Editorial

This is here for us to add comments about what we've been up to, some great sites we've seen and generally to have a chat.

Model Making Book

Just been contacted by David Neat about his new book, 'Model-making: Materials and Methods', which although aimed at those professionally involved with various types of model-making, attempts to explain materials and techniques in a clear and uncomplicated way, suitable also for beginners or hobby enthusiasts.

Engine Photographs

For quite some time Dave and I have been collecting photographs of engines and adding them to our database. As a start we have 34 different engine types and over 100 photographs in total now available to view online www.glue-it.co.uk.

We hope that these may inspire the next engine model. If they do please drop us a line as we would love to hear from you.

Old Projects

The other day we were looking through some old kits that we had bought and then put to one side. The kit was a Tamiya Tiger I in 1/35th scale, interesting, but more interesting was a bag of bits that had been left inside the box. These were the parts we had started making with the idea of building a large scale radio control tank (1/8th scale). This brought back a lot of memories and the initial urge to continue making the parts for this large tank.

The pattern that was made up for a track link was rather nice. Made from brass and silver soldered and soldered together. The resultant link has a rather nice feel and weight to it.

From the brass master we made a vulcanised rubber mould and then had cast some links in pewter. The image to the left shows two of these links assembled. The motion and weight of this pair of links is great. Then I remembered how the next stage felt very daunting - I would need 100 or more of these links! All carefully cast, cleaned, drilled and assembled. Hmm, not so sure now I want to continue - there are other projects in my head that are far more interesting.......maybe that small v-twin running on lighter fuel should be the next project....I wonder.

Nigel (July 2008)

Doodling with Wire

Weird maybe, but we were talking about making trees for a Warhammer diorama and I started doodling with some copper wire from a piece of 13amp flex. I stripped the plastic away and bundled the wire together and twisted the middle. Then it was just a case of pulling the wire into ever decreasing bundles and twisting, splitting into smaller bundles and so on.

This is where I got to, but with some spray paint and then some acrylic on top it would start to look rather good.

If you then cut some small pieces of green paper, apply some PVA glue to the upper wires and then sprinkle the leaves on you would then have something rather nice.

Nigel (January 2008)

London Model Engineering Exhibition

Review of the Model Engineering Exhibition 2008

Over the weekend I bought the magazine that has just been published celebrating 100 years of the Model Engineer Exhibition and it made me wonder whether I had missed the show as it always occurs around this time of year. Then checked my email and had recieved this promoting the event:

The London Model Engineering Exhibition welcomes people of all ages to the unusual and wonderful world of modelling! Experience a day of whirring steam engines and miniature models of every variety, capturing the imagination of young and old. The exhibition floor will be filled with hundreds of remarkable and intricate models, boats, tanks, trucks, planes and traditional steam engines to intrigue and inspire a new generation of modellers. There will be over 1,000 models on display, ranging from the earliest replicas of famous steam trains, to more cutting edge representations of fighter jets from the modern day. The show offers younger visitors the chance to enjoy and learn more about modelling in the Model Active Zone. This interactive area features an exciting array of remote control models, including a flying arena for planes and helicopters, as well as model tank and train displays, ideal for kids who want to see the models in action!

Guests will also have the opportunity to purchase modelling equipment and tools from a selection of over 90 specialist suppliers. From materials to machinery, the show will deliver everything a modeller could possibly need to build their next, or even their first, modelling masterpiece. So, whether you’re completely new to the hobby or you’ve been building trains for fifty years, the London Model Engineering Exhibition provides the perfect day out for all the family.

www.londonmodelengineeringexhibition.co.uk

Times: Friday 18th & Saturday19th: 10am -5pm and Sunday 20th: 10am – 4pm

Prices: Children: £5.50, Senior Citizens: £8.50, Adults: £9.50, Family ticket 1 (1 adult and up to 3 children): £15.00, Family ticket 2 (2 adults and upto 3 children: £24.50.

This is one of the great shows to inspire model makers and must admit well worth going to, order online www.londonmodelengineeringexhibition.co.uk or just buy tickets on the door.

Nigel (January 2008)

Christmas Presents

A micro/nano helicopter. This is seriously good fun and must admit has made me start searching for something even better with more control, I may be hooked. Read the review.

Nigel (January 2008)

New CSS Layout

We finally decided to bite the bullet and rewrite the glue-it.com site and try to make it simpler without the frames. This now means that if you find an article you can properly bookmark it - wow I hear you say. Well it's not all there yet, but we've modified most of the pages, some to still to go such as the model engineering glossary and still some tidying up and info to add. If there is anything you don't think is correct or you're not happy with then drop me a line editor@glue-it.com - thanks Nigel.

Nigel (October 2007)

Low temperature stirling

I've been interested in building one of these for years and finally I've got round to it. As with most of my projects there were no plans and it ran after a fashion. Once I've finished some of my other jobs I'll get round to modifying it so that it runs better, but must admit great fun and was a great sideline from what I was supposed to be doing which was building a kitchen.

This short video shows it running, roughly 60rpm and runs for about 20 minutes on a mug of hot water.

Nigel (September 2007)