I just dropped in.  You're work is incredible!  Also, please be aware that many of us go through a similar stretch in our lives; it's wonderful to see a person take the small steps to recover.  For me, I rediscovered armor modeling as a break from my life-long passion for ships, and I am enjoying it immensely!

Bill Morrison

You know, you do incredible work; very impressive, but I have to ask you a question---with 102 unfinished projects, did you ever think of just relaxing a bit on the obsessive PE  detailing and just finish a kit without having to go to the "nth degree" with it? I mean, in the interests of just feeling like you've acheived something?

Looks good! One day I'm going to have to try soldering parts like this. 

Your improvised jig and resulting metal work look pretty impressive. Wow!

disastermaster

Looks like a nice new "re-ginning" of some abandoned work.

Now, only a 101 more to go.

         

 

Thanks for looking in Steve!

More small soldering last night;

And here is the secret to soldering there small things,

Looks like a nice new "re-ginning" of some abandoned work.

Now, only a 101 more to go.

Small progress last night, not much time for models, had to spend time with my wife insted, (better than modelling time).

Started work on soldering the hatches together for the coupola, what a pain!

Will get more done tonight.

Gamera, Stikpusher, thanks for the encouragement.

TigerII, this is my "sabbatical" from work.

I am a Design engineer for a small company (GARD Specialists Co., Inc.).

We make high end cutting tools, abrasives and thread repair products.

And that is cool stuff but, that also means that I have to deal with Technical calls from customers too.

So on my off time this hobby/obsession is my vacation from work.

I have many projects in the works right now, here are some pictures from my shop;

Now for some progress on tha Panze III;

Next is the hatches:

More tomorrow.

Amen Stik, that hobby muse does leave for awhile. I always say I'm taking a sabbatical. Then the inspiration comes back and I get back to it. Even now I like to take a few days off while doing a project, just to refresh my energies.

Well I can certainly understand losing the wind in your sails for this hobby. I had similar experiences from 2011 thru the end(literally) of last year. No medical illness conditions thankfully though. And yes, the hobby muse left the building for awhile. But she does return eventually. Hopefully when we can get back to where we left off before after all the dust and debris settles. 

You have quite the project going here, and it's good to see you're back on it now! There sure is a lot of extra effort you are pouring into this Panzer. I'm looking forward to your finished build.

Gee, after all that I think I'd need a hobby to keep my mind off reality. 

My thoughts and prayers, hope things turn around after all that. 

Thanks for the kind words Bill.

Glad you like my work TigerII.

Upon unpacking the tote I noticed I had lost a fender;

After a bit of scraping to get rid of the old C.A. it's bach on again.

Here is a look at the tiny bits;

and the photo etch parts left;

Here is the start to the internal detail for the coupola;

More to come later.

Really awesome PE work.

Great to see you back. Those are really terrible things to have happen and never feel ashamed for all the prayers, thoughts and feelings that come your way.

I also send condolences to your wife. I gather she's still holding it up.

It's so hard to find modeling time anymore, so any little bit is a blessing.

One of my very favorite tamks BTW. Really will follow you here.

Bill

Rekindling this build after 8 years of struggle.

It has been 8 years cense I had put this project into a tote.

In the past 8 years my wife’s Father died, then her Sister lost the house.

My Grandmother lost her battle with kidney failure.

My Father was diagnosed with heart failure.

I was diagnosed with type 2 Diabetes, and all of the problems with that going out of control.

My Mother found out she had Pancreatic cancer, then died after a long 6 year fight, She died a year ago at Christmas.

This put me into some deep depression.

It has taken some time to get back in the swing of things.

I have posted a few things in the interim, in between some bouts with depression.

But I am planing to be on here more often now.

I am not looking for a pitty party, just putting this out for those in similar situations.

I am hoping to show that everyone can overcome all of these things and get back to the norm.

And as such I plan on finishing up the builds that I left abandoned.

So starting out slowly, here is the reopening of this build;

More tomorrow.

This is from Achtung Panzer No. 2. RZM Imports carries the full line and is where I got mine: http://www.rzm.com/books/model/achtung.cfm

Just be warned a lot of the caption text is in Japanese with no corresponding English translation but all of the details and drawings are dual captioned and that's ultimately what matters with these anyhow IMHO.

Oh, ya, wbill76,

I almost forgot, the rack is part of Aber's kit that I am using.

But, if it p's me off too much I may have to scratch build one...

Tom F.

wbill76 wrote:

Tom, Don't tell me you're trying to scratchbuild one of those too? This drawing might help at least give you the general idea. Essentially the same style of rack as that seen on the early Pz IVs, IIs, and Is.

MAN YOU ROCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm going to order that book ya got tomorrow....mmm, err, wich volume are these pics from anyhow???

And were is the best place to by it on the internet???

Tom,

Don't tell me you're trying to scratchbuild one of those too? This drawing might help at least give you the general idea. Essentially the same style of rack as that seen on the early Pz IVs, IIs, and Is.

wbill76 wrote:

Doing a great job on this one with all the very fine detail work...I was curious about the starter since it's all-brass, fabulous work there for sure in crafting your own.

wbill76,

Thanks!  

About the starting handle, maybe I'm geting a little carried away...

Hey!, I am having a helava time with how the smoke candle rack is constructed on the back.

Got any info on that damn thing?????

Tom F.

New update, 02-12-09 6:58 AM

Is it not lovely living in the north woods of Wisconsin!!!

40+ degrees F. this weekend and my under ground water pipes to my outer apartments froze!!!

There went most of my modelling time...

Anyhoo,

here we go:

And yes that is a real wood shovel handle turrned out of a tooth pick in a dremel tool.

Also the starting handle is also scratch built;

1) The small, drive end was turned using a #11 exacto blade as a cutter and the venerable dremel tool

2) The handle is a piece of annealed brass tube with a flange spun into it using an awl and the dremel tool

3) Lastly, the crank was drilled out with a #78 bit to accept the small turning for the drive end

Thats all for now!

Enjoy...

Tom F. (PANZERJEAGER)

Thanks Doog! means alot that you guys are interested....

Tom F.

Thanks wing_nut!

I am trying to get this one done for a local contest in March, hope I make it in time!!!

Tom F.

UPDATE 7:00 AM 02-06-2009

Slow progress but I managed to get tha left fender finished.

On to the right fender!

I desided not to work on updating the right fender on the vehicle as I did on the left, so I tore it off!

Ya see I had intended this build to be, as we call them in our club a "slammer".

A "slammer" is a kit that you build basicly out of the box, ya know, ya "slamm it together", an easy one right!

Well, after finding out how wrong the details were, here we are...

Here ars some pics of the right rear fender extension....

Thank god for resistance soldering!!!

Tail light wiring;

Track tool box with clamps;

Another shot of the rear;

Here are the parts for the right front fender extension (tonights project)...

Sorry the pics are not as clear as they should be, I got in a hurry!

More updates soon!

Tom F. (PANZERJEAGER)

Wbill76,

Thanks for all the advise and compliments!!! "Look What You Started!!!"

Detailfreak,

Thanks for the compliments!  And those are the stainless steel tool clamps from Lion Roar Part No. LE35091, and they are the easiest ones that I have ever had to assemble!!

Doog,

WOW! what a compliment!!!!!

Thanks, I hope she paints up as nice as some of your stuff....

Thanks to all!

Tom F. (PANZERJEAGER)