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Is Downtown Deco a good alternative?

WillPac
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 Joined: 2007-02-07
No votes yet

I am glad to hear about the DM Gold Kits before I plunked down my hard-earned money on them.  This hobby is expensive enough without dropping it on junk we can't even salvage or use.

But I was surfing nscalesupply.com and saw Downtown Deco's series.  Both their Blair Avenue and Adams Avenue shops look quite promising.  Here is part three of their Adams Ave series:

According to Downtown Deco's website, they use Hydrocal walls and plastic doors and windows.  Has anyone had any experience with one of these kits?

‹ Bob Fox Moving and Storage BLMA window type airconditioners ›
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Ron S.

Willamette Pacific Railroad



Submitted by WillPac on Fri, 05/23/2008 - 16:47.

FriscoKid
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Posts: 268
 Joined: 2006-11-07
Downtown Deco - excellent

I have 3 of the Downtown Deco structures. Nice change-of-pace, excellent detail - great for "the other side of the tracks". Due to the Hydrocal, some different construction and painting techniques - great results.

 Highly recommended



Fri, 05/23/2008 - 17:31

BryanC
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 Joined: 2005-01-26
nScale.net Forum ModeratornScale.net Site Supporter
Willpac, while you have

Willpac, while you have already received a (good) response to your question, I wonder if all the right people are actually reading it. Might I suggest a new thread for your question, possibly providing a link to this one and with a subject that includes "Downtown Deco"!

This particular thread is dealing with DPM Gold kits and already has a number of responses regarding same. You are asking about Downtown Deco kits as a possible substitute. Maybe it's just me, but a new thread (regarding the new manufacturer) would seem appropriate!

Personally, I am looking forward to learning more about Downtown Deco kits!


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Cheers!

Bryan C
Alligator Lines "The Eclectic Line of the South"

http://ALines.home.att.net



Fri, 05/23/2008 - 19:01

Bryan
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 Joined: 2004-02-29
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There ya go gents... a

There ya go gents... a topic of it's own, with a reference link to the original thread.

And a credit for the image owner! (unless you have permission to use, or own the image, it should be a link rather than an inserted image).


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Bryan



Fri, 05/23/2008 - 22:00

FrankG
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Posts: 30
 Joined: 2008-02-18
Can't light Downtown Deco
The Downtown Deco kits look amazing, but I've heard that you can't light them because the window "glass" is molded in with the rest of the wall.  Is there anyway around that or is the detail so good on these that it doesn't matter?
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Follow along as I recreate a post-war 1940s urban environment in N scale, plus tutorials, tips and more: http://nscale.wordpress.com. 

Mon, 05/26/2008 - 22:25

kebmo
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 Joined: 2005-01-15
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there are no windows per
there are no windows per se...only recesses in the hydrocal where the windows would be.  you paint the recesses black [or your color of choice] and then put the window frames and glass in over that.  another point about the downtown deco structures....the details are really great except for one little issue that i'm having a hard time getting past...and that is the 5 scale foot thick walls.  other than that they are real nice looking structures.  i'm not a big fan of 2-part epoxy, which is what the manufacturer recommends either.
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one thing i learn every day is that i don't know very much......

Tue, 05/27/2008 - 11:51

Motrak
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Posts: 34
 Joined: 2006-11-25
Hello Folks,Randy at

Hello Folks,

Randy at Downtown Deco does great work on his structure kits. The buildings are great.

As for the windows. You can always remove the Hydrocal in the window so you can light up the building. Water and knive can remove the material or you can drill a hole in the middle of the window and use a file the clean it up.

My first Hydrocal structure kit will have the same techniques. The main reason why we leave the Hydrocal in the windows is for shipping purposes.  It protect the walls during shipping.

You don't have to use epoxy glue. I recomend using Emers yellow glue.

If you have questions, give me a yell.

Thanks,


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Jeff Adam Motrak Models www.stores.ebay.com/motrak-models

Tue, 05/27/2008 - 19:20

Trainster
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Posts: 104
 Joined: 2006-03-12
Downtown Deco

I do not know what models you have built, but I have finished Bingos Pool Hall, it has windows, applied like most craftsman kits, with plastic panes, so does the Adams Avenue part 3 and the Blair Avenue part 2. which I have not built yet. In fact the windows all appear to be Tichy Train group parts. In fact Adams avenue parts 1 and 2 are now available for purchase. These are unbelieveable kits with lots of details and great painting and weathering ideas.


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Sat, 06/07/2008 - 17:25

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