For more information of this new release see this link.
Tony
On my last visit to Swansea I was given this old Geologist's Hammer by my Uncle Ray. The hammer had once belonged to a visiting student who was researching rock deposits on the Gower Peninsular and who had stayed with Ray and Liz when they owned Tenby House - a Bed & Breakfast hostel in Mumbles, Swansea. When the student left to go home he was very upset to have mislaid his hammer. Many years later Ray was working in his shed having moved to a new house and came across the hammer which had obviously been placed in one of the old tool boxes. Ray had heard how I had been educating my two Grandson's about rocks and minerals and how I had given both Finley and Charlie both tools and fossils for them to collect.
Ray said that I could have the hammer and I thought it would be a great renovation project. The hammer had since been painted black and the handle was very loose.
After polishing the hammer head, I was ready to attach it to the cleaned up handle - a hickory handle which I had modified and sanded smooth.
The finished head and handle were reattached with both a wooden wedge and a metal pin.
Finally I painted the handle base in a transparent green colour and oiled the handle before polishing it.
Tony
There are 20 plastic figures, 4 Orcs, 5 Dwarves, 5 Elves and 6 Undead or Tomb Guards. The Elves are particularly well sculpted as are the Orcs, while the Dwarves lack the finesse of the earlier two sets. The Undead are the least well sculpted but they do offer some very well detailed weapons and skulls which should come in handy when building dioramas or decorating bases. At 54mm the Orcs could be used as Ogres in 28mm scale and this is how I might use them although I am particularly looking forward to seeing how the Elves paint up.
The box set cost just £7.00 and at that price I think they are great value. I have seen similar sets on the internet, but wouldn't want to pay any more than £10.00 for a set.
I will keep you informed of how my painting progresses.
Tony
On Sunday, Sue and I visited the Malvern Flea Market and Collectors Fair at the Three Counties showground, Malvern. I enjoyed browsing the stalls but for quite some time didn't see anything I wanted to buy.....
Then I spied some Garden Rail Magazines (3 for £1.00) and later Military Modelling and Wargames Illustrated magazines (4 for a £1.00 - I gave one to Mum as it included an article written by me), but my best, best, best buy was this small tool box.
I had spotted a VANCO Co. Ltd printing box and was looking at it because the box was so well made, but I said to the stall owner that I wasn't sure I would use it. He said "have you looked in the drawer?". I had not as the box was orientated with the drawer to the back and not able to be seen. I turned it around and there in the drawer was this small green case which contains some exquisite tools and interchangeable handles.
Image 2
The closed case marked V3-SET VANCO Co. Ltd.
A close-up of the case.
The contents of the case.
A detail shot of the contents - beautifully presented modelling tools and complete. The small metal tube (centre right) contains some more pointers and some drill bits.
A real steal and some exceptionally well made detailing tools for my model making tool box.
Tony
The latest issue of Miniature Wargames (issue 479 - March 2023) features this tutorial showing how I scratch built a couple of Mongolian Yurts. For more information see this link.
Earlier today I purchased a new LED lamp and set about testing it with my light table set up.
I am using my Minolta Dimage Z1 camera 3.2 Mega Pixels with camera set to Macro and varying the light effects and in the case of the last image - the background.
Image 1 - New LED set to cool (daylight) setting.
Image 2 - Same set up but light set to warm light.
Image 3 - Same set up but without new LED light.
I think the new light works better with greater clarity and colour definition.
Tony
