Hi Ya'll:
Now I spose yer all sayin ,"What's the old man going off on now?" Samo,samo: ways to build models that can save money and make your model special. Remember what I say applies to all the models you can thnk of in all the various types as well.
Yup, No one is exempt! Cars-Not Exempt, Ships-Nope, Planes, Nope, and Armor-No way! Lets not forget those awesome Dioramas some of you do as well.
This applies to all and anything out there! How many times have you gotten to a certain point and said to yourself"Self"" that P.E. Looks good but, gosh you can't hardly see it and it cost a bundle". Any Bundle mentioned means anything over $20.00 plus Postage!
Geez, Guys and Gals, Look around you! It's out there waiting for you to see that Lightbulb over yer head when you spot it.( Whatever IT is.) I have mentioned starting on the long term project Tanker again
Well, I am running out of aftermarket parts.These come from Model RailRoad Scenics and Parts companies like Walthers and Tichy Train Group ( This, Because of Scale ) which in this case is 1/160 ("N") and 1/87( H.O.) scales.
As I mentioned in those Posts I ran out of material! Geez, I had it all around me ! Sprue and Steps from a few different models, Evergreen old stock from years ago, and lastly A trip to of all places Jo-Anns Sewing and Cloth and Jewelry Hobby source!
I was looking for thin cloth to use as seat Covers on a model car I am doing!
Sprue made the valves and Some company that makes the snaps supplied the Wheels. Guess what they look exactly like the four spoke wheels for the valves that I needed. Remember, I needed valves and wheels for the Tanker. Modified "Ts" in the pipes and Lingerie snaps filled the bill and they were cheaper than the buying of Four sets of Walthers parts of one type and two sets of another type!
They came 38 to a card, 14 small and 12 each of the other two sizes. Remember Valve wheels are sometimes classified as Single, Dual and Multi. This doesn't necessarily mean valves or types, but how many men it takes to operate them. When the Can I was on had maneuvers, when the Bridge rang down for all ahead Flank, I will tell you It took more than one man to turn those Valve wheels under full steam pressure! Hence the larger size.
I can't stress enough. Stop wasting so much on Tom's, and Eduard etc. and look around.You'll find something cheaper, that looks right too! And it'll be in places you don't think it would be. there was a jeweler in my old neighborhood that had Chain that was in the same size as H.O. Anchor Chain. Four foot of it lasted a long time and It didn't cost as much as chain made for the model. Plus it was in the crossbar link a lot ships used for years.
Remember until the late sixties, there was no such thing as the Aftermarket. Oh, for those of you concerned. You don't have to worry, I do use Fruilmodel Tracks on my Armor. Unless you are doing your piece in 1/12 or 1/16-LEGO Caterpillar tracks won't work!