Boatman

No doubt they will improve, but for the moment, I really can't see the standards being acceptable, especially on such spindly components, which would be difficult to clean up. The material (at least that rather gooey nylon-ish stuff) can't be cleaned up. The cylinder I spoke of was by no means big, it was only about 12mm tall and 3.5mm diameter max. It WAS a stunning piece of 3D printing, but for something that small to be considered "ruinously expensive" by a seasoned modelmaker, I think, says it all. Regards, Martin

Whilst I realise there will be more and more of this 3D stuff, but the finish needs to be so much better, surely, before it is acceptable. It looks like you painted the parts and then dipped them in caster sugar! Why is anyone taking this stuff seriously? If even Skaledale gave you that finish on lineside or any other items you'd never buy them. I know it can be done, but is "ruinously expensive", to quote one of the best kit manufacturers out there, who had one fantastic cylinder of a 5 cylinder radial done in 1/32nd scale. He then repeated it in resin. The yellow stuff looks marginally better, but still uneven. Whilst I can see you are a skilful and prolific CAD practitioner, I just can't see why the final print is considered acceptable. I think there is a tendency to being fashion victims, instead of discerning customers, led by the techie press. Once HD is cheaper by a country mile than it is now, I'll retire! Regards, Boatman

So nice to see care being taken with canals and boats and that backdrop is amazing! Well done, from the ex-owner of Heather Bell, the most famous of all boats on the Worcester Cut. Thanks for finally taking the trouble to model a canal properly! Regards, Boatman

Hi Mark, that's very kind of you. When I first lived here the track was still down in many areas, but it's all gone now. The bit I was thinking of doing was outside the old shop, facing the river and the track was well covered there. I even remember the old yard (with the ancient coach) at Upwell, now known as the Emneth bypass! My doctor holds court on the line of the exit from the terminus yard, but the station master's house is still there as is the shed at the Outwell basin end. PM on its way. Many thanks, Boatman

Hi Mark, showing my finescale only leanings, I was forgetting the loco kit is for one of Nev's standard N gauge chassis! Doh! Thanks for the info though. It occurred to me that most of the track was buried like a real tramline anyway, so the fact that I found a long Peco N gauge point this very morning means I can do a reasonable rendering with fill-in and grass. I think Nev has plenty of castings, but is so busy keeping up with chassis orders that he can't actually release any kits yet. He's at a show on the 13th up north somewhere (an 009 one I believe) and so can be questioned then. Regards, Boatman

I would warn against Nitromors. I once did a series of "Code 3" Models of Yesteryear, which required all the Matchbox paint being removed. It came off a treat, but even after scrubbing with cellulose thinners and hot water, the new paint would NOT set. New cellulose staying as wet as the tin-full permanently. So I tried my usual self-etch Sikkens from the spray gun and it dried instantly as did the coats on top. After that I just rubbed the original paint down and used self-etch straight over that. Perfect finish. I use self-etch for all uses, including the painting of Ureol patterns and the final resin mouldings. No need for scrubbing with vinegar/VIM/etc. Regards, Boatman

I made the pattern years ago for the N-Drive 2mm Wisbech and Upwell Tramway tram loco. I would like to build a small working diorama to show this off for Nev when he does shows. Would it be possible to obtain , say, a few feet of Easitrack and a single turnout kit (?) from the club without having to join as this would be my only foray into 2mm fs. Many thanks. Boatman

Haha, thanks, Tony, yes that mirror is a cruel master! But frustration with making an early Airfix kit station steps look any other than a joke in my 8 year old mind is what made me a modelmaker. I made a set of railside signs from Weetabix box and crayons and never made another kit! (And I still have one of those signs, 54 years later!). 10 years later I was a professional model maker, unemployable Awkward S*d and tight wad. Perfect qualifications for self employment as a modelmaker! And if you show the mirror master the model, you'll cringe with what you see, as if someone else had made it, warts and all....an old artist's trick. Regards, Boatman

Surely something is missing here. It appears to be a contest 'twixt RTR and kit, but why is scratchbuilding never mentioned? There must be a FEW left? Failing that, following a visit to an old chum this morning, I was reminded of what is possibly called these days "scratch assist" kits, chief amongst whom, in 7mm anyway, are Leinster Models. I was unaware that they still existed, but there in front of me were some lovely models made from these kits. Kits which leave a fair bit to actually make and which are consequently amazingly inexpensive. Of course we all know that the big costs with 7mm are the wheels, but add around £35 for the basic shell and a rolled boiler and you still have a very cheap model. I find it difficult to believe that most serious modellers can't wield a file and a piercing saw, so why not try one of these? Jamieson used to do the same in 4mm, but I think they ARE defunct, however, Worsley Works do a few "scratch assist" kits these days. I suppose it's down to money in the end. If you can afford a Finney, etc., you'll shell out, but if you have trouble justifying even the RTR costs, especially in 7mm scale, then full scratchbuilding (which really is so little harder to do than a kit) or the Leinster style kit would seem to be the answer and of course is so very much more satisfying. "Jutta thought, Eccles". Regards, Boatman

Precisely and I can't find that total on a quick look, unless you're including a lot of extras that help the scratchbuild along until it's effectively a semi-scratchbuild. No criticism, just curious. Regards, Boatman

Reliant Kittens used to be sold with Perspex windows to stay below the weight limit and they were 4 wheeled. Ligier Micro-Cars, same deal. Motor Tricycle was only written as such where the vehicle was a three wheeler. It is not a necessity for driving on a Motorcycle licence. Far more can be read on the Reliant Forum, which includes members who drive 4 wheelers on Motor cycle licences. Boatman

Great Northern, could you expand on your figure of £260 for parts to scratchbuild an A1, please? I just did a quick search around for wheels, gears and a motor and it comes to about £100-£120 dependant on motor, although I have so many motors that I wouldn't need to buy any new. I am considering building a loco and must admit I have been shocked by the price of 7mm scale wheels, compared to OO! I find n/s and brass sheet can be picked up for a reasonable price from stands at shows. On the subject of professionalism, as a professional modelmaker I take on all research, but happily accept any specialised items of research that my clients might have through particular contacts of their own. This happens particularly where a client wants a rally car modelled and can call upon photos that his own contacts may have. However, in the case of, say, a particular canal boat required and where the client offers to pay for a day out, I will go and measure and photograph the real thing. Obviously it can be a different matter with a loco, due to age affecting its likelihood of still being around. But as an example where, say an old F1 car is concerned, I have old Motor Sports on CD and magazines and will ONLY work from them, not from flashy colour shots of a modern and probably badly done restoration. Regards, Boatman

Being able to drive a "car" on a bike licence in the older days was all down to weight, not wheel numbers, but keeping the number of wheels to a minimum made it easier to get down to that weight, which I believe was 590 Kg. My Reliant Fox van was 630 Kg, due to its double skin body moulding. Regards, Boatman

The Commer engined special was built by an old chap who owns Fenland Airfield and the one time scrap yard next door. He always attends Newark Autojumble in it. With a trailer on the back. It's huge and sounds wonderful! He has another vintage type special (based on a Phatom III RR!) with a 5 cylinder Gardner engine in it. A remarkable old gent. BTW, a 3 litre Bentley isn't a Speed Six as it has only 4 cylinders! Nice pics and what a variety for just a garden centre in Worcestershire! Regards, Boatman

There are a couple of Cadbury liveried narrow boats around and they are definitely a purplish red. Cadbury's boats were always immaculately kept. Regards, Boatman

I must be lucky, but I had a trip round Norfolk lanes in a genuine 250 GTO. My son worked for the guy who was repairing it. We did 147.5mph up the Wissington Sugar factory road! He shouted across at me..."7000 in top!" Rally gearing. The filling station man nearly wet his trousers! But the car was appallingly badly made. Rivets all out of line, bad paint, rough edges, proving it was made to race. BUT, so pretty and what a sound it made. Got it all on video. At the other end of the spectrum, I once went all the way from Romford to Southend and back in a Bond Minicar, in the back! Regards, Boatman

SEF brick and stone sheets are vac-formed rather than embossed. Just splittin' hairs, but I know Dave is way too busy to let on how he does them. They sell like hot cakes and the poor man is rushed off his feet. As one of the few trustworthy w/m contract casters left he is busy as Hell with that side of things too. Don't forget the lovely vehicles he does too. Regards, Boatman

And there's always this old chestnut. 7mm scale set-piece. Only about 8" square. I was missing me mud! Boatman

The back. I used to see this on roadside establishments everywhere when I was a kid. Boatman

And a much more recent effort. The Lantern caff, from a largish set-piece. The story here is that the old coal office was taken over by the cafe proprietor, but it was a bit small, so they quickly added the wooden kitchen on the end. It seems to me that where there's tarred shiplap, there's always a faded light blue door. This has a table in the window. Cutlery is fine solder wire, squashed one end to make knife, fork and spoon shapes. Gutters made in a plasticard press from pewter repousse foil. Chinese takeaway foil will do almost as well. Boatman

Riverside garage, the office bit. Been around for years, this, but one day it might get onto a set-piece. 7mm scale. Slater's brick (well rubbed down) on CS10 and Daler line board. CS10 is now a collector's item! And yes the building really was that decrepit 25 years ago. You should see it now! Boatman