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grsjax

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Everything posted by grsjax

  1. I just received a Arkit Pinky Dove kit. Looks like a very good kit with decent materials. Can anyone tell me about this company? I know they are no longer in business and models were made in Spain but that is all I know.
  2. Stay away from Billings for a first build. Their instructions are rather sketchy and not for beginners. Look for a model that has excellent drawings and instructions. Preferably one that has several build logs on MSW. Models from Model Shipways are very good in that respect. If you are looking for a model that makes a good display and is not to difficult for a first time builder look at the "Willie L. Bennett" from Model Shipways. Not that Model Shipways is the only manufacturer with good drawings and instructions. Check out build logs here and ask questions about those that interest you.
  3. I believe the column on the MicroMark drill is a tube, not a solid bar. I could be wrong as I have not had the chance to take one apart. One way to stiffen a tube it is to fill it with concrete or a wooden dowel that is a snug fit in the tube.
  4. True but it will also be less rigid than a shorter one. Increasing the length can have an undesirable impact on vibration and accuracy.
  5. The Micro Mark drill press just plugs into the wall as do the Modelexpo and Harbor Freight versions.
  6. This looks like a fancier version of the one sold by Modelexpo. Some time Model Expo puts them on sale for under $100. This one looks to have a better level of finish than the Modelexpo one but aside from the digital readout and other mostly cosmetic differences I would assume that under the skin they are the same drill. My Modelexpo drill press works good, very little vibration and seems to have a lot of power for its size. Haven't had a chance to do much work on it but seems to do what it is supposed to.
  7. I have been using DesignCad 3D v22 for a couple of years. Very good interface and documentation. v22 is now out of date and will not run on Windows 10 but newer versions are available for reasonable price.
  8. If you access to an ultrasonic cleaner just remove the leads and put them in for 15sec.
  9. I like the WEN 10", 2 speed saw.
  10. A decent saw that is usually reasonably priced is the old Dremel table saw. Decent out of the box and easy to upgrade to make it better. Another option is one of the 8" table saws sold by sears from the 30's to the 60's. All cast iron and steel construction. I bought one for $50 a couple of years back. They show up on eBay regularly.
  11. One thing to keep in mind is that ship design and building terms in the 18th and 19th centuries were often vague and different writers would refer to different things with the same term and vs versa.
  12. Might want to take a look at "The Search for Speed Under Sail" by Howard I. Chapelle.
  13. Has anyone received a kit from CAF models? If so please post a review and/or build log. Thanks
  14. The Billings Blue Nose II 1:100 kit is actually a good kit for beginners. The instructions are getting better but still need some work. However there is plenty of help here on MSW so if it was up to me I would say go for it.
  15. The suggestion of going with a Midwest kit is a good one. The Skiff is a level 1 model that goes together easily and looks good when done. A little more complicated is the Dingy. The Crabbing Skiff would also be a good one to start with. Makes a very handsome model that is fairly simple to build. Although Midwest no longer makes the kits they show up on eBay regularly at reasonable prices.
  16. Just my 2 cents but I think the Wen is the better value and for what you would have paid for the Proxxon you can get the Wen 10" which is a quantum leap forward in performance over both the Wen 3939 and Skill 3386.
  17. There are two WEN 9" saws. The better one is the WEN 3939T 2.8-Amp 9-Inch Benchtop Band Saw with the ball bearing guides. The 10" is more powerful and has a larger throat but costs about $100 more. As far as cutting thick, hard wood both will do the job but care has to be taken in feeding the wood to the blade. I think the Proxxon is way over priced for what you get and no more capable than the cheaper and larger band saws available.
  18. Don't know if it is available to you but I find the WEN 2 speed 9" bandsaw very useful. Amazon sells them in the US for under US $300 including shipping. It isn't going to be as powerful as a 12" or 14" bandsaw but is completely adequate for resawing 1" hardwood stock.
  19. Looks like it is the same saw sold by many outlets including Home Depot, Lowes, Dremel and Harbor Freight and many others. Minor difference between labels but all the same basic saw.
  20. There is a formula on line for an acrylic thinner for airbrushing that is basically 50% water and 50% rubbing alcohol with a small amount of retarder and flow enhancer added. It is reported to be identical in use to Tamiya airbrush thinner. Not sure if Tamiya actually uses this formula. However I have read in a couple of books about airbrushing that alcohol is a very good solvent to use with acrylic paints. Also there is this is something to consider to prevent fadeing of your paint. https://www.amazon.com/Krylon-K01305-Coatings-11-Ounce-UV-Resistant/dp/B00397STRW?th=1
  21. Unusual subject but it looks like a nice kit. Put it on eBay with starting bid that works for you and a Buy it Now price set at what you think the max bid is likely to be.
  22. Haven't tried this yet but it looks good. https://www.amazon.com/KappAloy9-Aluminum-Solder-diameter-medium/dp/B00HYKQ6XY?ref_=fsclp_pl_dp_3
  23. Hadn't realized how expensive things are in Canada. Found a 3 drawer on Amazon.ca for Can $43 but there as an additional $25 in "import fee" and shipping. What is an import fee?
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