My Arizona Ready for the bench

I just went out and picked up an X-Acto home/office cutting set at LHS iam trying to get up the nerve to build this kit i dont want it to look like garbage.

With a little study, the insturctions seem pretty straitforward with the exploded views in the kits instructions.

I started with the railings on the superstructure, mostly sections that didn't require bends. The areas that did need bends, I got a bunch of wood dowels with different diameters at Walmart and sanded them to fit the radius of the bends in areas such as around the searchlights on the searchlight platform.

I then started on the cranes, these were a little more challenging in that the instructions were not very clear. It was better to use my pictures to see were the ladders and railing went.

I'm now on the turret catapult and it has been a lot of fun. My cat stepped on right when I was almost finished with it, so now I'm practicing micro surgery on cutting it back apart, straitening it out, and putting it back together.

I dont use the hold n fold, but a couple of brass nameplates and some small styrene square bars with masking tape on the edge. The tape helps hold the part in place and using the plates seems to give me a lot a leeway for making bends.

I use medium CA through a hypodermic needle. It seems to put on just enough glue to make it easy to work with. With my damaged catapult, I'm under the magnifier with a scalpel blade scribing away the CA joint until is breaks. It's a long, tedius job, but its working.

A very sharp exacto is a must. I also work on a large black plastic sheet that I got at Hobby Lobby that had light coat of 3M spray adhesive sprayed on it. It keeps the parts from getting lost and easy to see.

I also use a magnifiing lamp that really makes it easy to see in tight areas such as when placing the ladders on the tripod masts.

Scott

Start with some of the larger pieces, read the instructions carefully, and whatever you do, don't rush! Tweezer and flat needle-nosed pliers are a must. Good luck!

Dont know were to start.I dont wanna screw it up.

Nah. Just take your time...PE is really easy to work with (except for those dang papercuts that sting so much)...within an hour or two, you will be off and running!
Looking forward to more pics...
greg

yes i bought the hole set but forgot to put it out. my only issue is i have never worked with PE parts before i have the magnifing light and mr fold it but iam affrad i might screw it thought about getting another model and practice on it.

The TMW catapult and boat cranes are really nice. I was very impressed with how mine turned out. The catapult is very detailed, or it was until my cat stepped on it.

Scott

I see you have Tom's railing and boat detail sets. Did you get Tom's USS Arizona detail set too? It has the cranes, catapults, etc. I used all three sets with my Arizona. I also removed the "pyramid" steps and replaced them with a GMM ladder and hatch set.

Jesse

Nice.................