charlie8575

I'm in! Being single, I still wouldn't mind one as a trophy either, as suggested earlier, either. As long as she'll work around my schedule, model-building and otherwise, why not? Charlie Larkin

Is this the old Monogram 1/24 kit? I'll enjoy watching this come along. Charlie Larkin

Then, there are some of us that end up coming back....I'm there right now myself until things get better for me. A bit stressful, but it beats the alternatives. Charlie Larkin

I don't own a digital camera. I don't like the pictures I get out of them; I also strongly prefer the more permanence of film (you can't erase a negative unless you leave it in too much light.) I do, on occasion, though, borrow my dad's little point-and-shoot Fuji if I want to put something up quickly. I still go get my film developed and put on CD. It takes a day or two, and how quickly can you fill a roll of film? Also, with my employment right now (almost none) even developing film is a little expensive for me at the moment. I agree it's nice to have pictures, and I'll try to take a few. In fact I'll have a few more to put up within the next 36 hours. Ed, Dad and I are right there with you. He has a couple of Crown Graphics and several pre-WW II cameras. We both also develop our own black-and-white film. Color, as you know, is a pain to develop properly. As a little glimmer of hope, at our Eastern Star installation this past Tuesday, one of my Rainbow girls, who I asked to take pictures for us during and after the installation, has expressed a very strong desire to learn how to do photography the proper way, not just the electronic one. Prior to the advisory board meeting this weekend, I'm going to try and get there a little early (it's her aunt's house) and have a roll and the chemicals and be ready to process. Charlie Larkin

When my friends and I caravan, my cousin has a couple of non-permanently mounted CBs and we put them in the cars, set it to Channel 2 or 3 and communicate back and forth. I'm considering mounting one permanently in my car before too much longer. I travel in enough places with no mobile phone reception that in case of trouble I can get in touch with somebody. As long as you have power to the transceiver, you're ready to rumble. Charlie Larkin

Give people hobbies, the freedom to pursue them, and the economic freedom necessary to produce enough income for hobbies, be it cars, arts, sports, whatever, and it will occupy people, tending to give them something else to do besides cause trouble; after all, why do you think so many teens end up having problems, and such a disproportionate number of them are poorer? Lack of opportunity to do something productive, personally or otherwise. More productive economies tend to be more peaceful because people have less reason to be upset, curbing violence as well. Interesting thought. Charlie Larkin

Nice job! I'm glad to see that can be built stock without too much trouble. I may give one of those a shot myself. Charlie Larkin

The b&ws are a neat idea, Sam. This whole model is coming out very nicely. Definitely something to be proud of! Charlie Larkin

Lots of good ideas here...all I need is a someplace semi-permanent to work! Nick, I really like your way of setting things up, very efficient. Gary, the cork is a good idea. My dad uses it to when building stick-and-tissue airplanes. You lay the plans out over it, cover it all with wax paper and pin the sheets to each other, and use pins to align ribs, stringers and so forth. I also like the squeeze bottles for the thinners. Greg, alcohol is used to thin acrylic paints, but caution should be use as it causes some of them to become flat instead of glossy or flat paints to become really flat. Tom, the paper on the table is very smart; I like that. And that Chevy is beautiful. You should bring it to MassCar sometime. Dedham's not that far away. Charlie Larkin

After almost three years of quasi-employment (per diem and odds and ends) I understand all too well what you're going through. My your new career bring you those things infinitely more important than the still-important paycheck- fulfillment and happiness. Charlie Larkin

Having the community builds grouped into their own thing, or at least pinned would make life easier. Having to go hunt all the time gets a little frustrating. I'm in the muscle car and replica/build as you would order ones, now. Charlie Larkin

Unfortunately, I had a couple of nice model railroad sites on my computer before the harddrive went bad. I've been trying to see if I can locate them again. If I do, I'll let you know. Ben, and all, one other really great primarily model car board I frequent is The Modeler's Haven. It's a great bunch of people, lots of laughs and some really good builders. The Modeler's Haven Charlie Larkin

Both in size and detail. Very nicely done. Actaully, in the photo of the car on its display base looking out over the window, even the cars on the street actually look to be in scale! Nice job. Charlie Larkin

Duly noted. I wonder how well it'll go on a couple of early-60s glue bombs I have floating around... A little experimentation may be in order. Charlie Larkin

I know a couple of people who have use the wet-bag-and-freeze method, and they've said it works pretty well. Two things with it: 1. Use a Ziplock bag. It keeps the moisture in and contains any parts that fall off. 2. I've been warned that the freezing bit can make the model quite brittle, so use caution during any removal or parts. Charlie Larkin

Generally, this is accurate. Some other tips I've found: With acrylics, especially Tamyia, it's best to use their specific thinner for spraying. I never liked the idea of thinning it with water (and have actually been cautioned against it,) and alcohol will tend to flatten the paint. Any solvent-based paint, with the possible exception of Mr. Hobby (I have been told by several people in absolutely certain terms to ONLY use their proprietary thinner) will react well to lacquer thinner. It makes it spray out very smoothly and dries much, much faster. It's very similar in effect to Japan drier. Lacquer thinner is also best for cleaning the airbrush after. For cleaning acrylics, 90-91% alcohol is perfect. One tip to clean the brush is to put your finger over the nozzle and spray. It creates a back pressure and forces the solvent to cycle through the entire unit. It's similar to blowing bubbles into a drink with a straw, and is almost as much fun to watch. I use an Aztec A320 and have generally been quite happy with it. Charlie Larkin

If they weren't so flippin' expensive, I'd seriously consider buying a Fujimi kit or two. One of the guys at MassCar builds them by the boxcar load, and they're very well-done. I agree with the whole "for that price you should get an engine" thing, but because they're as well-executed as they are, I'm willing to reconsider my position just to build one. Charlie Larkin

Now that's what I'm talking about! Charlie Larkin

Looks great. I really like that '50. Charlie Larkin

Great start; what paint did you use for the interior? I've been trying to find something that's in the neighborhood of the turquoise interiors used in the 1960s, and that's a pretty good start for a lot of them. Charlie Larkin

I like it! Charlie Larkin

Sold out of the Aero Sedan as in no plans to make more? I better find one then. Charlie Larkin

That sounds reasonable. I forgot they put the batteries under the floor. Thanks! Charlie Larkin

Not bad work at all! Very nicely executed. Charlie Larkin

For a first-time building it, nice job. Now you know how to better job for next time around. Charlie Larkin