Scale-Modeling Tips & Tools Monthly
Issue #003

Scale Modeling Tips & Tools Monthly is written by Reg Hardy, publisher of Scale-Modelers-Handbook This issue brings you more of the latest information and tips on scale modeling.

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Contents of this issue of
Scale ModelingTips & Tools Monthly

2. Scale Modeling Tool of Note: The GluSquito

3. Scale Modelers Survey:

How much space in your home is devoted to your modeling projects? cal Scale Mo 4. What's new at Scale Modeling Handbook - new articles.

5. Local Modelers' Show

6. Feature Article - We Salute Texas Modeler Raul Guzman.

To begin the planking process, divide the lower hull of the ship into sections with planking belts to create smaller open areas. Planking belts consist of two or three planks set two to four to the entire expanse. Once the belts are in place and smooth, it is easy to maintain the smoothness through out the section (without kinks, bumps or wrinkles).

You'll find many more tips and techniques at Wooden Ship Planking

This is a tool that cuts across all forms of model making from ships to trains, from planes to automobiles, all eventually will exhibit tight quarters when it comes to glue application.

How about you, have you ever found it difficult to glue small pieces together or small pieces in and around other objects? Has retrofitting become more of a chore because of the hard to reach angles? Well fear no more.

With the aid of the GluSquito all of these type of gluing projects need not be difficult any longer. What is a GluSquito and where can you buy one?

This is a tool that cuts across all forms of model making from ships to trains, from planes to automobiles, all eventually will exhibit tight quarters when it comes to glue application.

How about you, have you ever found it difficult to glue small pieces together or small pieces in and around other objects? Has retrofitting become more of a chore because of the hard to reach angles? Well fear no more.

With the aid of the GluSquito all of these type of gluing projects need not be difficult any longer. What is a GluSquito and where can you buy one?

Well a GluSquito looks like its bug cousin and is an aid in gluing. Where to buy one? You can't. You MAKE one instead!

For complete instructions on how to build your GluSquito Click Here.

You can easily respond to our next modeling artist survey by following the link below and adding a comment at the bottom of the survey entry.

(Webmaster Tip: If you include your website URL in the comment form in place of your email address as you enter your survey response, you'll receive a free link to your own website.)

This new survey is a fun one: How much space does your modeling require? How much can you use for both building and displaying models?

Click on this link to read and respond to our survey question (and see the other responses): Article Submitter at Dandyfunk

We just added the ability for visitors to contribute to the Scale-Modelers-Handbook website by submitting their own articles. This is an opportunity for you to share your modeling techniques with other modelers around the world so they can learn from you. It is simple; try our article submitter this week.

Greg Saith wrapped up his first year with the Hobbytown-USA franchise in Nashua, NH with a slate of entries for the National Testors Spring Model Contest this weekend.

Among the entries:

The U.S.S. Monitor was the Union’s response to the Confederacy’s construction of the ironclad Merrimack (CSS Virginia) in the American Civil War.

The two ironclads would later fight to a draw in the world’s first battle of two vessels made of iron.

Henceforth, the navies of the world began phasing out the era of wood and sail and turn to constructing ships of iron and steel.

Just last month the $30 million Monitor Mueseum in Newport News, Virginia opened for the first time.

My model of the Monitor gun turret was scratch built in 183 hours over a period of 39 days. My inspiration for building the Monitor turret came after seeing a Verlinden kit in 1/32 scale made of resin.

An acquaintance of mine had done a fine job making the Verlinden model. I took several photos of it and decided to make one out of wood and metal. I had originally decided to make it twice the size of the Verlinden kit, but after figuring the size of the brass rods I would need to make the Dahlgren cannons, I decided to make it 150% of the size of the Verlinden kit.

I bought the resin kit, took measurements and tried to find what information I could on the web and in libraries. When all was said and done, my model weighed in at 20 pounds, most of which is located in the two massive cannon barrels. I made the turret so it revolves on a small section of the Monitor’s deck that I added.
Needless to say, the ladder, the blocks (with sheaves), the gratings, the floor planks (with trunnels) the mechanism parts to swivel the turret, the buckets, the cannon ball racks, the Dahlgren carriages, the cleats, etc. were all made from scratch. The scale is 1/24.
Here's  More on the USS Monitor Turret