mikemodeler

I'll bite, I say real. Haven't been wrong in a few weeks, but could be this time.

Well, if Doc is going to start hanging out here, you know the old saying......"There goes the neighborhood!" It can only be good if Doc starts hanging around here. His creative builds and stories make for great reading. Mike

Said it before.................That sure is one nice looking 'Camino ! To say that I am jealous is an understatement ! Get it done and show us some pix at a cruise night or car show!

George must be sleeping in this holiday morning! I voted real, a lot of things just added up as "real" . Have a safe Memorial Day and remember our veterans and servicemen & women today for providing us the freedom we enjoy. Mike

If you are looking for a dually utility bed, The Modelhaus has the only one I know of and it is a beauty! Not very light, but definitely accurate, I have bought two of them (and will get them done SOMEDAY!). Mike

Harry, I too rented one (in 2005 when they were "new") and was not impressed. Of course I chalked it up to being an abused rental car but the V-6/automatic combo seemed weak at the time. The gas mileage wasn't that great, but then again, it WAS a rental. Being average sized, (5'9") getting in and out was difficult for me as I had been used to driving an SUV for several years but now that I am back driving a sedan, it probably wouldn't be so bad. I would drive down to Mannheim road and see what the airport rental lots have available. I doubt you could get the V-6/5 speed but who knows! Not sure if the dealers have that combo sitting on the lot but a good dealer will search for you, especially in this business climate. Something to consider is how this car will be used. If it is your daily, year round ride in Chi-town, that manual trans might be a pain in the butt. Also, the resale value usually takes a hit because unlike the 60s/70s, most buyers want the automatic. Hopefully you can find what you are looking for and it is all that you are hoping for! Mike

Something just says model about this one....... Mike

I would add to Harry's list The Modelroundup (www.modelroundup.com) as they have new and old kits alike. There are other sites that cater to older, out of production kits and you can also scroll down the forum here to the "wanted" section and list your desires. Welcome back to the hobby, enjoy this website, learn and share! Mike

Absolutely beautiful ! I am speechless as to what to say next as that is one incredible looking El Camino. The paint job is flawless and that will be one nice ride when done. Keep updating us with progress pix and I can't wait to see it all done. Thanks for sharing. Mike.

The Don Mills treadplate shown in that Ebay ad is the most accurate and in scale. He also sells slam locks to use with the treadplate when creating boxes and bodies. If you want to deal with a hobby shop that sells the treadplate, The Model Empire in Milwaukee does mailorder on it and other items. (www.ModelEmpireUSA.com) or call then at 414-453-4610. Great folks to deal with and a neat place to visit if you are ever in Milwaukee. Mike

I got my Paasche single action years ago at Michaels using the 40% off coupon and it has been a great tool. I would suggest using Michaels & Hobby Lobby to get your airbrush & compressor (if you don't have one already) using their coupons. Search online, there are some great deals to be had but be careful of shipping charges that can even things out. The advantage of buying at H-L or Michaels is if for some reason you have problems with it, returning the defectives is much easier. Make sure you get a moisture trap as you don't want to ruin a paint job! I recently got a double action Testors ( part of a sweepstakes win at the "other" magazine/forum ) and have yet to use it. It took some time to master the single action so I imagine I will be learning new tricks with it soon. Mike

As someone who has been a member here a long time, it puzzles me that this forum is starting to look and sound like "the other one". I don't remember the original poster trashing Bill's work, only questioning it's relativity to CAR modeling. The endless posts defending Bill and his work shows his standing in this hobby and forum is one that is well earned, but from my point of view it really sounds and looks like playground politics. I passed over the article not because I thought it didn't belong, but rather because I was interested in the OTHER articles first. That is the point guys, if you don't like what you see, turn the page. I will go back and read about Bill's build up and undoubtedly take a few pointers from it. In regards to the constant trashing of Scale Auto magazine, whatever your opinion is of it (good, bad or indifferent), do you really think it will help our hobby if they cease publishing it? Come on, having another magazine has to help this hobby of ours, no? Whether you like it or not, Scale Auto gets distributed differently than MCM and that alone might help bring some folks into or back to the hobby. I don't want to debate page counts between the two, quality of articles, who has more how-to's etc, I just want to read about this hobby. The timeliness of MCM has been an issue over the years and there has always been a reason. I have been a subscriber for a LONG time and don't see that changing anytime soon. My only request has been to post a short note informing us of a delay. Doesn't have to be a muti-paragraph explanation, just a quick post saying the December issue won't be out until late January is fine. I have had postal problems in the past so I just need to know if the mailman threw it away again or if it was delayed. I would hope that instead of continual defending/complaining/bashing of others or the magazine, remember why Gregg allows us to use this forum- to discuss MODEL CARS ! Mike

What a beautiful start to what should be an absolute stunning vehicle! The long hours of block sanding definitely show in the finished paint on the bed. No one likes to hear about the hours prepping a body but as you have shown us, it pays huge dividends. Can't wait to see it done, and I am sure you are getting anxious too. Please show us the truck when you have it completely painted. Thanks and congrats again on a great looking car. Mike

Well I guess I could delete my membership and just become a lurker, would that satisfy all? Geez Harry, is the snow and cold getting to you so bad that debating whether or not my last name is displayed THAT important? I would think that there are more important issues to deal with than why my last name is missing.

Clay, Don't forget that whatever you got last summer as part of the stimulus bill will be subtracted from this year's check. Of course you have one more deduction this year so it should be a "wash" for you. Hopefully there will be a 40% off coupon from Hobby Lobby that you can use when your check arrives! Mike

I think Gregg himself went through an incident where someone decided to sign him up for a bunch of magazines last year-some kind of "funny" joke I suppose. While I agree that if one wanted to dig deep enough my name, address, date of birth etc could be found via the internet, I refuse to make it easy for them by withholding my last name. If I am in violation of the rules, send me to the principal's office and call my Mother! MIKE

I got both magazines too but have to disagree with you. I am glad that there are different types of articles in both mags as it makes for great reading and learning. While I might not hinge the next car I build, the how-to from Bill Geary was excellent. The state of the hobby from a store owner's perspective was interesting and should be posted here for non-subscribers to read and understand why things are the way they are at the LHS. In the "other" mag, I appreciate the color guide for Mopars, even though I don't build many of them, as it will help others who do. Do I know which glue to use? Yes, but a refresher was nice and if someone was just getting into the hobby that article helps explain what many of us already know. As far as size, there was only 2 more pages in MCM than the "other" mag. I think the different style and layout of both mags makes them unique in their own ways. The improvements in MCM are appreciated as we all know Gregg doesn't have the staff behind him like the "other" one does and it takes a bunch of hard work to create the magazine. I do hope Gregg can get it to 12 issues a year but time will tell. Mike

I have never been able to figure out the Useless Postal Service and how they deliver magazines! Today I got my February Scale Auto but have yet to get my November Model Cars !?!?! Clay and Bob live further South than I do and yet theirs have arrived and I wait. I am sure someone in our government can explain it to me but I would sure hate to ask! Mike

If you would just teach that daughter of yours to walk you could get rid of those strollers! I think we all fight the same problem you have-too much stuff and too little room! I went from having a 10'x 10' hobby room in a basement, a 24'x24' garage and a 12'x16' two story barn shed in Illinois to a 20' x 20' garage and a 3' corner in the bonus room here in NC. Of course, I haven't shoveled snow in four winters and can paint bodies most days of the year without firing up the heater! The lesson I learned is: if I haven't used it in a year or so, can sell it for a decent buck and not miss it, then I sell it! Model kits excluded of course! I will be making room in the garage tomorrow so I can set up a paint booth sometime this spring. Keep at it Clay, you will find the work to be worth it once it is done. Mike

That sucks Jim, you build a quality model and it gets attributed to someone else ! If I ever get my copy, I will be sure to use some white out and make the correction. On a side note, I did get my February SA today but have yet to get my November MC ?!?!?! Mike

You are off to a good start and welcome to the forum. Be sure to post pix of the completed build and hopefully your camera will be better focused so we can enjoy them Mike

Not a bad piece but it is a re-pop of the old plow from the MPC Jeep kits in late '60s/early '70s. It is too small for most pickups but would fit nicely on an AMT Dukes Jeep kit or the Revell CJ-7 kit. No one that I am aware of makes a newer, more modern version but some folks have scratchbuilt them. Thanks for the link Scott. Mike

Looks like you will less leaves to rake next Fall ! Sorry that happened but like you said, only the tree was injured and luckily family was nearby to help clear the fallen tree. I had heard where some parts of New England will be without power for another week due to the severity of the ice storm. Hopefully some warmer weather will move in and thaw everything out and help the electric crews get the job done. Mike

Looks great and it must be a good feeling knowing you are coming down the home stretch! What color will it end up being? I still kick myself for passing up a numbers matching '70 SS 396 El Camino in 1982 for $1500. Put the money down on a new 4 cylinder S-10 pickup instead cuz gas prices were going up and didn't want one of those gas hogs! Mike

Clay, Be safe in your travels and take care. As others have stated here, you, your Mom & your family are in our prayers. Hope she has a speedy recovery and all is well soon. If you get a chance, visit here while visiting with your Mom as sometimes a nice distraction like this forum can help get you through tough times. Mike