datahiker

Did I mention I was color blind? . . .

I tried this over on starshipmodeler but haven't gotten a response yet. I'm color blind and I'm trying to figure out what paints to use for the Star Wars Speeder Bike (just the greyish-brownish parts). Any help would be appreciated.

Brilliant! I'll give it a try.

A couple of Star Wars models I'm working on have corrugated hoses with a mold line on two sides. The grooves are pretty narrow. I've tried scraping with a hobby knife, sawing with ultrafine-teeth, and sanding. No method seems to be any better than another and they are all frustrating and time consuming. I'll put in the time if I have to, but a different technique or replacement would be ideal. I wouldn't mind replacing them, but the replacement would have to be long and flexible (no screws or bolts). I've seen smaller hoses made by wrapping wire or guitar string around something else, bu

Nuke it from orbit . . . it's the only way to be sure. Seriously though, like others have said, pull, baby, pull. It sucks, but it's the only way to get rid of the weeds and keep what you want. Just remember, the difference between weeds and everything else is location. Some would consider your patch a beautiful wildflower preserve . . .

You're going to get about as many opinions as there are compressors. Some people go with oil-less, some prefer oiled versions. Some prefer quieter, hobby-only compressors while some love multi-use behemoths that will inflate truck tires. A few go with refillable CO2 tanks (not a compressor but still a valid option). If you decide to get a "regular" (non-hobby) compressor get one with a tank, even if it's only a small three gallon one. You'll need a regulator and moisture/water trap if it doesn't come with one. Whatever you decide to do, anything is better than canned air.

Thank goodness for this thread! I thought I was one of a few major slackers but it appears I have some company. I've been working on a 1/35 Academy/MRC UH-60L for five years and counting. I moved from Texas to New York in 2004, hit a 2 year non-building slump (but increased my family by two more members), got the bug again and now I've gotten to the decals, so the end is in sight! I'm great at starting kits but absolutely horrible at finishing them. I have at least ten in various states of completion. It's much easier to stare at the beauties that get posted here! My goal is finish the

What's your favorite modern era fighter and/or attack helicopter that's NOT US-produced? I expect to see plenty of Soviet/Russian-built answers, but maybe I'll be surprised! Also, what's your favorite aircraft camouflage patten (any aircraft, any era)?

Good job on the Rafales! Where did you get those stands?

I'm getting the domain page, too.

I've had good luck with Revo Uninstaller.

I'm working on the 1/35 UH-60L and it calls for Dark Gull Grey for the interior, which looks closer to most of the pictures I've found than the Ghost Grey.

For me, filling seams (puttying and sanding) is the most aggravating chore there is in modeling. My advice is either to do the best you can to salvage this model and realize it's not going to match the picture of it you had in your head, or set it aside and buy a cheap model you don't mind practicing on. On the practice model, follow the advice given - thinner layer of putty (and thin the putty with solvent if necessary), mask the seam with tape, try the glue-and-squeeze method, find a different tool to spread it on, use a different putty. It's all about trial and error, and it's best to sc

Google News aggregator and BBC online, NPR on the radio. I don't watch TV and anything reported in the newspaper is outdated by the time it arrives thanks to 24/7 media.

What's the farthest you've traveled to get to a hobby shop? Also, if you don't have reasonable access to a physical hobby shop, what are your three favorite sources for models, aftermarket parts and tools?

Since most of the models I build are for other people (non-commissioned, just gifts) I don't have much of a problem with storage. I had to toss most of the models I made when I first started the hobby because they didn't survive multiple moves. And now I build so slowly that it just doesn't matter . . .

What they said. I've tried mixing in the cup and it fails because the paint at the "front" is either too thick or too thin depending on what you add to the cup first. I don't strain it like Triarius but I'm starting to think it's a good idea, especially with certain brands of paint.

I've used Future and extender to thin it, but it's still difficult to get the right mixture to airbrush the stuff. Some of the brands have coarse pigments, so you'll have to experiment . . . a lot.

#12, the ones that say "ANTENNA DO NOT PAINT." I botched 'em. Anyone have spares?

The load out looks cool and the magnet idea is awesome. What size/shape/type magnets did you use? Where did you get them?

Speaking of extras, does anyone have spare decals for the Academy 1/35 UH-60L? I botched the two tiny ones (#12) on the VHF-FM homing antennas.

I'm American and eat continental style (and get teased for it by the in-laws) because it's more efficient, but almost everyone else I know uses the zig zag method except for my left-handed daughter. I'm an oddball though, I prefer the metric system too!

Your pressure settings look OK (8-21psi), so it's probably a problem with thinning. By "spikes," do you mean it's spreading out, making it look like a spider? That's usually caused by too much thinner and/or too much pressure. Try less thinner and see if that helps. Is this a single or double-action AB?

I'm not in the same boat. I'm getting back into the hobby after a long hiatus and I haven't started using aftermarket decals yet. I would gladly take (or purchase at a steep discount) <_< whatever decals (whole or partial) you'd like to send since I'm always looking for spares or something different for a what-if.

I don't see movies at the theater very often but "The Road to Wellville" is the only movie that's gotten me to leave after less than 45 minutes.