Scratchbuilding is the process of creating scale models entirely from raw materials, without the use of pre-made kits. This technique allows modelers to craft one-of-a-kind pieces that can’t be found on any store shelf. Scratchbuilding requires a combination of skills including precise measurement, careful cutting, and thoughtful assembly to bring a vision to life in miniature form.
Or it requires a squirrel brain coupled with unlimited enthusiasm. Oh, and 20-30 years to figure out how to solve problems. That’s my experience anyway.
My motto is measure once, cut twice, measure again, and oh nuts toss the part and start over again!
Way above my pay scale,I stick with kits that I can barely build.
While I was woking on a project (still not complete today 
) I thought - all these hours of research and then building those parts… Nobody is going to give a damn about… And then I thought - if I draw this in 3D and 3D print it… Somebody else could get a copy if anybody is interested!
At that point in time (2018) I couldn’t do 3D drawing - so I taught myself how to do it and since then instead of “cutting and glueing” I do 3D drawings and 3D print them. Some of my designs were only printed once - but the majority caught some other modeller’s eye and I could share, that’s a good feling!
Goodness me. Are those your builds? I know nothing about ships, but they look absolutely stunning already! I would love to see some posts about them!
I scratchbuild a lot for my model subjects as I cannot afford a lot of “bells and whistles” (Photoetch, 3D printed parts, etc.) so to speak for my models. The models I build aren’t ENTIRELY scratch built either. Most of my scratch building uses a lot of Evergreen sheet, rod, tube, etc. styrene. Sometimes, I buy and use so much that I should probably buy stock in the company. 
Sample pics below.
Scratch built additions to my USS United States CVN-90 aircraft carrier which was a converted TAMIYA USS Enterprise CVN-65 carrier.
Scratch built interior cross section of a portion of the hull for a 1/350 scale HMS Habakkuk model. Not finished yet. Materials used are sheet styrene, model railroad scenic styrofoam, and pieces of 1/8" square clear acrylic rod.
Dave cheats!
Though he does 110% of the work a scratch builder would do, he starts with a Revell Arizona hull - So, sorry no Scratch Building merit badge for you mister!
Scratch building can also involve using pre existing kit parts as a starting point to create something else. It can be a minor conversion, a major rework, or a complete “Frankenstein” bash of multiple sources to create something all new.
Speaking of cheating… I’ve been 3D printing and building models for over 5 years now and still have a hard time calling what I do scratch building. It’s very rewarding, creating your own 3d model designs then printing and assembling them but calling it scratch building doesn’t sit right. I think we need a new word that doesn’t sound derogatory, and acknowledges the use of a different skill set.
Compumentalized?
Thirdimenciated?
Imaginifecated?
Defecated?
Ok, maybe that last one is a bit derogatory…
Master scratch builder Phil Toy was in the San Diego IPMS group I used to be a part of. If you want to see some incredible work check these out
Joe, you are just jealous as i am of yours.
I’m that transparent?
Dang… I gotta get better at this social media stuff!
I see your fifth ship in from the left is coming along nicely, is that Pennsylvania?
After just getting in to 3D printing a bit over 90 days ago, I’ll respectfully disagree. At least if you are creating your own designs for 3D printing. That is a voodoo magic all of its own…. and one I want to learn! It’s a different skill set, but certainly requires its own type skills as much as anyone who creates with plastic, wood, resin, metal, or some other physical medium.
I totally agree - but the difficulties in each are so different that to call them both scratch building is… not quite right, I was serious about needing a new word, though that quickly devolved into a joke 
I highly recommend putting in the time, youTube is your friend as is chatGPT etc. Opens up a world of opportunity and now, I enjoy the CAD aspect as much as, if not more than, the building part.
What is scratchbuilding? I think you answered it pretty well, Graham.
Joe, yes but is the mk1 as it is what started the whole process as it is also the oldest. the mk2 has improved shapewise torpedo blisters & more correct underwater stern but needs some more work in that area so it will look like this on the Arizona.
Man you scratch builders are good! if I break a part and successfully get it back together that’s impressive to this guy.
