Catching up!

[fermis]

Jan 23, 2024 18:52:52 GMT -5 deafpanzer said:

Way too cool!! I always enjoy following your builds and pictures you share with us. You have no idea how thrilled I am that you are here now. I never forget the helo kit that you gave me many years ago. Yep I haven’t built it yet… 😂🤣😂

 I aint gonna lie...I got a bit excited when I saw you here!
All the others too. 
I think the last I saw you (other than the Indy show), was at.....Swanny's. That's been some years!!!

[fermis]

 Alright...the "War Room"...


So...this project got triggered by one of my customers giving me this tv. It just wasn't big enough for him! 

I don't any pics of the before (those are all lost to photobucket)...but ya see a little bit in the reflection!



With the wood burning stove down here, it's a lot more cozy...and with the big tv, I wanted to make things a little more inviting for the wife too.
The main wall was bead board paneling. I tore that out, put up drywall as a backer...then went with 1/4" tongue-n-groove cedar.



Last pic of the old bench...


Prep for the new bench. I ran some extra outlets and conduit in the wall to run internet to the pc.



The build/display room got new carpet and flooring under the bench...





New bench...(of course, as soon as I was done, I came up with a plan that would have been way better and bigger...but would have involved undoing way more than I wanted to undo...and I was ready to build some models!)




I'll skip the WIP pics...here's the finished room.
(furniture will be changing soon)

[Joe Rix]

Wow! Fantastic renovation Fermis. You have done some really fine looking work. Appears that you achieved what you were after in making the space comfortable for both you and the wife. I absolutely love the Corsair panels above the TV. Thanks for giving us an update on your infamous space.

[Tobi]

Seems like you could hunt deer on your own ground.
Your projects are manifolded, no doubt 'bout that.

[handiabled]

With the tongue and groove cedar it must smell as great as this project turned out. I miss the wood burner we had in the basement of the house we had two moves ago.

[kyledehart5]

Man that is some really awesome work

[brandonk]

Wow, that was a crazy amount of work on all those projects. Where does a fella find the time? I always enjoyed your builds and I am glad to see you here.

[deafpanzer]

I propose that we have an annual gathering at Fermis man cave… who’s in? 🤣 You really have the nicest man cave and it’s every man dream to have one like yours.

[fermis]

Jan 24, 2024 1:42:32 GMT -5 Tobi said:

Seems like you could hunt deer on your own ground.

Can and do!!!
That guy pictured above is in my freezer....had to get my hostas back!!!
I've got a little shy of 10 acres here, that butts up to another 150+ acres of "no hunting" township property that my great grandfather donated (sold for $1).
It's not great hunting, by any means...but I do take 1, maybe 2 depending on how many are around.

[fermis]

Jan 24, 2024 10:32:52 GMT -5 brandonk said:

Wow, that was a crazy amount of work on all those projects. Where does a fella find the time? I always enjoyed your builds and I am glad to see you here.

 The time comes from not building any models for 7 months!!!
I can't just sit and do nothing...always have to be busy. After a day of work (typically 4-5hr days)...I'm still in work mode, so I get busy with something at home!

[fermis]

Jan 24, 2024 10:43:53 GMT -5 deafpanzer said:

I propose that we have an annual gathering at Fermis man cave… who’s in? 🤣 You really have the nicest man cave and it’s every man dream to have one like yours.

 Bring yer tents!!!
Got a big yard and a nice fire pit!




...and it's just a 2 minute walk down to the lake!
(side note...all the landscaping is my own work too!)

[dukemaddog]

Wow, what can I say that hasn't already been said? I am so thrilled to see you posting again, and your models and home projects are just simply overwhelmingly incredible! Wow, you rock man!

[TJ]

Jan 23, 2024 23:14:23 GMT -5 fermis said:

Jan 23, 2024 18:52:52 GMT -5 deafpanzer said:

Way too cool!! I always enjoy following your builds and pictures you share with us. You have no idea how thrilled I am that you are here now. I never forget the helo kit that you gave me many years ago. Yep I haven’t built it yet… 😂🤣😂

 I aint gonna lie...I got a bit excited when I saw you here!
All the others too. 
I think the last I saw you (other than the Indy show), was at.....Swanny's. That's been some years!!!

Swanny's now you're bringing back the good Ol' times.

[TJ]

I drooled over the pics of the cave years ago. Now you've gone and made it better

[dukemaddog]

Well, I have a 10x20 foot cabin tent I could bring! Sleeps four! I'm in!

[fermis]

Jan 26, 2024 14:59:29 GMT -5 dukemaddog said:

Well, I have a 10x20 foot cabin tent I could bring! Sleeps four! I'm in!

 Dang...how big is everybody?!!!
10x20 oughtta get a good 15, easily!!!

[cbaltrin]

That is some fantastic output especially considering a lot of those kits are not of the shake and bake variety! I really like the sword RF84--what is your opion of the kit overall?

[fermis]

Jan 26, 2024 16:51:56 GMT -5 cbaltrin said:

 I really like the sword RF84--what is your opion of the kit overall?

 I'd give it a "decent".
There's not much in the way of locator pins (not that big a deal). My biggest gripe(which isn't very big), is that the panel lines are a little weak in areas(wouldn't hurt to scribe them a little deeper), and not very accepting of the wash.
The wing fence parts (2 of the 4) were "short shot", so I just left them all off. They were a bit thick anyway, and overall...I think it looks a little better without them, even though they are a fairly prominent feature.

[armornutii]

Jan 26, 2024 16:38:37 GMT -5 fermis said:

Jan 26, 2024 14:59:29 GMT -5 dukemaddog said:

Well, I have a 10x20 foot cabin tent I could bring! Sleeps four! I'm in!

 Dang...how big is everybody?!!!
10x20 oughtta get a good 15, easily!!!

  6'2" 265lbs and I snore

[fermis]

Jan 26, 2024 21:28:51 GMT -5 armornutii said:

Jan 26, 2024 16:38:37 GMT -5 fermis said:

 Dang...how big is everybody?!!!
10x20 oughtta get a good 15, easily!!!

  6'2" 265lbs and I snore

Bring your own tent!!!

[TJ]

I don't take up alot of room. 5'10" 200lb

[deafpanzer]

Jan 26, 2024 21:28:51 GMT -5 armornutii said:

Jan 26, 2024 16:38:37 GMT -5 fermis said:

 Dang...how big is everybody?!!!
10x20 oughtta get a good 15, easily!!!

  6'2" 265lbs and I snore

We can share a tent since I am deaf and I can’t hear your snoring. And best news I do snore too according to my wife. 🤣😂🤣

[armornutii]

Jan 27, 2024 10:09:37 GMT -5 deafpanzer said:

Jan 26, 2024 21:28:51 GMT -5 armornutii said:

  6'2" 265lbs and I snore

We can share a tent since I am deaf and I can’t hear your snoring. And best news I do snore too according to my wife. 🤣😂🤣

  Uh ho, if I'm gonna have a roommate I'd better learn sign, then we can laugh at our own jokes LOL. Might be easier that German.

[fermis]

 Here's a little something else I delved into, recently...

THere's been a number of fish that I really would have loved to have mounted...but the cost is quite high...and I don't want to kill something, just to have it on my wall!

I found some reproduction fish, molded from other fish, and bought a few that matched sizes that I have caught in the past.
(Some of you have probably seen these...I think I WIP'ed em over at SPAM)
This is what you get...




The salmons tails are just "placed" in position, as they are separate pieces, as are the heads.

The first one I did (before ordering the ones above) was a smallmouth bass. 
I used mostly model paints, but did order a couple "taxidermy" paints (lacquer) for the right colors.




The fins along the center (tail, dorsal and anal) are molded in, while the ventral and pecs are separate...eye's are also separate and have to be set (apoxy putty)

I did another smally for my nephew, of one he caught on a Scout trip...




This crappy is a replica of my biggest. Caught in a farm pond in Kansas, back in the mid-90's




The salmon. One for me (32lb male)...still not done, and just barely started. This is the one I'll be doing...




The other was a 26lb female, I did for my Dad...



Sadly, this was the last fish Dad caught at camp. Camp is up in Manistee MI, on the Manistee River. My grandparent started up there in the late 70's/early 80's.
"Opa" (dads dad, was a radio op on TBF's) passed in 98, and my parents took over from there. I go 2-3 times a year for a little getaway. I'm grateful I was able to spend as much time fishing with Dad as I could...before I couldn't.




She didn't turn out as good as I hoped...but still better than I expected...I'll take that win!

Lighting makes a big difference! (the silvers are Model Master Metallizers)


Unfortunately, with Dad unable to go up there and fish anymore, camp was sold.
Fortunately...it was bought by our good friend and my hunting/fishing buddy, Carol! So, we still have keys to the joint and actually get up there a little more.
Dads boat was part of the deal, and that will be another project for this Spring. NEEDS new transom and all new flooring and some hardware. Will also be setting it up to be a little more condusive to the type of fishing we'll be doing. That boat can stay up north, and mine can be used around here. The less hauling we have to do, the better! I've had more "problematic" experiences with hauling, than I have not!  
We did some exploring last year, and found other good fishing areas and aren't just waiting all year for the salmon to come in.

[kyledehart5]

Brilliant!! Those are super cool.

[deafpanzer]

WOW! Those fishes are way too cool! I am so glad your friend bought the property so you can continue the tradition that you cherished with your dad.

[Steve Zuleski]

Fishies look great, yard too, but the model bunker is tops!

[lyle]

Holy schnikies, Fermi’s. That is one proper space plus some nice fish.

[fox]

That's a lot of outstanding work there fermis! I'd put a few emojis here if I knew how.

Stay safe.
Jim