufts and static grass to the center, where wheels don't wear on it.

But I'm kinda' stumped over a MAIN dirt road. Not sure how to handle that.

 

[Stumpy]

I'm looking for suggestions on how to0 craft the dirt road to run through the center of town.

I used dirt. Of course you'll need probably need something other than good ol' NC red dirt/clay. Screen it, then apply it like any other ground cover.