Building the ICM 1/24 Model T 1911 Touring #2

 

This is a motorized paint stirring tool which I modded to be used as a sander. I cut the pronged tip off and vacuformed a housing. An off center weight was added to the shaft. When turned on it vibrates. There is a flat section (left underside) that I can attach custom sanding blocks. This tool is used to polish hard to reach areas.

Building the ICM 1/24 Model T 1911 Touring #1

 

An email was forwarded to me from a fellow club member of someone in the area who wanted this kit built. In the past I have had some not-so-good experiences building for hire. However, I liked ICM kits and have built a few and knew what I would be getting into. I contacted them and we we were able to come to an agreement on our collective expectations. One of the important things for me was that his would be built Out Of the Box. I need some practice doing this.

Hobbying In Place #11 Building the Airfix Handley Page Victor K2/SR.2

What Have I Learned?

Don't believe the hype. Everyone was constantly talking about how good the new Airfix kits are. They are good. But, there were things on this build that didn't and only found out once I was into the final assembly. Very sloppy on my part. Always, always, always check the fit of everything no matter what. If it doesn't fit, fix it so it does. This rule applies for all kits, Airfix, ICM and Tamiya.

Hobbying In Place #10 Building the Airfix Handley Page Victor K2/SR.2

Blobs, Putty and Reality

I always think after all the building that painting will be easy. It only takes a moment after the first airbrush blast for reality to sink in like the cold hard kiss of a knuckle sandwich. So here is the big dumb plane, white on the bottom (self: easy), gray and green blobs on the top (self: easy). 

Mr. Hobby Procon Boy LWA Trigger Type Double Action Airbrush Review

I like my Paasche VL airbrush a lot. But, I have been using my Iwata top loader so much that I can't deal with the VL's siphon style bottom paint feeding anymore. So much wasted paint and time to clean up. I almost drilled a hole in the top of my VL thinking I could retrofit it. I even tried using it upside down. It doesn't take much to inspire a google search, so here we are.

Hobbying In Place INTERMISSION: Hobby Room Secrets

I finished a model today and felt so good about it that I decided to give myself (and the audience) a break from nit-picking, scratching panel lines, drilling holes and huffing solvent. Somewhere someone was doing a "hashtag modelers room challenge" and thought it would be a good time to give a tour of my hobby room. So, follow me go down into the basement which used to be my domain until Caleb needed the space to set up his Vive. We used to have people over to play Crypts-N-Creepies. It's also a pantry. Watch your head.

Hobbying In Place #9 Building the Airfix Handley Page Victor K2/SR.2

Some mornings I wake up, I have energy to do something hobby related while I drink my coffee, but my eyes are not open enough to do real work. Lately the mornings have been longer. I'm not a big sitter arounder.