Project Update: Ideal Hosiery by FOS Scale Models

With an exception of Jeffrey Spike Models which took my money and never delivered product all kit manufacturers tend to keep their word. Yet some of them take an extra step and give me free stuff just because they feel like doing so. So far I have received 4 kits. To be exact 3 kits and laser cutting service plus materials for my own design what pretty much counts as a kit. I thought I would return the favor by building them. Well, at least three since fourth is of the larger ones and I don't have appetite for such big meal at the moment.
The first one up is Ideal Hosiery from FOS Scale Models. It is a little structure with very interesting lines. I have few ideas for it. I will modify roof top and FSMize diorama a little. I am not ready to reveal what and how yet. Hopefully, it won't take long as you can see in the pictures the structure is very near completion.

Project Update: K.W.Murphy Engineering Works aka Flour Mill by Laser Art

I was about to write how unproductive this year was and how I was glad to finish yet another project. Yes, I am glad to finish yet another project. However, after counting projects I have completed this year it doesn't seem very unproductive. I am just one project short of last year's total. If I finish McDuff's and Texaco Gas Station I will surpass it. I've mentioned before that I like process of building a model more than final product but once in awhile I need to finish something. That is good motivationally and provides some monetary reward since I put up for sale everything I build.
Just few days ago I also finished another project which was called cleaning my modeling room. I bought garage style shelving unit so I could use it to store my kits and materials instead of having them laying around on the floor all over the place. It has taken me about 4 days but now I can walk in without being afraid of stepping on  something. Since I have more room now I may try doing video series on kit building. However, I don't want it to take too much time away from modeling so I am still thinking about it. This and have I ever mentioned my accent?

Project Update: Gritty McDuff's by Bar Mills

Following pictures are pre-Thanksgiving. Since last update I have taken time to prepare and paint all castings and because of it progress isn't that evident. I don't have much to say about the project though. I haven't encountered big issues nor I have tried new techniques.
On another note I feel like me and Bar Mills are growing apart. I am still big fan of their older kits but new ones that are coming out just don't capture my attention. I hope their decisions are dictated by the market and they are doing well. It is all possible that I have become more selective. The number of kits available from all manufacturers combined is so large and time to build  them is so limited that I have to think 10 times before I reach for my wallet. The kit of the size of the latest Bar Mill offering has to be exceptional. Packing with material and providing value for money is great but can I go through all the parts provided and build a model without abandoning it in the middle of process because it is taking too long and I become bored? I am hoping I am lone in such thoughts and Bar Mills has great sales.

Project Update: K.W.Murphy Engineering Works aka Flour Mill by Laser Art

I have big plans for long Thanksgiving weekend. One of them is to finish this project. I am quite close. Another 2 or 3 hours and I am done. I am shooting for FSMsque look. One component to achieve that is to use several different roofing materials. I used tarpaper that was included in the kit. It is too thick but when I used it on Marilyn's I got nice cracking effect. I am hoping to achieve it here as well. Also I used some leftover Campbell shingles from Houligan's Alley kit on part of the roof. Little loading add-on is covered with corrugated metal like paper I bought at Michael's. It looks a little shallower than Campbell like but for the price I paid it may be an excellent alternative. This paper has flat bottom so it is good in places where it isn't visible. Most of the time it is the case anyway.
When building loading add-on I realized that I had made one of the "painted" signs too big and placed too low. I could have soaked it with water and pealed away. That would have produced nice ghost sign but that isn't what I am after. I will cover area with mounted on plywood and framed sign instead.

Project Update: Houligan's Alley by FSM

I work on models in two week cycles. I work for three nights in a row, then I have two off followed by three nights of modeling and then I have a break for six days. There is nothing worse than something going wrong right before that long break. It happened to me about 10 days ago. I was installing power lines using nylon thread but things didn't go well. Nylon isn't easy to shape, everything got tangled up. I ripped all power lines off and decided have my diorama without them. George Sellios himself mentions in the instructions that he doesn't install power lines. Why would I do it? It was too hard to accept the defeat though. That kept me bugging during long break and after it was over I went in with the new plan. This time I used regular thread from the kit and I succeeded.
With this behind and Jordan vehicles built the rest was a piece of cake. I can proudly say now that I have completed my first FSM kit.
What is waiting for me in post Houligan's Alley era? I would really like to finish few older projects that are laying around in various stages of completion and collecting dust. I have few kits that I have prepared for painting and assembling during few extra hours of modeling I came up with this fall. I may throw these new kits into a mix. Perhaps I may do another FSM kit. Although Skinner's Row is my all time favorite I don't think I want to do anything of that caliber at the moment.

Project Update: Gritty McDuff's by Bar Mills

Phew! Work on installing rafter ends is done. The Main Building has quite a number of them. Some of them like upper back ones were hard to install. The roof is steep and there is very little room. I broke couple of rafter ends at first trying to squeeze them in. I couldn't figure out why the front ones went much easier. Then I realized that their ends were cut at an angle. The rafter ends for the back were rectangular. I cut the ends that go into opening in the building at an angle and work went much smoother from that point. With this out of the way I don't have much left to do before I need to install the signs and roof vents which aren't ready yet. The Lumber Store is near completion as well. I may dive into detail painting next week and disappear from the radar for awhile or start the third building in the kit the Wood Shop what is far more exiting that details. Time will tell if I have enough will and self discipline in me or I will succumb to temptation. If I were to bet I would put my money on latter...

Project Update: Gritty McDuff's by Bar Mills

I have been assembling the Main Building for the past several days. It is coming together more less all right. So far I have encountered couple of issues. Bottom floor wall that faces inside was about 1/16" too long. Also markings for upper rear shed on roof card are incorrect. I covered the card with roofing material before building the shed itself and now have about 1/16" gap between shed and roofing. I'll have to get creative here and come up with some solution.
I have been working a little on the Lumber Store as well. I intended to paint its walls with Floquil Rust but when picked up the bottle I found out that the paint inside had dried up. That couldn't  have happened at worse time. Testors is not producing Floquil anymore and my local train store has sold out all Rust. Luckily I am not picky about what paint I use, its shade, or tone. For me if it says Floquil Rust it doesn't mean it is carved in stone. I checked my collection of craft paints and found that Raw Sienna was really close match. Actually I was quite glad I didn't have to use solvent based paint.

Project Update: Houligan's Alley by FSM

Based on my plans this project should have been done long time ago. It is something about those last steps. They are so hard to make. I have been spending time on McDuff's or Murphy's projects just to push further building of three Jordan vehicles. Recently I acquired few of Athearn of the same era and Jordans don't really need to be built but I would hate myself for cutting corners. Therefore, I am procrastinating most of the time. However, this little voice inside sometime gets me so I do this and that. I have made a tree using some China made cheap tree armature, fish tank filter material, and scenic foam. I have installed power poles, stree lights, have glued down some pigeons, cardboard boxes, tufts and other scenic material. I also finished painting my diorama crew last night. Not all little people will make it though. I paint more than I actually need. To finish it up I still need to add more scenic material, finally install power lines, build Jordan vehicles which I have already started. I am hoping the next update will be the final.