Harry P.

I always thought those "new" T-birds were pretty nice looking cars. I guess they just didn't catch on...

Very nicely done! Nice attention to detail.

Now that's what this topic is about. HL has a ton of stuff (at good prices) that we can use! If anyone is "offended" by the fact that the owners of HL are Christian, feel free to not shop there! But no need to post your personal objections to the store here... because that's not what we're talking about in this topic.

There are actually members here that not only don't check out the "lower" sections... they literally don't even know they exist, because they have never scrolled down the page! Seriously! I've had PMs like "Oh wow, I never knew there was a diorama section here."

Here'a a good example of what Tom is talking about. A person might just paint the radiator and the battery and the air filter cover "black." But if you actually pay attention to what you are seeing, it's obvious that the radiator is gloss black, the battery is a semi-gloss black, and the air filter can is actually a flat black (or very dark gray). Paying attention to subtle differences like that makes for a much more realistic model, and doesn't take any particular skill to do.

Tom's tip about varying shades of black, silver, and gloss levels is important if your intent is to create a realistic model. Look at reference photos before you build and, like Tom says, note that there are many different shades of black, gray, silver, etc... as well as many different levels of gloss, from dead flat to semi to full-on shiny. Painting everything on your model's engine or chassis the same exact black or silver makes for a very toylike model. Getting it right takes nothing more than doing a quick image search and paying attention to what you see, and painting your model accordingly. It doesn't take any special skill to do this... just a bit of time and effort.

And they don't run in a large smooth arc from the distributor to the plug.

This is a Cameo...

So many of you guys are totally missing the point of this thread. It's not about "what lazy modelers should do to make their models better." Nobody is telling anyone how they should build their models. The point of the thread is, what are some things many modelers commonly miss or forget, that they could do to make their models better? It's a general question, not a personal slam at anyone! The replies posted here are not a demand to anyone that they have to do these things... they are simply answers to the original question. So if you are one of those people who have no interest in making your models better, don't take this topic personally, because it's not directed at you! If you don't care to do any of the things listed, for whatever reason, that's fine... for you! So leave this topic for others who do appreciate the help and the tips.

Remember, don't post any hints or answers here. PM me with year, make, and model. The answer: 1940-41 KIM 10-50

Doesn't make any difference to me whether or not you shop there. That's your business. I couldn't care less where you shop or don't shop. But posting comments about how you are personally insulted or whatever your problem with HL is doesn't really have any bearing on the topic we're talking about. This topic is about the kind of stuff you can find there that we can all use in our hobby... not whether you personally approve of the place or not.

Here's an idea. Don't go in that aisle and the stuff then won't be "thrown in your face." I'm pretty sure all that stuff that offends you is in a different aisle than the model kits, paints, and supplies.

That looks very good, but the MUSTANG lettering on the trunk lid is green!

The HL stores here don't sell that kind of stuff. And if they did it certainly wouldn't stop me from shopping there for other stuff they have that I could use. Do you avoid shopping at every supermarket that sells Kosher food?

From 2011... UK-based Cella Energy has developed a synthetic fuel that could lead to US$1.50 per gallon gasoline. Apart from promising a future transportation fuel with a stable price regardless of oil prices, the fuel is hydrogen based and produces no carbon emissions when burned. The technology is based on complex hydrides, and has been developed over a four year top secret program at the prestigious Rutherford Appleton Laboratory near Oxford. Early indications are that the fuel can be used in existing internal combustion engined vehicles without engine modification. According to Stephen Voller CEO at Cella Energy, the technology was developed using advanced materials science, taking high energy materials and encapsulating them using a nanostructuring technique called coaxial electrospraying. “We have developed new micro-beads that can be used in an existing gasoline or petrol vehicle to replace oil-based fuels,” said Voller. “Early indications are that the micro-beads can be used in existing vehicles without engine modification.” “The materials are hydrogen-based, and so when used produce no carbon emissions at the point of use, in a similar way to electric vehicles”, said Voller. The technology has been developed over a four-year top secret programme at the prestigious Rutherford Appleton Laboratory near Oxford, UK. The development team is led by Professor Stephen Bennington in collaboration with scientists from University College London and Oxford University. Professor Bennington, Chief Scientific Officer at Cella Energy said, “our technology is based on materials called complex hydrides that contain hydrogen. When encapsulated using our unique patented process, they are safer to handle than regular gasoline.” The problem is, all of these types of articles I've found are old. No new news or progress that I have found. Seems like they are close, but not there yet.

I'm talking about synthetic gas. No oil... no coal... nothing dug out of the ground. I'm talking about making "gas" from scratch in the lab.

I have shopped at HL many times and have never seen anything like you describe. In the three different HL stores I have been to there are no religious items for sale that I have seen, and certainly no "bible pushing low lifes" anywhere. What on earth are you talking about?

Is there no glass in the Corvette?

Julian... using foil is something–like any other skill–that takes a bit of practice before you get good at it and are comfortable with it. You'll be fine. In no time you'll be foiling like a pro. None of us were born knowing how to foil... we all had to learn it, and practice it.

Don't do that. I like your "free-thinking" posts.

When I finally saw my first episode the other day, I watched like 8-10 more... and another 8-10 the next day. What a great series! And Jay is the perfect "car guy"... he's down to earth and doesn't overload the show with a bunch of tech stuff that only a gearhead can understand. He manages to give us the technical info without being overly technical. Well done, Jay!

But I'm talking about a purely synthetic "gasoline," not ethanol or some sort of blend. Gas made in a lab without any dinosaur juice involved. In other words, a "gas" that doesn't rely on the supply of oil and can be manufactured in unlimited quantities. With all the advances science has made, I'm kind of surprised that we don't yet know how to make a totally synthetic fuel that a typical gasoline engine can run on.

Ert?

A lot of stores play smarmy muzak in the background. You don't go there for the music...

Different HL stores have different selections of kits. Some have a very nice selection... maybe not as much as a hobby shop (remember, HL is a general craft store that covers a lot more than just plastic model cars). But definitely worth checking out, and like the others have said, if you walk the aisles you'll find all sorts of stuff that's useful for detailing model cars... mainly in the jewelry making aisles. I found a nice set of miniature spring-loaded (self-opening) pliers there... about 4-5" long, needlenose, bent needlenose, round jaw, etc... meant for jewelry making but just as useful for model car building. The set of 5-6 different pliers was only about 6-7 bucks. And there are all sorts of wire in the jewelry aisle... silver bead-stringing wire, all kinds of different gauge wire in various colors... I even found some hollow, soft rubber tubing that works for radiator hoses. If you've never been to a HL, it's definitely worth checking them out.