Reviews from buyers:

Recently saw Darryl Huffman's commercial post for his new "Scratchbuilding in  Wood" DVD's (or video) -- seemed like a real bargain at $30 for the 4-disk
set, so I went ahead and ordered it -- the disks arrived quickly and seem like
even more of a bargain on inspection. I'm not "affiliated" with Darryl's
effort, but this "review" is definitely a plug, since I'm very favorably impressed.

Years ago, when I decided to try painting my first layout back drops, I
picked up a couple of model railroad videos on the subject and recorded many hours
of Bob Ross' PBS painting show ... then mustered up the courage to try it and
found that it wasn't so difficult after all.

Darryl's effort reminds me a bit of the old Bob Ross shows. Looking at the
finished model, a novice could easily say that he couldn't build such a thing
... but after seeing it broken down into brush strokes or assembly steps it all
seems quite possible. The video is 7 HOURS long but moves along quite
nicely. Darryl's done a good job of showing the essence of each step, while doing
some of the repetitive work "off screen" to keep things moving. The techniques
shown are simple but effective ... combining that with showing the SEQUENCE
and overall APPROACH makes a seemingly complex project look like an interesting
and enjoyable challenge. (I'll watch the whole thing again before and/or
during my next structure project!)

The DVD version comes in clam shell cases with color inserts and color labels
on each of the disks ... graphics, background music and menus are all nicely
done ... I've ordered some of Darryl's data CD's before, but this was the
first video ... definitely planning to order the other titles now ... always
inspiring to see a variety of effective techniques neatly presented.


Once again, I don't owe Darryl any favors and I'll be paying for the other
videos I'm gonna buy ... I just feel that this deserves another "plug" ...

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Hi - I finally had a couple of days off so I thought I would spend a few hours with you. How can you film, build and talk at the same time, so seamlessly. Great fun so far, something I will really use many times. Strip wood and a good prototype is sure cheaper than some $100. + kit. I'm looking forward to the next 3-4 hours after the wife goes to bed. Keep up the go work.

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Darryl,
Great video on scratch building.
Have watched some of the seven hours and have picked or refined
up a million ideas and techniques.

This production shows, up-close, your actions and your verbiage
is to the point- laser like. Your personality and preferences are
noticeable also. I like it.
Good work!!

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If you have not gotten a set of Darryl Huffman's DVD's on
scratchbuilding I would HIGHLY recommend that you buy a set before he
changes his mind about how much he is asking for them!
I have never scartch built anything so I decided what the heck, I
would order a set of them. I had already gotten his DVD on Weathering
so I knew they would be good....I just didn't know how good. I got
the price from his web site and I thought it was a typo so I contacted
him and he confirmed that the price was indeed only $30.00 for the 7
hours worth of DVD's. My 4 DVD set arrived promptly so I sat down to
watch the first one and I was amazed at the amount of information I
learned in such a short time. When I got through I thought to myself
"I can do this!". It is the first time I ever watched an
instructional video and felt that I had the capabilities to do what it
was trying to teach me. There was so much information and it was so
detailed that if you do what he says do you can make some really good
structures that you will be real proud of. To put it simply, I felt
empowered!!! I have since watched the other 3 DVD's and they are just
as good as the 1st one. If you are new to scratchbuilding you will
learn all you need to know to be confident to make your own
structures. If you are an old hand at it I am positive you will pick
up some new ideas and techniques.

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I agree 1000%!!! Darryl did a great job on the DVD's. The 7 hours
do not drag at all. I have done plenty of scratchbuilding and I
picked up several new tips and techniques. If you are new to
scratchbuilding, the DVD's will be invaluable. Darryl narrates what
he is doing rather than describing it as he is building the model.
This helps greatly to improve upon how the material is presented.
It is very tough to describe something as you are doing it. Darryl
goes over making a basic set of plans for a structure and then
proceeds to build it. Darryl's techniques are simple and produce
great results. There is some off camera work that Darryl does to
help along some tasks that would be a bit lengthy on the DVD. If
you have ever watched Bob Ross do his paintings on public
television, and enjoyed his presentation, you will feel right at
home with Darryl.

I highly recommend the DVD's for anyone who builds models.

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Hello. Darryl Huffman's CD on scratch building structures is a winner.
The action is clear and up close, with Darryl speaking with laser
like descriptions.

I have watched some of the seven hours on the four CD discs and have
picked up or refined a million ideas or techniques. The table of
contents lets you pick and choose your interests. Great ideas to
apply immediately. Extremely comprehensive from paper planning to
finsihed item.

Get a set while they are hot. Thirty dollars and there is a paper
plan for the structure. A one man clinic that is better than being in
a clinic room straining to see and hear the action.

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I would HIGHLY recommend Darryl Huffman's DVD on
scratchbuilding. Recently, we've seen many questions and answers
about wood staining, cutting and preparation. Among many other topics,
Darryl covers all these in great detail. His technique for
demonstrating rust on bridges is excellent and I've received many
nice comments after using his techniques.

Best of all, Darryl is a very honest modeler. There was a problem
with my DVD. I contacted Darryl probably 3 months after I received if
from him. He immediately, with priority mail, sent a new DVD to me with
no questions at all.

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Hi Darryl

I have been watching the DVD set that arrived yesterday. I have had snatches of sleep over night and through the day as my wretched brain toils to cope with this new and wonderful information you have provided on your instructional DVD set.

This is great stuff and although I have written material in book form I have bought over the years being taken by the hand from start to finish of the art of scratch building is just the learning tool I have been looking for.

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May I be so bold as to say buy a copy of Darryl's great dvd set on scratch building a building. I have just finsh watching the set (yes all 7 hours) I found them to be the best $30 I have ever spent on a tool.

After watching them you will find it's not that hard, and say I can do that !!!!.

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Hi Darryl --

Well, well, well ... I guess you're the "Bob Ross of scratchbuilding" now ... we'll have to get you a PBS grant and some air time! I like the old Bob Ross shows, so this is intended as a compliment in several ways:

-- nice overall tone & narration

-- you take a neat-looking finished item ... something that a novice might view and say "oh, I couldn't do that" ... then you break it down into simple steps so the fellow might say "oh, well I can definitely try that."

-- the techniques shown are simple but effective ... combining that with showing the SEQUENCE and overall APPROACH make a seemingly complex project look like an interesting and enjoyable challenge.

I've only watched the first two disks so far ... so we'll have to see how this turns out ... if you conclude by saying "now this little building needs a little friend" then I'll now you're channelling someone! <g>

Upon opening the shipping carton, I had an immediately positive response to the nice packaging -- even better when I opened the clam shells and saw the handsome and clear disk labels. (One suggestion: If you can rotate text, add a title to the spine-edge of the clam shell insert -- already penned my own so I can easily identify them on the shelf.) Also, nice job on the DVD mastering, chapter indices, graphics, etc.

There are enough similarities between your building/weathering techniques and my own to seem familiar ... and enough little things to make me go, "hmm ... gotta try that" more than once. Even though I'm fairly comfortable with model building and such, I really enjoy seeing others present their styles and techniques ... helps keeps things fresh and always provides at least a few new ideas.

Speaking of which, even though I'm not the novice, I have to give a "right on" to the editing choices ... how much of each sequence is shown, etc ... enough prep work done to avoid tedium, enough illustrated to make it clear and "believable" for the novice.

Nearly finished "kitbashing" a laminated computer desk here -- cut it all up and rearranged things so the hutch became an extension, yaddy-yaddy -- never thought of saving the laminated scraps as little portable work surfaces ... but got the DVD's and that idea BEFORE tossing them. (Wow, despite Murphy's Law.)

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I want to say that I am a very satisfied customer. Your
scratchbuilding video is one of the best investments that I have made
in my 30+ year career as a model railroader. I have scratchbuilt
using plastic, kitbashed, and built wooden kits [both stick and
laser], but I have never had the courage to scratchbuild with wood -
until now. After I viewed only one DVD, I was raring to go. The
title is so accurate, "Easy."