peteski

That is not my dog! And yes, while majority will find something funny, there will always be someone who finds it offensive. I could go on with further comments on this (like when everybody wins a trophy), but that would just be asking for trouble.

The problem in our society today is that anything can offend someone out there. Kid friendly? You would be surprised to hear what your kids say when you're not around. And while a tiny model dog in the act of urinating seems distasteful to someone, others find it humorous. But yes, we need to give up having silly fun because some person somewhere finds it distasteful. Really?!

If you scan the topics list in this forum section (and sometimes in the General section), you will find that the admins have a constant struggle with all sorts of Ad problems like the one you're experiencing. Nothing new.

If you start digging deeper Hans, you can probably someone being offended by pretty much everything. It is unfortunate that the world has became what it is. I am aware of the fact that in Germany swastikas are not allowed to be shown. Decal sheets for WWII models often have them split into 2 on the decal sheet, so a modeler can assemble the separate decals into a complete symbol for an accurate model. I don't think it is as strict in USA. Photos of models with swastikas on them are published in modeling magazines such as FineScale Modeler, so I would suspect that it is ok to show them on an American-hosted forum, but that is just my non-moderator opinion. As for the dog leaving a liquid mark, I sure hope that this type of (humorous) image will not earn you a warming point. If it did, than it is a very sad state of affairs. The virus has a special place on the forum - we are not supposed to discuss it, so that is probably why you were warned. Just don't mention it. Same goes for politics and religion.

You're very welcome Mike! In my experience, to produce quality decals it is essential to use good vector-based graphic software. I have been using Corel Draw since early '90s (for various hobby related designs). If you want to dabble in vector-based programs, Inkscape is a freebie. But in my situation there was no plug-in available for my CraftROBO cutter to allow precision cutting around the decal images. Also, for what we use the graphic software (all fairly basic stuff), there is no need to get the latest-and-greatest (read expensive) version of the software, Older versions have more than ample capabilities. For example I use Corel version 10 and 12 (the latest is I believe 18 or 19). I bought mine 2nd hand, for very affordable prices. Mine came with original install CDs and license/activation code. If you look on eBay you should be able to find older (less expensive) versions of graphic software. Corel Suite of bundled products also includes Photo Paint, a pretty powerful bitmap editing program, which I also use.. One thing to keep in mind is that you might have a difficult time getting the older graphic software to run under current version of MS WIndows. Well, same goes for my Alps printer and its old printer drivers. I run Corel 10 and Alps on Windows 98SE and Corel 12 on Win XP. Those machines are on my local home network -- I do not go out onto the Internet on them. I did install Corel 12 on a Windows 7 laptop and it worked, Not sure about Windows 8, 10, or 11. I should also mention that there are several other craft hobby cutters currently available (often used for scrapbooking), and they all come with their own software bundle which allows you to design artwork and have it cut out accurately. My CraftROBO also did, but that meant I would have to learn how to use its graphics software. Plus the software had only very basic capabilities (and I already knew how to use Corel). Luckily it also came with that Corel plug-in. That was a life saver for me.

Thanks for the words of encouragement. I'm currently up to my ears in model railroad projects (my other hobby), but I agree that it would be very satisfying to dig up and finish one of those old automotive projects.

I can think of few reasons: 1. because it has almost always been done that way 2. Because those tires do require any painting to look fairly realistic. This is probably the main reason. 3. Because if tires were made of styrene, they would have to be painted, and manufacturers assume that the average modeler will not be happy with the way their painted tires look like, or with the additional painting step required. What you propose has been used in urethane resin and plastic military and aircraft kits all along. There is also another option (which happens to be used by most Japanese kit manufacturers): real rubber tires. Japanese automotive kits use rubber tires and those do not cause the "tire melt". They also look more realistic (because it is real rubber, and they also usually have finer sidewall and tread detail than vinyl tires). But I suspect that they are much more expensive to manufacture. Instead of just injection-molding (like vinyl), rubber tires likely have more complex manufacturing process, which likely also uses the vulcanizing process to harden the rubber. And we all know that maximizing the profits is the main goal of any company, so many go with vinyl tires. That is just my personal view of this - there might be other factors involved in deciding whether to use rubber or vinyl tires. But I have also noticed that the tires in some of the more recent Japanese kits, while still appearing to be rubbery, are not as realistic looking as the older tires. They looks shinier, not nice flat rubber look of the rubber tires in the older kits. They might be using some different material which does not require the complicated manufacturing process for real rubber tires. Either way, we are stuck with what we get. Even Fireball Model Works tires are made from some sort of soft (polyurethane?) rubber, and have a warning not to place them model on a varnished wood surface (because they could leave marks). Fireball did make hard resin versions of some tires (to be painted by the modeler) but I guess due to the low sales volume they discontinued them.

Vinyl (PVC) is a relatively stiff plastic material. Adding plasticizer compounds to PVC to make it softer (more rubber-like). I suppose there are several types of PVC and plasticizes and the companies to which model companies outsource the manufacturing likely use cheapest raw materials without really considering how that will affect the polystyrene parts. When the plasticizer in PVC leaches out, it gets absorbed by the polystyrene parts in contact with the tire and softens those too.

I agree with others -- it looks really nice. I also have several really old unfinished projects in my workshop . . . I ll get to them someday . . . ?

Well Pat, to me this is a beautiful car that is no longer pretty. Then again I also don't care for Picasso's paintings. One thing I will say that it is a very creative paint job.

Very well done model! I really like the color combination too. Natural lighting in the photos really enhances the look of that metallic orange paint. If I was to build that model (which is really tempting) I would try to improve the look of the headlights. The mounting posts in the middle of lenses distracts from the realism. Headlights are one of those details on models which can make big difference in the overall look of the model.

If H0 then there are plenty of vehicles available. If scale is not critical then 1:64 scale vehicles are also aplenty. In a pinch, even Matchbox or Hot Wheels cars would not look too out of place if you aren't coo concerned about accuracy.

Interesting Looks like those kits now come pre-decorated. I have few early kits and they were just bare metal Chrome-like finish.

If you don't mind 1:32, you can have this model. It is a curbside Gunze Sangyo kit which builds nicely, and seems to have pretty good proportions.

I just watch another One-arm-Bandit sell on eBay for "only" $315. https://www.ebay.com/itm/284567824115

Here is a good website describing properties of many metal alloys. Just expand the section you are interested in. https://www.onlinemetals.com/en/product-guide

That makes no sense. PayPal delivers the payment to eBay instantly. Then nowadays eBay seems to hold onto the money for some period before crediting the seller. What happened to you sounds shady.

Well, the wall is not theirs - the wall belongs to the neighbors on the other side of the wall.

Sorry to hear about the UPS problems. I, on the other hand had just the opposite experience, My UPS package (from Germany of all the places) arrived exactly on time. I kept getting email updates, and when they notified me that the package was on the truck, out for delivery I was actually given a link to a live map showing the truck's location. They use Google maps and I could actually see the truck stopping at several destinations before getting to my address. I was home at the time so when the map showed it at my address, I looked out of the window and it was there! Except that it was not a UPS truck but a civilian SUV. The delivery guy (i an official UPS vest) got the package out and delivered it to my house. I came out and thanked him. I also said jokingly that I expected a standard UPS delivery truck. He laughed and wished me happy holidays. This was a weekday delivery. This was one of those UPS next day deliveries, so maybe that is why I had the special treatment. In my area, around Christmas time, all the carriers deliver packages 7 days a week. I just had another package delivered to my mailbox bu USPS on a Sunday (yesterday). It was one of those "Smart Post" joint UPS/USPS shipments.

I print my own decals on an Alps printer and usually trim the clear film manually. I use a knife I made from single-edge razor (because it is thinner than typical hobby blades, and the thinner the better for not disturbing the clear film while cutting). I also acquired an older plotter/cutter (Graphtec CRAFT Robo CC100-20). One of the software modules included with it is a plug-in for Corel Draw (I use Corel Draw for decal artwork design). The plugin draws 2 cross hair images on the decal art work on diagonal corners. Then (on a separate layer in my artwork) I draw the cut outlines matching the decal images. I then print the decal on Alps, then feed it into the cutter. I then send the cut outlines artwork to the cutter. It automatically scans for the cross-hairs in the printout using them as alignment points, then cuts or scores the paper (I can adjust the cut pressure). Thanks to the cross-hairs the printed images and the cuts are accurately aligned. I have not done this too many times since most of my decals are very small images not worth wasting full sheets of paper, but when I need to accurately cut complex-shaped images out, this method seems much less of a hassle than making metal cookie cutter.

Don't they still sell the old-school CRT-based TVs for the vintage dollhouses? That would be correct for your model van.

That exactly describes the human nature.

Not a one specific favorite, but I like the already mentioned "Porky Pig's Blue Christmas", and also "I am Santa Claus" (parody of Black Sabbath "Iron Man", and "Walking around in women's underwear". All by Bob Rivers. The "Dominic the Christmas Donkey" also grew on me (since I'm from the area).

I resemble that remark!

Ok, thanks for the explanation guv, but it was not very clear to this Polish Yank. Sometimes using shorthand is not in the best interest of clarity. I also roll my eyes whenever I see "dizzy". DIZZY?! Gag me with a spoon, fer sure!