clifforddward

Thank you for your kind words Greg...I must say that some of my best ship modeling memories come from the convention down in Tampa a few years ago and the time spent with you and all of the other ship modelers....great bunch of folks all willing to provide answers and information willingly...I am still using many of the "tips and tricks" I acquired during that convention. Best Regards, Cliff

Cannon castings now sold

SOLD....Quantity of 24 brass cannon castings with English herald decoration on top. 42mm long. The English herald decoration on top of cannon is quite detailed and the casting quality is excellent. Purchased for a 1:48 scale project that didn't happen. Includes trunnion holders as seen in photo. $75 postpaid within USA which is a good bit less than they cost when I purchased them 6 years ago from a fellow in Russia that does custom castings. Cliff Ward Cary, North Carolina clifforddward2@gmail.com

Jim: I'll echo the comments made by Bill above...I purchased my Cameron Drill Press 42 years ago and find it one of my most treasured pieces of kit in the workshop...probably overkill for 90% of wood parts in shipbuilding, but for that remaining 10% of the jobs that can benefit from a high quality tool it is priceless. I have been able to obtain any spare part needed directly from the manufacturer although spares are not needed often as I have kept mine properly lubricated over the years. I now also have a Sherline mill that could be used for drilling of fine holes, but the Cameron Drill press is still my go-to tool. I'd say $450-600 would be a typical used price for one in good shape that has not been abused. Best Regards, Cliff

Kurt's comments about airbrushes in general is spot on. I am confident his preferred Badger lineup works well. To be avoided at all costs is any discount "no name" offering...they will fail for certain in a short time with no hope to repair. I myself started using Paasche airbrushes back in 1975....important to me has been ongoing availability of parts...I have both single action Pasche "H" airbrushes as well as double action "V" and "VL" Paasche airbrushes. They are my main roster of daily users although the newer Paasche "Talon" has a lot going for it. There are more precise and more expensive airbrushes, but for my use I have found the Paasche line to be solid performers and rugged over time. While I now own nearly a dozen Paasche airbrushes, one of my favorite "go to" units is the first one I bought...it is somewhat like the proverbial axe that has had three new heads and four new handles over the years...but the basic body and works of the airbrush is still the same. When using newer acrylic paints like Vallejo my airbrush of choice has become the newer Paasche Talon...it seems to handle the thicker acrylic paints easier. I know air source is a whole different discussion, and I don't want to derail this thread, but for what it's worth I use a Co2 tank....one refill lasts me several months, and with the humidity here in North Carolina I prefer to work with the Co2 as propellant so I don't have any of the typical problems associated with humidity. Others will find air compressors work well for them, but I started with a Co2 tank and have had zero problems...beside, since it is silent I can airbrush late into the night without disturbing the Mrs.

Sale Pending...

SOLD---For sale is a group of Domanoff rope making and rigging tools...I bought these a couple of years ago but due to change in modeling direction never did anything with them...tools are new and still in shrink wrap as received from Domanoff. Group consists of: 1) Ropewalk machine "PROSAK" 3.0 2) Ropewalk "Planetary" 3.0 3) Serving Machine 2.1 4) Power Option for Serving Machine 5) Two Power supplies for above tools. 6) Instruction booklets for all plus DVD with instructions, videos, and more. Cost for current version of this group cost about $500....I'll sell everything noted above for $280 postpaid USA. International purchasers welcomed with additional shipping added for delivery to your destination. Cliff Ward Cary, North Carolina

SOLD: Byrnes Ropewalk machine...complete with machine, instructions for use and all accessories for different sized rope...also includes parts to make both three and four laid ropes...plus spares. See photos for details. Offered @ $265 plus shipping.

Model Shipways kit for sale...New-in-Box, never started: SOLD 1) Model Shipways #1457... 18th Century Longboat Kit...1/48th Scale...$40 postpaid USA via FedEx Ground shipment. Please note I will be selling a number of shipbuilding related items from my workshop in the coming days, including tools and difficult to find modeling books...a result of my realizing my modeling passion is live steam model railroading. Stay tuned for some great stuff that I hope will be helpful to those with a passion for shipbuilding. Best Regards, Cliff

Hi Jim: I am interested in your Proxxon DH40 planer... will send you a PM

My vote is for dull blade and perhaps wrong type of blade...if using a rip type blade for a crosscutting operation rough cuts will be the result.

My Knew Concepts fret saw has become a "go to" tool for coping and fine cutting work...I never realized how easy coping cuts could be...I wrestled for years with various fret saws...this one is the real deal and worth every penny for quality work!

I've had personal experience purchasing buxus (boxwood) from Rare Woods....wonderful wood and the folks at Rare Woods are a great bunch to deal with...I wholeheartedly recommend them.

As others have said there may need to be some clarification of the desired small hole size in order to establish a "correct" answer....including what is the definition of "small". For creating holes with #60 or smaller drill bits, particularly as one approaches bits smaller than #70, there is no better drill press than the Cameron Micro Drill Press. Cameron is a California based company and their drill presses seem frightfully expensive when first considered, but the spindles run very true and I can regularly drill #80 sized holes without any worry of breaking a bit. Yes, there are a number of small drill press manufacturers but the Cameron (formerly Treat) Drill Press is the gold standard... I bought mine about 35 years ago and after I got over the "pain" of the initial cost, I've enjoyed worry free drilling ever since. One of those "buy it and forget it" type of purchases to advance one's skill set...