charlie8575

Please post more pictures, Carl. These models are very nice, and I wouldn't mind seeing some more of them. Is that '53 Buick the R&R kit? What did you think of it overall? Charlie Larkin

Very nice work, Carl. That truck looks great. I like the G.P. When those W-bodies first came out, I wasn't too wild about them, but they kinda grew on me over the years. Charlie Larkin

Interesting idea, Mike. Do you know if that would attack the styrofoam, though? That's why I was thinking the Spackle as it's water-based. I'll keep this in mind, though. I like it, especially from a durability standpoint. Charlie Larkin

Nice build on this one, great paint job. Charlie Larkin

Nice little car. I've toyed with picking up a 4-cylinder Mustang for scooting around town in. I'd consider keeping it a 4, clean up the exterior a little with a fresh paint job and enjoy it as-is. Maybe drop one of the V6s in it for a little extra power. I always thought it was odd they stopped offering the six and kept the 4 and the 302. Charlie Larkin

My dad used to work part-time at Sears for a little extra cash in lawn and garden, and always claimed he and the rest of the clerks had an affair with her every spring. Charlie Larkin

I say leave those people alone just for bringing some chuckles to the board! Charlie Larkin

Watching Philbass' excellent tutorial on brickwork has made it easy for me to decide to move forward with a long-desired project of building a small service station. In this region, many of the older ones were concrete block coated with stucco. This is what I was thinking for doing the stucco work, and I'd like any other feedback if someone thinks they have another/better idea: 1. Cut the walls to the desired sizes and shapes. Cut out the doors/windows. 2. Put a thin coat of Spackle or similar patching compound on the foam-board. Detail the interior walls appropriately per Phil's demonstration. 3. Stipple the Spackle with a toothbrush to the desired texture, and paint once dried. 4. Attach pre-painted wooden trim pieces to the openings with craft glue. 5. Assemble. Does this sound reasonable to any of you? Charlie Larkin

C'est tres magnifique! I especially like the lighting! Absolutely spectacular! Charlie Larkin

Harry said it all. Too many lawyers, and the point of sheer greed contributes, too. While it's reasonable for a trademark holder to want to protect their interests, too many of them have gone entirely too far. A small enterprise like this shouldn't even be charged, or any charge minimal (e.g.: an hour of time to review and approve the product at say $50.) It's idiotic to watch things like this happen. And upsetting. Too many of the manufacturers are setting themselves up for so much bad publicity if word starts getting out about these heavy-handed tactics, that it could hurt them badly. Perhaps a "million model march" is in order. Perhaps we as consumers need to start sending very clear, loud, but polite messages to the worst offenders of the common-sense scale to inform them we'll buy nothing bearing their brands, or even their vehicles, tires, oil, etc. until they demonstrate some consideration to the modeling public and especially the small manufacturers who make small batches of items, often at low margins, predominately to fill small needs. Perhaps we should write our Congressmen, MPs, or whatever. Inform them of our concerns and ask them to investigate and possibly enact some kind of legislation setting maximum royalties, when they can be charged, minimum sales figures, etc., etc. I know...more bureaucratic nightmare, but this is one time I could get behind it. It's greed like this that helped to destroy the economy in 2008, and it needs to be brought to the fore. It was either Franklin or Jefferson that said sunshine is the best disinfectant. Royalties and heavy-handed knee-breaking are festering (and in some cases, weeping) puss pockets for our hobby. Time to open the blinds. Charlie Larkin

Count me in, too. Keep us all posted, good or bad. I think it's safe to say in instances like this, we are all here for each other. Charlie Larkin

I think you did a nice job, Brian. I like the approach for building that, sort of how I would of thought to do it, too. With time, you'll improve your skills. Charlie Larkin

I like bleach in a glass jar, myself, but it's interesting that the jewelery cleaner will strip chrome. Makes me wonder how safe it really is for jewelery. Charlie Larkin

I always liked these little buggers. If I had more money, I'd seriously consider purchasing one. When my dad bought his Sable last year, we were looking at PTs as an alternative, too. The couple he drove he found acceptable, I've never driven one. Yes, they may be a bit underpowered and have hit-or-miss quality in some cases, but the design and utility really helps overcome a lot of that. I can live with one as long as I get one that was a "hit" as far as assembly goes. My biggest complaint: that was supposed to be a Plymouth originally I read, and I think it's unfortunate that Plymouth wasn't allowed to get it, or stay long enough to give it a shot. I never thought that car should've been a Chrysler, it's just a little too down-market for what Chrysler as a line aspires to be. Charlie Larkin

Funny you mention this, Ken. I was thinking of adding some pillars, go with the low-buck trim and put The Leaning Tower of Power in it, painted a nice low-rent color. Great minds run on the same track... Charlie Larkin

Sign me up for one. And the Revell 4-4-2 chassis will go right under it. I believe they were still using the 112" wheelbase on the coupes from 1973-77, all you need is a Pontiac V8 and you're ready to go. Sign me up for one, too. Charlie Larkin

WOW! Charlie Larkin

Send a few pictures of that to the Maryland State Police. They might adapt it. Great job! Charlie Larkin

Neat idea, Jim. Good execution, too. Out of curiosity, how tough would it be to build that stock? I've always wondered about it, and would love to do a rep-stock s/d. Charlie Larkin

Nice work, Sam. I found the interiors on most of the 1951 Chevies were gray. The convertibles used gray with blue, red, green or black leather. The wagons used vinyl in a dark tan color. Mine will be Thistle Gray (pastel gray) with a red and gray interior. Thanks for the heads-up on some of the fit issues, too. Charlie Larkin

This'll be fun to watch. In the early 1970s, Chrysler had a pretty, bright dark blue. I always thought that was a nice color. Maybe you should consider it for yours. Charlie Larkin

I think the idea of a photo ID is a good idea. At the very least, it would be good to give receipts to the entrants that are numbered and identify the model. Just keep them with you, and pick up at the end. Charlie Larkin

During more humid weather here (New England,) I've gotten pretty good results by painting at night. I just work under a porch light and use a box to spray in outside. At night, the humidity is frequently much, much lower, and the paint comes out better. The cooler temperatures help, too. Charlie Larkin

You might actually want to try straightening things out PRIOR to cutting them up. That way, everything will match up properly and you won't have to engage in a lot of guesswork to get it all right. Neat project. What do you have in mind? Charlie Larkin

Strippers in my order of preference: 1. Super Clean or any of the purple products, they're all about the same chemically. 2. Oven cleaner. 3. Whestley's Bleche-Wite whitewall cleaner. For removing chrome, I like plain old bleach in a small glass jar. Works in less than ten minutes. Charlie Larkin