SPA Modeler

speedgraflex wrote:How about using an old t-shirt as a “catcher?” I use a thrice folded old black t-shirt on my table to capture small parts. I use that for all the assembly work. The cutting matt is like a diving springboard!

That it is! I had som.e of the parts in a small portion cup, way back from the front edge. It is magic. The Bose gear door sot off the well like a rocket. All I heard was it hitting a box. Finally found it!. I may try something like this.

For small parts that might fly off into oblivion I have found a easy solution. Get a gallon zip lock back put part to be cut into bag then insert sprue cutters or #11 blade and remove part inside of bag if it goes flying it won't go far.

Ok, now I have to ask, what is the advantage of using a cutting mat? If you have a dedicated work/building table, dings, cuts, nicks, etc, really should not matter. They are marks of progress, experience and use. A pristine work bench top is like a four wheel drive vehicle that does not go off-road.
Clint, cutting off small parts inside a quart size ziploc bag is a brilliant technique! Thanks for sharing.

Stikpusher wrote:Ok, now I have to ask, what is the advantage of using a cutting mat? If you have a dedicated work/building table, dings, cuts, nicks, etc, really should not matter. They are marks of progress, experience and use. A pristine work bench top is like a four wheel drive vehicle that does not go off-road.
Clint, cutting off small parts inside a quart size ziploc bag is a brilliant technique! Thanks for sharing.

I do have a dedicated bench but the top is light grey, most kits are molded in light grey so the green really helps keep track of parts. It also helps keep me organized I use the grids like one grid has parts from step one another from step two etc. If I'm scratch building something i use the grids to make sure I'm square or to check a angle. Also for quick measurements, if I need exact I'll pull out my calipers but when I was cutting all the fiber optic lines for the falcon I just needed close and the mat made it fast work.

Already spilled my coffee upstairs. So, that is out of the way!
My apologies for the horrible spelling and words that appeared in my reply a few items ago. I was upstairs, on the couch with a dog in my lap, using the iPad.

My bench is light tan, as you may have seen. I am not adverse to wear and tear, but the mat intercepts the worst of it, so I have one. Isn't it part of the "uniform"?

Using a plastic ziptop bag is always an option, but I have very good luck just letting things drop to the mat. I usually clip them off very closely to the surface of the desk. Now, having said that.....

I don't have the dreaded carpet monster for my flooring. I have his close cousin, hardwood laminate floor monster. Besides that being what the entire finished basement flooring is, it is very easy to sweep and then go through the debris to look for stuff. Plus, we got about 1500 square feet of it for free, incuding delivery.

Well, here we go! You guys have fun today.

Hey, I don't see this whole Thread about posting gloom. I see the positive side in that you found some parts and you didn't fully trash the model beyond repair. Nicely done Lyle! Have another beer, relax, and enjoy this another day.

Thanks Duke. I am bound and determined this will get done. Then the plan is tackle the Ventura and one or two from the Shelf of Someday. Just don't mock the modeling gods.

This landing gear is fiddly, no real solid attach points, and with bad instructions (or my lack of being able to follow them) bad placement on the nose gear. it is too far aft. Anyway nose gear and right main are done and I'll be taking on the left side this morning.







I am happy the parts seem solid enough to move on, and they are good enough at this point. Next!

Looks like you have succeeded in wrestling the landing gear into shape Lyle.