1/350 BB 35 USS Texas by Trumpeter

[wjbrandel]

A bender, a set of rollers and a cone. and a couple of other PE tools. When they come in I'll post some pictures for them

 

[BarleyBop]

PE tools

... Some might say not strictly necessary, but if one intends to tackle PE on a regular basis, they certainly help reduce blood pressure and facilitate many tasks.

 

[wjbrandel]

I need them, I was using automotive needle nose pliers as well as regular pliers. for putting curves I was using toothpicks. Those just didn't work to well for me. Especially since I've got another model with PE with it.

 

[Edbert]

I built this kit recently, chickened out on the more complex paint scheme, and it is sitting in the closet while I work up the courage to try the rigging.

(the thread stands in the foreground as mute testimony to my cowardice)

 

[BarleyBop]

I need them, I was using automotive needle nose pliers as well as regular pliers. for putting curves I was using toothpicks. Those just didn't work to well for me. Especially since I've got another model with PE with it.

them's pioneering tools!
With flat pliers, thin and wide, you can get pretty good without the PE bender jig.
... and either rollers or this calibrated curve tool will def help with curves!

I've had that blue handle pair for almost as long as my first sprue nippers!

 

[Ron2]

I built this kit recently, chickened out on the more complex paint scheme, and it is sitting in the closet while I work up the courage to try the rigging.

View attachment 187472
(the thread stands in the foreground as mute testimony to my cowardice)

Get yourself some ez line- it's so much "ez-ier "!

 

[urumomo]

annealing PE brass makes things far easier when bending pieces

 

[BarleyBop]

annealing PE brass makes things far easier when bending pieces

yup, especially for smooth curves and sharp inside bends!

 

[wjbrandel]

Woohoo, got most of what I ordered early. Still waiting for the roller set though.

New tweezers for models to replace my older ones that have been bent and straightened multiple times
A bending tool inspired by Pantherman
bristle pens for cleaning up parts and superglue (I was only going to get a fibreglass one, but the set of 4 was cheaper. Go figure)
And a set of wax pencils for picking up small parts (inspired by a lot of people here).

As soon as I get my roller set I will be breaking out the Texas again, and I have some ez line coming as well.

 

[kevin]

There's nothing like having the right tool for the job.

 

[wjbrandel]

Got more of the ship done, mainly the deck clutter. I'm holding off on the PE until I get the bending cylinders for.

 

[Rockin' Rob]

Ow! Ouch. Man, you guys are twisting my arm pretty darn hard. Keep it up. I'm almost getting ready to tap out. I just don't know if I could do the magnifying glass work. I wear readers. Would magnifying visors work out better for me? Never tried one. I'm watching y'all build ships is pretty interesting

 

[BOATMAN]

YES magnifying visors ARE GOOD over the last 30 odd yrs ive used up 3 an now on number 4 unit
chrisb

 

[wjbrandel]

I'm near sighted so on small stuff I work without my glasses, but I am thinking about getting some magnifiers to help me out, especially since I think I'm going to work with PE more.

 

[BarleyBop]

magnifiers

Not to depress anyone, but to differing degrees, men over 50 can expect accelerated vision degradation. In my case, distance acuity seems to be holding on fairly well, but seeing close up, contrast and night vision have certainly taken a hit. That's why I always recommend installing the best possible lighting as a first step. Magnifiers will be all that more effective with boosted illumination and contrast.
Your bench set up and seating also come into play, as you would want to optimize sight at working distance from the model; finding that sweet spot where lighting, perception of detail and physical comfort overlap will reduce eye strain, allow you to work longer without cramping arms, hands and neck.

 

[Littlemarten]

I'm near sighted so on small stuff I work without my glasses, but I am thinking about getting some magnifiers to help me out, especially since I think I'm going to work with PE more.

Especially working with PE, you should always have something between your eyes and the work. Safety glasses are an absolute "must have and must use."

For magnification, you might want to consider clip-on, flip up lenses like these. Also a good place to find safety glasses.

 

[wjbrandel]

Ha finally got the last of the tools I ordered.

 

[WtShark]

Coming along beautifully!
That much PE is demanding.
You're doing magnificent work- Keep it up!

 

[wjbrandel]

Finally I got to prime most of it. The missed areas and the small parts I'll prime with a brush.
I'll let the primer cure and probably paint next weekend

 

[Pantherman]

View attachment 188275View attachment 188276View attachment 188277View attachment 188278View attachment 188279View attachment 188280View attachment 188281View attachment 188282View attachment 188283
Finally I got to prime most of it. The missed areas and the small parts I'll prime with a brush.
I'll let the primer cure and probably paint next weekend

Looks like a stealth ship. PM

 

[wjbrandel]

Started to get the paint on the ship.
Haven't been able to work on it due to life interfering. Work, cleaning and an auction.

I think I may have to put some more red on the hull.

 

[BOATMAN]

View attachment 189044View attachment 189045
Started to get the paint on the ship.
Haven't been able to work on it due to life interfering. Work, cleaning and an auction.

I think I may have to put some more red on the hull.

HI That red looks ok to me
chrisb

 

[Ron2]

Not to depress anyone, but to differing degrees, men over 50 can expect accelerated vision degradation. In my case, distance acuity seems to be holding on fairly well, but seeing close up, contrast and night vision have certainly taken a hit. That's why I always recommend installing the best possible lighting as a first step. Magnifiers will be all that more effective with boosted illumination and contrast.
Your bench set up and seating also come into play, as you would want to optimize sight at working distance from the model; finding that sweet spot where lighting, perception of detail and physical comfort overlap will reduce eye strain, allow you to work longer without cramping arms, hands and neck.

Another fun 50s change is "posterior vitreous detachment" which leads to "floaters " and in some rare situations can be dangerous. I had this happen a couple months ago in my left eye. The floaters were maddening! I was driving and kept cleaning my windshield thinking it was dirty, then I swatted at a "fly" a few times before realizing this was all "in my head". Floaters were irritating for about a month and just about the time they settled down… yup, right eye went.

 

[BarleyBop]

Another fun 50s change is "posterior vitreous detachment" which leads to "floaters " and in some rare situations can be dangerous. I had this happen a couple months ago in my left eye. The floaters were maddening! I was driving and kept cleaning my windshield thinking it was dirty, then I swatted at a "fly" a few times before realizing this was all "in my head". Floaters were irritating for about a month and just about the time they settled down… yup, right eye went.

Oh ya, in my early fifties, as a visual designer, spotted them right away. Some small retinal tearing, got them 'laser stapled' immediately. No issues since.
For many folks, impact exercises like running are enough to precipitate tearing and/or detachment.

 

[wjbrandel]

The hull is painted. Instead of airbrushing another layer or 2 of red, I dry brushed red on until I was pleased with the coverage.

And now I have started masking the deck off for the haze gray I'll be putting on it

 

[wjbrandel]

Oh no, the model grew moss on it . The deck is now masked. Probably paint tomorrow after I finish masking the hull.

Then it's the superstructure, turrets, and secondary batteries. Hopefully another month and it'll be done.

Although masking the deck was weirdly relaxing, there has got to be a better way. And I have seen where I have made mistakes that I will try not to repeat.

 

[Ron2]

View attachment 189584
Oh no, the model grew moss on it . The deck is now masked. Probably paint tomorrow after I finish masking the hull.

Then it's the superstructure, turrets, and secondary batteries. Hopefully another month and it'll be done.

Although masking the deck was weirdly relaxing, there has got to be a better way. And I have seen where I have made mistakes that I will try not to repeat.

Can I ship you mine to mask? Haha. I've been delaying moving on.

 

[kevin]

Although masking the deck was weirdly relaxing, there has got to be a better way. And I have seen where I have made mistakes that I will try not to repeat.

I don't know if its better, but on my 1/200 USS IOWA I painted the superstructure and vertical surfaces first. I hand brushed the deck color after. I did have touch ups to do, but I did not want to do all that masking.

 

[Ron2]

I don't know if its better, but on my 1/200 USS IOWA I painted the superstructure and vertical surfaces first. I hand brushed the deck color after. I did have touch ups to do, but I did not want to do all that masking.

I did the same with my last boat build but wanted to spray my deck this time.

 

[wjbrandel]

Ok The hull, deck and superstructure and turrets are painted and unmasked. I do have some touch ups to do on the hull. My masking skills are lacking and the tweezers I was using scratched the paint in a few areas sue to my carelessness, but over all I am pleased with how it looks and I see where I need to go differently for any future ships (I have 4 planned).

One thing I am unhappy about is the horizontal antenna on the main superstructure got destroyed some how and I had to remove it, so one part is missing