January is traditionally a time for organizing.  I came across this product at the Free Time Hobbies web site today.  This is a modular organizing system designed specifically for modelers.  You can mix and match different modules to build up your space the way you want it.  If your work space is out of control this may be a solution for you.  There are a number of reviews of this product on the internet and YouTube, but here's the video produced by the manufacturer.  If this is for you find it at Free Time Hobbies at this link:  http://freetimehobbies.com/brands/HobbyZone.html

Jerry gave me a lead on a company that prints custom T-Shirts.  It's called customink.com.

I created this long sleeve shirt based on suggestions.  The cost is about $37.  There are tons of clothing options.  You could even make a set of PJ's I think.  Is this what you had in mind?

I just posted a poll on the right side which will be there for the next two weeks.  I look forward to seeing your responses!

Some of you were asking about where to get the Uschi stretch rigging line.  I bought mine from Last Cavalry.

Here's a link to their site.  The line comes in three different diameters.  Standard, Fine, and Super Fine.  The sizes I picked up were Fine (.003) and Super Fine (.001).  Pretty amazing stuff!

http://www.lastcavalry.com

Thanks to everyone who made it to the meeting Saturday.

We started the meeting with Victor's wonderful 1/200 Bismarck.  I love these big models with the detail sets.  Details like vents around the gun turrets look like vents and not just a molded rectangle.  Victor summed it up.  When you're looking at it, you can literally take yourself on a tour around the ship.

I'll post more pictures in the photo pages.

Next John shared with us some new kits he picked up from Freetime Hobbies.  First a kit from a new supplier to the US,  IBG Models from Poland.  The WWII Hunt II Class Destroyer Escort.  I'm looking forward to John sharing this one with us.

Next was a China River Boat from Bigblueboy.  We're familiar with after market photo etch and resin sets that they have produced and this is one of their first ventures into resin kits.  This one is a real gem.  I'm looking forward to a future report on this one!  

For my part I brought some rigging materials.  First up was some tungsten wire that I purchased on eBay.  We had some fun with it because you can't see the smallest sample I brought which was .0005 diameter.  The larger of the two was .0015 diameter.  This is a more reasonable size to work with and for larger scales I would not hesitate to go larger.  This is some pretty tough stuff.  Some of the articles I've read say that you need special cutters although I found I could cut this with good quality scissors.  Larger diameters could be another story.

Next I brought some really amazing material from a company called Uschi which they call "Rig That Thing" rigging line.  They've designed it for model airplanes but the sizes I got .001 and .003 diameter are really nice for model ship rigging.  Another company makes this under the name EZ Line.  Watch this little video.  

This could be ideal for kit yard arms.  

We all decided that our next discussion will be on rigging.  I sent out a message to everyone asking for volunteers to demonstrate rigging techniques.  Victor has responded that he'll cover how he does painted fishing line.  I heard from Sam (yes, he's still out there somewhere.  :-)  ) that he's found some of that material John showed us and he's going to get it to Hugh to bring to the next meeting.  Maybe we can get John to demonstrate using it.  I'm going to work with the Tungsten wire.  Still would like somebody to talk about stretched sprue.  Anyone really good with it?   Finally if somebody would like me to send them some of this Uschi line to demonstrate let me know and I'll mail some to you.

Our flyer is complete thanks to help from Martin, Victor, and Blake.  I'm going to prep them for display in stores, etc. and we'll start getting the word out about our little group.

Finally Blake had an excellent suggestion for the group.  First we explore having some shirts printed up.  He also suggested that for the 75th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor we all work on a project commemorating that event.  The idea being anything at all from that period be it ship, plane, whatever.  Every month we can get a progress report on how you're doing.  There seemed to be general agreement that this was a good idea so let's go for it.  I've got a couple of ideas already!  After we're all done we can display it during the club event that Rockler puts on every year.  

Next meeting will be Saturday, February 27th.  I look forward to seeing you all then.  

I just received this final draft of our flyer from Blake.  I really like the header and the use of Victor's sketch and Arizona.  Also like the use of scales in the background.

Good news!  I just heard from Victor and he's going to bring his Trumpeter 1/200 Bismarck!  I can't wait to see this one!!

Greetings everyone,
Our meeting will be back at Rockler this Saturday at 10:00 am.  The theme for this meeting will be look what I bought... er... Santa brought me for Christmas!

Did anyone get any new kits, parts, books, or tools?  Please bring them and share with us.

If you're working on any projects you would like to share with use please bring as well.  I'm hoping Victor gets custody of the Subaru this weekend!

Finally we can have a swap meet too.  If you have something to sell please bring it and maybe we can find a home for that kit you're not going to get around to doing or have lost interest in.

To kick things off I've been experimenting with some Tungsten wire.  I bought a sample of "straightened" Tungsten wire off eBay in two different sizes. I'll talk about the benefits and perceived drawbacks I see with this stuff.  Maybe you guys have some ideas on how to work with it.  It has my interest in that it allows you to obtain a natural sag in rigging line which I've not had success with in other materials.   Here's an example I pulled off of the Steel Navy web site.

We'll kick around some club business as well.  

I look forward to seeing you all on Saturday.

Dave