The Ship Model Forum

I can't (won't) speak for the others in this forum, but know this: I'm no sweet-heart. So, get the stars out of your eyes, pal. You have not yet asked me for my opinions on scale fidelity and adherence to same. If you are as weak-kneeded as some others around here I would send you fleeing (sobbing and weeping) into the arms of your virtual RR buddies for comfort.

I'm regarded around here as harmless as long as I stick with techniques. But, should someone ask for an opinion ... watch out!

David

This may be slightly off topic from the original poster's question, but as this thread has deviated somewhat anyway, I'd like to add my $0.02.

In addition to building my "Monster Mo", I have another hobby - virtual railroading, as in Microsoft Train Simulator (and it's newer open source replacement Open Rails). I probably have well over a thousand dollars worth of additional locomotives, routes, and rolling stock and I'm a member of several train simulator forums. Let me tell you what a difference there is between the people there and the folks on this forum. It's like night and day. Over there the people, especially the old timers who have all the knowledge and experience guard their knowledge like Fort Knox. Any newbe who dares to ask a question is met with rude, snippy comments on the order of "Use the Search, Dummy", or "Just start experimenting - you'll eventually figure it out." And, if you post a comment calling someone on their rudeness, they complain to the moderators and your post is taken down.

Now I start this new hobby and join this forum and Holy Cow! The first thing I notice is how polite everybody is, and how generous everybody is with their knowledge and experience. What a delight! I can ask a seemingly dumb question and actually get it answered in a friendly, polite way.

I guess what I want to say is THANK YOU! to the men and women here who are a part of this hobby and who act like mature adults. You have no idea how refreshing it is to be a part of a group of people like yourselves. I've yet to see a rude response or anything even slightly resembling a flame war here, and if I ask for some advice, I actually receive the help I need.

Totally Awesome!!!!!

Just passing it on.

David

Found this to be most informative and helpful. I've always had a problem with getting parabolic shapes on larger (1/350) radars. Thanks, guys, for the input and as always, for sharing your hard won knowledge born of experience.

Bob M.

Such people are quickly dismissed with two words.

David

I wish that cobblers (Shoe-makers) were as forthcoming.

In the 1980s, I had to sell my soul to learn how to make boots.

It turns out to be ridiculously simple.

But it is nice to see modelers not hoarding their secrets.

Artists ("Fine" Artists) are another group who tend to be secretive:

"Oh! WOW! How did you get that shimmer on the water like that?"

"Wouldn't you like to know?! Give me your firstborn, sign this non-disclosure agreement, and then paint my house... And THEN I will THINK about telling you."

MB

In this Craft there are no secretes ... only blind fools who think there are.

We learn at the feet of our betters. The life-cycle is this: Apprentice, Journeyman, and Master. Applied rigidly through the uncompromising standards of a Guild, or the softer version of the Craft where the skills are passed on by hobbyist and trade-unions.

Today, sadly, the last surviving means of passing on the Craft are the internet forums. I don't include IPMS and other such static display clubs as keepers-of-the-flame: Those institutions have degenerated into Friday-night meetings of old fat men interested only in a night out.

Once the forums grind to a halt all manual dexterity and knowledge will have been surrendered to the ST Replicators so lovingly embraced today by those who can't or won't practice the Craft. And when that happens, the only surviving record describing the Craft will be the yellow and crumbling pages of old magazine articles and dusty books.

David

Wow, your quote just brought back memories of an old retired Tradevman (and skilled locksmith, clock repairer, and all-around clever man) I used to work for. Great guy who taught me a lot. Thanks for jarring my memory.

Cheers,

Keith

Simply passing on what others taught me.

David

Great tips David!! I never heard of dapping tools before and I need to add these to my workbench. Thank you so very much for highlighting your methods to me!

John

................

Thanks for the advice Denny! I appreciate your thoughts on how to do this.

John

You've got the right idea. Try laying it flat on a mousepad or something similar that has some give. Use your bb or ball bearing and with light pressure roll it in tight circles on the part. As it starts to dish you can apply more pressure and widen the circle to achieve the correct shape. This usually helps keep it from kinking.

Hi Guys,

I'm working on an OOB build of the Trumpeter 1/350 Indianapolis with my 13 year old son. I'm trying to pull him a little away from that narcotic called video gaming!! Anyway, he is enamored with the photoetch material contained in the kit and would like to see it used. Although I've worked with photoetch plenty of times, I never have had to form a radar dish, such as an SK-2 set etc. The instructions call for mounting pe Mk28 radar dishes on the front of the Mk33 directors. I've tried to form the flat circle over a BB shot to create a bowl shape with less than satisfactory results. The thing seems to just want to crease in places.

Any suggestions would be most welcome!!

Thanks!!

John