News Blog

Fast Buildings from photos

2007-08-05T15:09:00.000-04:00

It's quick and easy to create your own 2-d printed buildings using SketchUp, a variety of free textures and an inexpensive inkjet printer. See list of links below for material texture sites. SketchUp has a variety of built in textures, windows and doors all for free. Why pay for 2d building texture software when you can use SketchUp for free. SketchUp also lets you import your own images to make your own building textures as shown in the image above. SketchUp even calculates accurate shadows into your model for added depth and realism.

When you are ready to step up to a real 3d model, KingMill can cut 3d parts directly from SketchUp or from our Kit-O-Mat software. Kit-O-Mat has the advantage of offering a wide range of real laser-cut wood windows and doors with all the tolerances calculated for you. Why settle for printed paper or unrealistic plastic windows and doors when Kit-O-Mat gives you the size and scale you want, delivered direct to your door.

Links to Material Texture Sites:
Free Textures 1
Free Textures 2

Free Wood Texture Design software

Free Photo Reference Site

Pay Texture Site 1
Pay Texture Site 2
Pay Texture Site 3
Pay Texture Site 4
Pay Texture Site 5

Don't forget to check out our Laser Cutting Blog and learn tips and tricks about laser cutters.

Take care,

Chris Jessee

24 Hours of Booty

2007-07-30T08:32:00.000-04:00

Rather than attend the National Train Show this past weekend my wife Patricia and I rode in the 24 Hours of Booty, a fundraising bike ride for cancer research.

In spite of the heavy rains Friday Patricia rode 30 miles and I rode 63. We had a good time and the important part is that the event raised $645,000 for cancer research and our team raised $15,944 in memory of Patricia's sister Linda who died of brain cancer last year. Patricia is shown with her sister's children. Many of the 1500 riders in the event have lost a friend or loved-one to cancer and many wore signs of who they were riding in memory of.

Ted Reese, Linda's husband was the number four overall fundraiser with $6847 and rode 107 miles.

You can still donate to the cause: CLICK HERE TO DONATE.

Click 24 Hours of Booty to learn more.

Click to visit our Team donation page.

Click for Video of the 2006 event.

Thanks for all your support. We hope to ride in the event again next year. They hope to expand this event to other major cities and secure more corporate sponsorships in the future.

Thank you,

Chris Jessee

216 Kit-O-Mat Users!

2007-07-15T16:24:00.000-04:00

We're up to 216 Kit-O-Mat users!

New technology was released last week that will help us make Kit-O-Mat version 2.0 everything we can possibly hope for. We're very excited about these new developements and look forward to releaseing a new version.

Given the high cost of software developement, Kit-O-Mat version 2.0 will be significatly more expensive (and feature rich) than version 1.0. The upgrade cost for version 2.0 will be a nominal fee for version 1.0 owners.

Order version 1.0 before version 2.0 is announced and save a bundle!

Click to order.

Thank you,

Chris Jessee

New HO scale Corrugated Metal Panels

2007-07-15T16:16:00.000-04:00

Corrugated metal roofing panels are a unique building paper for HO scale models. Real corrugated metal panels are found throughout the world on structures of all types. This unique ADHESIVE backed paper adds authentic detail and character to any structure in a fraction of the time required by real metal panels. Currently available in a medium rust color.
Panels can be cut out and applied individually or in strips. A single package contains enough panels to cover approximately 120 sq. inches (2- 8.5 x 11 adhesive backed sheets).
These corrugated metal roof panels are featured on our RaineTown Depot kit.

Click to order.

Made in the USA, Not China

Thank you,

Chris Jessee

New HO scale Vertical Boilers

2007-07-15T16:03:00.000-04:00

We've released a new HO Scale Vertical Boiler cast in resin. We have a limited number of these available and at only $2.95 each, they won't last long.

These boilers were used in a variety of industrial applications such as logging and manufacturing. Each casting is accurately scaled with finely engraved and molded door, rivets and guage. HO Scale (1:87) Model fits in on any layout. 3/8" dia. x 1.5" tall.

Click to Order

Thank you,

Chris Jessee

SALE, SALE, SALE!

2007-07-15T15:36:00.000-04:00

New Laser Cutting Blog

2007-07-15T15:30:00.000-04:00

Many of our customers have expressed interest in learning more about the laser cutting process and what goes on behind the scenes. Our new blog http://watchyoureyes.blogspot.com/ will serve that interest through occasional posts about laser safety, setup and configuration and custom mods to your laser cutter to get better performance.

Thank you,

Chris Jessee

Dropping Walthers

2007-07-11T12:07:00.000-04:00

We have dropped Walthers as our distributor. All of our products are still available direct from KingMill.

We signed up with Walthers back in November of last year and had high hopes that they would do a good job of getting our products out to hobby shops.

Unfortunately it took them months to list our products on their web site even though we provided them with a CD full of high-res images and text descriptions of each product. After numerous emails and phone calls to urge them to promote our products they did very little.

After hearing many complaints from hobby shop owners and individual customers we've decided that it is not in our interest to have Walthers represent our products. It simply doesn't make sense to give up 55% of the retail price when a distributor fails to keep a product in stock or promote products in any meaningful way.

Walthers seems to be far more interested in promoting the products they manufacture for pennies on the dollar in China than promoting and selling the products of American manufacturers.

It is a sad day when mom and pop eBay sellers out sell Walthers month after month.

If you are a hobby shop owner who needs high quality model kits feel free to contact me directly.

Chris Jessee: email

Custom Work?

2007-05-25T18:38:00.001-04:00

Need custom parts for your next modeling project? We can supply cost effective laser cut wood parts for flatcar decks, bridge supports and with our Kit-O-Mat software custom windows, doors and even whole buildings.

Click the image at right to see a larger view. The flat car deck shown has 1300 realistic nail holes, far greater detail than you'll find on a cast plastic deck. And it is real wood so it is easily weathered and distressed to look like a real flat car deck.

Contact us today to find out just how affordable it is to have your own custom parts made.

New Basswood T-shirt

2007-05-16T08:48:00.000-04:00

Beat the summer heat or workout in comfort. Our 100% cotton sleeveless, red-neck tee from Anvil is what to wear when you want to go country cool.
Even cooler is our great, "I love the smell of basswood" logo featured on this shirt.

Many additional Logo items can be found on our Cafepress web site: www.CafePress.com/kingmill/

Product Revisions and Pricing update

2007-05-15T17:24:00.000-04:00

We are discontinuing several items and bringing the pricing of other items in-line with our competitors offerings.

So now is a great time to save on discontinued items, while they last.

In N, O and HO scales we are dropping 10" Board, and Chevron Top Rapid fence as well as Gable Roof and Shed Roof Outhouses. We will continue to make the Outhouse Variety Pack as well as Random Board Rapid Fence in all scales.

See our web catalog for details.

Thank you,

Chris Jessee

Figures and Vehicles Sale

2007-04-22T08:29:00.000-04:00

We've aquired a number of HO and N scale figures and vehicles by Woodland Scenics, Mini Metals Atlas and Athearn as well as a few O Scale figures by Woodland Scenics.

We want to move these so we are offering up to 30% off of most items! Click the following links to view a PDF list of the items. If you are interested in any of these items, drop me an email at chris.jessee@kingmill.com

N scale Products List

HO and O Scale Products List

Gold Dollar Saloon Ships!

2007-04-21T18:56:00.000-04:00

Our new Z scale kit, Gold Dollar Saloon is now shipping. This kit will make a great addition to you Z scale layout or a novelty addition to a larger scale layout. Click the link above to read the details and place your order.

Take care,

Chris Jessee, Owner
KingMill Enterprises

Shows, Shows, Shows

2007-02-05T17:00:00.000-05:00

We're back at the Mill after two weekends of train shows in Amherst MA. and Timonium MD.
It was great to meet many new customers and have a chance to chat with so many familiar faces. Kit-O-Mat is being well received and we're now at over 160 users. A number of Kit-O-Mat orders have been processed and kits shipped to customers. The initial feedback has been good and users continue to surprise us with their creative use of the software.

Stay tuned as we have a number of new kits in development.

Built-Up Models

2006-08-16T10:21:00.000-04:00

We've revived "The Back Lot" section of our web site to offer built up versions of our popular structure kits. These models will be available in very limited numbers as they are being built by a college student working part-time to help pay his way through school. "The Back Lot" also features display models of discontinued products like the Boone Depot. Only one of these beautiful models is available, don't let it pass you by. Click to order

Mini Metals

2006-08-16T10:13:00.000-04:00

We've reached an agreement with Classic Metalworks, the makers of Mini Metals® vehicles, to carry a select number of their products that complement our structure kits. Many customers asked for the vehicles featured on our display models and now we offer them in our web store so you can make the complete scene. Our first offering is the R-190 flat bed truck. This great 1950's era truck works well with both Green Cove or the American Wood Company kits. We're offering it at a great price too, only $8.48 each! Click to order

Quick Pallets

2006-08-16T09:49:00.000-04:00

Quick Pallets are laser cut birch veneer plywood. Because they are real wood they look just like the real thing when assembled. Each pack builds up to 50 pallets so you'll have plenty for the many shipping and factory locations around your layout. Pallets go hand in hand with our great GHQ forklift kit.
50, real wood, pallets only $12.95, stock-up today. Click to order

Take care,

Chris Jessee

3 Sheds at Cohasset

2006-08-16T09:32:00.000-04:00

The 3 Sheds at Cohasset are an authentic and unique cluster of sheds in Cohasset Virginia, just north of Bremo Bluffs and the James River. The shed's varied roofs, doors and windows give them great character, they would be at home on any layout. The sheds can be used together in a group or in various locations around your layout. They can serve a variety of uses such as a small post office, store, track maintenance shed, garage, tool shed or a host of other functions.
Retail price: $37.95 Other scales available in the near future. Click to order

Be sure to check out the 360 panoramic objects of the models in the gallery.

Take care,

Chris

We're Upgrading our Laser Optics

2006-08-08T18:08:00.000-04:00

Our laser supplier has come out with a new optics system that offers much higher cut quality and accuracy. Click the image at right to see a comparison of cut quality using the old optics and the new optics. This upgrade will be most important to our N and Z scale customers. We've placed the order for the new parts and they should be up and running shortly. We look forward to pushing these optics to their limits of accuracy on new kits, detail parts and Kit-O-Mat orders.

Take care,

Chris Jessee

Meet our new Employee ...

2006-07-23T12:42:00.000-04:00

Luis Rodrigalvarez hales from Madrid Spain and has a background in mechanical engineering and more than 15 years experience designing in AutoCad. Luis is a joy to work with and in a few short weeks since he started has produced several great model designs using Kit-O-Mat, SketchUp and AutoCad. Once we complete the display models, photography and instructions you'll see these great new models on our web site.

Gas Prices & Train Shows

2006-06-26T11:53:00.000-04:00

High gas prices are keeping many potential customers away from train shows as well as increasing the cost to vendors in attending shows. Due to these factors our last show this year will be the National Train Show in Philly on July 7, 8 and 9.

Take care,

Chris

SER NMRA Convention

2006-06-03T12:03:00.000-04:00

Come see KingMill at the South Eastern Region NMRA show in Memphis June 9th - 11th. We'll have a number of built-ups of our popular kits.

Click here to visit the convention web site

Take care,

Chris

Computer Simulation Assures Quality

2006-05-21T10:28:00.000-04:00

As part of our product development process we build a 3d computer simulated version of every model kit. This gives us a solid basis for creating derivative drawings for the instructions as well as checking the fit and configuration of all parts. Click image to see larger view.

Green Cove gets Historic Marker

2006-05-21T08:32:00.000-04:00

A new historic state highway sign marking the Green Cove community’s history with the rail line has been installed. Residents of the area raised more than $1,300 to pay for the sign. The Virginia Carolina Railroad built the station in 1914. In addition to the train station, it served as the community’s post office, general store and telegraph office.

The U.S. Forest Service took over operations and turned the building into a visitor center when the rail bed was converted into the Virginia Creeper Trail for hikers and bikers. KingMill's model kit of the Green Cove Station is available for sale in the station.

Click here to read full article

Shenandoah Valley Model Train Show

2006-04-30T20:51:00.000-04:00

Come see us Sunday May 7th from 10:00a.m. to 4:00p.m. at the Rockingham County Fair Grounds in Harrisonburg VA. This great little one-day show features free parking, display layouts and wide range of area vendors. We hope to see you there.

Take care,

Chris Jessee