Erik Smith

Nobody here defending illiteracy, if that's how you read my comments. I was just pointing out the hyperbole in the original headline and content of the related article. Explaining, or clarifying, doesn't equate to defending any of the actual short comings of the school systems involved. If somebody tells me they can't read, that means they are illiterate - meaning they can look at a page of words and garner no information I hold myself and children to high standards. My recent graduate was valedictorian and managed a 4.0 in AP and college level classes through high school. She was accepted into a very competitive university nursing program and is now in the top of her class. My younger girls are both above average and have taken AP and advanced classes - my youngest is in second year Spanish as a middle school student. There are great opportunities for students in public schools and it's sad that many children can't, don't, or won't take advantage. My kids do have friends with the same opportunity they have that squander the chance. Parenting plays an important part in placing acedemics as a priority in young people's lives.

http://www.theatlantic.com/national/archive/2013/03/new-york-high-school-graduates-data/317599/ The original headline is incorrect. Reading at a 4th grade level is all that is required for USA Today, but it's still reading. Is it good that 80% of New York City high school students that are going to CUNY need remedial classes? No. But it's not 80% of ALL students.

That's the global shipping program, Tommy. eBay figures those rates based on shipping to a US facility then to the non-US buyer. It's easy for sellers because they don't have to deal with the post office and shipping papers, which can be a PITA. Yes, a seller can choose to sell and ship to other countries for a lot less, but it takes a lot more time, and on a $16 item, probably not worth it. The rate I saw, $4.00, seems extremely reasonable considering shipping materials, packaging time, and actual shipping cost.

Fantastic work! Great looking model.

Very well done model. Clean construction. I like it.

Excellent models. Really, beautiful, clean craftsmanship.

I like them all. Details on the inline 6 (source, super charger?)? Th Pinto is great.

Very cool. I usually think gray paint looks like primer, but it works so well on your model. The black wheels contrast nicely. Great detail painting on the interior.

Couple classic Hondas (a stock CRX!!) and a really cool, pretty used, original Ford Bronco:

Cool model...but how in the world did you keep it all these years? Most of mine either got the BB gun or smoke bomb burnout.

Here is the AMT 1929 Ford "Mod Rod" kit, inspired by the box art. I used the grille shell, radiator, frame and engine from Revell's '30 Woody kit. Thanks for looking!

Toyota 22R? I think my 1984 had about 110 hp, but they are soooo reliable. If something does wear out, they are easy to work on and parts are cheap and plentiful! I replaced the timing chain (no belt, in fact you get a double chain) in my car port with literally a handful of tools. Pretty boring choice though, and I don't think it's ever been in kit form - 20R and up to fuel injected. Kit wise, I have two Hobby Design kits, and they are beautiful...

I agree, I took some short cuts to avoid a drawn out build. I really wanted to complete one model this year!

'59 is really spectacular Bill.

Thanks much for the comments! Engine is from Moebius '70 Ford - my vision was two farm guys had a wrecked truck and a hot rod body with no engine - voila! 70's Hot Rod! Wheels and tires from Revell 32' sedan and firewall was scratch from flat styrene as I didn't provide quite enough clearance in my original engine layout for the kit supplied part to fit. Rest is from the box. Oh, and tire decals from Fireball Modelworks.

From what I gathered, the deep cut blade is more for foam and thick materials, I wasn't sure it would cut through styrene better. I think the regular blade extends 1mm and the deep 2mm, so it could get through more on repeated cuts. The reason I chose the Cameo was the capacity (12 x 12) and the software - seemed like Cricut was geared to the cartridge style format? The higher end machines probably have options though. I really should use mine more, I think...

I think it's a good idea, Rob. The more modelers we get involved, the better. It is COMMUNITY BUILDS. What if I have a previous CB car that is 0%? Hehe.

Wow! Impressive number and quality. Beautiful group.

Here was a quick build to get me back in the spirit. Built as a 70's "what's-in-the-barn" hot rod.

You're right, Bill. Repetition, spacing, and precise shapes are where the plotter can help out considerably. It would be perfect if I could somehow replace the knife with a laser.... That thread you link above is also amazing and inspiring work.

Good REFERENCE SOURCE 1971 Bronco

I have a Silohuette Cameo and it will cut thin plastic, score thicker (can't remember exact thickness off hand). I don't think it will cut metal - can't apply enough pressure. It could probably score, or maybe just scratch, metal.

So, say I also bought this kit because of the engine...add an exhaust to the turbo. Easy. Would the carb still just attach to the other side of the "supercharger" (as the instruction sheet calls it)? Oh, and the new release of this kit has great tires too.

Need to throw a topic up above - many visitors never venture to the depths of the CBPs... BTW - great work by all contestants. A very common theme reverberates through all entries but very different approaches.

Not quite accurate as far as "reading" goes. 80% of the students from a particular program needed remedial instruction to read at the appropriate college level. College level reading is quite a bit different than just reading.