Brushie:

Popsicle stix, hoboy... been saving the ones from the no-name creamsicles I have the hankerin' for. And I know exactly where I'm gonna use them - cross-planks on the bridge, and other 'detailing' parts for it. They also make good epoxy and paint stirstix, or for pressing parts into place where you'd not wanna use (or can't fit) a finger. Can even take a knife and almost put a point on 'em.

Hell, I was even commenting to nick the other night, I had an idea to try to make a engine grlle from wire and framing. Was going to make a jig to hold the bars in place using popsicle stix ('cause when ya solder the next bar, the last one pops loose, eh?) Got the idea from a soldering bit I saw years back made for IC & socket removal - it was a bar, and you heated all the pins on one side, and yanked it en-mass. Then ya re-heated the plate-thru holes one at a time to clean out the solder.

Only think I hate is if I get sick, my dad tries to 'help' and clean up... last time he tossed all my half-litre storage tubs (from pudding & sour-cream) and I asked " Would ya rather I spent $$$ and BOUGHT ones ? " He tends to leave stuff alone now (fingers crossed)

And I agree: the joy is doing something someone hasn't thought of, or doing it differently/better, or with different/better materials, and then going " Ta-dah! " and showing it off.

And the thing that really did it for me since I got into the hobby: the smiles on the faces of the spectators, and unlike some, I don't mind explaining how the beasties work, or how I did something unusual. Even picked up some spare $ in HS & college as a tutor.

Keep your toe in the water... you'll be glad ya did.

PS: Olliver: let us know what sizes ya need, many of us have spares, or know of places to get hardware. I know of two places online that sell small hardware, and atleast one place in town that carries it - used 'em regulaly when I used to make the belly-plates for the Tamiyas...

WhiteWolf