Category: Uncategorized
-
A Different Rhythm At The Workbench

What strange creatures we are. When working for a living there were times when I could not get away from my work station fast enough at the end of the day. Now that I’m retired, I can’t wait to get to it. And there are weeks when I seem to work at it as if…
-
The Independent Mind

I spoke to a person who reads this column regularly. It was in his modelling room and he was in the midst of his favourite activity; making models for wargaming. In this he has a mind of his own and is not afraid to use it. He also uses everything else that can possibly come…
-
Hobby Money – Part Seven – Makin’ Money

With the advent of the inexpensive colour copier and the inkjet printer, it should be easy for a modern hobbyist to make money. He would be wise to choose where he tries to pass it, however, and not go back to the same shop twice. Producing bills in denominations of $ 7.00 and $ 13.50…
-
Hobby Money – Part Six – Setting Up.

You’ve seen my figures before on setting up for re-enactment or radio-controlled aircraft or amateur photography but I’ll give them a brief reprise: a. Reenactment – $ 200 to stand around home as a medieval, $500 more if you wish to slay dragons. Add $ 1000 if you wish to camp out and another $…
-
Hobby Money – Part Five – The Hidden Cost

Move over. I want to put something down. No, not there, it’s bigger than the space. Move over more. Look, just pop outside and sit on the grass. There’s not enough room in the house for you and my hobby at the same time… The elephant in the corner of the room that we never…
-
The Gift Buffalo

And you never look a gift buffalo in the mouth… This little gem was left on the modeller’s table at the club one week along with another 1:72 model under a sign: ” Free, please take “. I didn’t feel I could make good use of the other Japanese airplane but I knew that the…
-
Yes, They Really Did Think It Was A Good Idea

And I, at 7, agreed with them. This was in 1955 – just after the suspension of the Korean War, and just at the start of the Cold War – at least the start in our local area. In truth, it had been going on since 1945 but the locals did not realise it. The…
-
In Praise Of White Glue

The humble bottle of white glue is the most wonderful invention of all time for the model workshop. It has the ability to bond nearly anything – in some cases well and in some cases badly. It rarely sticks the operator to his bench or coffee cup and can be wiped off under the table…
-
I Want Electric Paint

I want fine-grain paint that stays liquid, spreadable and self levelling, and clings to vertical surfaces without sagging. I want it to stay in this condition until I pass a small electric current through it, whereupon I want it to set hard in ten seconds. Thereafter to be sandable and proof against solvents. Is this…
-
Aim For Perfection – Strive For Excellence

Accept Good Results. If this was a social media site instead of a column I could post those memes for days along with kitten and sunset pictures. Of course I’d get trolled something fierce, but the statistics would probably improve. As it is I have adjusted my sights down to strive for excellence and accept…
