Lunajammer

Hobbies and interests on a resume is pretty low on the page. It merely rounds out the insights into who you are and what you know, not just for the reasons already listed but you never know when an employer might respond to or associate with that interest and consider you a man of "like mind" and "good for the team." Definitely list it.

A former girlfriend (10 yrs ago) was embarrassed for me that I built models. Getting two articles published in the other mags didn't change her mind any and out of concern for me recommended I not tell any future girlfriends. We departed amicably. I don't spread it around that I build models, it's my quiet pleasure. But the current (and long time) girlfriend has a growing interest as I've returned to the hobby, likes my work and wants to accompany me to a show once she found out what IPMS was.

That's my sentimental favorite Jairus. It was my very first Hot Wheels back in '68. I still have it and it's not lost, but the surf boards were absorbed by the toy box about 1973. A slightly chipped but decent and the wheels are straight. Since mine was green I look forward to your project.

Bill you don't know how you've answered a burning question I've had for decades. I've always called this car the Dexter Mobile and for half a lifetime I couldn't remember where I got that from. I still call it that. Now I know. Thanks for the great throw-back.

Kind of a sad end to Dana Andrew's illustrious career. It's basically The Wild Ones with cars.

Brandon I commend your effort. You've listened to some hard but truthful comments like a professional. If I were you, I'd start selling my early, lower quality castings locally; clubs, friends, shows, etc. The buyer gets to see first hand what they are buying and you get to negotiate a price that is satisfactory to both. You start squirreling away the money you need to improve your set up, then start selling from a distance. I'd be furious if bought one of your offerings and important details are gone due to air bubbles. It's sort of taking advantage of their trust in you so you can make money. However, you'd be surprised how forgiving people will be of your castings if they just get to hold it in their hands before deciding what it's worth to them.

Personally, I think a vacuum chamber is a must. That's what gets out the trouble bubbles at every step. Then move it to a pressure pot to crush the remaining little bitty bubbles into nothing while the resin hardens. It gives me perfect results fairly consistently except when I'm not paying attention. I don't sell anything with a noticeable air bubble in it and I think that should be the standard and with a little practice it's not that hard either. If that's not your standard you'll develop a reputation of being just another cellar hobbyist with big claims (of whom there are many). But you sound pretty motivated and conscientious, those are good tools to have. I think you'll enjoy it.

Personally, I like the front up on this one. It seems to fit the spirit of the classic custom better. Front down to me looks like it's trying to be something more brawny and less classy.

Excellent and so authentic. Well done.

Very Nice. Now that's my speed. Well executed.

Some excellent clean builds there partner. Nice work, welcome aboard.

"It's not the having, it's the wanting." So let us want gentlemen. Announce.

WHAT?! Oh no you di-in't.

I love the retro futurism and it's as good as any from the era. It surely can't be uglier than this... This just makes no sense. Spectacular build. All your choices feel good. Well done.

The cold may not ruin the plastic but I can say with some confidence that the condensation that can occur with temperature flux can warp boxes and/or decals. Depending on how much humidity there is, I've also seen frost build in storage units when temps drop after a mild or sunny winter day. Seems worse closer to the ground than shelved up above and most noticeable during warming spring temps. I keep my crummy stuff in a storage unit but not my good stuff.

If you don't already have that Harbor Freight motor tool you should know it's weak. I have it, like it, and and use it for certain applications but it's just a small motor that drags down easily, even just cutting plastic. Slowing it down with a controller to manage the speed will take away all its momentum unless you are cutting very small detail parts. On bodies, like lopping off a body panel, it bogs down but you can manage the drag with careful use. It's no dremel but it has its merits.

I went to the local pipe fitting supplier and they cut me scrap sewage and drainage pipes for free. I think I had a 12-inch and about a 6-inch. The smaller (but taller) one I use for degassing the RTV and resin before pouring into the molds. Then I degass the final pour in the 12-inch. I cut seal rings from thin but dense foam. I've been doing okay using thick plexi but I don't think it's 1-inch.

You know John, for as little as you say, you sure make a comprehensive presentation with your photo sequences. You are the master builder.

Donnie is mostly right but I think I'll add something. I just had to do this over the weekend. I've tried in the past running the part under the hot tap, but my hot water is not set high and never got the results I wanted. I put a pan on the stove and heat until it's not quite boiling, then MOMENTARILY dip the part, shape, then cool in cold water. Looked great but the next day it had slightly sought it's warped shape again. It's close enough to use but just repeat if need be.

Well done Jr. the colors look exactly right. Be sure you bring it out in public.

You are a masking maniac! That's my achilles heel so I admire your patience and skill.

About ten years ago, I had a conference call interview for the SA editor position. Their call began with an apology, saying they decided to hire from within. I believe that's the time JH was named editor. However they then informed me that due to the internal hire, there was now an editor opening at FSM and would I like to interview for that position. I, of course, said yes but then completely bombed the interview because I was not prepared to discuss a magazine I hadn't read for about three years. Good thing though, I would have stunk there. But what I learned in prepping is that the pay is not generous and frankly would probably not be worth it for anyone living far from the Milwaukee area to move there unless it is just a stopping off point in your career. That's when I changed my feelings about the hobby magazine industry, their budgets and their products. Frankly I think SA is a pretty good magazine for what the publishers allow them and they're lucky they have a current staff that seems to be sticking around. That being said, MCM is also a very good magazine considering the editors are also, in a sense the publishers. Nobody's getting rich, they're not McGraw-Hill, so we're lucky that they give us what they do because they are committed to the hobby, are connected to the right people and are doing what they can with what they've got, which by the way is excellent. Without them and SA, there would sure to be many magazines with good intentions that would come and go with the seasons.

I've got nothing against it as a new vehicle. What bothers me is corporate exploitation of a wonderful sentimentality for the old microbus on a vehicle that is nothing like the old one beyond the nose emblem. A sentimentality, by the way, that was user generated at a grass roots level. I image a bunch of executive suits in a mahogany board room saying, "Come here homies. We call it the new Microbus because it's cool. Know-what-it-is-that-I-am-saying?

46/48 = 96%. Curse you Willys and Henry J! You're supposed to be each other.

I don't know Nick, I may be a little slow to judge people, (or just a little slow period) but I'm not sure two weeks is crisis mode yet. I can see where his delay could be inconsiderate but it seems a little early to burn bridges. Doing so may just cement his notion that he doesn't owe you anything for giving him a muckraking. I assume you've made requests for updates or status. I find patience prevails. Maybe two more weeks then send out the dogs.