Scratch building

[Big Al]

I’m trying to understand the definition of scratch building. I certainly wouldn’t put down anyone’s model, no matter how they describe the build, but for what it’s worth this is my idea of scratch building. The model would be built without any purchases of pre made parts. A plan would help and of course, photos. Every part should be hand made or any suitable odds and ends could be used. I have attached a few photos of a fishing trawler that incorporates my ideas of scratch building. Virtually everything is hand made down to the blocks in the running rigging. Some bits form around my workshop have been used if they fit into the build. I enjoy seeing everyone’s models and congratulate them on their work. I would like to hear you comments.

 

[JerryTodd]

I get it, you're in Australia, so your pics are upside-down

 

[Jimsky]

I get it, you're in Australia, so your pics are upside-down

Jerry, I have corrected the images.

 

[AllanKP69]

I’m trying to understand the definition of scratch building

This has been discussed many many times and I cannot recall a definitive answer. For competitions they have sets of rules but other than that there tends to be disagreements. For example, can you purchase rope from an after market supplier or is it necessary to make your own rope to claim a scratch build? I believe there are members here that are far more familiar with the written rules in competitions and I hope they can answer your question.
Allan

 

[Jimsky]

I’m trying to understand the definition of scratch building.

I agree with Allan—we've discussed this many times across various threads. I don't claim to be an expert, but here are my thoughts:

The term "scratch" comes from the phrase "from scratch," meaning starting from the most basic elements. Scratch builders typically work from plans, photographs, or their own designs, measuring and fabricating each piece individually using hand tools and machinery. It is the process of creating a scale model (in our case) entirely (or almost entirely) from raw materials, rather than from a commercial kit. Instead of pre-cut parts, photo-etch, or laser-cut components, the scratch builder uses

• sheets and strips of wood
• metal wire or brass stock
• plastic sheet (styrene)
• plans, drawings, and reference photos
• their own jigs, templates, and tooling

In everyday hobby use, “scratch building” can mean anything from heavy kit-bashing to fully building a model from raw materials. But in competitions, the definition is not universal. Each organisation sets its own rules for what qualifies as a scratch-built model and what level of freedom or prefabricated components is allowed.
Because every competition defines scratch building differently, a model that is considered “scratch built” on a forum may not meet scratch-building criteria under NAVIGA, NRG, IPMS, or local club rules.

Example: NAVIGA Rules

Under NAVIGA (one of the world’s major governing bodies for scale-model ship competitions), the standards for scratch building are very strict:

• No commercial hulls or structural parts may be used.
• The competitor must fabricate the hull, superstructure, decks, and all major components themselves.
• Prefabricated aftermarket fittings (e.g., chain, turned brass barrels, photo-etch parts) are allowed only within limits and must be declared.
• Every item not made by the competitor counts against the final score.
• The builder must provide documentation and proof of construction, often with a photo log.

Under NAVIGA, a scratch-built model means the participant is effectively the designer, manufacturer, and builder of the model — from keel to rigging.

So when someone says, “This is scratch-built,” the only meaningful definition in a competition context is the one used by that specific organisation’s rulebook.

Scratch building is a spectrum, not an absolute.

 

[DARIVS ARCHITECTVS]

I do kit bashing as a way of shortcutting many of the time consuming elements of model building. My current model is abouty 10% original kit parts and 90% scratch built. Most of the leftover kit parts will be given away to a needy modeler when the ship is done. That includes all the blocks, guns, carriages, fittings, and rigging line and wire. They are just not up to good standards, but that's be expected from a DeAgostini kit aimed at rank beginners. The instruction books and all the binders will also go eventually.

There is a range in model building between using all pre-manufactured parts and lofting the hull and using raw materials to build from. Most of us are somewhere in between. Things like deck gratings, blocks, cannon barrels, and other fittings can be carefully chosen to retain details and proper scale if you are a discerning buyer. I'm a big fan of Russian parts from Falkonet and ship's launch kits from Master Korabel because they are made from premium pear wood and scaled properly in shape and size. I am not a fan of Model Shipways parts, which are often too generic, have crude castings, lower detail, and not many parts suitable for ships older than 1780. Everyone has their favorites, and you chose where to buy parts based on what they are and where you find them.

As for classifying models for display at shows and the like, leave that to the guys who run the show and don't let any of them dictate what you build, because unless you are clout chasing for community recognition, you build for YOU, first and foremost.

 

[Corsair]

Unless you are going to place it in a competition, it means what ever you think it means for you.

 

[AllanKP69]

Under NAVIGA, a scratch-built model means the participant is effectively the designer, manufacturer, and builder of the model — from keel to rigging.

Thanks for posting this Jim. With new technology appearing nearly every day I wonder about changes to the rules. For example, if I make a 3D drawing myself of a cannon barrel then send the drawing to a printer to have them printed are the barrels scratch? I made the drawing but do I have to buy a 3D printer and learn how to print my own for these to be scratch?
Allan

 

[Jimsky]

Thanks for posting this Jim. With new technology appearing nearly every day I wonder about changes to the rules. For example, if I make a 3D drawing myself of a cannon barrel then send the drawing to a printer to have them printed are the barrels scratch? I made the drawing but do I have to buy a 3D printer and learn how to print my own for these to be scratch?
Allan

NAVIGA’s official rules page confirms they updated their Section C rules in 2025. According to the new 2025 rule version, the “construction specifications” section still includes 90% parts, and is still fabricated by participants. They explicitly rule out “commercial manufactured models” for these classes. However, there is an exception: semi-finished materials (like rope, chains, profiles, piping) are still allowed. Here are the rules, in case someone is interested.

Rules-Section-C-2025-GB.pdf

 

[AllanKP69]

NAVIGA’s official rules page confirms they updated their Section C rules in 2025

Thanks Jim, I downloaded and saved for future reference
Allan

 

[Aantaug]

I’m trying to understand the definition of scratch building. I certainly wouldn’t put down anyone’s model, no matter how they describe the build, but for what it’s worth this is my idea of scratch building. The model would be built without any purchases of pre made parts. A plan would help and of course, photos. Every part should be hand made or any suitable odds and ends could be used. I have attached a few photos of a fishing trawler that incorporates my ideas of scratch building. Virtually everything is hand made down to the blocks in the running rigging. Some bits form around my workshop have been used if they fit into the build. I enjoy seeing everyone’s models and congratulate them on their work. I would like to hear you comments.View attachment 558796View attachment 558797View attachment 558798View attachment 558799View attachment 558799View attachment 558800View attachment 558801

Ahoy, Maties!
I always keep spare wood, parts and plans from all my kit builds. It seems more and more I am buying better quality wood and milling it myself because of many kit manufacturers supplying poor quality wood.
I believe I have enough experience and lumber to do a scratch build using plans from a kit. In my opinion this would be a scratch build because aside from the plans, very little to none of it will come from a kit. I would make whatever fittings and I can and buy the rest from Model Expo.
I will attempt this as soon as I finish the five kits I am currently working on.

 

[klawson03]

I am fairly new to the hobby but to me, I would consider it Scratch Built if it was built like an actual Ship Yard would build it. All lofting and specific hull shaping, maybe even masting. But, the shiprights never 'turned cannons' or built blocks or spun their own rope for that specific individual Ship unless special design.
It is definetly Scratch building if you create your own blocks and spin your own ropework. But I assume those parts were purchased elsewhere and used on Ship build, in real Ship yards.

 

[DAWarden-(Jaager)]

I believe I have enough experience and lumber to do a scratch build using plans from a kit. In my opinion this would be a scratch build because aside from the plans, very little to none of it will come from a kit. I would make whatever fittings

If you will have the experience of five kits before venturing into your first scratch project, you could consider a different course.

A and probably the significant factor with scratch is the ability to choose any subject vessel for which there are appropriate plans.
Kits can and probably should be the negative element in the choice of subject. That is: if the vessel is the subject of a kit, then what it is point it doing a scratch build of it? There are many more ignored and passed over orphans than kit subjects. Some kit subjects are designed from whole cloth. The kit designer invented them. If the subject vessel ever had plans, they are lost now. If started using actual plans - the plans for those kits are still at least one step removed from authentic.

Guessing that PoB is your preferred method, the only extra step required to get the individual mold patterns is having to trace them from the Body plan yourself. Unless you are getting paid for a build, it should be about the adventure and the challenge. Walking a well-worn path is not much of an adventure.

 

[Bob Ellis]

I do kit bashing as a way of shortcutting many of the time consuming elements of model building. My current model is abouty 10% original kit parts and 90% scratch built. Most of the leftover kit parts will be given away to a needy modeler when the ship is done. That includes all the blocks, guns, carriages, fittings, and rigging line and wire. They are just not up to good standards, but that's be expected from a DeAgostini kit aimed at rank beginners. The instruction books and all the binders will also go eventually.

There is a range in model building between using all pre-manufactured parts and lofting the hull and using raw materials to build from. Most of us are somewhere in between. Things like deck gratings, blocks, cannon barrels, and other fittings can be carefully chosen to retain details and proper scale if you are a discerning buyer. I'm a big fan of Russian parts from Falkonet and ship's launch kits from Master Korabel because they are made from premium pear wood and scaled properly in shape and size. I am not a fan of Model Shipways parts, which are often too generic, have crude castings, lower detail, and not many parts suitable for ships older than 1780. Everyone has their favorites, and you chose where to buy parts based on what they are and where you find them.

As for classifying models for display at shows and the like, leave that to the guys who run the show and don't let any of them dictate what you build, because unless you are clout chasing for community recognition, you build for YOU, first and foremost.

Hi Bryian
Pretty much the same as you if I use a kit. However I'll only use the frame parts as templates so I can sell a complete kit on ebay! Rest of the time I'll buy a NMM draft (not without it's challenges!) As for ship fittings, I'd laugh if I hadn't paid stupid money for them! The blocks can be repurposed as cat litter!!
Thinking about scratch. Contemporary builds would be made in a dedicated workshop. It's reasonable to assume that there would be parts available, ropes made by one particular person, maybe premade blocks (in the block drawer??).
Nobody would say these aren't scratch!!

 

[DARIVS ARCHITECTVS]

Walking a well-worn path is not much of an adventure.

Many have built the model I am curren't building, but that has zero impact on whether my build is an adventure or not.
It's not only an adventure, it's a roller coaster ride.

 

[Dave Stevens (Lumberyard)]

I’m trying to understand the definition of scratch building.

to me scratch building is a project that is not designed or based on anyone else's work your starting from "scratch"

a scratch-built project i do not think is or should be based on how many parts you made and how many premade parts you used. Scratch building is about an original design by the builder.

using kit plans is not true scratch because the model is predesigned by someone else. That is semi scratch building based on someone's plans

building a model using premade kit parts but you built something totally different from what was originally designed, ok that might be scratch building.