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I'm going to put this right up front in this post: If you're flying with fragile items (like a scale model) and have to pass through a TSA checkpoint ASK FOR A HAND CHECK. Do not, I repeat, do not try to put it through the metal detector. I learned this lesson the (very) hard way on my way to the Rocky Mountain Hobby Expo. After telling 3 different TSA agents that the box I had with me (marked with multiple "fragile" red stickers) was incredibly fragile, not one offered for me to get this "hand check", wherein the TSA agent wouldn't put my box through the metal detector and would inspect it by hand. Instead, they all grumpily pushed me to stick the box in a bin and shove it through the xray. My spidey sense was tingling, but I pushed ahead. I waited on the other side of the [...]

I'm excited to share that I was the guest interview on the Plastic Model Mojo podcast, Episode 116! I had a wonderful time with Mike and Dave talking about scope creep and my Cylon Raider diorama build. Check it out!

Since the base is effectively done, I wanted to share a few photos I've taken. (Figures not yet included)

Thanks to a wonderfully helpful call with Barry Biediger recently, I now understand some of the fundamental basics of LED lighting. It's funny how the LED tech has made it so damn easy to wire up basic lighting that works well and lasts a long time. Because Barry is awesome, he followed up our call with some details that he was cool with me sharing with y'all. I'm also adding a few tidbits I've learned from Barry and others along the way that may help you. Wiring tips and tricks My current supplier of choice for LED lights and related accessories has been Evan Designs. They provide reasonably priced, high quality products, are quick to respond to questions, and ship fast. Recently, I picked up several different types of LEDs: Pico, Nano, Chip. I asked them how much different the amount of light each one kicks off vs. the other. They [...]

Unless you've been living on a moonbase (the kind without internet access) the last few months, you know that the IPMS USA continues to step on it's own feet in a Looney Toon sorta way. Every time a new issue involving IPMS flairs up, I can't help but think about Bugs Bunny bending Elmer Fudd's shotgun barrel back on him... so when Fudd goes to shoot the Wabbit, he instead blows his own head to smithereens. We continue to hear well intentioned members of IPMS leadership ask "what would you want to see change?" and we continue to see folks offer a laundry list of potential changes. As a follow-up, there is a near total lack of feedback and/or action about those suggestions. It's become a regular cycle: Issue happens Discussion flairs up IPMS leadership has to be shoved into participating in the discussion, if they participate at all Ideas are [...]

I can't learn anything from Sam Dwyer. OK, that's not at all true, but bear with me while I make a point. Sam Dwyer is a well known, immensely talented scale modeler who is so revered that people call him "The Sam Dwyer". His work is amazing. Per Olav Lund won a gold medal at Scale Model Challenge for "Men and Whales" and just thinks differently than I can. As the Sprue Cutter's Union podcast guys pointed out, he painted the water on that piece to represent reflected light off the bits and particles in the water. Amazing work. Jean Diorama does some absolutely amazing work in ways that I can't believe are possible with today's materials and knowledge. This list of amazing, talented artists could go on and on. The true masters of the craft that just operate at a higher level. The Lance Armstrong's of the scale model world. [...]