Bruce Poage

Mr. Obsesive--great observations. I concur with much of what you have said. When I led the activity we called "Mighty Modelers" we required that every young person participating had to have an adult mentor with them. It could be a grandpa, grandma, mom's boyfriend, interested community person etc. But we wanted someone for the child to share the experience with.

In the early part of this decade I led a modelling activity for young people in our community. I spent 30 years as a school counselor. I assembled my first models in the late fifties. When I started modeling we lived in a slower paced society. We didn't watch a TV news program where a major world problem could be solved in 60 minutes sith 6 commercial breaks! We knew what it was to be patient. Today's kids want instant gratification. Is this not what they get with electronic games? They want to put a model together in 30 minutes and have something to look and be proud of. Just an observation.

While I have bought and sold model kits on ebay in the past I haven't checked out the site for a number of months. The format seems to have changed. With cold weather approaching it is time to do some browsing. It seems tao be much more difficult--for this oldster, to find the many listings of kits, resin, etc. How about some cheap advice--please?!?!?! AND thank you.

About four years ago when my first grandaughter was born I decided that in due time I would have to build a doll house for her. She will be 4 in three weeks. So guess what is on the workbench. You guessed it--- a dollhouse. The scale is 1" to 1'. The xacto knives come in handy. Acrylics can be used for shutters and trim as well as auto interiors. Clear glue used on car windows is also used on doll house windows. I was in the scrap booking section of Hobby Lobby looking for pages that could be used for wallpaper. I saw some sheets of a velvet type paper that could be sued for auto floormats. It's been fun. It's almost done----and I can't wait to get back to plastic.

This modeler (Bruce Poage) resides in Topeka, KS. I am 63 years young and have been building kits since I was 12 years old. My childhood was spent in our home in northwest Kansas. I started with airplanes(B-36, B-447, B-52, etc) and the Revell Highway Pioneers kits. Then I saw the first AMT annual issues. Ah yes, the '58 Impala and Edsel. How about those fins on the '59 Buick and Impala. I still have the box my first 3-N-1 '32 Ford came in. Models were my life. After college there were the first job(elementary teacher) and family. My modeling was on hold for about 8 years. I had two sons who put a few models together but never had a lot of interest as they were in the early stages of video games. As I told my wife of 43 years if we had money and I had any mechanical skills we might have a problem. But I have no mechanical skills and aren't rolling in $$. So I continue to model. In 1999 two of my modeling friends worked with me in leading a mentoring group whose primary focus was getting kids 10-14 together with an adult to put models together. I am now retired--sorta. We live in Topeka where I have my own modeling room in the basement. I can model anytime I wish. (I see on one wall 125 kits yet to be assembled.) I like street rods, pickukps and mild customs. I am particularly fond of sedan/panel delivery body styles. My skills are far from expert but I have fun and try to improve. This year I entered my first model contest, Heartland Nationals. I always look forward to contact with area modelers.

Nice project. I grew up with Studebakers. My dad had three trucks including a 1962 Omaha Orange 1/2 ton with sliding rear window. I had a '56 President followed by a '59. '61 and '63 Lark. At the age of 63 I still want a Hawk.

A number of years ago(maybe 25) I read the following poem in some hobby publication. It was written by a hobbyist by the name of Tom Geiger. I've never met the man but I keep this bit of literataure on my hobby room wall. I thought you might enjoy it. Here goes. Model cars are beter than real cars because... Real cars rust and model cars don't, unless you want them to. Model cars are better than real cars because... Your neighbors could care less that you have 100 model parts cars but will complain loudly about one real one in your driveway. Model cars are better than real cars because... You can part out two model Ferraris in one month and still make rent! Model cars are better than real cars because... Model cars don't effect your auto liability policy. Model cars are better than real cars because... Model car tires never go flat on dark, deserted roads. Model cars are better than real cars because... They never leak oil or gas on your driveway. Model cars are better than real cars because... You can have have nice show model cars that stay nice, but keeping one real one nice is a full time job. Model cars are better than real cars because.. When your wife wrecks a car it's a "dusting accident" and not a "reportable accident". Model cars are better than real cars because... you can buy five model cars at once without signing any loan papers. Model cars are better than real cars because... I'd rather have to deal with "Dave, The Model King" than "Potamkin Chevrolet-Your friendly Dealer". I hope this puts a smile on your face and more joy in the bobby. Hae a good one.

That is outstanding. That kit is only "to do one of these days list". What colors, paint did you use? What is the source of the wheels and tell me more about the close-up photo of the wheels. Thanks for sharing. That is a great inspiration to get back to plastic and get back out of the heat.

I'm 63 and it will be my first show--ever! Looking forward to the weekend road trips from Topeka. Kennedy,where in Kansas?

Thanks for the advice. A moving top!?!? Now that is a great idea and wwwwaaayyyy beyond my skill level. Nice thought!

This weekend I am heading to the Heartland Nationals. I have been putting models together since 1958 and never been to or displayed at model show. I plan on several entries including a '37 Ford convertible. My question is how to display this model. The top looks great on the car as it is a nice contrast in color and texture. However I have spent much time on the interior and think it looks pretty good too. So would you display the car with the top on the ground beside the car or would you display with the top on the car knowing the judges may remove it to look at the model. As a contest newbie I look forward to some "sage" advice. I am looking forward to the event.

Two questions: 1. Tell me about the paint stand? It looks to be quite user friendly. 2. What were your painting steps, i.e., mist coats, wet coats and clear coat? It looks really good. I recently finshed a PT Cruiser convert with the same color and a black top. The interior for the convert was black/gray/more pink.

Here is paint question. At least a month go I applied 3 mist coats of Model Master custom laquer to a show-bound project. Due to lack of time I didn't back on the project until today when I lightly wet sanded. After dusting with a tack rag I am ready for 3 "wet coats". I wanted to apply clear following the "wet coats". process. But after visiting 2 LHS and Hobby Lobby I could find no lacquer clear coat, only enamel. Suggestions please.

Thanks for the directions to dragcitycasting.

I have the Falcon Ranchero kit. I know there is a resin sedan delivery. Is there a Falcon sedan kit or resin body? Thanks.

Earlier this week a friend, who is not a modeler told me he had seen a "40% Off Sale*" at Fun For All Hobbies. That is one of two LHS in Topeka. So I cruised over to Gage and 21st this afternoon. It doesn't look good. There are signs everywhere announcing everything is 40% off. Then there is a little footnote: * goes to smaller print "All Fixtures for Sale". That doesn't look good. I'll make a return trip tomorrow. If you live in the area you might make a trip. The automotive kits are going pretty fast but there are hundreds of military kits and lots of railroding supplies. Am I surprised, "No." In December the manager and I had a good conversation on a slow day. He told me business is slow. As he told me Topeka is within an hours drive two successful Big XII schools, a successful NFL franchise and dozens and dozens of youth sports programs. Saturday used to be the busiest day in the store with kids looking for something to do and parents interested as well. "Everyone has limited resources of time and money and they are spending less and less on scale modeling hobbies." That is nothing new to most of us.

YOur new space looks great. I know the feeling having just moved in to mew space about 4 months ago. Enjoy. There is nothing like a hobby room as a retreat from the wicked world outside.

Great googley-moogley! What an awesome project. You work looks absolutely outstanding. Congratulations on the time, patience and know-how.

A number of years ago I read a "how-to" article on how to make a similar tool. so I did!. It is a 1/4 bolt with several washers and nuts. I've done the sandpaper TV thing too. But I like this tool.

My next project will probably be a '53 Ford Sedan Delivery. I have the R & R resin body and the Lindberg kit. Maybe a DeSoto grill. Maybe Pegasus T's bigs and littles. If you have worked on either of these I would appreciate any of your "words to the wise". Thanks.

Now that I know the "photobucket" process I want to post some pics of some finished projects. What hints should I share with my wife who will be taking pics of my projects with her new digital camera? Thanks. We are saved because he arose!!

Now that I am close enough to KC to drive can someone share with me the date of the Heartland Show? Thanks.

NIce to see apost from another Kansan. Welcome.

My wife has a new digital camera. Thus I might like to post some pics along the way. But I haven't been able to spot the process. Please give me some directions. Thanks./

I use Krylon white primer on everything I paint. Maybe gray primer would be better under darker Apple Barrel acrylics. It seems that I need to coat at least 3 times to get the depth of color needed with Apple Barrell.