Dr. Cranky

Nice work, John, and I see you got the resin bubble made. I'm curious to find out how your friend made it.

Skip, I don't think I am exaggerating here. Next time you go to the magazine stands, check out how many magazines there are for RAT RODS and other styles not just hot rods and customs. Interest in weathering model cars only has one way to go and that's UP!

It might just be easier than to make it even simpler: Say CARS = (all types, all styles) IN PROGRESS: All Cars (all types, all styles) UNDER GLASS: All Cars (all types, all styles) I mean, we are doing this pretty much already . . . in those sections, right?

Steve, because custom exercises pretty much the same skills model car builders have been using since the beginning of time. Build the model, modify it, and put shiny paint on it. One shiny builds follows another follows another. What I am saying for the sake of variety is to shine a little bit more light on OTHER types of models and approaches to getting the finish.

Ryan, that's a great looking TZH in the making. Thanks for sharing it with us. I could see it on the range rustling up Zombies put out to pasture. LOL.

We are aware (I think) that this kind of task is never going to please EVERYONE, but I would encourage Gregg and the other Admins to consider the trends that have been around for a while. For example, the interest in Salt Flats time setting vehicles, and RAT RODS. Rat Rods are not going to go away any time soon. Just like Lowriders have never left the culture since they arrived on the scene. Why not capitalize on these diverse interests?

Here's what I added to Harry's edit: MODEL CARS • Under Glass-All categories of CARS • In Progress: Stock, Street, Show, Custom, Weathered (rat rods, junkers and daily drivers) • In Progress: Competition (Drag, NASCAR, F1, Indy, Salt Flats) • Kit News, Reviews, Trends and Opinions • 1/1 Car Reference Photos MODEL TRUCKS • Under Glass-All categories of TRUCKS and HEAVY EQUIPMENT • In Progress: Big Rig, Heavy Commercial, Police, Fire, Emergency • In Progress: Pickups, SUVs, Light Commercial • Kit News, Reviews and Opinions • 1/1 Truck Reference Photos OTHER MODELS • Diecast • Large Scale OTHER SCALES (1/20 and up) • Dioramas • All the rest (planes, military, figures, paper models, etc.)

The other thing I will add about a weathering section is that whether you like it or not, the model car building community has been experimenting with weathering solutions and techniques for a few decades now, and the number of builders interested in bringing a little variety to their building skills is growing by leaps and bounds.

Dave, I agree with you: small trucks, SUVs and VANS. I'd throw Van's in there. The spirit behind this is to (AGAIN) get a better organized forum. We still offer a bigger and better sampling of subject matter than the average competition.

Harry, I like this layout. It seems to be more streamline. And NO, Michael, I have no agenda or alterior motive for wanting to do this . . . just trying to have a better, more inclusive forum that runs like clockwork. No Koolaid, just lots of Scrapple Sandwiches! :lol:

LOL, Michael--and how do you know that I am not already an Administrator? Has anyone ever seen Gregg & Doctor Cranky in the same room together? They both live on an island and sped their days on a hammock in the shade of coconut palm trees, getting fed grapes by talking parrots.

Dave, I think this is the kind of constructive restructuring that might benefit the forum and possible make it better organized. We can also do something about the TRADES & WANTED sections and WHERE'S WALDO, etc . . .

Perhaps the larger umbrella or category here really is WEATHERING instead of just RUST alone. I am in agreement that the forum should not be any longer than it already is, but I think some of the sections could be combined and then sub categories added inside the divisions. But let me be clear, I am neither trying to start trouble or create more work for the already over-worked moderating team.

Oh no, no, J, I'm not trying to divide at all, I'm just trying to get the stuff recognized and legitimazed.

Casey, I agree with you that this is up to Gregg and moderators. Also their focus is on keeping the forum viewer-friendly, inviting and well organized. The post apocalyptic stuff (and I disagree with your assessment that it might be a flavor of them month) has been around now--and gaining strength--for a few years. Of course, people end up calling this type of build a variety of things . . . like WW3, Armageddon, and even FUTURISTIC. I think the model car hobby (just like with read vehicles) is getting an energy boost from the world of rat rods, suede, and other finishes that are not shiny or custom. Anyway, the conversation has been started and I hope there will be a positive outcome and that everyone interested will benefit.

I remember coming home one day and finding a friend's 3 year old playing on the floor with one of my models . . . so you can imagine how the model must have looked by the time I got home. Solution: I moved all my models into a locked display case and never left any of my builds laying around.

I have a few of those, and YES, they are wonderful and come in very handy!

Rob, it's not up to me who decides on moderators. I think that task belongs to Gregg and the other moderators already. Dave, the only problem with the "barn" idea is that I think this section could use some sub-categories, etc . . . Thanks for keeping the conversation going, folks.

Thanks, Rob, I appreciate your input.

Folks, I am writing this in hopes that I can convince the powers that be into creating a new category on the forum dedicated to an ALL RUST section (LONG LIVE RUST!), a place where we can showcase not only daily drivers, junkers, beaters, and rat rods, but also categories like STEAM PUNK, FUTURISTIC, and yes, POST APOCALYPTIC. Zombies are always just around the corner. The TZH SQUAD community build has shown that there's an IMMENSE interest in such builds. Now if we bring in those folks who are interested in weathering and rat rods and all the other categories mentioned above, I think we'd have another wonderful place to visit on the forum. Any type of build that employs weathering and rusting from mild to extreme. I believe the interest is very much there, and I would personally love to see our own section. When I say "we," of course, I mean all those here who are interested in such vehicles. I think having such a section on the forum will signify that such work is not only appreciated but also an integral part of the hobby. I would love to hear opinions about this from everyone. AND, please, PLEASE, let's keep the discussion clean and civil. The idea behind this post is simply to start a discussion about what such a section would include. No section on this forum is any more or any less important than any other, but some do get more traffic than others. I am merely trying to get everyone who is interested on the same page.

Oh man, that's even better. I wonder how he does it, the bubble top? Anyway, I can't wait to see more of this one.

Thanks for all the energy, Rob. All I can say about the RED HAWK is that it's going to make those Zombies scramble for cover!

LOL, Nukes of Hazzard. Love the name. The build is coming along! That engine looks FAN-tastic!

Wow, John, I want to hear how you plant to cut the glass off that bulb? Another round of great eye candy headed our way. Thanks.

I don't know about that. I think all the mud bugs, gator tail, and hogs head cheese I ate over there really too its toll on my brain!