"Those MDF Buildings" Topic

I'm considering buying one of those pre-painted MDF buildings.
Am I the only one who thinks that they just look to "clean"?
Sorry, but they just look fake to me.

I can't put my finger on it, but something seems off.
Maybe it's because I have only seen pictures and not the actual buildings?

Anyone else think so or is it just because they look better in person?

I'd say they turn out just like the pictures. Part of it is the "scorch" marks from the cutting. Part of it is we're used to very "rounded" corners and lines on our buildings and these are super regular.

That said there is a lot to like too. Thin walls, accessible interiors, super kit-bash possibilities. And many have some interior details like planked floors.

I sell some small inexpensive ones in 15mm. I just put together a bunch of small hovels for my upcoming Viking/Saxon project. They do need some "dirtying up" but I like that I can assemble them simply and quickly with just white glue (and scotch tape to hold while the glue dries).

Mark "Extra Crispy" Severin
ScaleCreep.com

I've not seen any up close nor even know what manufacturer to look for. But simplified mass production holds down costs.

I'm reminded of model railroad snap together plastic structure kits that use different colors for the molded parts to make an approximation of reality. You can quickly get something on the table. But you are also free to modify, repaint, weather, and accessorize to your heart's content if you find that a fun part of the hobby.

Personally, I like them.
And they can be modified easily, glue on some foliage or extra bits etc.. Acrylic paint will work just fine if you want to pimp them up.

I have a friend who 'tinkers' with MDF buildings.

Have a peek.

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I have lots of 4 ground and like them. However, it depends on which period your getting whether they look "fake" or more realistic. Their Samurai and old west range look great….

I have the same issue of not really liking them. To me they have the same quality as set dressing for a play. They look accurate, just not quite right. The exception for me are the ones from Crescent Root studios. He seems to have figured out how to avoid most of the things that make them look off.

The exception for me are the ones from Crescent Root studios. He seems to have figured out how to avoid most of the things that make them look off.

I agree.

crescent-root.com

And here's a bat rep with them on the table. They are a bit period specific though.

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Not sure if it will help but I like them a lot. Pleasantly surprised.

Looked at everything and still have the same opinion. I would just be using them for Wild West if at all.

I'll stick with my original Arnica from Skrapwelder.

I have some posts on my blog of wild west MDF buildings that might interest you.

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I only like the western buildings because they look like they were slapped together out of wood. I have not cared too much for the other buildings.

I do like the look of the crescent root buildings for the reason that they look, and are, finished when you get them. I also like that they can be disassembled and stored back in the box the shipped in for storage. You don't have to glue anything together.

But the Crescent Root buildings don't cover many time frames or areas such as 18th and 19th century American buildings. What they do have looks good but very restrictive.

I agree with Leidang that they look like stage props. So, they are not for me. I certainly see why gamers like them
These building are a godsend for people who are pressed for time and want to jump right in. Or perhap building their own is not an option. Or maybe they just like the look of them. Whatever the reason, they appear to be big sellers. There seems to be about a half dozen makers producing them. Anyone have a list?

I've got all kinds of western structures from various makers.
Nothing beats the first few building the Skrapweilder turned out. I got mine already assembled. I think he quickly realized that assembling every building he sold was not an option. So, I've got a bunch of unmade kits too.

I know someone here got the molds. How did that go? Are they back in production?

The links to my blog will get you to examples of almost all the buildings and manufacturers currently in production. This one might be the best since 4Ground was the last company to join the pack.

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Have too say I'm really not a fan of MDF, there's no depth to the look of the buildings, way to flat. Sure you can spend time working them up but you may as well go and buy resin buildings and paint them.

Also the walls are too square, most stone structures are just not that precise unless they have been worked by masons.

Wooden structures are OK as long as they are supposed to be planked but other wise, not for me!

Well….EVENTUALLY, I want to do some ACW street fighting. I was thinking MDF might work well for some of the structures in Gettysburg or Fredericksburg. Based on what I am hearing everyone say, the best approach might be MDF for clap board sided houses and resin for the brick houses. It might also make sense to use MDF for the out buildings as well to save $. USD

I'm not a big fan of MDF buildings either. To me they are one step up from card models.
I find the definition too flat/shallow for my liking, the tabs/roof fitting are annoying and most of the attempted wood grain looks far too 'cartoony' for my tastes.
An exception would be the 'wild west' buildings – these look fine to me.
I have noticed an increase in articles along the lines of: 'how I made my MDF buildings look great' – well if you have to spend that much time and effort making them look great then maybe they weren't worth the money in the first place….
Just sayin'

I kind of agree with Paul from PMW – the wild west stuff looks good. I do like the crescent root buildings. A friend picked up one of them and it looks good and it's nicely built.

It doesn't take that much effort to improve most (not all) of the old west buildings. Battle Flag, Aetherworks and Sarissa Precision really just need some strip wood added to the corners to hide the interlocking tabs and a little roofing material (shingles or tarpaper), followed by paint and they will look great.

Its matter of time and effort and where you want to spend it. Resin buildings have their own issues; air bubbles, flash, ill fitting pieces and a tendency to shatter if dropped.

Scratchbuilding is just another set of issues to deal with; accumulating materials, cutting and gluing followed by painting

Pre-painted buildings are fine for a base to start from but they can use additional paint work and at least some time spent removing laser scorch marks (A big pink eraser can do wonders).

It isn't so much what you decide to buy or build, but how much time you want to invest.

Personally I like many of the mdf buildings, they will fill the niche of supporting cast (sidekick buildings if you will) and get the bulk of my town of Calamity in place. That allows me to spend more time on my scratchbuilt buildings that will the main players (hero buildings) in Calamity.

The MDF buildings from Battle Flag, Sarissa Precision and 4Ground are certainly worth buying. Aetherworks too but shipping from Australia is expensive. The details on all of those buildings are very well done. The other lines either require more work than I'm willing to do or I just don't like the look of them compared to the others.

Exactly the same opinion as Heisler. I do not see any other better alternative (both in price and quality). As for painting and "dirtiying", that is something that you will allways have to do with any model. They are wood as were 90% of the WW towns, how accurate can one be ?

I like them. Had fun assembling and customizing. I have built my own structures and used resin too.

My complaint is on the 'burned' tabs showing. They are like neon bright lights to my eyes. Address that issue and I'm okay with MDF – and some are addressing it and getting noticed for it (like Crescent Root). But I still greatly prefer resin buildings – the Americana range from Miniature Building Authority is first rate (don't have the cracked look that disappoints me in so much else they've done – only really suitable for WWII, an era I don't care to game). And I've never had significant problems with resin from bubbles or dropping. Sure, I've had to file away some bubbles and fill in a gap hear and there but they paint up in second and are durable on the table and take the rough handling we all know goes with a good game. Not sure MDF will ever withstand the rough handling. So far my MDF has been limited to some fences in 15 mm. Tempted by the Crescent Root, though.

I enjoy constructing the MDF buildings. I have put together about 10 Battleflag, Sarissa and 4Ground Old West buildings but do not leave them in their raw state, painting or staining them and adding details such as window glazing, posters, seats etc. The thing I usually change is the roof as that is one of the most noticeable things about the buildings. I do agree that brickwork and tiling don't look as good as in resin.

I like Arnica. Durable.