Centurion AVLB (slow build)

[scottie3158]

Mike,
Outstanding mate, excellent scratchery.

[Scratchbuilder]

Scottie, many thanks, paint now on and weathering underway, unless I get caught out to tackle another domestic appliance....

[Guest]

Can’t wait to see the result

[Jim R]

Beautiful work Mike. A real shame about the water. Here's hoping base no2 is fine.

[Scratchbuilder]

Beautiful work Mike. A real shame about the water. Here's hoping base no2 is fine.

Working on it as we speak, got the new foam cutter yesterday, spent an hour trying different foam samples, broke the wire once. so all in all a productive day..

[Jim R]

I've got a Proxxon hot wire cutter. It works very well but it's easy to push too hard and break the wire. I bought a foot switch for mine which helps as you have two free hands for better control.

[Scratchbuilder]

I've got a Proxxon hot wire cutter. It works very well but it's easy to push too hard and break the wire. I bought a foot switch for mine which helps as you have two free hands for better control.

I cannot remember the name of this one (Chinese) but it comes with a box that you can control the heat with and as a basic start up at £99 job it will do untill I master the point of not trying to surgically remove my fingers. But I also ordered a replacement wire just in case which I think is slightly thicker. But I agree it is so easy to push too hard and break the wire. But as I said once I really get the hang of this one, then I will progress onto a more useable one that we use in our hobby.

[Neil Merryweather]

I cannot remember the name of this one (Chinese) but it comes with a box that you can control the heat with and as a basic start up at £99 job it will do untill I master the point of not trying to surgically remove my fingers. But I also ordered a replacement wire just in case which I think is slightly thicker. But I agree it is so easy to push too hard and break the wire. But as I said once I really get the hang of this one, then I will progress onto a more useable one that we use in our hobby.

In my experience ,Mike, the Proxxon is a very well designed machine and is probably easier to master than something more basic- sorry.
try searching for Nichrome wire by the reel- in fact you could get the Proxxon replacement reel - cheaper and better than individual pieces

[Scratchbuilder]

In my experience ,Mike, the Proxxon is a very well designed machine and is probably easier to master than something more basic- sorry.
try searching for Nichrome wire by the reel- in fact you could get the Proxxon replacement reel - cheaper and better than individual pieces

Thanks Neil,
The one thing I have found is that it does not like some of the foam used in home insulation (after you strip off the silver paper coating). But at the moment this will do untill I get out of nappies and start walking. But will take on board your advice on the wire and order one or ten....

[Scratchbuilder]

Update.
The base is well underway, got off with good behaviour after I sanded down and re-sprayed the freezer in satin black for SWMBO - she keeps standing in that pose they take up when looking at what you have just finished - should I be worried.... Does that mean I now have to re decorate the kitchen.
So the bridge got painted and the weathering has started. I decided to split this into two operations - inside first and then outside to finish off. I did not want a pristine just out of the field workshop finish, so went to work with the pigments.




More later. Mike.

[Andy T]

Update.
The base is well underway, got off with good behaviour after I sanded down and re-sprayed the freezer in satin black for SWMBO - she keeps standing in that pose they take up when looking at what you have just finished - should I be worried.... Does that mean I now have to re decorate the kitchen.

I have found that's the way.

Boss comes home with some new cushions
"they don't match the room so we (meaning me) will have to redecorate."

Me :" why didn't you just buy some cushions that matched? "

I still bare the scars from the death glare she gave me!

[Scratchbuilder]

I have found that's the way.

Boss comes home with some new cushions
"they don't match the room so we (meaning me) will have to redecorate."

Me :" why didn't you just buy some cushions that matched? "

I still bare the scars from the death glare she gave me!

Yep! forget Darth Vader or any of the other scaries - when you get that look you know you are in troubleand a cup of tea and her favourite biscuits will not cover up the mistake, and years from now it will be brought up in the conversation...

[Scratchbuilder]

Update,
With just the base to complete which will happen in due course. And as the main subject is the vehicle itself, I am now calling this build complete.
Thankyou one and all for staying with the build, your comments and likes. If you did not like it, well there are many more deserving builds on this forum that may spike your interest.
Completed model can now be seen on the 'Completed' section.
Mike.

[Guest]

Wow

[Andy the Sheep]

... and re-Wow!