Lately the idea of getting a netbook has been a bit of an obsession of mine…

I’ve always liked small laptops – to me it’s more useful to have a little bit of computer that’s very mobile rather than a lot of computer that’s less mobile. So this whole “netbook” thing started by the EEE PC – super-portable computers that are actually cheap as well, is really exciting. Combined with the fact that my 12″ Apple Powerbook has become tiresome (due largely to the need to keep upgrading the OS to be able to use new software, and the fact that running Linux software on the thing is a bit of a hassle, due to poor integration of the X server) it’s hard not to be drawn in.
Read the rest »

One thing about wiring a model – these wires always seem to have a way of breaking.  It’s really annoying.

Anyway, after I set up the LED for the monoeye I decided to go a step further and light the cockpit as well. The cockpit on this kit isn’t much to look at, but it’ll look decent when it’s painted up – and having a light in there is the only way anybody’s ever gonna see it. Read the rest »

So a few years back I got my first-ever laptop (well, if you don’t count the TRS-80 model 100…): a 12″ Powerbook. At the time I decided to go with Mac because I appreciated its Unix underpinnings, because I hate Windows, and because I didn’t want to deal with getting Linux to work right on a laptop. It also didn’t hurt that I got a discount on the machine. From that perspective it’s mostly been a good thing. More recently, however, the machine has become increasingly frustrating. Read the rest »

While the various complex projects are ongoing, I have some simpler stuff going on concurrently. Lately it’s been a couple of 1:100 Zakus – one of which is the recent MG v2.0 Groundtype Zaku.

The way Bandai handles monoeyes in these kits has always been a pet peeve of mine. On less-expensive kits there’s usually just a flat piece for the eye visor, maybe with a clear piece for the eye itself at best… On more intricate kits like the MG and PG there’s some emphasis put into making sure that there’s a clear lens and that it can turn – but otherwise no effort at all at detailing the eye. The space around the lens is simply a giant void.  So while this MG v2.0 isn’t a kit I want to put a tremendous level of effort into, this is one matter I had to address. Read the rest »

Been a while since the last update – since last time I’ve made progress on the feet, the knee area of the lower leg, and the strut that’s visible at the front of the leg. Most of the work has been application of Bondo to the existing parts – Bondo’s a great medium for getting parts built up quickly, due to how well it bonds to itself and how quickly it cures… But at the same time, for these faceted parts, the number of Bondo applications I have to do can get pretty tiresome.
Read the rest »

Around the end of October, J.E. completed his group build entry, called “Calibre 305”. You can see the model below, or on his site, AC Armory.
Read the rest »

So this is the project I wanted to have done for the MMC Blue contest last month and the Armored Core group build this month. Unfortunately there’s no way I can meet the build deadline at this point: I spent too much time working on Granitecon projects this month and last.

Anyway, the project is mostly ready for paint: most all the seams, etc. have been dealt with, the various warpy surfaces have been sanded flat, etc. The big thing going on right now is I’m working on wiring for the thing: wires to drive the LEDs installed in the thrusters, plus wires to power and communicate with a microcontroller that will control the LEDs.
Read the rest »

Yeaterday was “Granitecon”, the annual IPMS show in Nashua, NH.  I had been pushing to get three new projects done for Granitecon – my Takara 1:35 Scopedog (originally started for the July, 2007 MMC), my 1:144 Queadluun Rau (originally meant for the February 2008 MMC), and my 1:144 Zaku “Death Face” (actually completed for the March, 2008 MMC – but I felt like it could use some scenery and weathering…)

Anyway, I pulled an all-nighter before the show to finish things up.  Fortunately I had already made enough progress on the models that this could work: the Queadluun Rau was basically done already (I decided not to weather it – I like its current, fairly vibrant look), the Scopedog just needed some weathering and scenery – so most of the night was spent making a display base with rocks and little patches of grass.  At this point I also decided not to do any further work on the Zaku – there was enough time to make one display base, but not two.

So I made it to the show sometime after 11AM with three good entries, and the sci-fi category was surprisingly full of good entries.  Nice stuff, most of it – so I wasn’t counting on a win…  And, as it turns out, I didn’t place.
Read the rest »

My host, Dreamhost, is doing some server migration – and in exchange for some free bird seed I’ve volunteered to be one of the early movers, and to be patient with ’em when things go wrong.

So I guess we’ll see what happens…

Seems the first completed entry to the Armored Core Group Build is in, built by Clem:

It’s called “AC Split Skull”.  You can see the photos in Clem’s Deviant Art Gallery. I’ve made a copy of the photos here as well. Read the rest »