Building The Waterfront by Bulders in Scale Pt.3

It seems The Saltbox is stuck on the back-burner and it may stay there for some time until I am out of any parallel paths to progress the kit further. For the time being I've decided to take and post some pictures.

Building Shady Grove Texaco by Bar Mills Pt.1

This is the second kit from my small kit series. It seems these days Bar Mills put all of their kits into same size boxes. What that means is that no matter how big kit is it takes the same amount of space on your shelf. Therefore building smaller kits you can free up the space faster. You can adapt this strategy to relieve spouse pressure when it is building up because you have too many kits.

Building The Magic Shop by FOS Scale Models Pt. N

I have been working on the Magic Shop on and off for the past few months. All I need is to finish painting the lamps and install cross bracing for the big sign. The problem is that I've run out of pre-painted stripwood and I don't remember what paint did I use. I realize that my memory isn't getting better and I need to start making notes. I'll do that starting with the next kit. Meanwhile I need to paint few test pieces. I have quite a collection of greens but like ones more than the others so it narrows the search a little. Eventually I will get through this. I am guessing when I will get into "I must to complete 2 or 3 unfinished kits before I start anything new" mode.

Building Tucker & Cook by South River Modelworks Pt.1

As I mentioned in yesterday's post I have new project that I am very excited about. It is first larger one since Elijah Roth that I am doing for myself. While working on it I don't follow the instructions much. According to the manual I should build one structure and then move on to another. It is probably right way for someone who is just starting in the hobby. I am starting too but I am a rebel in nature and like doing things my way. I prefer to prepare and paint laser cut wood parts at the same time. Same goes for all windows and resin cast parts. All right, the windows this time is a different story. The instructions call to spray paint them white and then paint turquoise color. If I was to put three coats of turquoise then it probably wouldn't matter but I do one coat. In this case undercoat matters. Usually I use grayish stain on wood and gray auto primer on plastic. The shade is quite close so the difference between plastic parts and wood is very small. Had I used white undercoat for windows and gray for wood the difference would have been quite noticeable. I could have given all wood white undercoat but after some thinking I have decided to take more difficult but better route. I spray painted windows with gray primer and then proceeded to paint them by hand. Should I mention that it is very time consuming process? After doing about 20 windows in about 2 hours I was ready to do something else. I got back few days later and did another batch. I figure I still have about 4 hours to go but I am sure I will have better looking windows. I need to check the level of my sanity though. I may be developing rivetaitis (rivet counter syndrome).
Other place where I deviated from the instructions was resin castings. I cleaned and washed them all at the same time. I didn't want to come back and do the same task two or three times although in smaller proportions. Also I glued together the walls of the brick building. That was also not the way I was supposed to do. I figured that most likely I would end up with the gaps and possibly getting glue where it shouldn't be. Fixing these issues before painting is easy and not so after. I was very glad I made the decision to glue first. I have made 3 attempts to finally get it right. First time I pushed the walls out of square with the clamps. When I attempted to correct it the walls just came apart. I used too much force I guess. Second time I realized that top 3-4 rows of bricks most likely have to come out forward a little compared to corner columns. I had to take everything apart and re-glue. During this ordeal the parts have suffered quite rough handling, some glue has oozed out, I've got some of it on the good side of the walls and I've got some gaps. I prefer working on the flat surface but sometimes convenience has to be sacrificed for a better end result.

Building The Waterfront by Bulders in Scale Pt.2

The past month hasn't been very productive. I have had few annual Christmas lunches and have done some traveling. The light blue structure called Saltbox is very close to being finished. It needs few last touches which can be done only at home. I am not sure when I am going to get around doing it though. I have this new home project I am very excited about and for now I don't feel switching. Meanwhile I am working on the second structure called Cannery and have prepared parts for the third.

Building Clothespin and Broom Handle Factory by Micro-scale Models Pt.4

I believe in the past five years I have built enough kits for medium sized layout. I mean for moderately populated with structures. It could be more than enough for a large one if it represents large open fields, wooded areas, etc. My idea of the layout though is small to medium sized heavily urban area. I don't think 40+ kits or 50+ if counted as separate buildings would do it. It is more like 100+ structures are needed. That is 10 years before any benchwork, trackwork, wiring, scenery, rolling stock. I don't know if I can sentence myself to that. Although there is always possibility of building kits for no particular purpose like I have been doing so far and storing them in boxes instead of auctioning them off. Then 10 years later get them out and see what I can come up with. Something to think about...
Speaking of the Clothespin and Broom Handle Factory, I didn't expect the loading docks and staircases to be so time consuming. It has taken me about three weeks to do all of it. I had to re-draw them in the process because provided plans didn't match the hydrocal base close enough. To be fair to myself I should mention I also have been painting castings at the same time as well. Unlike the McGee's this kit has decent number of them.
With the Clothespin Factory behind I am looking into the future without clear idea what I am going to do next. Few months ago I had some a plan but it is possibly too late to execute it. It seems at this time the most rational thing to do would be to clean up some shelf space by finishing few old projects. Am I feeling rational?  I think I'll just toss a coin. Or perhaps I should roll a dice. 1-5 start a new kit and 6 to finish old project.

Building The Waterfront by Bulders in Scale Pt.1

I have been working on The Waterfront for quite some time but only now I have some pictures to share. It has take me so long due to materials used and old style engineering and kit manufacturing. The kit is from pre-laser era, so I had to cut out openings for windows and doors. Most of them were marked but not all. I found out this after I painted and weathered the walls of the first structure. Therefore, while preparing the second I consulted the drawing to make sure I didn't leave any openings out. Unlike The Tidewater Wharf manual, The Waterfront manual doesn't have little tables with a list of all stripwood pieces with their dimensions and what they are used for. Therefore, I spent a little more time sorting all pre-cut stripwood pieces. I figure, it must have been very labor intensive job to produce such kits. Imagine cutting all that stripwood to size. Most of the time that doesn't even help modeler. The ends aren't cleanly cut. The pieces are longer than needed, so they have to be trimmed anyway. Why can't manual simply say "You need so many inches of n by m for this purpose"? If it is to be used for trim, then you go and paint it. If it is for unpainted shed, then you stain it. And it shouldn't be buried in the text. There should be material list section before every major step. That would be a real time saver. Any kit manufacturers reading this post? Some may argue it would take fun away. Well... If I want to exercise my brain, I can get a jig saw puzzle. When I am building a model I want to relax. There is nothing more frustrating than finding out that I have missed a one inch piece of wood and I have to set project aside until I am done preparing, painting, weathering it.

Building Clothespin and Broom Handle Factory by Micro-scale Models Pt.3

It seems a number of model railroad related podcasts have died or are on their last leg. Too bad  since I've got so used to listening them on the way to work. Good thing that there are new enthusiasts attempting to fill the void. I am talking about Jim and Lionel who produce A Modelers Life podcast. Check them out. Those guys are really funny. I am not sure why they are doing what they are doing for living and not making money as comedians.
As far as project update goes, here it is.

Building the Small Station by Motrak Models Pt.2

What a week it has been! FOS Scale Models and Bar Mills Models revealed their limited edition kits for 2014. FOS have been consistent for the past few years so placed my bet on them and I don't have any regrets. It seems I missed out on Bar Mills offering though. Original run sold out in 47 hours. Yet I can pretend I saw their ad in Model Railroader and still order the kit... I wish the manufacturers would
spread out their releases, so I don't have to make choices, but they are gearing up for Christmas and it is understandable. Anyway, even if I don't get full Cundy's kit, individual buildings are still available.
Tonight I will place the box, that used to contain the Small Station, in recycling bin. It has become a ritual of some sort. I complete a model and place its box in recycling bin. Weird, but that brings me more joy than applying finishing touches or taking final pictures. I believe it is so, because I am over-stacked with the kits, and removing one box is like proof, that I am not a hoarder, that I can actually build those kits. Deep inside I feel though, that I am a hoarder and I will never build all the kits I own. Who cares! Lets get more kits!

Building the Small Station by Motrak Models Pt.1

The station is so small that I didn't plan on posting any progress pictures. It turned out, I had to do some extra work that introduced a delay and then I had camera out, so I took few shots. The issue with the kit is that corner posts are laser cut. I don't know what diameter laser beam is, but isn't zero. If it is set to cut two lines that are 1/16" apart, the final result will be narrower. The drawing has to account for laser path to get narrow or small parts right. Perhaps this, or the fact that cut line wasn't continuous, but more like laser shot, then step, and then shot again, what produced wave like cut line, which I smoothed by sanding, but I ended up with the corner posts that don't cover the edges of the clapboard walls. I decided to fill the gaps with scale 2 by 4 and I had to go through my standard wood preparation and painting procedure that takes about three days. Add few days before I even got to it, and here is the delay. And I thought it was going to be very quick project...
I have to mention this as well. Every three months I receive my eBay Bucks, which have very short  expiration. It also always happen that there is nothing to bid on at the time, or I don't win anything. Therefore, I am always forced to buy something I don't want, need or perhaps can live without just not to loose my eBucks. Here is what I figured this time. I can buy eBay gift card with them. I wasn't sure if I was going to be allowed, but I was. Don't let your eBucks to expire!!!

Building Clothespin and Broom Handle Factory by Micro-scale Models Pt.2

Last night I received an email from Bar Mills what initially I thought was their Christmas kit announcement. Instead it contained a link to their promo video. The video is nicely done and features some kind of Muppet. I can't really tell who it is since I haven't seen the show, but fans of it perhaps could recognize him. The video didn't reveal more info than I already knew though. The kit includes 7 buildings and only 100 kits will be made. In case you don't receive the newsletters form Bar Mills, the link is http://youtu.be/RVswgUFgD0E.
On the other note, my overconfidence in my experience in building Micro-scale kits has bit me. I was so sure that the plaster base was going to have 1/16" raise for the inside of the building that I didn't unpack the castings. I braced the walls leaving 1/16" at the bottom. Two days ago I finally unpacked the castings and found that raise goes all the way to the bottom of the freight doors, i.e. is about 1/2" high. Therefore, last night I had a lot of "fun" trimming the bracing and cut my finger in the process. What has made it a little easier is that the Clothespin factory is large and for the most part access to the inside is good. Anyway, I have completed this unpleasant task and I am ready to move on to more interesting things. I may not get to them until next week though. I have pretty busy weekend ahead of me. Cirque du Soleil tonight. Craft beer festival tomorrow and Halloween theme play on Sunday.

Building Clothespin and Broom Handle Factory by Micro-scale Models Pt.1

Here it is, my next step towards black belt in Micro-scale kit making. It will not be 100% build. I have been commissioned to make only main structure. I will build wind mill looking one for my own entertainment and will skip the rest. So far I have painted all walls and installed windows. And... Here is the proof.

 

Building McGee's Hotel by Micro-scale Models again Pt.2

I am one step closer to achieving black belt in Micro-scale kit building. So far I have made four of them and few more are coming in the nearest future. I even acquired one myself recently and have my eye on few more - new waterfront series in particular.
Building McGee's this time around was much easier. I knew what to expect and all hardest parts of the process. For example, I didn't use "L" shaped stripwood for small addition corners. I trimmed the wall pieces instead and used 1/16th stripwood. Also I didn't use provided in the kit tarpaper roofing material. Instead I used thinner painter's masking paper. All that said, I still had a little trouble figuring out how all those angled roof pieces come together. As you can see in the pictures, they did but it took me two tries.
On another note, quite few people have been telling me how I should try gator foam for my diorama bases. I have researched few possible options, but none of them have turned out to be very attractive. I either had to buy large quantity, or incur relatively high shipping cost. As was still weighing my options, on the way home from work I spotted a sign shop. The gator foam is used primarily for sign making, so I stopped by and asked if they had any leftovers. Guess what? I am proud owner of one 2 ft. by 4 ft. piece and two small ones! Also I paid very reasonable price.

Hurst Boiler and Welding by Bar Mills Pt. 3

The Hurst Welding is my 40th kit that I have finished since I picked up the hobby. 40 isn't exact number though. I have included two kits in it that I have built but still planning on making dioramas. Yet I haven't included a kit which I have built all structures of, but have started, but haven't finished diorama. I hope to straighten this out by the number 50.
While this copy is going to its rightful owner I have my own copy of it. Unlike few other kits I built for the others and also owned, I still see myself building the Hurst again, although it may take quite few years before I get to it. I am not sure, if I have mentioned it, but I see it as waterfront structure on some wharf. Perhaps, combined with few other buildings as well...