10thumbs

Brian, I've played around with soldering brass and aluminum together. I ordered a special flux for the aluminum that also works for the brass. Mind you, these were thin sheets, read heat was conducted easily and quick. It's a mess! Flux everywhere, and it was difficult to remove. It's really tough to get a small and precise joint. If you're trying to solder thick rods, you might have your work cut out for you. This was with a good electric solder station. I use CA now and I'm good with it. But for my models I use mainly brass, the aluminum as a sheet application only.

Sounds like things have changed. I remember as a kid, with the family from Florida to Ohio on Lake Erie. Every summer. I usually spent 6 weeks up north. I loved the 2nd day of the trip going up, mountains, then for lunch on the Pennsylvania Turnpike. No Interstates otherwise back then. The Truck Stops were everywhere. Checking out the big rigs, and sitting at the counter or a booth for a good hamburger. This was like 1960 or so. I can still see it as I write. The truckers were always together at tables drinking lots of coffee. Lots of them had bring along bags within their reach. Here in Germany, the "stops" have gotten better quality and cleanliness in the last years, but no where do you see truckers, just the rigs parked. The joints are utterly expensive and the food is not good. Italy has great food at their Truck Stops.

I'm really surprised to understand the radio is not interesting anymore. This brings me slowly to a topic that I've thought about too. Where I live, when a mobile radar is set up on some road, the drivers that pass blink their lights to the folks coming up to the screening to show it's better to slow down. I kind of figured truckers did the same over CB. What's done nowadays?

Well I thought you guys were in contact with others in your area, or at least listening. For the same reasons you just posted, but also to break the monotony of a long drive. I know offshore a radio should be mandatory, but lots don't have one, or didn't. No idea how it is now. Here in Europe there are pileups too, really nasty stuff. The Autobahns are very crowded and lots of speeding, causing accidents. Weather changes too are hazardous.

Fantastic models guys! I'm grateful to all the builds shown, a really wonderful incentive. Each and every one is different and I love the variety.

I really appreciate the pics guys! Thank you all.

Ha! I just read that only 4 watts is allowed! The Harley piece looks good though. Clayton, do have the parts hidden?

Thanks Clayton. I understand about the array of tuners you have installed, this without knowing what they do. I get you wavelength though. How then, or if at all, would truckers warn of something down the road a piece if CB may be not as common?

Gosh those are clean builds. I like the darkened inner fenders, makes for a good view. Are the plate brackets under the bumper standard, or scratched? Nice.

Hi guys, I've been wondering about communication while on the road. Don't laugh now....is CB still being used? Another thing I've wondered about is the number of state plates shown on trucks. One for each state you travel through? How did it used to be, and what's the deal nowadays. The reason I wonder about CB is, while fishing offshore from Florida, I used to get a kick (plus sometimes it aggravated the (expletive) out of me to hear the nonsense some dudes were chattering). Like, talking with mamma (wife) and talking about which taters to cook up when the dud comes home with a bunch of fish. Do you hear nowadays? Thanks, Michael

My gosh, that car looks great! Very nice work Ron.

Great pics! I ran across this one while searching for something else. Arizona desert from a small plane; Anyone know the area?

Really some beautiful pics being shown here. Great looking rigs. Being in Europe, I very rarely see much other than standard issue units. I'm gonna keep my eyes out now though. Probably a waste of time. The Dutch have some cool trucks though. Dutch, that's DAF-land. Interesting when the rear wheels turn with the front wheels in unison. I was riding behind a big garbage truck this morning and that big stinker made some real sharp turns in the old city! Should I make some pics?

Looking good Sean! Questions; #1 what's a "Jap Freightliner"? #2, what's a wall furnace? #3, the diesel shown has an exhaust both sides, right? Why both into one pipe? Michael

This topic poses an interesting question. I can relate to most of the guys who've replied. 1st off, I've re-entered car modeling just recently and I thought I had a road map. While finishing up one project, the next one was already looming in the background. That's changed. It was like a slap in the face. Now I know what the next one will be.

Hi Kenneth, the plating looks fantastic from what I can see. Will you give the hull a wash? I know it's very difficult to alter anything to a real metal application on a styrene build, just curious. Also, it appears the round deck stays are metal up on the bow. Good choice, they'll have to deal with some tension later on for sure. By the way, I haven't looked in a while, is the Cutty Sark being restored? Finished? (edit) The real Cutty Sark. Michael

Guys, just how modern are they? When would you say they could start being used? Better yet, which kits won't they work? Old AMT kits?

James, I'll take one, thanks. Real nice of you to offer. (Ahem, better get a lot of them made up though, looks like some guys are interested!).

Do you guys get the Moebius wheels as a separate unit, or do you buy the whole kit and bash it for the parts you like?

It's wood leim, not lime. I'm slipping.

More than one way....very true. We want the best result for your problem, being too tight lines. I have to admit I lost perspective. I looked at my old Revell Cutty Sark I built in 1975. This was the only ship I built that had the ratlines as a one piece unit, as I imagine your model is also. So, attach the standing rigging first (the black lines from masts to the deck), do not glue yet! Then you can attach the 1-piece ratlines and glue these. Then you have a firm mast setup. Now you can pull, or un-loosen each knot from the black lines and pull them to a neutral position. Read, one small tweezer in the left, one small tweezer in the right hand. Always work from one side to the other. When you have a taught mast, then you can proceed with the fore and aft standing rigging. These models are nothing for wussies. You have the pride of the Fleet at your hands, do it well please. The 1 piece ratlines will allow you to have a fairly stiff basis to work on. Sagging black lines is a no-no. Sagging lines with sails is OK, as they're constantly being adjusted during sail. The wood leim solution, is wood glue. Probably Elmer's or something along this line. It has to be quick drying though! Like tacky already in 5 minutes. Put 1 drop (if the bottle has a nipple or whatever), then 2 drops of water added and stir it up with a fine instrument (small screwdriver), then with a fine brush paint it on the knot. In a minute or two it's firm enough so that you can move on to the next knot. With the 2 tweezers the knot can be wiggled back open if needed. With CA this is impossible. You do not have to hold the knot either. Put the glue on it and move to your next step. On my later ships, the ratlines and standing rigging had for each line an individual dead-eye so the taughtness was very, very easy to set. Neutral tension can be reached when the lines are readily adjustable. Tie now, glue later.

Good job Terry! I had a High School buddy who's Mom had a 68 Fastback, nice car. We did lots of cruising in that piece. (w/o Mom, lol). 273 auto, good too was the A/C, this was Florida.

Gut gemacht Ludwig! You really made some difficult colors look very good. Weiter so. Michael

Hi Sean, I like it too. I think the way you captured the model for the pics is really nice. Super clean looking and it appears to me to be period correct. Good job.

Hi James, what a good looking rig from a long time ago! Man, that looks good even today, very good work there. I see you sanded the shiny tires too, they still look good. Respect. Which kit is this one? Michael