Project Update: Betty's Diner by Bar Mills

I have made quite good progress since last update. I have painted all castings and redesigned the awnings. The awnings included with the kit are red/white and green/white. They are not exactly what I need. Creating new ones isn't very hard to do now that I know how to combine lines and arches into closed shapes in Adobe Illustrator. All it takes to create new awning is to scan original, load image in TurboCAD, create drawing by tracing over image, import drawing in AI, color the awnings and export them as PDF file. I possibly could have used color replacement tool in some image editing software but I like quality vector graphics produce.
Over all no big surprises other than cutting front billboard ends without measuring just because I had to cut ends of wrong one previously and finding out that I didn't need to. I ended up cutting pieces from wrong billboard and gluing to the good one. Fix isn't noticeable since I cut off about 1/16" which matches thickness of side billboards.

What's in the box: Aladdin General Store by Ragg's…to Riches?

I liked Aladdin General Store by Ragg's…to Riches? since the moment I first saw it. Unfortunately, owners are retiring so this kit may not be available after September of this year. As well as their other kits. I shouldn't make any comments here since it isn't a review but I want to mention that this kit includes list of all castings which I haven't seen anywhere else. Thumbs up for that!

Project Update: Fat Jimmy's BBQ

I have added some bushes and tufts to the diorama. I have painted and weathered number of detail parts as well but it didn't seem enough so I am working on some more. I'll have few scratch built ones that I have designed or will design. In addition, I am working on idea of making realistic looking garbage.

Project Update: Bungalow Row by River Dam Model Works

Bungalow Row by River Dam Model Works is acting as a filler. Sometimes I forget to bring a tool or paint I need for current project. With large kit such as American Seltzer there is always something else to do but with Betty's left out paint bottle can bring to halt everything so I don't idle I have this one.
I purchased several River Dam Model Works kits with the idea of doing some kitbashing. Bungalow Row is not an exclusion. However, modification won't be as heavy as Fat Jimmy's. I am building one of three bungalows as is. Other two will have porches. One will have porch inside perimeter of the structure and the other one outside. Painting scheme is lighter gray for the walls and darker gray for the trim.

Project Update: Marilyn's Bar & Grille by Branchline

I received Marilyn's Bar and Grille by Branchline to build after sending out Decker's. It has been awhile since I got it but I haven't done much. I am trying to finish Fat Jimmys at the moment so work on Marilyn's is kind of sporadic. The other reason for slow progress is shortage of modeling time this time of year.
I am using box art painting scheme this time. I am only varying color tone and shade. So far I have painted all parts and I am in the process of installing windows and doors Although instructions call for them to be added after gluing walls together I am adding windows and doors before. I find much easier and faster to work with flat walls.

Project Update: Betty's Diner by Bar Mills

I have spent few months building Sokol's and I wanted to do something smaller next. However, due to circumstances I had to make American Seltzer first. With it being finished I can finally enjoy a quick build. Kit I am working on is Betty's Diner by Bar Mills. I am using different than box art color scheme. I am going with yellow and white instead of yellow and red.
So far I have run into two issues. One of them is caused by 1/16 stripwood not being truly square and truly 1/16. All so called square stripwood has one right angle and others sometimes quite close to being 90 degrees but more often they are way off. Therefore, width varies quite a bit too. Betty's has slots cut out in a base for the posts. Unfortunately, due to variation in width post location doesn't match slots. I had some filing to do to fit front wall but that caused fitting problems around entire perimeter. I had even more filing to do. In the end I ended up with number of gaps is the base. I intend to fill them up with glue and saw dust mix and then paint. If I was manufacturing this kit I would laser cut the posts from 1/16 basswood sheet to make sure they are right width.
Other issue was caused by a confusion which parts should be used for roof billboards. I know that Bar Mills found an issues with original parts and sent replacements. I received the kit from third party. Inside the box was bag with parts marked "replacement parts". Therefore, I used them. Well... after dry fitting I realized that correct ones are the other set. Good thing the kit includes two sets of billboard signs. Actually, I have scanned them anyway so it wouldn't be big issue even if there was only one.

Project Update: American Seltzer Company by Bar Mills

I installed lighting fixtures and awnings last night to complete the kit. Included lighting fixtures are of two types. One traditional Tichy dome and brass wire. Second whole fixture  molded in plastic. Latter doesn't need to be assembled so it saves time. However, it has couple of drawbacks. The dome is filled with plastic and just a little bump represents bulb. Dome holder is very flimsy and easy to break. Given a choice I would stick with traditional type. Only I think I should make a jig for wire bending. Otherwise it is time consuming and doesn't yield consistent results. Perhaps I could simply 3D print the jig.

Project Update: Fat Jimmy's BBQ

I didn't realize it has been three weeks since last update. While looking at the pictures it doesn't seem I have done much but I have done quite a bit of work that isn't in them yet. I mean preparation and painting of details and figures. Of course, some cuts to modeling time for various reasons, having to do some work on American Seltzer at home, and starting three other kits didn't help progress of FJ diorama as well. I am not in a race so it doesn't really matter. Only for some people it may be like watching grass grow. This is where I am at.

I used up all of my pre-made crabgrass root bushes for Wanda's so I had to dig into last year's crop. Unlike previous time when I used spray glue I have decided to use diluted white glue for attaching static grass which simulates small branches. I hoped an hour or so would be enough for white glue to dry but it didn't. Most likely it was too humid. Because of warm weather our heaters stopped running two days or so ago. Anyway, I wasn't able to add leaves to the new batch. It is still winter at my plantation.

In case anyone is curious what three kits I have started are here is the list:
1. Marilyn's Bar and Grille by Laser Art.
2. Sweaty Betty's Diner by Bar Mills.
3. Bungalow Row by  River Dam Model Works kitbash.