randyc

I never got the original one. Did get the 3 car set, mostly for the parts stash it provided. Plan was to use the Dobbertin chassis under a Willys body. Never finished it. I think I had to move during hte build, so it got boxed and never completed. THat and the Matt Hayes Thunderbird were pretty exciting kits for the times. I did do the Thunderbird twice.

Did that, but in my case, it gets creases, dirt, paint spatter (!) etc. on it. Plus you have to be careful shooting to keep the stuff to the sides. So I wanted to make me a little booth where no matter what was adjacent, it wouldn't be in my photo. I"m just no that fancy or thoughtful. I take my prgress shots mostly wherever they occur. No camera, no tripod. I passed that part of my life years ago. I admire you guys who are able to be organized like that. Just never works for me and I'm ok with that.

Thanks for the replies everyone. I did ot know his age and yes, it gets harder to do things with even a little bit of age. I used to do websites, PC inner workings, etc. Not anymore - that's a younger man's game to keep up with. I'm not actively looking for anything right now but do like to look and think about things I might like to do. Than ks again for all the information you guys have shared.

Cool. That's what it's about. Finding ways that work best. I might wish I had done that other way as well. But if I change my mind, I'm out what? $4 and an hour of time?

Wow! THanks.

I do like to see them built. I think I sold mine so none in my collection right now. I won't mention it again. Promise.

I don't think there is a wrong idea. Mine just has to work well with whatever light source is above it. I like the gray paper photo posted, but worried it might darken up too much with my questionable lights. But... when the foam board gets grungy, that might be an alternative if the booth hasn't fallen apart by then. I have discovered over hte weekend that mine is a bit unwieldy to store and handle. Requires a lot of workbench space. Mighta coulda done better there. I've already cut the front edge off - too wide for workbench. I crudelylopped it off at edge of bench top with a sharp pocketknife. Height may be next. Awfully tall. One last tip - make sure your lens is clean. I think mine is probably smudged with finger oils. Common issue with cell phone cameras. Please post up others for everyone to get ideas from.

Does HRM have a dedicated website to find all products avaialable? I wasn't able to see one in a basic Google search.

That was always a favorite little piece of mine as well. And a very important piece in the garage this is loosely based on. We used a bench grinder to make/modify a lot of parts on a street stock racer back in the 90s. I think it was a R&D Unique piece - they had some great stuff. Wish I had more. From 7th grade shop class, we had to build something similar, and from building walls in real renovations... shoulda run conduit through the studs... Someday.

Yup. You hit it right there. I build to my ability, as nice as possible and try to enjoy most of it. Then I post here and usually you guys will at least hand up some props for the build. May take a day or two. I am in awe of the quality of work by Mr Obssessive, Ace, Dann Tier, and Steven Guthmiller. Those come to mind immediately. Their details are incredible. But I also enjoy Snake's simple Snake Fu projects as well - improving some less than desirable model. I have several "spectacular" (LOL) models that will never be finished because I have either run out of skills or enthusiasm or both. Or money to buy parts for a particular build. Kinda like Jim Carrey's Grinch - "solve the world's problems - tell no one". A little further off course kinda- I finished that Fujim EM Porsche Rally car recently and it is 100 kinds of wrong. Didn't want to pay $100 for a replacement to start over. It's missing parts underneath. The horrors. But I finished and was remarking to family that I had no idea what to do with it - doesn't fit theme of any of my current collection. My son spke up and said he'd like to have it, that he could appreciate a Rally Car. He has shown NO interest in building his own cars, but knows my passion and thinks it will be a nice piece in his apartment. Wouldn't have happened it it were still in the closet. I love interiors. At this point I use what little bit of skills I have to detail them as best I can. Hardtop or Convertible. To me it makes a huge difference in looking at the model. Like I took time to find the nuances and respected that there were parts there to be detailed.

Looking absolutely great!

Dang, I've tried to make those and just don't have the skills to make more than one acceptable copy. And my frustration level escalates too quickly. So I've given up trying for now. I can't even make a good set of PE cranks - they are too flat and I ust can't gfet them to look right. Glad you are able to bring us details like this to marvel over. Loving this build. Thanks for sharing.

Looking good.

Just needs more junk. to be like mine anyway.

IT is simplistic. But it looks okay and he seems to be having fun. I can't get past sanding and filing parts and seams. That's basic to me. Has to be done. I don't wire engines anymore. never had anyone take points off at my house for it. And no shows or competitons I want to enter. Just not why I build cars anymore. I have used Chris' method for a painting a couple cars. Not the lack of cleaning, but the actual spray bombing the paint. Prime and then paint. He does prime most of the time. And his method will work as a starting point if you can handle the spray can. Can't firehose with a spray can of any sort. I would NOT advocate leaving parting lines or seams visible if I were asked. But HPIguy does. I don't do automotive paints other than duplicolor. I don't order special paints for models. Just not that dedicated to it I guess. BUt my builds are ok with me. And mostly finished these days. Which is better? A closet full of unfinshed models or a shelf full of cars you can display? I go to the finished models...

I can see it, but other than remarking on it, have not been overly disturbed by it. I know it's there, but then I look at something else. Just glad we had a chance to build it at least once.

Hmmm, dimensions? I have no idea. The bottom is as deep as a sheet of foam board. The back is about 12 wide. front is 21" mayber? I just kinda made it up as I went. Kinda like how I model, lol. back wall is as tall as a sheet of foamboard, whcih may be a bit tall I found last night when I actually used it on my work bench. Also the outward taper made it a bit inconventient with my work light over bench. Lights nice though. Sides were just a taper down a few inches. I can get more exact dimensions if you need them though.

This was on the old board and someone was asking where they all went. HerE is mine. I wasn't smart enough to keep it small. I got tons of junk to put in here. The rusty hood is a a hood off a 66 Nova. It disappeared in the trunk of my car. I found it years later UNDER the spare tire with this nice coating of real rust on it. I drag it out and take photos of models once in a while. Built to resemble a friends garage I used to work on his race car in. Needs to be mounted to a piece of plywood and some gluing done on the walls again. The tool box deal in teh corner is all one piece. All the BLAH_BLAH_BLAH_BLAH is glued to it. The whole thing removes as one piece.

Cool. Glad someone built that version. Love it!

Could you put that body on the Foose 56 frame? That might be interesting and help with some issues. I have one but never got very far into it. I think I bought it not long after Tim Boyd built his roadster verion for the other magazine. Open it, look at it, mess with it. Put it back up for a time when my head is ready for it. lol

Oh that's going to be a beauty! I have the Martini 935 (?). built when $75 was outrageous price to pay for a kit (!). Would loe to do another. But probably won't due to life restraints.

Interesting thread. I build for me. And it's not a high bar. I don't add much if it's not in the box or close at hand. But what is there, I try to make it as real as possible. Smoothing out parting lnes, glue seams, etc. Making interiors are visually stimulating as a real car. THe little chrome bits and details. The photo below is one of the interiors I am still pleased with. There is a LOT going on with dashboards. I try to make sure the panel lines are deep enough. Get the parting lines off the exterior. Most of the time, my models are only seen by you guys and my family. My family doesn't catch all the details like you guys do. If it has a pretty color and isn't too bad, they love it. I am really dascinated by HPIguy's builds though. He builds a kit in a couple days and it looks fine or even better. Mold lines? Leave em. Fancy paint? nope Rustoleum straight out of can. Almost like anti craftsmanship but the models look great when complete. I guess it's all in knowing where to put your time in. Currently I am fascinated by the multitude of sheens on real cars - the "chrome" on most cars and parts doesn't look a thing like the kit plating. Body trim can have a lot of different sheens too, depending on material and where it is on the car. And finally - transmissions and other bare metal parts. Carbs - what color or they really? More of a gray. Transmissions arent usually any sort of bottle paint metal paint. Probably a shade of gray? THese are my "craftsmanship" questions right this very moment.

My life kinda got that way. SO I quit trying to detail so much and just started building stuff that seems to be fun. Like old AMT kits with one piece chassis. Up on a shelf, they look great. Bodies were pretty exacting back then? I lost a coouple when I packed up for last winter - hope they turn up again soon. Some new kits. Detail what is there and leave it at that. I do enjoy it. And less stressful for me. I spend time between bench sessions thinking about what's next when I get back. THat seems to help somewhat. Good luck with your breaks out there. Just come on back when ya are ready.

And Ertl back in the day, used the same basic pattern bodies for the 1/18 diecasts as well. No advice on fixing it though.

Red Sharpie. Unless you just have to have the Testors. I have no experience with the color number you posted though, sorry. THe Sharpie works well, may take several coats. but is available most anywhere.