31 October 2017

Bremont Propeller Arms

The Fifth Annual Halloween Competition is going on at the Alt1tude Forums.  I was lucky to win the last two years.  This year, one of the prizes is the new Bremont NATO strap...and stickers.  I love stickers...and straps.

Bremont logo
My entry this year is propeller arms.  One day while staring at my watch, I noticed that the propellers in the Bremont logo kinda looks like two arms coming together.

Original sketch of propeller arm idea
Most of the photos were taken through a mirror, photos of me were taken by my wife.  Obviously, my hands are occupied during this process and could not operate a camera.

Standing in front of mirror, testing out the concept
Next step is to get some paint or make up.  Yes, another painted submission.  Funny thing is, I am not much of a painter. 

Halloween make up
I got a few packs of Halloween make up and some brushes, pencils, and sponges.  I ended up only using the sponges. 

Laying out the artwork
I used an eyeliner pencil to layout the artwork.  For normal people, they would have to prepare their arms, possibly by trimming or shaving their arms.  Lucky for me, I am a freak of nature and have (virtually) no hair on my arms. 

Sponging on the white
First paint to go on is the white.  The idea is any mistakes can be covered by the black later. 

More white
I painted most of the arm, wrist, and back of hands.  This leaves the fingers last so paint would not contaminate the sponge.  Once most of the white is done, I move on to the black.

Laying on the black
The black I got was not as opaque as the white, so applying and blending was more involved.  Lots of dabbing and blotting

Working with a mirror
As with my first entry, working in the mirror is the hardest part.  Sometimes I have to flip the image in my head before applying it to myself.  Also, I stumbled with where I was in relation to my reflection.

Finishing touches
The last parts were the hands.  I left unseen areas unpainted.  Also, I should have worn a black shirt and not an Underdog shirt. 

All that for this one shot
After two hours of dipping and blending, we did a quick photo shoot.  Other than holding still, the hardest part was trying to hold my arms and hands at the right angle and shape of the Bremont propellers.

Okay, obviously, I could not include one of my Bremont watches in the the shot.  Hopefully, I get a pass.  Entry submitted and hoping to get at least a sticker...perhaps a NATO strap.



07 October 2017

Build the Back to the Future DeLorean - Issues 003-006

Building the Back to the Future DeLorean, Issues 003-006
Yay!  New shipment from Eaglemoss arrived last week.  The shipment was supposed to include a binder for issues.  Instead, I got a note saying they are on back order.  No worries.  Ready to tackle the next four issues of the build.

Issue 003 contents
Issue 003 - Front Wheel

With only five pieces and three screws, this issue was an easy build.  The detail on this is simply amazing.  Eaglemoss even got the tread on the Goodyear Eagle GT tires correct.  One minor 'mistake', they made chrome wheels.  While DeLorean did make some chrome wheels, the screen used car has the light grey powder coated wheels.  No big deal.

Issue 004 contents
Issue 004 - Reactor & Mr. Fusion

These are the parts that help generate the 1.21 gigawatts of power need for time travel.  The Reactor Disc is pretty straight forward.  They even designed it so you can lock and unlock the cap with a twist.  The cap is removable, but there is a base, so I doubt there will be plutonium tubes in the future.  Unless, they give you a new base so the plutonium can slide in.

The assembly of Mr. Fusion is quite involved.  Get ready for a lot of screws, and new tiny screws and springs.  Good idea to have those tweezers handy.  Because of the size and colour of the AP screws, some might find the screw heads are too distracting as they are quite obvious on one side of the Krups 223 coffee grinder.  This does not bother me since my final assembly will be with the nuclear reactor disc.  Dare I say it, I am not a big fan of the Mr. Fusion version of the Time Machine.

We are introduced to tiny screws and springs when putting together the latch for Mr. Fusion.

Pro tip:  When installing the micro springs on the latch system, pre-screw the CP screws on the hinge base (black) with the screws slightly protruding.  Use your handy tweezers to hook one end of spring on to the latch nubs (red).  Then hook other end of spring on to slightly exposed CP screw, then screw away.  Do this one at a time.

Issue 005 contents
Issue 005 - Front Left Suspension

There are seven different screws used in this issue.  This is the most complex issue, so far.   Most of the piece are die-cast, it might be a good idea to pre-tap the holes before final assembly.

Pro tip:  Do not over tighten screws on the control arms until the spring is in place.  You will need the front suspension assembly to be a little loose so you can slip the spring into place.  That spring is pretty strong, you will need compress it as you screw in EM.

I ran into a problem on this build.  The left front tie head did not have holes drilled all the way through.  When trying to screw from the top, the DM screw bottoms out.  You will need to drill out this hole so the screw can sit in properly.

When screwing the brake disc to the same front tie head, the DM screw will also bottom out.  Again, you will need to drill that hole.  Before you start on this issue, check the holes on the front tie head piece, make sure the holes are through.

Issue 006 contents
Issue 006 - Front Right Suspension

This is the same as Issue 005, just reversed.  Now that you assembled the left side, the right side will be a lot easier.  Heck you may not even need the directions this time.

Fortunately, all the holes were properly drilled through on the right front tie head piece.  But, I was prepared with small hand drill in hand.  Oh, do not use a powered drill, just a drill bit and a few twists will be enough.

As with the previous issue, pay attention when dealing the little spring and small parts during the brake disc segments of the build.

Finished assembly of Issues 003-006 should look like this:'

Front Wheel, Reactor Disc, Mr. Fusion, Front Left Suspension, Front Right Suspension
Extra screw count after six issues:  11-AP, 4-BP, 2-CP, 2-AM, 2-BM, 2-EM, 2-CM, 2-DM, 2-DP.

to be continued...

04 October 2017

FUCK YOU, STOP CALLING ME - October 2017

Exciting time of the year.  We have leaves falling, seasons changing along with retail store displays.  And, as usual, spooky calls from telemarketers.

4 October 2017
  424-356-4658  Inglewood, CA - I have been waiting for this call, our first of the month.  This is also a return caller from last month, no doubt selling the same shit.  Fuck you!

10 October 2017
  310-875-5634  Santa Monica, CA - Santa Monica home of hipsters and beach bimbos.  Also famous for issuing random parking and traffic tickets.  Now, they have telemarketers.  Fuck you!

13 October 2017
  310-849-1314  Beverly Hills, CA - Ooh...Friday the 13th.  Could it be Jason Voorhees calling?  I mean, if he talked, it could be him.  But no, it is worse...it is a telemarketer.  Fuck you!

  310-849-6837  Beverly Hills, CA - Perhaps Friday the 13th, Part II.  So, am I going to get a call for each damn sequel?  Fuck you!

23 October 2017
  310-849-9830  Beverly Hills, CA -  Been a while since I got a text.  This one is kinda special.  It seems that these fuckers have stooped to a newer low...text spoofing.

I think you mean, "May I..."
It is pretty obvious what is happening here.  They send a text asking "Can I call you later?"  My first thought was, 'this is a telemarketer'.  Second thought..."you man "May I...".  Fucking telemarketers cannot even get their grammar together.  Fuck.

So, the trick is to get you to answer.  Whether with a "Yes" or "No".  Or, even a "I think you mean, May I.  Who the fuck thought you grammar, you flunky?".  Heck, even a "Who the fuck is this?" return text would carve your number in their 'call this idiot' list.  Fuck you!

24 October 2017
  876-854-2186  Jamaica - Uh, yeah...Jamaica.  As if there is any doubt this is a scam.  Fuck you!

31 October 2017
   310849-9946  Beverly Hills, CA - Happy Halloween!  This must be the trick.  Fuck you!