Project Update: Houligan's Alley by FSM

I have all structures built to the point where I can get their accurate footprint. If time permits I may start making diorama base this weekend. The time will be scarce though. I have one project with hard deadline and another one which doesn't have deadline carved in stone but I would like to get done before certain date. However, my diorama base preparation method consists of three steps that take 15-30 minutes to complete but require several hours to a day between them so I may be able to squeeze in. I use insulation foam for diorama base. I mark building footprint on it and then glue 1/16 thick basswood strips inside of perimeter. That gives me flat surface to glue down the structures later. Then I apply about 1/16 thick layer of Sculpamold leaving off road area. Finally, I use lightweight spackle for a road. Perhaps I do too much but I like unevenness Sculpamold creates and the properties of the spackle.

Project Update: Houligan's Alley by FSM

I have yet to build kits from more manufacturers but so far I find FSM kits to be most enjoyable. Everything is thought through, no mistakes, no missing parts, no laser cut parts that suppose to save time but actually require more of it, no adhesive covered parts which cause more pain than help, plenty of stripwood. I think every structure kit builder has to build at least one FSM kit or perhaps start with one.
Last step before taking pictures was to apply some dirt on the roof. The instructions called for using oil based paint. I had some concerns though. The kit is around 10 years old and I wasn't sure oil based paint was even available. I found it at Sherwin-Williams but at about $20 for a pint or quart it was way more than I was willing to spend. I usually go to Home Depot for stuff like that but over past few years they have got rid of anything out of ordinary. They keep only product they can sell fast. I know I should switch to Lowe's but end up at Home Depot because of habit and because it is more convenient to get to. Not this time though. I went straight to Lowe's and bought small can of black flat oil based paint for less than $5 and it will last me some time. How many dirt roofs do I do a year? One maybe.

Project Update: Slim's Dogs & Burgers by FOS Scale Models

Some progress here too. I've added this fan prop but now I am having second thought about its placement and color. I'll have to live with that though.  Experience is telling me any attempt to fix would most likely result in greater mess and dissatisfaction.

Project Update: Houligan's Alley by FSM

The R.J.Skotz building is finished. Now I am working on Perkin's and Watson's at the same time. I want to get footprint of both structures as soon as possible so I can start making a base. I would like to finish the kit before vacation season starts. This way I am sure this project will be completed. During vacation I may get different ideas what I should do next and as a result Houligan's Alley may get shelved.

Project Update: McGee's Hotel by Micro-Scale Models

The McGee's Hotel is ready to leave for its permanent home now. Adding tarpaper roofing turned out to be not so pleasant task. The material provided in the kit is black regular construction paper. As I learned building Dubois store my weathering technique doesn't work on it. Powders get absorbed into paper and disappear. The other "feature" I have observed as well is that black construction paper tends to turn pink over time if exposed to the light. Therefore, I painted roofing material with craft paint first. I used lighter gray which was a part of the problem. The paint chipped off along cut line exposing black. It didn't look good at all so I painted roof over but next time around I will replace this paper with masking paper that I really like and use original for interior screen.
Overall it was quite pleasant experience. I may consider obtaining few of Microscale kits myself. They have interesting line of waterfront structures and they have dropped their kit prices a little as well.