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ing Tips & Tools Monthly, Issue #94-modeling-changes
November 15, 2014
Nov. 15, 2014

Getting Out Of The Corner

Did you ever find yourself painted into a corner? No it doesn't happen very often in skilled modeling but if you haven't noticed recently oil-based paints are becoming a part of history.

Floquil, almost a Standard for model railroading was one of the first to go. They had colors mixed specifically to mimic certain rail lines. Now they are gone.

It didn't happen early enough to affect Floquil but it seems environmentalists are beginning to take their toll not only on oil based paints but even the Latex market is beginning to feel the effects.

I recently noticed a new law had been slipped into the New Hampshire legislative hopper setting up a disposal system for leftover paint.

This bill:

I. Establishes a paint stewardship program wherein a nonprofit organization approved by the department of environmental services organizes a program for the reception of discarded architectural paint. II. Establishes an assessment to fund the paint stewardship program.

III. Requires the department of environmental services to propose changes to the assessment for approval by the joint legislative committee on administrative rules.

For both oil-based and latex paints.

No, this will not have much impact on your little bottles of modeling paints. It is aimed at those who use paint in 5 gallon and 1 gallon quantities.

The manufacture of oil-based paint is hemmed in by many regulations that are ridiculous for model paint producers who manufacture in such small quantities.

The problem seems to be "volatile organic compounds (VOC)" which creates paint odors that impact those with allergies.

This has caused many paint manufacturers to discontinue all production of high-VOC paints because all they care about is profits, not the end use advantages. This is true not only for model paints, but also for automotive and house paints. You can thank the "environmentalists" for that.

Of course it's kinda hard to focus the attention of the EPA on a modeler disposing of the dried up leftovers in a 1/2 oz. Jar, but who's to say the NSA hasn't got of hobby shop paint buyers?.

Sooner or Later, Murphy Show Up

To be successful at scale modeling it is important to study any available instructions first. Then you need to become familiar with all available parts and the assembly sequences spelled out in the plans or those you devise for scratch building. But frequently, you need to take the serious edge off. Remember, the true nature of this hobby is creating scale models. This involves the use of your own abilities and then expanding their boundaries by using your imagination. This means have fun and a laugh even at our own expense.

Murfies Modeling Mandate

1. Built into every modeler’s workbench is a black hole that swallows parts. Only on rare occasions will the modeler ever see that part again though he may hear it rattling through the vacuum cleaner.

a. Only highly detailed scratch built parts or those with no replacement fall into this hole. b. The probability of dropping your most needed part is inversely proportional to the size of the part. c. The closer the color of your part matches the color of the carpet (that’s right no sound will give away the location) the more likely you will drop it. d. Once dropped, your treasured part will bounce immediately to the most inaccessible area of the room covering a horizontal distance equal to the length of the drop multiplied by the time spent in searching. e. A dropped X-acto knife will always be point first and contrary to d., the blade point will find your foot. It will not bounce. f. The moment you cease your search for a dropped part, you will step on it. 2. The amount of time it takes to build a kit is equal to the sum of the time spent in research plus the number of plan pages multiplied by the number of parts less the time it takes for the glue to dry. a. The more un-built kits you have on shelves, the fewer kits you will actually complete. b. Your un-built kits will expand inversely proportional to the tightness with which they are packed. c. Reference materials, magazines and plans will increase in volume inversely proportional to the available space. 3. Regardless of your bench’s dimensions in feet, your work space will be done in a five-inch square just inside the front lip. 4. The minute you purchase a new $9 modeling tool, you will find it in the Dollar Store in a pack of three.

5. Regardless of your method for sealing paint containers you will find it has dried out two days prior to its intended use.

6. The amount you pay for a new paint brush is directly proportional to the number of weeks it will contain dried paint.

7. All kit manufacturers are committed to an association directive to hold new releases until six months after they have been scratch built at least six times.

8. The odds the paint will go in the wrong place are in direct proportion to the number of hours spent building what ever it is you're painting.

9. The chances of the large part falling painted side down are directly proportional to the cost of the carpet.

10. The absolute need for a lost part increases exponentially with the need to finish a model.

The amount of time it takes to build a kit is equal to the sum of the time spent in research plus the number of plan pages multiplied by the number of parts less the time it takes for the glue to dry.

a. The more un-built kits you have on shelves, the fewer kits you will actually complete. b. Your un-built kits will expand inversely proportional to the tightness with which they are packed. c. Reference materials, magazines and plans will increase in volume inversely proportional to the available space.

When Opportunity Knocks Don't Be Idle

With the recent Republican victory claiming the majority in the U.S. senate, you might perceive this as opportunity for change knocking. Don't be fooled, there are many doors knocked on that never go opened.

Yes, political renewal is a possibility, but until this country undergoes a spiritual renewal, it will only get worse.

How much worse? Haven't you noticed people are getting their heads cut off, children are being sold as sexual slaves, these are signs things outside your hobby room are getting pretty bad, but never fear, I will not model this.

Unfortunately, we can't scale ourselves down to HO, or N-Scale and live in that world forever. We have to deal with reality. There is a reason books about The End Times and Bible Prophecy outsell hobby books by well over 100 to one.

We are well past the time for living in pride and arrogance. Instead, it is a time to live with a "bold humility" I know these two words are in stark contrast to one another. But it is time that we as Americans start making some real differences in our lives.

We need to be humble enough to look at ourselves through the sharp magnification of the holy Bible. We can no longer find solace in the belief that this is not the true word of God.

If God does not bring judgement to this country in the very near future, He needs to apologize to Sodom and Gormorah.

We are all in desperate need of God’s grace. Will we boldly come to His throne and bow before Him, asking that our sins be forgiven, turn from our wicked ways and seek His face? I believe that is “bold humility” and it will result in a spiritual awakening that will sweep our nation.

Join me as I prepare for Thanksgiving to share with others the opportunity God has given us to be humble and repentant in His sight.

May “We the people” be the ones who fulfil the promise of God, when He said “If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” (2 Chronicles7:14)

Of iPads, iPhomes and YouTube

You can't have too many sources of information about modeling techniques many of which are interchangeable between modeling venues.

Four instance the same weathering techniques used in military modeling easily transfer to model railroading.The same method used to paint a model plane easily transfers to modeling a ship.

In this quickly changing electronic device world there are becoming more and more resources for modelers anything from a vast array of photographs to educational videos.

I'm fortune enough to have an iPad along with an Apple TV box all I need now is a YouTube video modeling technique and I can watch it on TV. By blowing the video up to the TVs screen size these techniques are a lot easier to understand.

There are links to a couple YouTube videos that display weathering techniques: http://youtu.be/sa1D6bYl_cA

http://youtu.be/maCsTAtJlnw

Here is a clinic on weathering using rattle cans: http://youtu.be/7j5UChViDRw

This article on the website scale modelers handbook offers a variety of approaches to weathering:

www.scale-modelers-handbook.com/weathering.html

Between books, magazines, websites (like scale-modelers-handbook.com), and videos there is probably no better time to be looking for instructions clinics and programs on scale modeling

Out With The Old, In With The New

It is always disappointing to hear the little modelers website gets hacked to the point he has to take it down.

Many of you know Ron Pare and probably have visited his website where you learned a lot.

As many of you know the ModelersGuild website was hacked in late August. This website was a true labour of love for the last seven years, and I emphasize labour, as the site consistently was probed for attack for years. Any small lapse in updating the website usually amounted to probing attacks,... constant work.

Interview and More Pictures

So this last week, I took the advice of my family and moved my approach from sharing what I am building (follow along as the build unfolds) to an aproach of teaching fundamental tachniques. Of course my focus is using real meterials, like wood and dirt.

He is using Kickstarter to begin this new venture.

The first product I have on offer is a T-shirt to help raise funds to produce my first kit. It is my hope that everyone who benefited from the ModelersGuild website or facebook group to show me some support and buy a shirt. Or pre-order kit #1 when it is officially announced.

Thanks for reading Ron Pare Kickstart

Once Again, Try Home Made Goop

Plastic is a pervasive feature of our everyday life - love it or loathe it. A medium for art and craft must be able to be shaped to suit the desires and needs of the artists/craftsperson.

Plastic material offers varied composition and qualities; they come in so many colors and forms, it shouldn't surprise us that the creative individual should see plastic as an exciting opportunity.

Here's a use for sprue as a "plastic putty" for filling gaps or gouges in your model's surface.

First-- Cut up some plastic sprue. I prefer to shave it thinly from the sprue frame. If it is not fine enough, the whole process won’t work. It needs to be thin and small enough to be dissolved by the liquid plastic cement. Then place it into a glass container.

Then--. Add some liquid plastic model cement to the plastic particles. Add enough for the plastic to get completely wet. Let it sit for a minute or two , stirring it around with a metal sculpting tool occasionally. (Your plastic goop won't stick to a metal tool). Once it looks like thick paint, you are ready to apply it.

TEST IT FIRST—The mixture you have created can have different results with different materials. Please try it first on a piece of scrap or an unseen portion of your model

Now--. Smooth the “goop” over the gaps to be filled so it acts like putty. Be careful around details, as this stuff will eat them. Also, don’t add too much at one time. You can “glop” more of the goop into area that has already cured Large areas will require several applications of the “putty”. Leave it to cure overnight.

Finally--. Sand the cured “putty” smooth with your favorite technique for the type of surface you are working.

NOTE: Large areas cannot be filled in one application, as the plastic goop would simply melt too much of the model area you intend to fill.

Also, only mix as much as you are going to use. You can’t really save it for additional uses

Until Next Month

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