Menards Dollar Store strip mall

Pete,

I bought this building with the intention of doing the same thing.  I put the project on the back burner once I saw that the entire "horse" was used to glue it together.  I'll be following along on this topic. 

I thought I would make boardwalk shops or a more regional front of stores that no longer exist.

Good luck in your demolition -I'm thinking Dremel is the only option.  lol

Steve

Yes, it has to be of sturdy construction to survive shipment from China, and on to your doorstep. I think careful cutting with a Dremel is your best option. Be careful though, as you can melt the plastic in a heartbeat.

Jeff

@SteveC posted:

Pete,

I put the project on the back burner once I saw that the entire "horse" was used to glue it together.

I had to read that twice!  I kept seeing "house".

Brendan

I am wondering where you might get the replacement pictures for the windows. I made a strip mall with some plasticville and want different pictures for these.

Ray

@SteveC posted:

Pete,

I bought this building with the intention of doing the same thing.  I put the project on the back burner once I saw that the entire "horse" was used to glue it together.  I'll be following along on this topic.

I thought I would make boardwalk shops or a more regional front of stores that no longer exist.

Good luck in your demolition -I'm thinking Dremel is the only option.  lol

Steve

Thanks Steve. LOL yep no doubt the entire house was used!!!

@mowingman posted:

Yes, it has to be of sturdy construction to survive shipment from China, and on to your doorstep. I think careful cutting with a Dremel is your best option. Be careful though, as you can melt the plastic in a heartbeat.

Jeff

What? These are made in China?!! LOL just kidding. I just got some new Dremel discs and plan to get after this beast. Thanks!

@Rayin"S" posted:

I am wondering where you might get the replacement pictures for the windows. I made a strip mall with some plasticville and want different pictures for these.

Ray

Ray, I am planning to take my own photos of a few local spots and then search the Internet for pics that might work. I’ll post more after I get this project going.

That sounds like a great idea, may look at something like that.

Thanks

RAY

I am interested myself as I intend to do the same thing with two of them when I get around to purchasing them.  One structure will entirely be a Publix Supermarket and the other will have other retailers with a local South Florida flair.  The Dollar Tree will stay.

I'll preface this by saying I have not taken one apart. However, I dont think going direct to dremel would be my first move.  I'd first try to feel around and see if there's a spot they missed or that looked robust and easy to work a tool into the gap (maybe the back edge or a corner). Try an exacto chisel or something similarly thin (dont start with a screwdriver, as its more likely to leave an indent). If you can get in there and get it started, the whole thing might be able to peel off. If you get stuck at the tabs, work your tool around the tabs (or at this point you might need something with a point like a #11 blade). Just try working at it. If the base is plastic and the rest of the structure isnt (as it looks), chances are you'll succeed. A lot of all purpose glues still dont do well with smooth plastic as theres not much to bite into. If its plastic to plastic and looks like its solvent welded, then you're likely going to need something destructive.

Also, look for other ways inside. the back wall seam looks like it could be popped open without too much hassle. Its also probably feasible to go through the roof as you can fix your hole with a convincing roof patch afterwards.

I have the Melrose Park station.  After about a week the power board failed.  I wasn’t upset about that because, like all Menard’s buildings, it looks like Chevy Chase’s house in Christmas vacation.  When I got it on my bench, like Steve, I was impressed by the amount of glue the factory used.  Like the glue holding it together, they use a 1/2 pound of hot glue to “secure” the lighting board.  Using a hair dryer and a knife I finally got it out through the hole in the bottom.

Instead of cutting into the back of the building, you might be better off cutting out the floor.  I wouldn’t attack it with a dermal unless you are sure there are no wires in the way.  While nice buildings, their construction makes them difficult candidates for much customization.

I also thought that I was going to add my own window treatments to this building but when I turned it over and saw the wall in front of the window I was somewhat discouraged. I considered cutting the floor but was afraid I might be interfering with any wiring that would be down there etc. Another thought I had was to add the window treatment on top of the existing windows and then add glazing on top of the treatment. I’m curious what others might think about that. The one thing I did do was I used Tamyia x24 and x26  clear yellow and clear orange to tone down the diode‘s.  I initially left one or two clear diode‘s overage store with the white light but when I went to take a picture I couldn’t see the signs in the picture because of the glare I added a picture of the original Scranton gold and silver buyers I wanted to use those pictures on my store. I turn the sweet shop in the Sue’s bake shop so I’m not too concerned about changing those windows since there are sweets in the store anyway

I have good success with a oscillating multi-tool from Harbor Freight.  They are around $20 and use vibration to cut not a spinning disc.  It is surprising how clean a cut you get and how fast it cuts.  No melting is involved.  Russ 

@ChiloquinRuss posted:

I have good success with a oscillating multi-tool from Harbor Freight.  They are around $20 and use vibration to cut not a spinning disc.  It is surprising how clean a cut you get and how fast it cuts.  No melting is involved.  Russ

This is a great tool for this kind of job.  Unlike a rotary tool, this is easier to hold steady and not damage the surrounding area.

@bigtruckpete posted:

Ray, I am planning to take my own photos of a few local spots and then search the Internet for pics that might work. I’ll post more after I get this project going.

@SteveC posted:

Pete,

I bought this building with the intention of doing the same thing.  I put the project on the back burner once I saw that the entire "horse" was used to glue it together.  I'll be following along on this topic.

I thought I would make boardwalk shops or a more regional front of stores that no longer exist.

Good luck in your demolition -I'm thinking Dremel is the only option.  lol

Steve

Gentlemen...

Any luck on the progress from either of you on the kitbashing of this building?

Separate question, what is the best way to remove the signage lettering on the building fronts?

@Amfleet25124 posted:

Gentlemen...

Any luck on the progress from either of you on the kitbashing of this building?

Separate question, what is the best way to remove the signage lettering on the building fronts?

Kevin,

I have not done anything with the building at this time.  I did get an oscillating tool though as suggested by DanR. 

Steve

@Danr posted:

This is a great tool for this kind of job.  Unlike a rotary tool, this is easier to hold steady and not damage the surrounding area.

After about a week the power board failed.  I wasn’t upset about that because, like all Menard’s buildings, it looks like Chevy Chase’s house in Christmas vacation.

Dan LOL that's my only complaint of Menards buildings. Too many lights just don't look good to me.  I've actually thought about yellowing them since my era only had incandescent lights and maybe flat blackening a few to hide them.

@SteveC posted:

Kevin,

I have not done anything with the building at this time.  I did get an oscillating tool though as suggested by DanR.

Steve

Actually, Chiloquinruss suggested it; I just seconded it.  Practice on some scrap wood to get the feel of the tool and which blade position works best for you.

Dave,

As I posted earlier I used Tamyia x26 clear orange to tone down the lights. Before I did that the signs were not readable in a photo. My photo is a few posts up. Although the lights look bright white they are actually toned down.

I took the idea and made my own Publix shopping center out of Styrene.

Great job on the Publix! Did you take any pictures during the build?

@FECRailroaddog posted:

I took the idea and made my own Publix shopping center out of Styrene.

I concur with Bob, (1) great job on the Publix (especially as that it the same single merchant I'll be looking to change my building to and I like how you have the curved top facsia, and (2) we need some photos of the build if you took any.

Thanks guys, when I get home I will convert the files I have of the built and post them up, hopefully I didn't delete them. It is made from styrene and printed textures from Clever Models on vinyl paper. 

Hey guys while I didn't take pictures step by step of the build, here are some as I was progressing. I built it in sections and then glued the sections together. I then added lights and finally added the vinyl texture printouts. The columns I made separate also and then glued them after everything was done.  While the Menards is a nice kit, I like building my own buildings. The styrene is .30 which is very sturdy.

Thank you for the photos

My pleasure sir!

Thanks for the update and pictures. Once again an excellent job! You should repost this on Scenery and structures for more to see.