mikemodeler

This is some terrible news to hear and I too hope the man makes a full recovery. There have been many articles written in magazines and how-to build your own booth posts in this forum and others. What I truly remember being the most important issue was the use of the right type of exhaust motor. I remember an article from Fine Scale Modeler that referenced a specific type of motor sourced from Grainger Supply and it cost around $80. While some of us are frugal and try to be resourceful, I think we all agree that $80 for the correct type motor is cheaper than a trip to the emergency room! I have seen a small, inexpensive portable spray booth advertised at Model Expo for around $125 and am thinking about that as my next investment. I currently spray out in the garage in a homemade wooden booth with no fan and I know the Mrs. would appreciate a real spray booth in its' place. There are many options on spray booths, and given the price of kits these days, it really boils down to the cost of 10 kits, maybe less, depending on which one you choose. Mike

Check out Perry's Resin, I believe they have a resin kit to transform the AMT kits into a 4WD. Not sure how quick he is shipping these days so an email before you order might be the way to go. Quality stuff and he is in Ontario Canada.

That is the old Monogram 1/24 '69 Z/28 Camaro kit. I remember building that back in the '70s before Revell developed their series of '69 Camaros. The wheels should match so it is possible that your Uncle did some swapping/kit bashing. That kit is available today, check Tower Hobbies, Modelroundup, Hobby Lobby, LHS. Mike

Nice wagon and the under side detailing is very crisp! Could the lack of an engine have anything to do with your last name? Please tell us you AREN'T related to AL GORE!!! I would hate to think you build curbsides because of Global Warming!!! (Sorry, I couldn't resist!) Nice job. If it warms up here in the Carolinas I will get my '66 Chevelle Wagon done too! Mike

Forgot about the Escalade but that would yield the 4WD chassis that you are looking for. Not sure how well it would mate up but I am sure you could pirate the front suspension off of it. The Tahoe would be the easiest route to go, unless you are looking for detail. The chassis in that kit is one piece (like all snappers)but does show the basics. Mike

Nick, I think you may be over-thinking how to replicate the front suspension. Like I originally stated, the Tahoe Snap Fast kit has a chassis that you can swap in easily under the truck, eliminating the need to fabricate any components. The resin piece from Perry's is cast from the same kit, IIRC. Unless you are trying to replicate something EXACTLY like the 1:1 and need that killer detail, using the above pieces should be enough to get you by. The Aoshima Toyota Pickups have a similar style front suspension that you could probably copy some ideas off of. Do a search here, I think someone may have already built a truck similar to what you are working on. Mike

Nick, I am not sure how detailed you are trying to make this model, but an easy way to getting a realistic looking chassis is to pirate the one from the AMT Snap Fast Tahoe kit (the same kit that has the wheels you were looking for earlier). The wheelbase is identical and the truck fits on with minimal adjusting. There was some resin caster who was offering a resin front end as a conversion but I cannot remember who it was, maybe Perry's resin? Mike

I went with real. The new season of Auto shows is upon us and something about this gets me to thinking that this is a concept car to gauge the public's opinion. I guess we will find out Friday, huh? Mike

Benjamin, Congrats on the early graduation. I did the same thing and started college a semester earlier than most of my friends. Good luck at the job with your Dad, just watch out for some guy named Homer who likes donuts.. Mike

Check with The Modelhaus, they have many stock wheels and could possibly have a set that is exact or close to what you are looking for without having to buy 2 kits just for the wheels. IIRC, most of their resin wheel sets are around $5.00, considerably cheaper than the current Revell '64 Ford Fairlane kit! Mike

That sure is one sweet Caddy Irv! Welcome back and can't wait to see more of your builds. Did you ever get the El Camino done and on the road before the snow started flying? I sure loved that WIP and hope you have some pix to share! Mike

This is so funny! I could be wrong (occasionally it can happen) but it sure seems like Numnuts spelled his first name incorrectly. That alone should get him kicked off. By the way, if any of you wise guys says anything bad about me.......I'm Leaving !!!!!!!!

David, You might be able to source your steelies from Modelhaus, they have a big variety of replacement wheels/tires/hubcaps available for tons of old kits. There might be someone who would be willing to swap the motor you need, just list your desire in the swap section and you might be surprised at the responses. Mike

Three words for you.........Rent-A-Wreck ! I remember working near there a few times about 7 or 8 years ago. Never felt safe despite the constant presence of police cars. I had a great boss who didn't mind us "packing heat" when working within the Chicago city limits. You might want to take a bus and not that nice blue Mustang.

Harry, you didn't say if it was for the Federal Court (U.S. Attorneys Office) or if it was the County Court (States Attorneys Office). Either way, claim hardship (sole provider for family, child care, loss of job, etc) and you can usually get out of it. Back when we lived in the Northern Burbs, my wife was selected to serve on a Federal Jury for some scumbag gang banging drug dealers. She claimed hardship as our daughter was about a year old and I travelled with my job every week and she didn't have anyone to watch the kids. I was called several years ago here in Charlotte for a Federal case involving an Illegal Alien that had gone on a crime spree after being deported for a previous crime spree. It took them 3 days and 100 jurors before they could find 12 to sit on the jury. After all that, the bum pled guilty and everyone was dismissed! We were not allowed to read ANYTHING while the jury selection process went on, nor were we allowed cell phones, pagers or laptops. Talk about time standing still! Good Luck and let us know how it goes. Mike

During these hectic holiday times it is easy to forget about our freedoms that guys like Clay (and the soldiers before him) provide us. Several others have posted my thoughts earlier in this post so I just wanted Clay and Ani to know that our family has them in our prayers along with all of the other soldiers serving our country this holiday season. May everyone make it home safe and sound. God Bless and thank you for your service. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Mike

Can ya wait until I get some glue out of that old horse???? Been running low on the Elmers' and not sure how I will get those headlight lenses to stay put. Lock it Danno!

Did I mention her cousin is Lorena Bobbitt? I shrink her sweater and I will suddenly want to start reading Better Homes & Gardens instead of MCM!!!!

George, ordinarily I would bring out the beatin' stick. But you see, my wife is 100% Norwegian, and I think we all have seen what an angry Norwegian wife can (and will) do when provoked! But don't take my word for it, ask Tiger Woods! I just want something to read!

Steve- To answer your question it looks like they used Plasti-kote black primer (t-236) with some Model Master semi-gloss. (I re-read the post from the beginning) It appears to give the correct "shine" like you mentioned. Mike

What is the latest on the November issue? Did my mailman steal it again or did my wife wrap it up for X-mas? Now that it is getting cooler here in the South, I need some reading material!

" Like grains of sand through an hourglass....these are the days of our lives" !!!! What a %@&^%?# soap opera !!!!! If he doesn't type fast, hire someone to do the job. If he has over 100 emails, then business must be pretty good........or maybe there are 20 emails from 5 ticked off customers???????? Again, I buy my resin in person at a show or from 3 trusted vendors already mentioned here. I will go pop some popcorn and wait for the next installment! Mike

My wife would be willing to sell you about 100 pounds of some model car back issues.........but I won't ! Harry is correct, if there is a certain back issue you want, contact the publisher and they will get them out to you. I bought some way back when after I discovered the magazine and am glad I did, great mag! Mike

have you checked with Scale Equipment LTD? They have a ton of diorama items and might have what you need. If not, maybe a picture from the internet will yield enough to scratch build one. Mike

Scale Equipment sells a resin copy of a lawn tractor that was once in an old MPC Indy car kit. They also sell a lawn mower deck, snow plow and trailer to tow behind it. Paint it in the color of your favorite lwan tractor and it makes for some excellent diorama material. Mike