Tuesday, November 1, 2005, 01:14 AM
thom (thom<at>clevermodels.com)(thom<at>clevermodels.com)
Monday, October 31, 2005, 11:03 AM
HAPPY HOLLOWEEN
Filled a ton of orders this weekend. Now if I can just get to the post office.
We got the computer models finished for the "news stands" Should be a fun model. I hope to finish it up this week. There has been a greate responce from the S community, to our ad in "S gaugian". Thanks so much.
We will be posting some detailed construction tips and instructions in the next few days as well. We know they have been a long time comming for those who are not experienced modelers but as our users expand I'm feeling it's the right time to do it.
I want to float the idea of a kit bashing contest. I'm having such a good time combining kits. I just recently built a new display piece for an upcomming s scale show and I used left over parts from 3 kits. I also made parts out of leftover scrap paper. There's a tip for you. Remember that you can use all the extras and the waste paper as interior supports and even new parts.
DON'T EAT TOO MUCH CANDY...
Thom
thom (thom<at>clevermodels.com)(thom<at>clevermodels.com)
Sunday, October 30, 2005, 08:20 PM
Stream of conciousness.
The new "drawing board section is starting to have a few pix (at the bottom of the models page)
This is where we are going to show models that are in the works. Really raw, first builds, kit bashes, stuff that may never see the light of day. Don't expect ant fancy photography. I just want to let people know that we're always thinking.
Hay, the guest book is working now. How about signing in to let us know youve been here.
We want your comments. Possitive, negitive, good recipies. What ever.
Thom
thom (thom<at>clevermodels.com)(thom<at>clevermodels.com)
Monday, October 24, 2005, 11:57 PM
N scale. I gotta get a life. I had another request today, actually more of an accusation. Why don't we offer N scale. Is I said before, if somone wants to buy N scale I'll make N scale. so far no one in that community has stepped up.
Well, like i have nothing better to do. I built an N scale ice house. I didn't go crazy with the details, just the basic shape, one pilaster, the loading dock and the internal support to hold it all in shape.
The virdict.....
It's completely possible. Damn thing looked pretty good. Now i know in the world of card modeling there are a whole lot of people who make things as small as possible. It's a challenge to them. They would find this a piece of cake after they just completed building a 1/170th mig fighter but I'm not convinced that the model railroad community would embrace this.
prove me wrong.
Damn, It looks good
Thom
Thom Clever Bro (thom<at>clevermodels)(thom<at>clevermodels)
Sunday, October 23, 2005, 09:11 AM
Did a bit of S scale kit bashing yesterday. I thought I'd share the results. A rusty quonset hut and our new corigated steel sided building, butted together at a 90* angle. Together they make an awsome little industry. I think adding a large steel building or two (the new one with the same footpring as the furniture factory)would make a great large industry.
I know I
m getting ahead of you with out postin pix. I promis to get them into the drawing board section this week.
Had a request for some news stands. Thought it was a great idea so pending research, I'm going to knock those out next week.
Thom
Jan W
Thursday, October 20, 2005, 09:52 PM
Re: What is reality?
Thom's comments reminded me of conversations I had long ago with my dad in the early days of High Fidelity sound. He was a classical musician, and he always felt that 78 rpm acoustic recordings were more 'realistic' than electrical high fidelity 33 1/3 recordings. He clearly was hearing things differently than was I; his mind filtered out the clicks and pops in order to focus on tone and expression.
Each of us sees a scene differently, filtering things and adding missing detail to our own unique formula.
In many ways the mind is eager to participate in scenic deception; I believe our role as modellers is to create situations in which observers' minds are comfortable in helping build illusions. Ways to help the mind include maintaining uniformity of tone and style, and stuff like consistency in scale, perspective and details. Our minds are really good at finding inconsistencies.
Another big thing is developing a story line for a scene. Get the mind playing with the story. Signs, people, details all help. Just like the Magicians do. Misdirection works wonders.
OK, so if the realism of individual buildings is important, but the consistency of an overall scene is paramount, what does that suggest for photo-realistic building models? Scenes get designed IMO in two ways: If I design from scratch, I develop a program (story line, era, season, etc) and search for kits to match. Or, I start with a concept, see kits I like, and synthesize the two to develop a program. In either case the problem comes back to blending a photo-realistic building with everything around it.
This is a long path to the obvious, but it's about the light, guys. Winter vs Summer. Cloudy vs Clear. Shouldn't kits be offered in a variety of lighting situations?
Ah well. This evening I spent a very pleasant 40 minutes switching cars in the English Village of the Midlands section of the layout. A Maine Central loco dropped off two boxcars - NH and MEC. It looked real to me.
Jan
thom (thom<at>clevermodels.com)(thom<at>clevermodels.com)
Thursday, October 20, 2005, 11:24 AM
I've been meaning to write about this. A couple of weeks ago I had an opportunity to drive to Kentucky. It's always fun to be driving along the road and see different prototypes of the buildings we sell. lots of Quonset huts, Steel side sheds etc. But the variation that hit me was when I saw our furniture factory, or at least a building that looked exactly like it. The proportions were just about exact, right down to the unusually low roofed side wings. The big surprise was that there were dozens of them and they were all painted black.
"Tobaco drying sheds" is what they were. I was completely unaware of this type of structure. I'll have to consider making a conversion kit. Black is a problematic color but I'll have to try a dark gray.
Another thing I saw that has me thinking was an old leaning shed. Now I have a test model of such a shed and I've been wondering how to txture it. This might be the answer. It was sided with old licence plates. kewl.
Thom
thom (thom<at>clevermodels.com)(thom<at>clevermodels.com)
Tuesday, October 18, 2005, 11:27 AM
What is reality?
Working in the film biz, I have a certain attitude about what looks real. It's a decidedly different view then the modeling community at large. generally, I believe that when you see a model you should not know or at least not be sure that your looking at a model. The scene rules not the model it self.
With that said, I had a coligue stick thier head into my cube the other day. He picked up a copy of "O scale trains" and flipped through it. His coments were interesting. He was very inpressed by photos of a large laser kit. His impression supprised me. he thought it looked completely real. Not to take anything away from the model or modeler (or my coworker) but this was obviously a model. Impressive and detailed to be sure but obviously a model. In no way would this construct pass muster in the movie biz. Just a couple of pages over was a much more convincing photo in Carl Cornishes article about "Timeless structures". His models sag and lean. Their never square. The awareness of scene rather then building struck me. So whats all this about?
It brings to bare the question as far as the hobby goes. What is real? Thats a question that I as a designer needto keep in my concious mind. For now I'll leave the impressive detailed laser kits to be what they are, inpressive models. I'm much more interested in the illusion of reality.
Thom
Jan W
Sunday, October 16, 2005, 08:55 PM
Just back from York!
Returned from the York TCA meet this weekend, and am still digesting the stimulus overload... While this is primarily a three-rail extravaganza, it is so big (30,000+ attendees) that all appetites are addressed.
I recently finished the John McAphee two part coal rainroading article in the New Yorker, and lo and behold Alan Graziano was displaying a custom built 1/48 model of the Black Thunder mine loading facility McPhee described in his article. The model might have been 20 feet long! The punch line: Alan was unaware of the McPhee article!
So, as always, I return from a great show with head buzzing with ideas, and with renewed energy to pursue my own projects. This is why I go to these shows - a chance to reconnect with friends in the hobby, and to stoke the fires under my own passions.
What a great hobby!
Jan
thom (thom<at>clevermodels.com)(thom<at>clevermodels.com)
Saturday, October 15, 2005, 07:56 AM
Hopefully the guest book will be working as it should soon. We got hit with a spam bot a week ago and I think that was what made it screwey.
I must be working, I see we have a new spam from somone selling handbags.
Go figure
Thom
thom (thom<at>clevermodels.com)(thom<at>clevermodels.com)
Wednesday, October 12, 2005, 01:22 PM
100 posts, woohoo. Hope I get a prize.
The Guest book seems to be bustimicated. We are fixin it. please, If you wanted to leave a message try again in a few days.
The web page has gotten so big that its impossible for us to chech every link on a regular basis. If it looks like somthing isn't working right, let us know and we'll get the web mistress to make it better.
Thanks
Dave Bro (dane<at>clevermodels.com)(dane<at>clevermodels.com)
Tuesday, October 11, 2005, 12:54 PM
Hi everyone,
And I know you are out there. Even though no one wants to comment the number of you reading this blog keeps going up. Wait till you all see what Brother Thom is bashing. He sent me some pix the other day and all I can say is WOW! Don't know if it will ever become a kit, but the way he is combining things is awesome, truely awesome.
Dave
thom (thom<at>clevermodels.com)(thom<at>clevermodels.com)
Monday, October 10, 2005, 08:50 AM
IMPORTANT NOTICE, PLEASE READ.
If you experience any problems with the fit of any parts, please contact us imediatly.There was a manufacturing glitch which caused some pages to be printed with slight scale differences. This only effects kits sold at the Inde show and possibly by internet this last month.
We have a confirmed problem with the rusty qaunsit hut. The clean hut seems to be ok. We are currently checking all the kits in inventory and will post our finding here.
To recap: If you baught your kit before the inde show, there will be no problems. Kits purchased after this posting will have no problems. This only effects kits sold in the last month.
WE WILL REPLACE ANY PROBLEM KITS FREE OF CHARGE.
A quick check is to measure the Clever logos at the top of each page. If you find any that are not exactly the same size, contact us and we will fix the problem.
thom (thom<at>clevermodels.com)(thom<at>clevermodels.com)
Friday, October 7, 2005, 05:39 PM
Two in one day:
I'm sitting at my dest reflecting about modeling in general. I needed a break and pulled out one of the kits in progress, a small silver house trailer. You know the kind that gets parked in a pumpkin lot or thats surrounded by cut Xmass trees so that it looks just like a little hut in the forest. Well, anyway I was thinking about all the amaizing modeles I've seen recently. truly breathtaking stuff with every bolt and weld crisply molded. So whats the attraction to paper. Certainly there is a limit to the dimensional detail possible so whats the point? Here's where the reflecting comes in. Somewhere in my far, deep memory I remember seeing and being insplred by models made from scratch. pieces of coffe tins, cardboard, pins and wire. These models were not very accurate or detailed and yet in many ways more beautiful than any contemporary injection molded thing. I recently visited a layout while we were in Inde. Tucked along a siding was one of the most beautiful buildings I'd seen in a long time. It just looked "right". I was told that it was about 40 years old. On closer inspection you could see that the window mullions were crudely painted on and there were gutters made from straws and bits of corrigated paper. This beautiful work was an expressionist painting made manifest.
It's nice to get inspired once in a wile. To be reminded that you don't know as much as you think.
I really like paper models. their some how closer to home. closer to "Right".
Thom
thom (thom<at>clevermodels.com)(thom<at>clevermodels.com)
Friday, October 7, 2005, 12:04 PM
I started kit bashing the as yet unreleased "steel building" (I need a better name) kit. This structure has the same footprint and dimensions as our Furniture factory but is sided with rusty corrigated. For those of you familiar with that kit, I'll discribe what I'm doing. First of all, I'm using two of the same kit. I've always thought that a double length furniture factory would be cool and work well with that shape. I have to say that after combining the two sets of walls the length is impressive. About 80 scale feet. I was a little concerned about the texture patern repeating but after putting this together I think its a minor point. (more on this later). My plan is to add another 40 feet to the length by taking the "wings" from the right and left side and combining them into a low long building that will then be joined to the larger taller building either directly to one end or by overlapping (underlapping?) so there is a half wing on one side that extends as its own structure past the back wall. It may be hard to visulize but it will make for an interesting roof line. This leaves me with one extra wing from the kit. I;m not sure what to do with it yet but at worst it can become a half relief building for a backdrop. I could also use it as it is originally intended, extending off one side of the building. The cool thing is. I don't need to make that decision at this point. The flexibility of combining kits surprises even me.
Don't tell my brother. Once he starts doing this, I'll never get another "streight" building out of him. (hard enough to do now)
Happy kit bashing,
Thom
Jan W
Wednesday, October 5, 2005, 07:04 PM
Thom, you're on!
I'll send an e-mail with signs and my next order. Just waiting for a piccie of the warehouse...
I just used some left-overs, and your textures sample pack, to spice up an old Berkshire Valley corrugated steel building. This is neat stuff! The ugly duckling is not quite a swan, but it was good fun and the building looks a lot better!
BTW, hope you're not baseball fans...
Jan
thom (thom<at>clevermodels.com)(thom<at>clevermodels.com)
Wednesday, October 5, 2005, 04:47 PM
When you get involved with running an involved web site like this one, you don't think about how a technical glitch can effect your daily existance, I can imagine having a temporary outage and casual nvisiters getting the impression that " opps, guess they didn't make it, their gone" I know I've thought this on occasion when a favorite spot has misteriously gone missing.
So far we haven't had a problem that severe but It could happen. We have had some strange things happen. Buttons going to the wrong places, the wrong pix comming up, etc. Guess its just a new fact of life if you live on the web. As you may have noticed, our site has grown and become more sophisticated. Lots more layers of pix and info. It's not going to stop there. We will be adding downloadable stuff. low res test kits, instructions, probably some new gaming products. As we reach wider markets we will keep growing this site to be usefull on a dayly basis. Though we still have a few pix to go up we now have more then 12 model kits. I enjoy designing these and ther are certainly many more to come. personally though, I want to take a bit of a break from designing new kits so that I can max out what we already have. Not everyone has realized the power of kit bashing combined kits so the next two or three projects will feature exactly that. I'll be taking two and three kits and put them together in different configurations. My only difficulty is to decide where to start. there are so many possible combinations. I'll try to document the process and post them in the "drawing board" section of the models page. When I'm satisfied that I've proved my point (or get tired of it) I'll get back to finishing the grain elevator and othetr projects. Till then, enjoy the dozen or so great kits we have and do send us pix. we'll post them.
Thom
thom (thom<at>clevermodels.com)(thom<at>clevermodels.com)
Tuesday, October 4, 2005, 05:18 PM
NOT our fault
Sorry about the blog being down.
It wasn't us.
Thom
[ 4 comments ] ( 87 views ) | [ 0 trackbacks ]
Saturday, October 1, 2005, 04:12 AM
thom (thom<at>clevermodels.com)(thom<at>clevermodels.com)
Friday, September 30, 2005, 09:06 PM
Hay Jan, Just tell me what signes you want. I'll make them and send them to you.
Thom
Jan W
Thursday, September 29, 2005, 04:54 PM
Hey Guys:
The new website format is excellent. I really like the selection of detail photos with each kit.
IMO, a dimensioned footprint of each building would be really helpful. Very useful to those of us with maturing layouts, in that space planning is a constant game.
Last week I built the foundry. Good fun, and unusual for me, in that building construction usually is a Winter activity! Your kits are a joy, perfect for listening to baseball on radio (or even TV). I'm planning to combine the foundry with the new plant, and the warehouse, to make a gear works. I'll build connecting structures using left over bits and some textures.
I asked earlier about signage...my thought was the following. The sign on the furniture factory doesn't appeal to me. It should be easy for you guys to make a custom sign to fit the space, same tone and colors, so it can be glued over the existing sign. This could easily be an add-on option to your kits, and would be worth a few bucks to anyone interested. A sheet or two of generic signs would be easy and pretty cool, but offering tailored verbiage would be special!
Jan
thom (thom<at>clevermodels.com)(thom<at>clevermodels.com)
Monday, September 26, 2005, 11:17 AM
The show was a blast. Once again people loved the kits. The warehouse especially opened a lot of eyes and It wasn't even finished. We were able to show most of the kits, however two of the prototypes didn't make it.
If your a fan of thr furniture factory, there is a corrigated steel version now available. Pix will be up in the nexy few days. With a few dimension changes and the addition of a dormer/loading hatch, It's the same footprint as the furniture factory. We did show one of the two new steel buildings. There are two variations. Standing seam all around with large industrial windows and corrigated sheets with sliding doors and an option to add windows.
We also showed the production version of "plant #2". Supprisingly, for such a challenging kit, it sold well to first time card modelers.
The Card modeling crusade continues with a lot of the old guys fondly remembering when card models were all there was and the new folks who had never seen anything like them.
Once again we get the same questions and responces. Whats inside? Thats not all paper. The hands reaching out to touch. etc. etc.
Generally we were told that attendance was down. probably the result of the gas price mess. Many vendors didn't sell a thing. Our sales weren't great but certainly enough to make the trip worth wile. Even if it wasn't, Getting to meet our customers and new friends was priceless. (HI Barb! You rock girl)
This may sound crass but if your on the fence about trying a kit. You might want to make up your mind soon. Because of gas prices,Ink prices and all the other screwy things in our economy. When our current stock is gone we are going to have to (kicking and screaming)raise prices. We are working with suppliers to do our best but it seems inevitable. We'll hold off as long as we can. Don't fret too much. You will still be able to get six of ours for the price of one of thiers.
Best always,
Thom
thom (thom<at>clevermodels.com)(thom<at>clevermodels.com)
Sunday, September 25, 2005, 10:27 PM
Well, that was fun. Back from Inde and I'll have a lot to say over the next couple of days but for now I just want to get some rest. Talk to you tomorrow.
Thom
thom (thom<at>clevermodels.com)(thom<at>clevermodels.com)
Friday, September 23, 2005, 06:42 AM
Todays the day. The new website with lots of pix is live. Go to the structures page and take a look.Klicking n a pix will take you to a larger version, klick again and go to a gallery of that building.
there are still a couple of holes to be filled but the new format wil make it easier to upload new pix as they become available. As soon as we get back from Inde, we will be posting pix from there. Our next big project..... instructions. Though we still don't think thier needed.
Thom
thom (thom<at>clevermodels.com)(thom<at>clevermodels.com)
Wednesday, September 21, 2005, 10:08 AM
Almost packed for Inde. Still stuffing polly bags with product, Still trying to get the last prototypes built so We can show them. Twenty kits left to package and I think I'm done.
Brother Dave keeps building stuff. It's a good thing we don't do too many instructions. He keeps building these things in ways I'd never guess. It shows the 'kitbashing" approach that we want to incourage. He moves doors around, opens windows, creates operatimg garage doors. Basically he builds them any way he darn well pleases, never mind how I intended it to go and they always look amaizing. I hope that many of you will get a chance to see the models up close at the show.
We're going to expand our support of "The Train show" on rfd satalite tv. If you havent seen it Rich Einhorn does a great and entertaining show. If you don't have satalite TV you can download and watch the show on your computer.
www.thetrainshow.com
is the place to be.
Later
Thom
thom (thom<at>clevermodels.com)(thom<at>clevermodels.com)
Tuesday, September 20, 2005, 11:43 PM
Jan, Depends on the sign. One of the things that hasen't been shown are the billboards and roof top signes we're working on. (they fit the warehouse)
If the sign were interesting and at least somewhat general. we would make it free of charge as long as we could offer it for sale or as part of a kit. Let us know your ideas and if we can make it we will.
Thom
Jan W
Tuesday, September 20, 2005, 06:25 PM
OK, another question...
How easy would it be for you guys to offer customized signage in your kits?
Jan
Jan W
Tuesday, September 20, 2005, 06:23 PM
Hey, a great idea!
Testing new designs for reactions before release is one of those great ideas that make you shake your head that it's not been done before. I guess this is made easier by your ability to change product so quickly...
Jan
thom (thom<at>clevermodels.com)(thom<at>clevermodels.com)
Tuesday, September 20, 2005, 02:39 PM
Very soon Jan. Very soon. I just saw the latest test of the web page which will have not only new pix of everything but a "drawing board" where we will post work in progress.
The venerable web mistress sweares it will be live by the end of this week.
Thom
Jan W
Monday, September 19, 2005, 07:33 PM
I know you're busy,...but
How about a sneak pic of the new models?
thom (thom<at>clevermodels.com)(thom<at>clevermodels.com)
Monday, September 19, 2005, 10:55 AM
INK and Paper,
Just when you think you got it all figured out. I should know better. I've been an artist a long time.We have gotten so many nice comments about our kits and the quality of the printing and the images and such. We really hit a sweet spot and have a great looking product but I can't leave well enough alone. I keep trying new combinations of ink and paper, sometimes to disasterous and wasteful results. Some times not so disasterous. A buddy of mine works for XEROX and I was able to try out one of thier high end (half million dollar) printing machines. Thier aiming at the big print market now not just the corner copy shop. To make a long story just a little shorter, the quality was jaw dropping and the speed insane.
Why can't I leave well enough alone. Our high end printers do a great job. Beautiful stuff but know I know what could be.
There's always a ballence of cost and quality.
Dad Clever, who was in the printing business his whole career always said you can have it fast, cheep and good. Pick two. Right now we have good and cheep but I want to go for better and faster. Can we find a way to maintain cheep?
We'll keep ya posted.
Thom
thom (thom<at>clevermodels.com)(thom<at>clevermodels.com)
Friday, September 16, 2005, 11:03 AM
Always a mad rush getting ready for these shows. getting plenty of kits ready, all the little details. It's kind of fun.
So I'm nuts.
Thom
thom (thom<at>clevermodels.com)(thom<at>clevermodels.com)
Thursday, September 15, 2005, 11:49 AM
Jan, In responce, Yeah those windows are a bit of work but we find that after you've done a couple it gets easier. An alternate way ofbuilding them is to ignore the tabs and glue in the folded inset from the back , butting the edges. Not as secure a method but it does ive a nice finish and can be easier to fit.
On the window question. I take your point but our goal is to give kits as much charecter as possible. There are enough extra windows in the kit I suppose adding a bit of extra clapboard in the kit would be possible.
Some of the new kits (the steel buildings are being made with out windows printed on the walls but will have window templates and window parts so the modeler can choose where, how many etc. I'me doing this because durring the research phase I found that this type of structure, though found in every railyard, had no windows about half the time. I thought it an easy way to extend the variety in the kit. we'll see what people think.
We're still rushing to get kits prototyped and printed for the show next week. It's a race. If anyone is waiting for an order thats why it's late. Patience please. It will be worth the wait. By the way, I did modify the loading ramp to include two more cross beams.
the metal building that uses standing seams is going to come with sheets of thinner material to make the folding of the seams easier. the question is do we just make it full sheets of material or do we preshape the pieces. The modeler will have the choice to build with thw flat printed texture or add the standing seam material over the top of the printed walls. Hope thats clear. hmmmm. I'm rushing a bit. The kim might have to evolve a bit after is's released this week.
Thom
Thom
Jan W
Wednesday, September 14, 2005, 08:31 PM
OK, More unsolicited comments...
First, thanks Dave foe the tip re Krylon low odor matte finish. I'd never heard of it, found it at Brennan's MRR supply.
I'm currently constructing a forge building. Executing the inset windows easily ranks as my least favorite task in a long time, although the effect is really neat. Two lessons so far - first, never mind the guidelines, cut each window to fit once the wall openings are cut and bent. Fitting these things is a bear.... Second, remember to darken the exposed edges of the window cuts before assembling. Much easier that way.
Finally, an observation regarding the furniture factory. The kit as printed includes a boarded up window. My point applies to the degree of decay of a building. Many kit producers delight in modelling decrepid buildings, which is cool in it's own way. Some modellers prefer to model buildings as ongoing businesses, with ongoing maintenance.
My point is this: If you print the building with all normal windows, and include a boarding-up overlay (as you do now), then you give the modeller the option of deciding whether to board the window. As-is, as far as I can see, there's no way to un-board the window.
Cheers!
Jan
Thom Clever Bro (Thom<at>clevermodels.com)(Thom<at>clevermodels.com)
Monday, September 12, 2005, 10:16 AM
It would be great if we had more opportunities to attend hobby shows. I enjoy showing our work because we're proud of it. I like meeting other hobbiests and manufacturers. I really like seeing all the creative ideas which always fire off more ideas for us.
We are a small, new company. As such we have to pick and choose carefully which shows to attend. All we can really get out of a show is to cover the cost of going and spreading the word about ourselves and card modeling. This 3/4 of a year have been great for us.
We face a daunting period of choices. Stay small and build over time is our chosen path however some things cant be avoided. New exuiptment, advertising, marketing, all things that aren't imediatly apparent when you think about selling simple kits of paper.
These are the thinges we have to choose to do (and pay for).
This year we are doing two shows (canwe sneak in one more?) But next year we have to get out there in a bigger way. I want to hit at least one show in each scale we represent. AND I need to get to the big national hobby show (not just trains) The list should look like this.
O scale show here in Illinoise
an S scale show (to be found)
the NMRA show and the big hobby association show.
Got any ideas of shows we should attend. let us know.
Thom
thom (thom<at>clevermodels.com)(thom<at>clevermodels.com)
Saturday, September 10, 2005, 10:36 AM
I'm spending the day catching up on orders. I have so many kits to put together befor the upcomming show. I'll have two printers going constantly.
I still need to finish two prototypes befor then as well. I may have to cut of deliveries for the week so I can get ahead.
People like our kits, guess I shouldent complain.
Thom
thom (thom<at>clevermodels.com)(thom<at>clevermodels.com)
Friday, September 9, 2005, 11:32 AM
Since switching over to the new printer, I've had to spend a lot of time paper and ink getting the color where I want it. You would think that a far more sophisticated device would give great results out of the box. Not so. So after a week of pulling hair we wre back in production. We've also changed our paper. I didn't think it possible but I found an even brighter white card with a beautiful smooth surface. I love it any time I can make the kits better.
Jan thanks for the pix. I'll send you a couple of new ramp kits to replace the one that got damaged when I send out your order.
Thom
Dave (dave<at>clevermodels.com)(dave<at>clevermodels.com)
Friday, September 9, 2005, 12:02 AM
Jan
Sorry to hear about the trouble. In the process of teaching my self about the ins and outs of card modeling, I've had my own share of disasters, but only one like your talking about. Some pointers. I've tried a bunch of different clears with various results. None worked really well until I ran into Krylon "Low Odor Clear Finish" Comes Matte, Satin and Glossy. The matte part number is 7120. Says right on the can that it is compatible with paper. I could not find it in a store anywhere, had to order it special from an art supply house I found on line. THE MAIN THING TO REMEMBER is to just barely dust on a first coat, then a second and a third. After that, if you want more you can do heaver, but still light coats. Also be sure that the can is new. After a couple of months, if there is anthing left in the can, I throw it away. Also, don't let the can get cold and always shake it up really well. At least a minute. One possible fix that I've heard of but haven't tried myself if to re-spray the clouded model with some new coating. Sometimes the new re-disolves the old and gives it a chance to re-dry clear. This is what I've heard. At this point it sounds like you have nothing to loose. If you try it, let me know what happens. I will do the same. Good Luck.
Dave
Jan W
Wednesday, September 7, 2005, 06:56 PM
All is not lost... The quonset hut kit includes so many miscellaneous bits that replacement of doors, windows and vents will be easy.
So, are you guys planning to be at the train show in York, Pa in October? It's a three-rail show, but the sheer size of it suggests a market for you. If so, see you there!
thom (thom<at>clevermodels.com)(thom<at>clevermodels.com)
Wednesday, September 7, 2005, 01:10 PM
OUCH!!
Jan There may be a way to save the models. Talk with an art store about this. We do use matt spray but I can also say that throughout my career I have had bad experiences with it. Nothing like working on a large marker rendering for a client only to have the matt spray go miky.
I wish I could recall the fix for this but I do remember that there is one.
I always test spray on some scrap paper, especially if the can of fix is old or has been sitting for a wile.
Really sorry. I'll see what I can find out and post it here.
Thom
Jan W
Tuesday, September 6, 2005, 04:26 PM
And a lesson learned...the hard way.
Sprayed the kits this morning with Krylon Matte Sealer. It was like misting them with white paint!
I know that excess sealer turns stuff milky, but these were really sensitive. Is there a safe level, or is matte sealer to be avoided?
thom (thom<at>clevermodels.com)(thom<at>clevermodels.com)
Tuesday, September 6, 2005, 12:16 PM
jan, Once again usefull info we can really use. I'll have to check about the 2 diaganol posts on the ramp kit. We are going to probably offer it as a free download in future. We are going to try to always have and rotate a simple one page kit for free download.
You really "get it" as far as what we're trying to do. We want people to use our kits as a jumping off point. Take them as far as you want/can. Customize them, cut them up, combine them. You can always build them just as they come. No extras needed. but I'm looking forward to seeing pix of what people are doing with them.
As far as folding little bits. There are actually folks in the paper model community who delight in reducing the scale to maddening leveles just to se how small a model they can build. Now thats perverse. Hmmmm. perhapps they would buy N scale kits?
General note to all readers. we are getting question and comments on the "purchase" page of our site. Please keep the info flowing but post to
"generalinfo@clevermodels" or here in the blog.
Thanks for your understanding.
Thom
Jan W
Monday, September 5, 2005, 09:24 PM
Hi Guys:
Enough theory – I’ve completed two of your kits and am brimming with comments.
I’ve built the Quonset hut and the freight loading dock, and I’m totally satisfied with the hut, and am absolutely delighted with the loading dock.
Your coaching in terms of going slowly, and letting each step set before proceeding, is spot on. So obvious, yet so hard to do. Please understand that the builds that follow are very much in context with my satisfaction, this is just stuff to perhaps make things better…
The Quonset Hut:
This went together very easily. I used 3/16 foam core board as a foundation. It’s hard to imagine building this without the foam core.
Your internal bracing template measures out to about 1/8 inch less than the wall of the ends of the unit. OK if using just card stock.
I preferred a different approach. I sent photos separately.
I built internal supports of foamboard to the profile of the end walls. In my opinion the most difficult aspect of building the hut is to get the correct profile of the arc of the roof. I fashioned three profiles, one for each end wall and one for the middle of the building
By building supports flush with the walls, glueing and fashioning the roof is very easy.
The Loading Platform
This was a delightful kit. In my opinion more difficult than the hut.
I believe, by the way, that the kit lacks two diagonal braces. I could have lost the braces in question, but my current position is that there is no way I lost them, the kit is defective!
OK, reactions to the kit…
Fabulous little kit! I love it. Perverse, but I enjoyed folding little bits, knowing that the same could be achieved with one good plaster casting.
Several thoughts occur.
The kit goes together well when one includes Bainbridge board as a core for the brick base and the wood deck. The instructions might tell folks what thickness to use…
The support beams go together better if a core of board or balsa/basswood is used. Why not suggest the sizes to use?
By the way, I may be slow, but it took me a moment to realize that the support beams in the structure go outside the sheathing.
Terrific – keep it up. Clearly instructions are needed, but do it on the net!
Cheers…
Jan
Dave (dave<at>clevermocels.com)(dave<at>clevermocels.com)
Saturday, September 3, 2005, 06:16 PM
Jan
Thanks for your insight. I think you know us better than I do. But, you are very correct on all points. We see the same advantages and pitfalls you do. I guess that means were doing something right. Well maybe not right but at least obvious. Thanks for your comments.
Dave
Jan W
Saturday, September 3, 2005, 04:34 PM
Hi guys. You raised some excellent business questions a while ago; sorry for the delay in responding…
Regarding catalogs, I consider the Westport Model Works catalog to be one of the best. He makes color drawings on heavy paper, for use much as yours are used. While not photographic, the quality of his stuff is extremely good. Les sells his catalog for $7.50; the book is necessary, in that his stuff is very much modular – somewhere between your textures and your structures. If you aren’t familiar with his work, he’s at www.westportmodelworks.com
In thinking about the various ‘opportunities’ you guys mentioned, my thoughts drifted over business plans in general, and the various clients I’ve worked with as a business consultant. I was reminded that one of the uses of a business plan is to help businesses decide what not to do, and which opportunities not to pursue. Every emerging business seems to face way more things to do than is possible with the resources at hand…
From what I’ve read, I’ve deduced several things about your business plan – could be way wrong, this is just my guess!
· Using technology heavily in designing and producing kits
· Initial channel to market is via website and direct sales
· Intent on maintaining low cost of product
· Seeking to maintain flexibility in developing new products / buildings
· Targeting both experienced builders (textures) and novices (building kits)
· Seeking to achieve a volume threshold – not clear whether this is units, or revenue, or both
So, on to your issues, ie:
· Should you publish a catalog
· Should you print instructions with each kit
· Should you distribute through dealers
It seems to me that a lot depends on how many real customers (as opposed to tire-kickers) are not on the internet. I suspect this is a constantly diminishing minority, but I have no data. It’s true that many of us modelers are tactile people, like to hold printed catalogs, but younger people may not agree…
I really like the route you’ve taken of putting catalog and instructions on the net, as a way both to control costs, and to maintain flexibility in updating documents. If you go to a printed catalog, you need to do it well, a la Westport, and that involves significant time and cost. A good catalog certainly will boost sales of both textures and buildings, but an on-line version done equally well might achieve almost the same boost. It would take a lot more than a bunch of SASEs to push me into an elaborate catalog project.
I would also resist printing instructions with each kit. Many suppliers seem to be moving towards generic instructions and hints, as you have done.
Distribution through dealers is a seductive channel, but I think I would approach this carefully. You’ve identified the key variables – you can’t underprice your dealers, and to maintain low cost you probably would give away your profit to dealers for their margin. If your internet direct sales model is going to work, you should focus your efforts on doing that as well as possible. Your first goal is to build your high margin direct business; if required, dealer sales are strictly marginal business, useful only to build unit volume. As marginal volume, I would wish to be certain that I could produce the extra units only for the direct costs of paper, ink, etc, and that I required no additional labor or equipment to serve the low profit business volume. I would also seek a low risk channel to selected dealers: rapid payment, no returns, no bad debts, no selling and advertising cost, and minimal administrative overhead (billing, receivables, inquiries, etc) associated with the dealer business. The risk of course is that the dealer sales might gradually build up demand on your resources, and that you would find yourself building volume in the low margin portion of your business.
One strategy might be to offer only certain items through dealers; either a separate line, or kits on the market over a certain time, etc.
One final thought – most start-up businesses that succeed financially end up doing it with products or services quite different from what they started with. Entrepreneurs tend to be motivated by financial success, not allegiance to a given product or artistic goal. This thought may not be at all helpful…
At any rate, keep up the good work!
Jan
Thom Clever Bro (thom<at>clevermodels.com)(thom<at>clevermodels.com)
Friday, September 2, 2005, 10:52 AM
Finished the big warehouse last night and can't wait to build it. Of course I'll have to let my brother do it cause I got more kits to finish in the next week to be ready for the show. It feels good though to know that we will be showing it in a ready to sell form. Now I need to finish the three steel buildings I started.
The safari of yesterday was not successful. the bounder got away, tucked behind inaccessable gates.
Still, like the fabeled Yetti, I got a good look at it even If I didn't get clear pictures.
Win some, lose some.
Thom
thom (thom<at>clevermodels.com)(thom<at>clevermodels.com)
Thursday, September 1, 2005, 11:20 AM
On Saffari....Out of the corner of my eye I ofen spy some wonderful jem of a structure. So today I set off to capture yet another elusive Quonset hut. Now we already have 2 and they sell pretty well. This beauty I spotted grazing along rand road tucked in the back of a landscapers supply yard is resplendent in peeling green paint and gobs of tar.
I MUST HAVE IT.
Thom
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