The layout is progressing apace driven by a, perhaps ill-advised, commitment to exhibit it in the near future. As is the way of such things, the need to progress matters throws up those issues that have been lurking in the too hard basket. One such is the fiddle yard. Another is disguising the hole in…
If you are modelling the New Zealand scene then there’s a good chance you could, or maybe should, incorporate some tree ferns into your modelling. Not only are they common in the wild but they are also cultivated as ornamentals in gardens. Modelling characteristic foliage is a good way to place a layout or diorama…
A few blog posts, and some time, ago I expounded on some fairly general tree making thoughts focussing on the armature. At the time tree making was not my focus and the blog described some experiments and test pieces. Hopefully useful in a general way. This time around I have spent many hours working on…
In which your correspondant ponders the merits of the journey over the destination and the benefits of technology in speeding things up… In NZR modelling ‘the layout’ is an almost mythical concept. Widely aspired to, often started, but seldom developed to a stage even approaching completion. It’s not hard to understand why. With a prototpe…
Interesting times here at NZF, where we’ve been reminded yet again of the pace of technology change. The trusty Solus 3d printer that we’ve been churning out casting patterns on for a few years has died, and been replaced with something higher resolution, faster and cheaper. While that has been going on, production of parts…
There’s been a bit of a burst of activity at Chez Finescale of late. While it’s all been pretty good stuff it probably looks a little random and scattergun from the outside. To be honest it feels like that on the inside too sometimes, but really the soft focus approach has been driven by two…
One of the really attractive features of the old NZR cars was their open verandahs. Great to hang off for railfans wanting a full sensory experience, not so easy to model the railings and gates convincingly… The venerable NZFinescale car gate etch (code number ES001) was the first etched part I did way back in…
NZR trackwork is always a challenge. RTR track is easy, but inevitably wrong, being intended for other scales/gauges. Injection moulded or printed sleeper bases are much better but still not entirely convincing. Handlaid track is nice but, even with etched bedplates, track fixings are tricky. If you want a Fell centre rail, then it is…
Scale modelling is changing Remember the days when you went to the hobby shop and purchased the model you liked best from what was in stock? Or mail ordered whatever you could get with your fingers crossed? The Internet changed a lot of that, and now technology is offering even more choice. Model what you…
It’s been a bit quiet while I’ve been beavering away so here is a progress report on the F kit… To recap a little, the kit will be etched in nickel silver with cast bronze parts and some 3D printed plastic details. There are also some design novelties as well. Test shots of various parts…
It has been a busy couple of weeks here at New Zealand Finescale, and the blog has been quiet as a result. So this is a bit of a catch up of things that have dropped through the mailbox of late. First up some nice steel dowels. I use these for piston rods and the…
Every product reaches the point where I feel the urge to produce my definitive build, whereupon I move on to other things. Thus it was, and here it is, for the gig. I was rather taken by a photo on the web of a bright yellow gig. This may not be very typical of a…
