Bumping the thread to pump another local model show: the GOMBs (Grumpy Old Model Builders) show is this Saturday at the Chapelhow Legion (606 38 Ave NE) from 9:30-4:00. Free admission, so come on out and see some cool stuff.
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The GOMBS show was a blast as always. This one was very well attended, and with a lot of newer people too, which bodes well for the future of the hobby. Here's a couple of photos for those interested:
(none of this is my work)
Spoiler!
As for me, the Batmobiles won me the "As Seen on TV or in Print" plaque. Funny thing is I wasn't planning to show this one until the last minute. I guess you never know.
Spoiler!
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Made these this weekend for the bees. Pretty easy project, and a big thanks to Surferguy, who I turned to for finishing ideas. He suggested a few options, but caught my attention with the one that uses fire. Shiggy...shiggu...shig something Japanese. I burned them lightly, then scraped with a wire brush and gave the cedar a heavy coating of mineral oil.
The most expensive and sucky-est part is finding and cutting the bamboo. Home Depot had the right size(many are too skinny). To cut them I left them in their bundles of 6 and used the chop saw, which mostly works well. The interior blocks were from an old bee home we had bought that fell apart.
These came probably bigger than I needed(and took lots of bamboo). The exterior cuts are 6 inches, I think 4" would be perfect. So I'm going to make a couple that size for my nieces for Christmas.
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Cool! May add this to my project list. Any issue with the bamboo “exploding” when the blade made contact? Had a project that needed a bunch of twigs cut to length, and the shrapnel was crazy.
Only if I tired to cut small end bits. I found the most success putting a 4x4 bump stop on the saw, then feeding 6 at a time. They come zip tied together, and it held them well enough that they didn't splinter.
Made these this weekend for the bees. Pretty easy project, and a big thanks to Surferguy, who I turned to for finishing ideas. He suggested a few options, but caught my attention with the one that uses fire. Shiggy...shiggu...shig something Japanese. I burned them lightly, then scraped with a wire brush and gave the cedar a heavy coating of mineral oil.
The most expensive and sucky-est part is finding and cutting the bamboo. Home Depot had the right size(many are too skinny). To cut them I left them in their bundles of 6 and used the chop saw, which mostly works well. The interior blocks were from an old bee home we had bought that fell apart.
These came probably bigger than I needed(and took lots of bamboo). The exterior cuts are 6 inches, I think 4" would be perfect. So I'm going to make a couple that size for my nieces for Christmas.
Let us know if you actually get any bees to use this. I have one as does my friend and daughter and have not seen one bee use it.
Let us know if you actually get any bees to use this. I have one as does my friend and daughter and have not seen one bee use it.
Our previous one had loads of bees over 2 seasons. Mount 4-10 feet high out of the wind(mine is in the shade as well). We also have lots of different flowers and gardens around the yard and neighbors.
I applaud your wanting to help solitary bees, but you need to reconsider your design. It's possible you're doing more damage with the houses you've built.
here's a good article on some of the pit-falls of bee houses. https://colinpurrington.com/2019/05/...ed-bee-houses/
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Thanks, yes I did read that before starting. I'll replace the bamboo, and the wood blocks open for cleaning though I mostly used them as spacers, since they never had any bees in them before. I don't think we had a species around that use them. Because our previous one was well inhabited, I know the bee size we have and the bamboo I bought should suit them.
The GOMBS show was a blast as always. This one was very well attended, and with a lot of newer people too, which bodes well for the future of the hobby. Here's a couple of photos for those interested:
(none of this is my work)
Spoiler!
Congrats on the Plaque!
That last model, the what appears to be wooden and metal model plane; Do you know if that was from a kit of hand made? It's super detailed and impressive.
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That last model, the what appears to be wooden and metal model plane; Do you know if that was from a kit of hand made? It's super detailed and impressive.
I'm pretty sure it's a kit, since I've seen a few of those type at shows.
There's a company called Model Airways which makes that combo of wood/brass plane.
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How do you char the wood? I've seen online (maybe here or surferguy's feeds?) a specific kind of torch. I'd think a blow torch would be too much.
I’ve used two sized torches based on the size of the project.
If it’s very small stuff I use a plumbers torch, but if it’s anything bigger than say a dinner plate I use my tiger torch. I find with a smaller torch on a big space you can get burn scallops. Basically a small area burns more than the surrounding area and it leaves a distinguishable pattern. With a bigger flame you get more even heat and it’s easier to control for a uniform scorch.
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Last edited by surferguy; 10-12-2023 at 12:47 PM.
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I've been collecting these Universal Monster characters you get in blind bags, and finally ended up with a duplicate. This guy was just begging to be put into a diorama, so into the resin he went! I think the bubbles add to the scene in this case:
Spoiler!
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