A scale model is a representation of an actual object that is either smaller or larger in actual size. There are many industries that work with scale models, such as salesmen that use scale models to sell their ideas, architects and designers that use scale models to map out their vision or craft store owners and collectors that want to stock their shelves with scale model trains and cars.

Know what to expect when working with scale models and fulfilling your business needs will be easy. Consider the following when starting out with scale models:

1. Determine the purpose of the scale model: for sale, artistic representation, or technical evaluation.

2. Think about whether the scale model needs to be custom-made or made from model kits.

3. Consider whether the scale model will be preserved as a work of art.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Understand the sizes of scale models

The size of the scale model depends on the size of the actual object and how much detail needs to be represented in the model. Some scale models like the scale model car, scale model railroad and scale model building will be much smaller than the actual objects. Some common scales include 1:1200 for ships, 1:288 for aircraft, and 1:32 and 1:64 for model cars.

I recommend: Find a comprehensive list of scale model sizes at Gourt. The Great Lakes Modeling Association offers tips for choosing the right scale and the math formulas for figuring the scale.

Order scale model kits online

Model kits are what most craft and hobby shop owners will use to stock their shelves, and hobbyist model builders and collectors will purchase. These are usually simple or complex plastic or diecast model cars, trains or aircraft.

I recommend: All Model Kits offers kits in various scales of everything from cars to fighter planes to rockets to wooden ships. Buy wholesale from Scale-Model-Kits.com to stock shelves of a craft and hobby store.

Use custom scale model services

Some engineers, architects, and salesmen will contract the building of the scale models to represent their design for evaluation. Scale model builders will use blueprints or drafts to build a highly detailed, technical, accurate-to-scale model.

I recommend: ProTek Models builds custom scale models for many industries that are high-quality and detailed. ProScale Custom Model Builders offers highly-detailed and finely crafted custom scale models and specialize in architecture.

Buy materials for building scale models

Many designers, architects, engineers and even hobbyists will build their own custom scale models. Supplies such as scale rulers, paints, craft knives, glue and much more are needed.

I recommend: The Store Finder has a beginner's guide to model building including the tools needed and material possibilities. DEBEN offers detailed scale pieces and tools for scale model building.

There are many reasons why you might be interested in scale models for your business. You might want to sell model kits, display scale model trains, sell scale model products, or all of the above and more. Your business will determine your scale model needs.

If you are in the toy business and want to add scale models to your product line, you need to include a variety of products. Model car kits, model airplane kits, and model train kits are just a few items you will want to stock.

Buy these items in bulk to get the best prices. If you are a business that wants to display scale models or provide them as toys for clients, you don't need a large selection. You just need to tailor your scale model purchases to your client base.

Whatever your need for scale models, here are a few tips to help you get the most for your money:

1. Buy model kits made with different materials.

2. Buy a large number of items that will sell quickly, but only buy a small number of specialty items.

3. Focus on your client base. If selling scale models, offer a range of prices to appeal to a large population. If displaying scale models, offer them to attract a variety of ages.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Buy model cars

Model cars and diecast model cars may be the most popular types of scale models. Offer a large number of these products to your clients.

I recommend: Toy Wonders, Inc. is a model cars wholesaler where you can search by scale or vehicle type, car model, car brand and manufacturer, and/or car accessory. Buyers must supply retail identification and purchase a minimum amount. Diecast Models Wholesale provides a list of cars available from this website. Once you click on the scale model car you are interested in, you get the product description, price, and number available. ModelCars.com and OakridgeHobbies.com are also great places to find model cars and model car kits.

Buy model trains and model train scale kits

Trains are popular scale model items for collectors. Offer an assortment of model trains and model train scale kits for your customers.

I recommend: Arizona Trains & Hobbies accepts wholesale orders for railroad and train products. Businesses must provide their retail information in order to purchase products at wholesale prices. Scale University specializes in scale model trains and kits. You can buy model kits or purchase products separately.

Collect diecast model cars and model airplanes for your business

If you want to display scale models for your business, consider buying hard to find items and collectibles.

I recommend: Diecast Collectibles Plus! has a wonderful array of airplane models at inexpensive prices. Die Cast Cars is a website dedicated to the scale model car, but the products are pricey. You search by car model or diecast car manufacturer. If you are interested in more expensive collectible scale models, visit Model Planes.com, Fairfield Mint Collectibles, and ScaleCars.com.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  If you purchase scale model trains to display, remember to buy at least one scale model railroad.
• •  If you plan to display a large number of scale models, consider buying a scale model display case.

Scale models are very useful tools, and let's face it, rather cool. They're benefits for designers of cars, trains, airplanes and houses. There's nothing quite so useful than seeing what you are designing in three dimensions, for it allows you to see the thing you are designing and may discover it's possible faults before it is too late and you are left with a faulty design. In order to help with this goal, there are scale model trains, even a scale model railroad, model airplane kits and scale model cars.

Scale models are an excellent investment that can potentially save any company money, as well as help to provide a bigger profit in the end. In order to make an investment in scale models, it's a good idea to learn about scale models pricing and costs. Below you will information that will help in this goal.

1. Look into the scale model car.

2. Invest in scale model trains.

3. Buy model airplane kits.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Get a scale model car

Scale model cars are a valuable tool for car designers. Scale models of cars can be diecast model cars that can be 1/12 to 1/43. Prices vary from less than $45.00 to under $400.00 depending on the detail of the model.

I recommend: EWA & Miniature Cars USA has a selection of diecast model cars. Scale Dreams is a wonderful site that has everything you could ever want to create your own scale model cars. It has seat belts $1.50, steering wheels for $11.00, grills for less than $5.00 to over $10.00 and more.

Get scale model trains

Scale model trains are useful trains for designers in that they help designers to see the trains to scale yet in a more manageable size. The kits run from less than $40.00 to $100.00 and more. Individual cars can run less: from $10.00 and up.

I recommend: Discount Trains Online and HO Scale Train Cars & Engines are good sources for scale model trains.

Buy scale model airplanes

Diecast scale models of airplanes can be handy tools as well for designers. They can start at less than $12.00 and go over $200.00.

I recommend: Diecast Airplane and Scale Models are good sources of scale model airplanes. Scale Models has parts that are handy for making scale model planes as well as complete scale model kits. Engines, for example, can run from just under $200.00 to over $5000.00. The kits from Scale Models run from under $100.00 to over $1000.00.

Scale models are used in several industries. Real estate professionals, architects and planners use scale models to represent buildings and locations. Craft stores and hobby stores sell components of models, or may use models as a backdrop for other products. Hobbyists and other sales people use scale models as part of exhibits and displays. Get to know some of the key terminology used in scale models to find the right items to sell or use.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Model vehicles

Model cars and other vehicles have been valued by hobbyists and collectors for decades. Model cars are available assembled or in kits to be assembled. Quality model cars are true miniature replicas of the originals in shape and detail. Besides being collected, model cars also have a place in train layouts and other large layouts depicting streets or areas.

I recommend: Toy Wonders offers model vehicles for sale and provides an overview of model car description and scale.

Model railroading

Model railroading is a popular hobby. Besides collecting scale models of trains, model railroad hobbyists construct scenery and backgrounds. Layouts are often large and extremely detailed.

I recommend: The National Model Railroad Association provides information about scale in model railroading, as well as layouts.

Laser cutting

Laser cutting is used to cut patterns in wood, metal and plastic. It offers strength and accuracy that is unmatched by other cutting methods, making it perfect for detailed modeling work.

I recommend: Find a thorough definition of laser cutting, including how it works, at wiseGEEK.

Architectural models

Architectural models can be used to present buildings and areas to clients or the public. They can be used for educational purposes -- to show where buildings are located -- or as a sales tool. Professional model makers use advanced technology to assemble high quality, accurate models.

I recommend: The firm Architectural Models offers an overview of architectural models, examples of how they are used, and links to completed models.

Scale

There are many standard scales in use in different hobby fields. For example, dollhouses and some miniature cars use 1/12 scale; HO is a model railroading scale that is roughly one half of 0 scale, or approximately 1:87. Scale is usually demonstrated as one unit of the model to the number of units in the actual item -- so 1/12 scale means that a real item that is one foot tall is represented as a miniature one inch tall.

I recommend: The Miniatures Page features a list of scale model ratios and gauges. The Great Lakes Modeling Association gives details about how to reduce items to the proper scale.

Topographic modeling

Topographic modeling produces life-like models of an area's topography, including hills, mountains and other elevations, bodies of water, landscapes and other physical features.

I recommend: The Visualizing Earth website from the University of California explains topographic modeling and gives details and instructions for creating topographic models.