Solid Model Memories.net

Ongoing Cook-ups & Tutorials => The Box Project => Topic started by: davetunison on February 12, 2008, 05:50:11 PM

Title: The Box Project
Post by: davetunison on February 12, 2008, 05:50:11 PM
(Text borrowed from the old SMM site)

How can a little wooden box that fits in your shirt pocket help promote the art of solid wood modeling?

Back in "The Day" when photographs were'nt around and you could'nt call for a referal, carpenters, shipwrights and so on, made most of their own tools. These gentlemen also build ALL of a house or a ship or a piece of furniture. The were expected to build door frames, windows sashes, and shingle the roof. The way they displayed thier capabilities to a prospective client or employer was by showing them their tools and toolbox. Most bought blades and metalwork from local blacksmiths, then mounted them in handle and bodies of their own making. From wood planes and chisels, to hammers and clamps. These tools and the box they were in were carefully constructed and cared for. Being continually updated, they clearly displayed the talents of the craftsman that built them and used them. I even have a book about them.

What has this to do with our cause?

How many times have you tried to explain what a solid is? How much more it is than just a model airplane. Now think of a little box in your pocket with a few(even one) small models in it. Such as 1/144 scale airplanes, perhaps a small tank, a ship and a submarine. This Gentlemen is "The Box Project" and it will be ongoing until each of us decides that he is satisfied that his box and it's contents, fully displays his talents. As well as our hobby. No rules, just remember, if you can't carry it with you.... It must also protect the contents, for the contents are the most important thing, held in the space, that you keep in the box.

Thoughts?

-RFB
Title: Re: The Box Project
Post by: teddon61 on February 13, 2008, 04:53:37 PM
Dave, I've read this message several times and I don't know if I "got" it or not. It seems very philosophical, and as such I think I get the message. We all have this desire to excell, and there is something to say for public acclaim; it is heart warming to have someone view your effort and express delight, but it seems to me that one must first satisfy himself, you can't fail if you are pleased with your own work, but it could be devestating to have others put it down.
If I misinterpreted your intent, at least I learned to spell a few new words.
Ted Billings
Title: Re: The Box Project
Post by: lastvautour on February 13, 2008, 06:15:22 PM
Ted, I took my 1/350 Tracker to Monday night darts and had a lot of people look and comment. I think the idea is to generate interest in the hobby by showing that it is not all that hard to do. My Tracker is by no means perfect but people were able to tell what it was and some even offered advice on finishing and markings. I think I have a potential new carver in the bunch. I hope to peek his interest to trying a simple project of his choice.
Title: Re: The Box Project
Post by: davetunison on February 13, 2008, 06:29:57 PM
Ted,
   I borrowed Ray's essay about the box project from the old SMM site and pasted it in here. He may want to add a new comment. It seemed like a good idea, to create a pocket sized handmade box with tools and a sample of solid model carving included in it as a portable way to promote the hobby. It's not supposed to be conceptual art or anything, is it? 8).

  To date it seems nobody has tried to make one. I've only gotten as far as keeping my tools in an old cigar box. Any advice for avoiding nicked blades? :'( 
Title: Re: The Box Project
Post by: Oceaneer99 on February 13, 2008, 08:39:53 PM
Dave,

Funny you should mention the nicked blades.  I bought some canvas over the weekend to make a tool roll.  The first one will probably be for my files, which are just sitting in a drawer of my tool box, piled on each other (bad, bad, I've been told).

I once asked Ray about the box project, and he told me he left it fairly vague, so that we could interpret it as we liked. put together a "prototype" box from a small pencil case while I was carving my 1/288 Heinkel.  The box had tools, plans, and the materials in it.

Another possibility would be a small box with parts showing the steps needed to make a (small) model.

I have a small collection of antique finger-jointed wooden boxes, so I *like* interesting boxes.  I just haven't figured out how I want to approach the Box Project yet.

Garet
Title: Re: The Box Project
Post by: Kenny Horne on February 13, 2008, 10:24:18 PM
I'm in

I've got a bit of an idea and am going with it.  Not sure what it's all about, but I'll get back to you when I 've got some pictures.

Is that vague enough...


Seriously

Kenny
Title: Re: The Box Project
Post by: Oceaneer99 on February 13, 2008, 11:14:40 PM
Kenny, You've made more boxes than all of us combined!

Garet
Title: Re: The Box Project
Post by: Kenny Horne on February 14, 2008, 05:15:38 AM
Ya, but this one will be an un-box...

Here is what I've been working on, the Mustang will go in my box.

(http://smm.solidmodelmemories.net/Gallery/albums/userpics/normal_WIP-3.jpg)

Kenny

ok so I'm not yet qualified to post pictures.  Honestly, computers are simply better than I am :(
Title: Re: The Box Project
Post by: Kenny Horne on February 16, 2008, 04:00:45 AM
Further on now,

I still need some touch up paint, exhaust paint, and yellow leading edges, plus some decals.  But she's coming.  Getting models into a box to fit a shirt pocket (I suspect I'll have to build a accommodating shirt next  ::)) is a bit of a challenge.  I've built a couple of teenie ones before, but never painted them.  My hats of to Lou, Garet and all you others who have done this. 

Take Care
Kenny

(http://smm.solidmodelmemories.net/Gallery/albums/userpics/normal_Mustang1.jpg)
Title: Re: The Box Project
Post by: teddon61 on February 17, 2008, 07:45:08 PM
Lou, when you mentioned Monday night darts it brought back a lot of memories for me, I played on several teams after getting out of the Army, as I recall, it was great fun.
Just a thought, to call attention to the hobby at darts, make an early X plane, like the X-15, put a large needle in it's nose and make a home run with it, everyone will notice, imagine the conversations that would cause!
Just a feeble attempt at humor, couldn't resist situation.
Taking examples of our work to social gatherings is a good way to get the message out, there will almost always be someone interested enough to ask questions, perhaps the thought of solids never occured to them.

Ted Billings
Title: Re: The Box Project
Post by: R.F.Bennett on February 24, 2008, 07:28:18 PM
I think this is a realy cool idea. An SMM dart board? What planes would work best? Box?  ::)  :o
Title: Re: The Box Project
Post by: R.F.Bennett on February 24, 2008, 07:40:14 PM
Not going to do that again! Just a mental note. Popping in a reply to a message in the middle of the board seems to have deleted the rest of it.  ???
Title: Re: The Box Project
Post by: Oceaneer99 on March 04, 2008, 08:06:02 AM
I ran across some small book-kits ("mini-kits") by Running Press at the stationery store last week. Most of them were pretty odd, but the kit "Fly-Tying with Expert Tips" got me thinking about the box project.

It is a small kit with instructions and materials for making a fishing lure. 
http://www.perseusbooksgroup.com/runningpress/book_detail.jsp?isbn=0762418591 (http://www.perseusbooksgroup.com/runningpress/book_detail.jsp?isbn=0762418591)

I imagined a small box with all the parts to build a small model.  This isn't far from what Craft-o-Kit used to sell!

Garet

Title: Re: The Box Project
Post by: lastvautour on March 08, 2008, 08:21:13 PM
A box of Ferrero Rocher makes an ideal display case once the treat has been consumed of course. Having diabetes does not help but a friend really enjoys them. The bottom is just make shift right now so I can take it to a dart tournament tomorrow afternoon.

(http://smm.solidmodelmemories.net/Gallery/albums/userpics/normal_DSCF9310.JPG)
http://smm.solidmodelmemories.net/Gallery/displayimage.php?pos=-1066
Title: Re: The Box Project
Post by: spider web on January 24, 2009, 05:40:01 PM
I just stumbled across this box project.

I am using an old, flat cigar box in which I carry three solid, WWII ship recognition models.  In most circles I'm as politically incorrect as one can be. I love the raised eyebrows when I offer someone a cigar, only to fool them when I open the box.
Most think they're just the average, plain old plastic models until I take them out and show them.  "You made these ?", is their first question....from there on it's fun explaining how the models were made.

The Spider ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: The Box Project
Post by: Kenny Horne on February 18, 2009, 10:00:22 PM
Hey Gang,

I need some help.  I so embarrassed, but I've gotta say I've lost my research.  I've been gong through my stack of half done projects and found this lovely little Mustang I (scroll up for a picture).  I remember when I stumbled across the paint scheme (dark green/ocean grey over black) I thought it looked great for this aircraft.  I seem to remember that it was used as a ground attack weapon until very late in war, stopping only when the spares supply of this early model of Mustang was finally exhausted.  On a 1/144 scale model, I don't need too much detail, though I'd like to know if it say had a yellow leading edge on the wing and simple squadron markings or if it even had lower wing roundels... 

Does any of this sound familiar to you as I have googled every different angle I can imagine and I really can't imagine spending more time on this.  I imagine I have spent twice as long staring into a monitor than I did building her :-(

Take care guys, and thanks in advance if you have a bit of a lead for me.

Kenny
Title: Re: The Box Project
Post by: Kenny Horne on February 18, 2009, 10:10:17 PM
Man I don't know about myself sometimes...

So as soon as I posted this I thought "ground attack!  Have I tried that search?"  Well boom there she was.  Honest guys I have been looking for this for hours over more days than I'm proud to admit.  Well call off the search here it is...

http://www.ipmsstockholm.org/magazine/2000/01/stuff_eng_profile_mustang3.htm (http://www.ipmsstockholm.org/magazine/2000/01/stuff_eng_profile_mustang3.htm)

North American Mustang Mk. I
400 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force
Middle Wallop, Hampshire, October 1942

Take care gents,

Kenny
Title: Re: The Box Project
Post by: dave_t on February 18, 2009, 10:11:43 PM
I was just about to post this when you replied. Here it is anyway...

http://hyperscale.com/features/2002/mustangicf_1.htm (http://hyperscale.com/features/2002/mustangicf_1.htm)
Title: Re: The Box Project
Post by: Kenny Horne on February 18, 2009, 10:21:41 PM
Thanks Dave that was quick :-)

Now that I knew the squadron, I looked it up in this site and up she came again.
http://www.rafweb.org/SqnMark400-407.htm#400 (http://www.rafweb.org/SqnMark400-407.htm#400)

The RAF site is quite a good resource as it has a colour history of all the squadrons through time.  It takes time to go through but it is cool for Commonwealth builders.

Kenny
Title: Re: The Box Project
Post by: R.F.Bennett on February 19, 2009, 03:05:15 AM
You mite try looking up the North American A-36 Apache too. It really did have some differences from the Mustang. Cheek guns, air brakes, large upper cowl intake and smaller engine.
Title: Re: The Box Project
Post by: lastvautour on February 19, 2009, 03:43:00 PM
Same thing in 1/32 scale.
(http://smm.solidmodelmemories.net/Gallery/albums/userpics/Mustang_Multi.JPG) For some reason, I must have reduced the size of the picture as it will not give me anthing bigger. I can email you some bigger pictures if you want some.

Lou
Title: Re: The Box Project
Post by: Kenny Horne on February 19, 2009, 08:24:03 PM
Hey guys,

I'm not sure if the 400 (City of Toronto) sqdn used the purpose built Apache or for that fact if there were any in the RAF...  It's funny how the early Allison engined Mustangs get no respect, but in fact it sounds as if they excelled at the groud attack role. 

Great looking model Lou, and I'm glad to see it again.  I really should try this  again in 1/32.  It really is a perfect model to my eyes.

Kenny
Title: Re: The Box Project
Post by: R.F.Bennett on February 19, 2009, 10:18:50 PM
They had an altitude problem the same thing that plagued the early model P-40's and gave them a bad rep,... no/inadequate  superchargers.
Title: Re: The Box Project
Post by: Flying T on October 31, 2017, 01:19:40 AM
I have a store at Shaw Flea mkt. I make kits of small airplanes in solid wood.I take a nutty bar box with a
cookie tray inside with my current project.people around me want to know what I am doing.a Spad xlll.
Title: Re: The Box Project
Post by: Flying T on September 03, 2018, 03:07:03 AM
this little one is close to actual size and it is on its box. 4 me this is an ongoing project,i started out in 1960 with a kit,something like pioneer, size of a box project