Jim, I feel your pain on the sprockets, wheels, etc. I'm just finishing up my T-34 but completed the half track and all its road wheels. To cheat a little I only painted the outermost rubber and muddied up the other ones. The T-34 had steel along with rubber so it wasn't too complicated. I might be a masochist cause I'm putting together another piece of armor but this one has single link tracks; these things are stupidly over elaborate IMO. It is somewhat of a Zen thing as it requires so much patience.These two pics illustrate. They're supposed to be attached with the pins but as much as I can I will simply use liquid styrene cement at least till I get to the sprockets and return rollers! The connectors are actually just the tiny tips of those cylindrical pieces. The flat thing with the spikes is the jig. Like I said, fun stuff! It'll probably take most of this year before this bad boy's done. I will be constructing only aircraft after this.

Also, Ken I hope that in spite of what's happening at work you are able to "decompress" with the Phantom, or perhaps a pint or two will take the edge off! 

Ken, I can certainly feel for you right now. I mentioned before how we were acquired by another company over a year ago and they promptly moved us out of our warehouse and shoehorned us into theirs across town. After they fired the tiny tyrant, plus our returns clerk up and quit, (mostly due to the tiny tyrant before she went) so I have had to take on the responsibility for doing all the clerical and administrative duties in the warehouse. Basically doing most of what a warehouse manager would do-without the pay that would come with it.

Now at the end of this month, they are converting us from our computer system and integrating us into theirs. This will take place at the end of the month and we are going to have to work part way through Memorial Day weekend. I have had to work extra to clean up all old reports, returns, etc. Last night I spent 2 extra hours deleting old warehouse locations for non-stock items and by the time I was done, my hands were actually going numb from sitting at the keyboard non-stop. I have no help with any of this as my co-workers barely know how to turn on a computer, let alone operate one. Plus I am the one that has to fix every error that is done by the rest of the crew and when I explain just how much extra work this causes me, I get an "Oh well" attitude.

Ken, it just seems like they want more and more from employees, with little in the way of compensation or reward. I find myself awake long before the alarm goes off, and yet I struggle to get myself into work on time as I just don't want to be there. Then I end up working late as there just isn't enough time to get everything done.

Sorry about my rant here. I was going to post some photos of my hobby work tonight but I suddenly realize it is after 2 now.

jimbot58

Ken, I can certainly feel for you right now. I mentioned before how we were acquired by another company over a year ago and they promptly moved us out of our warehouse and shoehorned us into theirs across town. After they fired the tiny tyrant, plus our returns clerk up and quit, (mostly due to the tiny tyrant before she went) so I have had to take on the responsibility for doing all the clerical and administrative duties in the warehouse. Basically doing most of what a warehouse manager would do-without the pay that would come with it.

Now at the end of this month, they are converting us from our computer system and integrating us into theirs. This will take place at the end of the month and we are going to have to work part way through Memorial Day weekend. I have had to work extra to clean up all old reports, returns, etc. Last night I spent 2 extra hours deleting old warehouse locations for non-stock items and by the time I was done, my hands were actually going numb from sitting at the keyboard non-stop. I have no help with any of this as my co-workers barely know how to turn on a computer, let alone operate one. Plus I am the one that has to fix every error that is done by the rest of the crew and when I explain just how much extra work this causes me, I get an "Oh well" attitude.

Ken, it just seems like they want more and more from employees, with little in the way of compensation or reward. I find myself awake long before the alarm goes off, and yet I struggle to get myself into work on time as I just don't want to be there. Then I end up working late as there just isn't enough time to get everything done.

Sorry about my rant here. I was going to post some photos of my hobby work tonight but I suddenly realize it is after 2 now.

That is exactly how I feel Jim.  I also wake up before the alarm goes off but need sleeping pills to get to sleep.  And I have already been posting about the overtime I have been working but since I am salary, I do not get paid for it.  It is also a struggle to get to work in the morning and also feel no appreciation for all the work I do.  In fact the opposite.  Half of the people I work with talk behind my back.

Ken

mikeymize

Jim, I feel your pain on the sprockets, wheels, etc. I'm just finishing up my T-34 but completed the half track and all its road wheels. To cheat a little I only painted the outermost rubber and muddied up the other ones. The T-34 had steel along with rubber so it wasn't too complicated. I might be a masochist cause I'm putting together another piece of armor but this one has single link tracks; these things are stupidly over elaborate IMO. It is somewhat of a Zen thing as it requires so much patience.These two pics illustrate. They're supposed to be attached with the pins but as much as I can I will simply use liquid styrene cement at least till I get to the sprockets and return rollers! The connectors are actually just the tiny tips of those cylindrical pieces. The flat thing with the spikes is the jig. Like I said, fun stuff! It'll probably take most of this year before this bad boy's done. I will be constructing only aircraft after this.

Also, Ken I hope that in spite of what's happening at work you are able to "decompress" with the Phantom, or perhaps a pint or two will take the edge off! 

Holy cow Mike!  Talk about Peat and Repeat!  I see your point!  That would take a lot of patience and a lot of determination to finish!

Ken

Son Of Medicine Man

jimbot58

Ken, I can certainly feel for you right now. I mentioned before how we were acquired by another company over a year ago and they promptly moved us out of our warehouse and shoehorned us into theirs across town. After they fired the tiny tyrant, plus our returns clerk up and quit, (mostly due to the tiny tyrant before she went) so I have had to take on the responsibility for doing all the clerical and administrative duties in the warehouse. Basically doing most of what a warehouse manager would do-without the pay that would come with it.

Now at the end of this month, they are converting us from our computer system and integrating us into theirs. This will take place at the end of the month and we are going to have to work part way through Memorial Day weekend. I have had to work extra to clean up all old reports, returns, etc. Last night I spent 2 extra hours deleting old warehouse locations for non-stock items and by the time I was done, my hands were actually going numb from sitting at the keyboard non-stop. I have no help with any of this as my co-workers barely know how to turn on a computer, let alone operate one. Plus I am the one that has to fix every error that is done by the rest of the crew and when I explain just how much extra work this causes me, I get an "Oh well" attitude.

Ken, it just seems like they want more and more from employees, with little in the way of compensation or reward. I find myself awake long before the alarm goes off, and yet I struggle to get myself into work on time as I just don't want to be there. Then I end up working late as there just isn't enough time to get everything done.

Sorry about my rant here. I was going to post some photos of my hobby work tonight but I suddenly realize it is after 2 now.

That is exactly how I feel Jim.  I also wake up before the alarm goes off but need sleeping pills to get to sleep.  And I have already been posting about the overtime I have been working but since I am salary, I do not get paid for it.  It is also a struggle to get to work in the morning and also feel no appreciation for all the work I do.  In fact the opposite.  Half of the people I work with talk behind my back.

Ken

Get used to it, guys. It's all part of the growing trend to destroy the middle class system in this country and around the world and turn us all into day laborers. The companies love these kind of labor gluts - they can rid themselves of higher paid workers and force those left to do the work of three or four. Our new "computer age" managers manage by email and  divorce themselves from any concerns about employee welfare while they cowtow to higher management and watch their pay and benefits increase. As much as I despised the labor unions, they were responsible for most of the compensations we have, which are  slowly eroding away.

Sorry, had to get that off my chest

Russ

Striker8241

Son Of Medicine Man

jimbot58

Ken, I can certainly feel for you right now. I mentioned before how we were acquired by another company over a year ago and they promptly moved us out of our warehouse and shoehorned us into theirs across town. After they fired the tiny tyrant, plus our returns clerk up and quit, (mostly due to the tiny tyrant before she went) so I have had to take on the responsibility for doing all the clerical and administrative duties in the warehouse. Basically doing most of what a warehouse manager would do-without the pay that would come with it.

Now at the end of this month, they are converting us from our computer system and integrating us into theirs. This will take place at the end of the month and we are going to have to work part way through Memorial Day weekend. I have had to work extra to clean up all old reports, returns, etc. Last night I spent 2 extra hours deleting old warehouse locations for non-stock items and by the time I was done, my hands were actually going numb from sitting at the keyboard non-stop. I have no help with any of this as my co-workers barely know how to turn on a computer, let alone operate one. Plus I am the one that has to fix every error that is done by the rest of the crew and when I explain just how much extra work this causes me, I get an "Oh well" attitude.

Ken, it just seems like they want more and more from employees, with little in the way of compensation or reward. I find myself awake long before the alarm goes off, and yet I struggle to get myself into work on time as I just don't want to be there. Then I end up working late as there just isn't enough time to get everything done.

Sorry about my rant here. I was going to post some photos of my hobby work tonight but I suddenly realize it is after 2 now.

That is exactly how I feel Jim.  I also wake up before the alarm goes off but need sleeping pills to get to sleep.  And I have already been posting about the overtime I have been working but since I am salary, I do not get paid for it.  It is also a struggle to get to work in the morning and also feel no appreciation for all the work I do.  In fact the opposite.  Half of the people I work with talk behind my back.

Ken

Get used to it, guys. It's all part of the growing trend to destroy the middle class system in this country and around the world and turn us all into day laborers. The companies love these kind of labor gluts - they can rid themselves of higher paid workers and force those left to do the work of three or four. Our new "computer age" managers manage by email and  divorce themselves from any concerns about employee welfare while they cowtow to higher management and watch their pay and benefits increase. As much as I despised the labor unions, they were responsible for most of the compensations we have, which are  slowly eroding away.

Sorry, had to get that off my chest

Russ

Len

Ken & Jim: Sorry to hear that guys and hope things get better. I won't say much since I don't want to end up in my own rant but I frankly don't see things getting any better in the near future and probably will continue to get worse before they get better. So all I can say is hang in there...

Mike: ACK! I know what you mean - I hate those track links like that. I know the rubber band style tracks get dumped on my a lot of modelers but give me them any day over these awful things!

Striker8241

Get used to it, guys. It's all part of the growing trend to destroy the middle class system in this country and around the world and turn us all into day laborers. The companies love these kind of labor gluts - they can rid themselves of higher paid workers and force those left to do the work of three or four. Our new "computer age" managers manage by email and  divorce themselves from any concerns about employee welfare while they cowtow to higher management and watch their pay and benefits increase. As much as I despised the labor unions, they were responsible for most of the compensations we have, which are  slowly eroding away.

Sorry, had to get that off my chest

Russ

Very valid and good points there Russ.  Now that you mention it, I do feel like a mule sometimes!

I also think the government is in on it as well.  (Of course they are, who else pays the politicians?)  I better stop there before I get out of control!

Ken

Striker8241

Son Of Medicine Man

jimbot58

Ken, I can certainly feel for you right now. I mentioned before how we were acquired by another company over a year ago and they promptly moved us out of our warehouse and shoehorned us into theirs across town. After they fired the tiny tyrant, plus our returns clerk up and quit, (mostly due to the tiny tyrant before she went) so I have had to take on the responsibility for doing all the clerical and administrative duties in the warehouse. Basically doing most of what a warehouse manager would do-without the pay that would come with it.

Now at the end of this month, they are converting us from our computer system and integrating us into theirs. This will take place at the end of the month and we are going to have to work part way through Memorial Day weekend. I have had to work extra to clean up all old reports, returns, etc. Last night I spent 2 extra hours deleting old warehouse locations for non-stock items and by the time I was done, my hands were actually going numb from sitting at the keyboard non-stop. I have no help with any of this as my co-workers barely know how to turn on a computer, let alone operate one. Plus I am the one that has to fix every error that is done by the rest of the crew and when I explain just how much extra work this causes me, I get an "Oh well" attitude.

Ken, it just seems like they want more and more from employees, with little in the way of compensation or reward. I find myself awake long before the alarm goes off, and yet I struggle to get myself into work on time as I just don't want to be there. Then I end up working late as there just isn't enough time to get everything done.

Sorry about my rant here. I was going to post some photos of my hobby work tonight but I suddenly realize it is after 2 now.

That is exactly how I feel Jim.  I also wake up before the alarm goes off but need sleeping pills to get to sleep.  And I have already been posting about the overtime I have been working but since I am salary, I do not get paid for it.  It is also a struggle to get to work in the morning and also feel no appreciation for all the work I do.  In fact the opposite.  Half of the people I work with talk behind my back.

Ken

Get used to it, guys. It's all part of the growing trend to destroy the middle class system in this country and around the world and turn us all into day laborers. The companies love these kind of labor gluts - they can rid themselves of higher paid workers and force those left to do the work of three or four. Our new "computer age" managers manage by email and  divorce themselves from any concerns about employee welfare while they cowtow to higher management and watch their pay and benefits increase. As much as I despised the labor unions, they were responsible for most of the compensations we have, which are  slowly eroding away.

Sorry, had to get that off my chest

Russ

life is a strange balance, the erosion of dividends paid to savers has also caused us to become day-laborers.

most businesses are not big corporations, but small family-run firms, and the taxes, new health-care law  and regulations are

forcing them to close up shop, and either go on welfare, or try and find a job with a bigger company.

When the capitalist system is finally destroyed, only one big fat corporation will exist.

That would be the elite-all-powerful government, biggest-done company i ever done saw.....lol.

i don't know about you guys, but monopolies are driving us into slavery..........ahem....

There's good news though, I just saved $600 on my auto insurance!!!!

it's no wonder i just want to build kits.......doesn't hurt anyone else.....lol

Ken we don't want us to get shut down here by management, we must soldier on and

fight the AM world of zombie photo-etch and in-accurate resin......lol

Dom

Gamera

That's pretty cool Dom, is it a dagger? Looks to me like the legs go down into a point.

Hey Cliff:

Missed your question in the middle of all the cool stuff going on.

It's not a dagger, it's just a statue, the legs do go to a point but I had to put

a flattened end on so we could bolt it to the base.

Guys, thanks for the compliments on that.

Dom

Well, I guess I'll try to get back to the subject at hand.

No hobby work last night as I was so beat, I came home and went straight to bed. Previously, I had fairly short nights, and only managed to do a little painting on the Tiger undercarriage and road gear. Tried to get to the Growler, but just wasn't time. Painting all this proved to be almost as tedious as putting them altogether.

I also had to spend way too much time battling the carpet monster as one of those little hubs popped loose off its toothpick holder and after a quick bounce off the desk, made it's way straight for the floor to the carpet below. It had the perfect opportunity to escape as the carpet is nearly the same color (perfect camouflage!) I had to bring out the big guns-vacuum with an aquarium fish net in the hose-and run it over the area. After sifting through all the nasty stuff, I found the part and returned to its place.

I probably should go back and fill those holes, but they are on the bottom. I'm trying to do the undercarriage first as there are fenders to go on the sides and I'm not sure if the tracks would go on with them in place.

Other than this, been kind of side lined today with my back acting up again, so its been mostly bed and heating pad day for me.

Jim

Jim: ouch, hope your back feels better. Good to hear you found the missing part though!

You might want to just leave the wheels off, putting them on after painting everything. I normally do things this way, seems simpler.

Well, one of the guys running the museum our IPMS club meets at has approached us about building some aircraft for a display. So I volunteered to build an UH-64L medevac Blackhawk and an UH-64 Apache gunship over the next month - like I don't have enough irons in the fire!

jimbot58

Well, I guess I'll try to get back to the subject at hand.

No hobby work last night as I was so beat, I came home and went straight to bed. Previously, I had fairly short nights, and only managed to do a little painting on the Tiger undercarriage and road gear. Tried to get to the Growler, but just wasn't time. Painting all this proved to be almost as tedious as putting them altogether.

I also had to spend way too much time battling the carpet monster as one of those little hubs popped loose off its toothpick holder and after a quick bounce off the desk, made it's way straight for the floor to the carpet below. It had the perfect opportunity to escape as the carpet is nearly the same color (perfect camouflage!) I had to bring out the big guns-vacuum with an aquarium fish net in the hose-and run it over the area. After sifting through all the nasty stuff, I found the part and returned to its place.

I probably should go back and fill those holes, but they are on the bottom. I'm trying to do the undercarriage first as there are fenders to go on the sides and I'm not sure if the tracks would go on with them in place.

Other than this, been kind of side lined today with my back acting up again, so its been mostly bed and heating pad day for me.

Jim

Very sorry to hear about your back pain Jim.  I hope it feels better soon.

I am also glad to hear that you were able to deny the carpet monster another morsel!  Too bad it did cost you the trouble and time to reach in and pull it out of its mouth!  I hate that sound you hear when a plastic piece ricochets or bounces off the hard surface of the workbench into the "unknown"!  I wish I could use that setup that Russ uses.  It is pretty sweet to catch stuff like that, but for my setup it won't work.

Ken

Hi Everyone!

I spent the day with my step children and their spouses.  They took their Mom and I out for a day of fun for Mother's Day.  My step son lives a couple of hours drive away and will be spending tomorrow with his wife's Mother so they all got together today.  We all had a good time, it was a nice break.

So no time at the workbench today.

Ken

Had to work today since no one else seemed like they were going to volunteer. I figured it would look good when appraisal time came around.....Anyway got home in time to throw some chops on the grill and watch the sun set. No modeling done but will resume tomorrow after visiting my mom. Jim, good to see the progress on the Tiger II. I've never thought of putting an aquarium type net on the hose but will try next time!

Gamera

Jim: ouch, hope your back feels better. Good to hear you found the missing part though!

You might want to just leave the wheels off, putting them on after painting everything. I normally do things this way, seems simpler.

Thanks for your words everybody about the back. It's a chronic thing I have dealt with for most of my adult life, and I have pain most days. Sometimes is is worse than usual, and sometimes it puts me out of commission for days. It's been suggested more than once that I should possibly look into permanent disability. I just don't know about that, though. I wish I could do something other than warehouse work as it is getting too hard on me.

Gamera, if I put the wheels on later, I'm going to have to put the fender skirts on later, right? I just wasn't sure about how to do the "rubber band" track  if I do.

Other than that, kind of in a somber mood now as it is Mothers Day. Nearly a year and I still miss her something terrible.

Jim

mikeymize

Had to work today since no one else seemed like they were going to volunteer. I figured it would look good when appraisal time came around.....Anyway got home in time to throw some chops on the grill and watch the sun set. No modeling done but will resume tomorrow after visiting my mom. Jim, good to see the progress on the Tiger II. I've never thought of putting an aquarium type net on the hose but will try next time!

Hi Mike,

I hope that at least they give you some type of feeling of appreciation for working on Mother's Day weekend!

Ken

jimbot58

Gamera

Jim: ouch, hope your back feels better. Good to hear you found the missing part though!

You might want to just leave the wheels off, putting them on after painting everything. I normally do things this way, seems simpler.

Thanks for your words everybody about the back. It's a chronic thing I have dealt with for most of my adult life, and I have pain most days. Sometimes is is worse than usual, and sometimes it puts me out of commission for days. It's been suggested more than once that I should possibly look into permanent disability. I just don't know about that, though. I wish I could do something other than warehouse work as it is getting too hard on me.

Gamera, if I put the wheels on later, I'm going to have to put the fender skirts on later, right? I just wasn't sure about how to do the "rubber band" track  if I do.

Other than that, kind of in a somber mood now as it is Mothers Day. Nearly a year and I still miss her something terrible.

Jim

Hi Jim,

On the matter of your back pain and your job, just be sure that your job is not causing your back to become more injured.  The last thing you want is to end up spending the last years of your life confined to a wheel chair or worse because of a stupid job!

I of course do not know exactly how you feel about the loss of your Mother, but I do know about it since the loss of my Dad.  It has been 3 years now for me and I still miss him very much.  But the pain is starting to lessen.  I guess it is more liken to getting used to it.  We have to remember that we knew our parents for all of our lives which for some of us is 50 plus years.  It will take a long time to get over losing them.

For me Memorial Day is another big day to remember my Dad.  I will be visiting his grave to put flowers (red, white and blue of course!) on it.  I will also do some sprucing up, planting more grass seed if it needs it and fertilizer.

Ken

Jim: I'd just tack the skirts on with a little glue so when you paint the camo it will match. You should be able to work the tracks under the skirts and around but if you just tack them on you can still pull them off if you should need to to without ripping up the model.

Sorry about your mom, guess I'm lucky I still have my parents around even though they drive me crazy sometimes. You never seem to really miss something till it's gone...

Here is a kicker-just got a call and found out another friends mom passed away this morning at 7:30! Mothers Day! Service probably next Saturday.

Back a little touchy today, but much better for the moment. At least the spasms stopped.

I went to the cemetery today and saw I wasn't alone. There were a lot of people and some had even set up canopies, umbrellas and chairs and were having family gatherings. Sometimes I forget I'm not the only person who ever went through this....

I also went to the hobby shop, but wasn't really into it today.  Probably didn't help to go there from the cemetery.

Other than that it's been mow the yard again, (took my time due the the previously mentioned back) yard clean up and some repairs outside-but no hobby work at all this weekend.

Jim

jimbot58

Here is a kicker-just got a call and found out another friends mom passed away this morning at 7:30! Mothers Day! Service probably next Saturday.

Back a little touchy today, but much better for the moment. At least the spasms stopped.

I went to the cemetery today and saw I wasn't alone. There were a lot of people and some had even set up canopies, umbrellas and chairs and were having family gatherings. Sometimes I forget I'm not the only person who ever went through this....

I also went to the hobby shop, but wasn't really into it today.  Probably didn't help to go there from the cemetery.

Other than that it's been mow the yard again, (took my time due the the previously mentioned back) yard clean up and some repairs outside-but no hobby work at all this weekend.

Jim

I lost three parents just before you lost your mom, and I remember, that was such a tough time for you as you worked through the torments of her passing, and your sister didn't help any, if I recall.

All I know is no one is going to be lingering in regrets and sorrow when I pass.....

or even help out in the though last days......

We are lucky to have helped the ones that did pass.....just don't expect anything for yourself.

No one will be setting up a tent to mark my passing

Dom

I have no kids, most my family has already gone....I figure the county will have to see to my final arrangements.

Good grief...you guys are really making me sad....

jimbot58

Here is a kicker-just got a call and found out another friends mom passed away this morning at 7:30! Mothers Day! Service probably next Saturday.

Back a little touchy today, but much better for the moment. At least the spasms stopped.

I went to the cemetery today and saw I wasn't alone. There were a lot of people and some had even set up canopies, umbrellas and chairs and were having family gatherings. Sometimes I forget I'm not the only person who ever went through this....

I also went to the hobby shop, but wasn't really into it today.  Probably didn't help to go there from the cemetery.

Other than that it's been mow the yard again, (took my time due the the previously mentioned back) yard clean up and some repairs outside-but no hobby work at all this weekend.

Jim

Hi Jim,

Try to focus on the good times you had with your Mom.  That is how she would want you to remember her.  And you do have the friend that you go fishing with.  So you are not completely alone.  And you do have us here, although we are only in cyber space, we are real too and do care.

Ken

I apologize!  I usually keep up on this!  I have been so stressed from work that I missed it!

Armed Forces week started this last Saturday!  I give a big salute to all of you who are and have served in the American Armed Forces!    Thank you Russ and Mike for serving in our USAF!  (If I missed anyone else, please don't hesitate to point it out!)

Ken

Hi Everyone,

I am sure you have heard Cliff and I mention Gator's Grip Hobby Glue on more than one occasion.  Well I am sad to say that the owner has closed down operations for a couple of months due to his son's surgery which is happening this Thursday.  Apparently he is on medications for seizures and the surgery is to have a vegnal nerve stimulator put in that should help control the seizures.

Ken

Ouch, thanks for the head's up Ken, I hadn't heard. I bought a couple of bottles last time around, hopefully he'll be back up and running soon.

Gamera

Ouch, thanks for the head's up Ken, I hadn't heard. I bought a couple of bottles last time around, hopefully he'll be back up and running soon.

It makes me embarrassed to think about what I complain about.

Ken

Hi Everyone,

I have both exhaust turbines polished.  Here is a picture with just one of them polished so you can see the side by side comparison.  The one on the left is polished, the one on the right is not:

Next is adding the wash to the jet pipes.  I won't be doing that tomorrow though since I will be attending my wife's 40th anniversary dinner at her job!  Totally unheard of now days!

Ken 

Son Of Medicine Man

Hi Everyone,

I am sure you have heard Cliff and I mention Gator's Grip Hobby Glue on more than one occasion.  Well I am sad to say that the owner has closed down operations for a couple of months due to his son's surgery which is happening this Thursday.  Apparently he is on medications for seizures and the surgery is to have a vegnal nerve stimulator put in that should help control the seizures.

Ken

That's tough news, I hope he pulls through okay.

[I use Gator's, it stays where you put it.]

That's also tough on the business, here's wishing them

the best outcome!

Dom