mikemodeler

I am having the same problem, I attribute it to the keyboard on my laptop as it does it with other programs. Check where your mouse is displayed on the screen, I usually find it positioned over the offending font.

Stunning! Absolutely beautiful detail work and execution! That engine compartment looks so real, I had to take a second look.

Nice tribute and a great way to let the healing continue since the loss of your father. There was a pro-street version of that 67 Chevelle that would make it easier to have the narrowed rearend and large tires, it might even still be on the shelves at Hobby Lobby. If not , look around, they are plentiful. Can't wait to see this one done!

Happy Birthday to all forum members here today! jairus- thank you for your contributions to the mag and forum, not to mention your artwork!

I think it was recently mentioned that the demand for gas in the US was down but it was countries like China that have increased their demand and that played a part in the gas prices. What one must keep in mind is that investors are always looking for the highest return on their money and they will put it into those areas that can give solid results. I am sure you have all seen the ads on TV, in the newspapers and on the radio about how gold is the best investment one could make? Do you remember seeing those ads 5 or 10 years ago? Nope! The worldwide economy has become fragile and investors look to things like gold and oil as being safe bets and thus the rise in their prices. The fear is that if Greece goes belly up, then the world markets will be in upheaval and stocks and bonds will take a beating. All the talk about the Keystone Pipeline was not about lowering our gas prices, it had more to do with sourcing oil from a more stable part of the world and friendly trading partner, Canada. If the US would only develop an energy plan that was realistic instead of using algae for fuel and mandating electric vehicles that require us to burn fossil fuel to recharge them, then we could squash some of the political rhetoric over who is responsible for $4 a gallon gas and who will get it back to $2.50!

Something else to keep in mind. As we all start driving fewer miles and more fuel efficient vehicles, the government will have to raise the gas taxes to keep pace with inflation and less fuel being used. While I see the importance of conserving our resources, the government does not factor that into their budgets and we get screwed twice! 5 years ago here in Charlotte we were having a terrible drought and we were told to curtail our water use- no lawn watering or car washing- and as good citizens, we complied. What was our reward? Well, they had to raise the water rates due to a drop in revenue due to the conservation efforts of the citizens! Heaven forbid some of the water department employees who are good at holding up a shovel while watching others work would not get as much overtime or worse, be laid off!!!!! If an electric car uses the same roads as a gas powered vehicle, how does the government collect taxes to pay for the roads? You watch, coming soon, new taxes or as a politician likes to say "USER FEES" !

Well, as someone who has a job that provides a car and gas, the price really hasn't affected my hobby but the increases in other areas have. My property taxes went up $530 this year, first real increase in 6 years so I can't complain but it still hurts. Medical insurance and car insurance (added a teen aged driver) have seen significant increases but the biggest hit has been at the grocery store. Add in the usual increases in other areas not mentioned (utilities, clothing, etc) and it is hard to find extra cash to spend. I have considered selling off some of my multiples of certain kits but what will I gain if everyone else is hurting? Not that I was planning on retiring off of my model collection but why take $5 for a kit I paid $15 and is worth at least what I paid for it? I work in the auto parts business and where it has impacted me is at the repair shop level. If we are all struggling to pay for higher gas, then repairs aren't getting done unless absolutely necessary. If shops aren't buying parts, then the parts stores aren't either and that is where I make my money. Not sure what the answer is and I don't think changing political parties occupying the White House will impact gas prices as much as bringing some calm to the Middle East. The fact of the matter is that we have plenty of gas here, it is the speculators that "think" there "could" be a supply problem and thus we have oil at $110 a barrel. The problem here in NC is that they index the gas tax to price of gas so as it rises, so does our taxes! Gotta love those smart politicians!

I have a plastic organizer in my model area that came from Office Depot. It has four drawers and they have different depths so storing things in it is pretty easy. It is on wheels and can be moved around, even on carpet, and is very handy. I would suggest something a little more sturdier than a TV tray for model building as they can tip over pretty easy. If you can negotiate using the kitchen table with the promise to not leave a mess or spill on the table, then you will have a more solid surface to work on. I travel with my job and used to take a toolbox with me to work on models in my hotel room but now I leave it at home as I am usually too tired to work on models at the end of the day. I had knives, paints, glues,brushes, files and sanding sticks in there to do some of the basic starting work on a kit before I got home to the airbrush/dremel/spray cans.

I haven't yet used a promo but am thinking about it. I have wanted to build a Chevette and finding an unbuilt kit at a reasonable price is very hard. I would like to find some old promos and restore them, if the prices were reasonable.

I am kind of in the same boat John. I got my first airbrush 35 years ago (cheapy Badger that got ruined by not cleaning it) and have a Paasche H and a brand new Aztek ( a freebie from Scale Auto) that I have yet to use to paint any models with. I have had an air compressor since 1996 and "one of these days I will set up a spray station" has been my motto! I have both of Donn Yost's videos, have met him in person and discussed his methods and am committed to trying the airbrush way but have not had time to do it correctly. I grew up spray bombing my cars with rattle cans and still buy them regularly and have to make the leap to the airbrush or sell off the equipment!

The Tower Hobbies website show them as "Order Pending" , which probably means they have a scheduled production date but no confirmed ship date.They were announced as First Half 2012 releases and technically that means until July 1, so anything is possible. I am willing to wait, those look to be some nice kits and I would rather they be right than rushed!

There is no mystery to their pricing, the are in business to make money. Hobby Lobby and Michaels offer coupons and us frugal modelers shop there and use them to make our hobby dollars go a little farther. They buy directly from the manufacturers so they can afford to give 40% off. Hobbytown USA is a franchise setup and are owned by small business owners who have to price their products to be profitable. While the old-time LHS that most of us grew up on could be located on a side street, the HTU and chain stores are on main street, in the high rent district. My local Hobbytown has competitive prices and has things like Evergreen styrene, Tamiya paint, and other detailing items that HL or Michaels does not. Unless an online company is offering free shipping, I can usually buy a kit at my Hobbytown for the same price as online when it is all said and done.

WOW! That shore is purty! Nice save and beautiful job.

Bandit Resins offers a GMC conversion for the Blazer kit- the grille and hood, for those that are wanting to do a swap like Josh's. That is looking good Josh, black would look sinister on that truck!

Thanks Casey, those look great and for $6, they seem like a bargin! What paint are you going to use to paint those?

That came out very nice and it is good to see a different color than the usual red or blue. Wish I could make it to Cookeville but have some other obligations this weekend, have fun and take pictures.

Doesn't this kinda fly in the face of the current administration's recent policy about increasing gas mileage? I mean, afterall, isn't GM still owned in part by the government? Okay, I am not crazy about the design but at least they are trying to be a player in the game! I agree that $89K for a car that can't be street driven is kinda pricy but I bet that all 69 will be sold fast!

Harry, I never thought my wife would want to move from the northern Burbs of Illinois but when the opportunity to move to NC was presented to us 7 years ago, she was the one who said YES! before I did. Are there things and people we miss from back home? Sure! Do we regret the move? Heck NO! Going back to the old neighborhood and seeing the decline of the area due to the tough economic times make us glad we got out when we did. The house we sold for $200K+ in 2005 would barely fetch $150K today and the property taxes have gone up nearly $1,000 in the time since we left! Illinois is in trouble financially and I don't think it is going to get better any time soon. At some point things will have to change but thankfully there are options for you with the states you have selected. As far as the kids, they might surprise you and join you in your move! We moved to NC and within 4 years we had 4 more family members join us as they found the climate and area very inviting.

Check out VCG Resins, they have two different 750 carbs listed. The owner, Craig Hosfeld, is a member here (Mannyclub) and he has fast service and really nice product.

That is the problem Harry, some people wouldn't mind paying extra for a bagged copy while others would, so how do you handle that? I am sure GBP doesn't want to bag some and not all of the mags, right? Besides, for the handful that get their magazines so tattered that a replacement is necessary, what does it cost for GBP to send out replacements versus bagging all subscriptions? I hate getting a tattered magazine as much as the next guy but unless the magazine is unreadable, what is the point of getting a replacement, it is not likely that I will be able to sell these to fund my retirement in 20 years!

Oh no, not another Canadian on US roads in April! I must pass a thousand of them every January and April as they head back and forth from the Great White North! LOL Just kidding Nick, I hope you enjoy your trip and remember to bring your sunblock. If you know the route you are taking back from Florida, I would do a yellow pages search for hobby shops in the big cities along the way, especially if you have some time to stop and shop. While I am not aware of any shops in St. Pete, a Google or Yellow Page search should give you some information. Go to the Hobby Lobby page and see if there are any stores along your route, print off some 40% off coupons and load up the car! I wish you luck in your trip and make sure you have fun!

To Harry's point about online shopping and shipping, Tower Hobbies will often cover the shipping on orders, sometimes as low as $30, and it covers everything on their website (models, paints & accessories). I will use them when I place a larger order as their prices are inline with what I can buy locally. I have been hitting the local Hobbytown USA for supplies and the occasional kit as I have been scaling back the purchases and am running out of storage space! My theory has always been do what makes the most sense for you. LHS, online, swap meets, thrift stores, garage sales are all good places to find bargins.

When all else fails, follow Donn's advice as he has mastered the art of a shiny paint job. I have seen his paint jobs in person and quite honestly, they are much better than the pictures on here show them!

I was gonna crack on a few rivets missing but then realized this build is way beyond my skills so I decided to refrain from that comment! Nice project Tom, it is coming along nicely and should be beautiful when done.

I agree with David in that if the paint is free of orange peel and dust, it may not need to be polished. Black is very unforgiving so if it looks good as is, I would lightly polish it with Novus or The Treatment wax and be done with it. Very light pressure and be careful around ridges and body lines so that you don't burn through the paint. Before doing anything, post up some pictures here so we have a better idea of how the paint looks before. As far as Future goes, it can be applied by hand with a brush, dipped in a container and left to dry or sprayed with an airbrush, your choice. While not designed for models, it can be used on them without worrying about damaging them. If you need to remove the Future after it is applied, you can use Windex (or any other amonia based cleaner) to clean up.