Pete J.

I was unable to make GSL due to health issues. Some friends have told me that the models on the tables are just mind blowing. I would appreciate some one posting some good photos!

Peter, I believe that perfection is attainable, in effort, not results. The craftsman who has put forward their best effort has attained perfection for the day, even though their outcome may not be. Yes, the end product is a sliding scale, but best effort never changes even though the skill level does. Each of us has their own perfect experience. If you sit down to have some fun building a model and you do that to the best of your effort, what is sitting on the table in the end is irrelevant. You maximized your fun. Perfect! We are often so blinded by concern over what others think of our end product that we fail to contemplate what we did. For me personally, perfection is using a new technique or process on each model. Others may not like the outcome but that is focusing on someone else judging your end result. Focus on your internal voices. How do you feel about effort? This goes along with the old saying, it is the journey and not the destination. If your destination is perfection, no, you will never get there, but you can have a hell of a journey and have a thousand perfect moments. on the way.

We hear a lot about the "perfect" model being unobtainable. I heard a quote tonight that really resonates with me. It came from the show Craftsman's Legacy. "Perfection is doing the best you can do today" I think this really sums up the reasons and technique that everyone builds model. Comments?

I agree, except for the handle. Too skinny and it seems to roll from side to side. I use a larger pin vise. Seems to give me better control.

For sections crossing the boundaries of material types I recommend a good set of photo etched saws and a straightedge to get the groove started then scribe from there. I have been using Hasegawas saws for a long time. They have several different types that vary in thickness and tpi. Very adaptable. This is the fine set and yes they have teeth. You just have to look very closely. http://www.hasegawa-model.co.jp/hsite/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/tp4pk_th.gif

I agree with the Tamiya scribing tool. That tool is too big and clunky, but don't mistake the Tamiya engraving tools for the same thing. Entirely different tool! They offer blades from .5 mm down to .1 mm. I use them with a pin vise

In answer to your question, no, there is no "easy" way to do this. Rescribbing or for that matter, scribing new panel lines takes time, patience and a steady hand. I have several tools all of which work well in a given situation. I love the Tamiya engraving tools, but they are darned expensive .Expensive is an understatement each blade retails for about $35. The advantage it that they are very sharp and cut a square bottom slot. They also come in a variety of widths from .5mm down to .1mm. They can be had for as little at $17 from overseas suppliers. If you get these, forget the tamiya handle and use a good pinvise. The knurling on the pin vise makes for a better grip. Patients and practice. Only way to get them done. https://www.tamiyausa.com/search/?q=engraving

I'd like to see what a modern computer looks like after 2000 years immersed in salt water. My guess is this looks pretty good my comparison. Here is a series of a forensic machinist recreating the antikythera using ancient tools and techniques from the time. Super interesting watch(8 episodes). If you haven't the time, then it is best if you don't go down that rabbit hole.

David, I took my first course in computers at the University if Wyoming in 1967. They had a Philco 2000 and punch cards were required. Hated proofing cards. The 0 and O were about as similar as they are here. All programs were run over night. One morning I went by to pickup my printout and found a brown bag with my name on it, sitting on the shelf. Inside was a mess of folded and shredded punch cards. Apparently the card reader had a nervous breakdown. A months worth of work in the trash! Later we got punch tape. I thought that was great because you didn't have to carry around boxes of cards!

Forgot about them, but there stuff in definitely, top of the heap, good.

I saw a Sunday morning episode on Tom Hanks and he is a collector or old manual typewriters.

I have a drawer full of Starrett tools and have a bit more of a frugal way to get them. Starrett has a refurbishment program that you can send any Starrett tool back to the factory and they will rebuild it for you to factory precision specs. You can't buy refurbished tools from them. That is just the way they roll, but they will rebuild yours at a reasonable cost. How do I do this? Well I comb eBay for what I want and find one with reasonable quality and price and ship it off. It takes about a month but you get a "new" tool back. Last tool I did this with was a 6" height gauge. I paid $50 for it online. Starrett charged me $100 to rebuild it and I have a fully funtioning tool for far less than the $500+ cost of a new one and it will last me forever.

..... and then there are machinist pin vises. When Starrett makes it, it is the best you can buy. Not very many of us need them this good! https://www.starrett.com/metrology/product-detail/s162z

What I find interesting an annoying is that the cheap plastic pieces that break and are intended to be tossed, will live for 1,000 years in the land fill or our oceans. Dumb!!