Clean-up and fitting continue, but a few newsworthy developments...
First, the legs are essentially done. Still a bit of clean-up (read: sharpening of detail) to be done around the wellies, but otherwise complete.
You might recall that I decided to do away with the sabre and replace it with a kukri. Well, upon further reflection, any sidearm has been done away with entirely! The problem was not so much the sidearm, but the method of suspension: IMO, it was contrived. Thus, I proceeded to eliminate the less-than-convincing baldric. There is a small section remaining just in front of the right arm that is visible: I will either grind it out and restore the minimal drapery of the greatcoat; or add a like section to the left side as "braces" for the armour.
A productive and relaxing hour or so at the bench.
FOLLOW-UP
I opted to do away with what remained of the baldric, and while it involves a bit more work, I believe it will ultimately pay off handsomely. Next: minor restoration.
Showing posts with label Jeremiah Crow. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jeremiah Crow. Show all posts
28 July 2010
16 July 2010
Smart Max's Jeremiah Crow--UPDATE (3)
Not too much to report as the tedium of clean-up continues. . .
Since my last posting, the focus has been on fit and fitting. First, I reworked the join of the left hand to the forearm, as the positioning of the spade is critical, and I did not want any surprises down the road. So I dished out the cuff, and drilled a slightly larger attachment hole. Then I extended the wrist of the hand with MS, lubricated the cuff and hole with Vaseline, and plugged the hand into the cuff. Now I have a perfect, positive join with very little play.
Next, I shifted my attention to the mating of the pants to the base of the torso. There was way too much play and freeboard between the two surfaces to suit me, and the resin was critically thin where the tails of the greatcoat joined the torso: a single mishandling could have disastrous results. So I shimmed the internal circumference of the base of the torso with MS, and deliberately pressed the pants into place, paying particularly attention to the lean of the figure. I set it aside to cure, and after carefully loosening the bond, successfully wiggled the greatcoat off the pants. Now I have a positive join that satisfyingly "clicks" into place.
I estimate that I should have the figure ready for priming in 2-3 weeks. . .
Since my last posting, the focus has been on fit and fitting. First, I reworked the join of the left hand to the forearm, as the positioning of the spade is critical, and I did not want any surprises down the road. So I dished out the cuff, and drilled a slightly larger attachment hole. Then I extended the wrist of the hand with MS, lubricated the cuff and hole with Vaseline, and plugged the hand into the cuff. Now I have a perfect, positive join with very little play.
Next, I shifted my attention to the mating of the pants to the base of the torso. There was way too much play and freeboard between the two surfaces to suit me, and the resin was critically thin where the tails of the greatcoat joined the torso: a single mishandling could have disastrous results. So I shimmed the internal circumference of the base of the torso with MS, and deliberately pressed the pants into place, paying particularly attention to the lean of the figure. I set it aside to cure, and after carefully loosening the bond, successfully wiggled the greatcoat off the pants. Now I have a positive join that satisfyingly "clicks" into place.
I estimate that I should have the figure ready for priming in 2-3 weeks. . .
11 July 2010
Smart Max's Jeremiah Crow--UPDATE (2)
Despite an unforeseen setback, progress has been made on all fronts. . .
While allowing some glazing putty to dry, I began to work on the accessory pieces: spade, lamp, sabre, and pistol. The spade cleans up beautifully and quickly. The lamp will be finicky work, but should clean-up nicely.
The sabre, though an easy clean-up, will not be used: it doesn't "work". Instead, I intend to replace it with a kukri.
And now for the setback. Upon close inspection, I noticed that the jaws and the frizzen of the inner lock were missing: these were probably lost upon demolding. I had two options: attempt to restore the missing items; or ignore it and hope that nobody notices, very likely given the scale size of the items in question. You know which option I chose:
The reworked items are in "white". There is still some minor clean-up to be done on the MS, but all-in-all, I am very pleased. And once again the resin proved tougher than it appears!
FOLLOW-UP
Save for the pre-priming once-over, the pistol is now done! In addition to sanding down the remnant of the casting sprue at the butt of the gun and cleaning-up the pommel, I very carefully drilled out both barrels--successfully!
While allowing some glazing putty to dry, I began to work on the accessory pieces: spade, lamp, sabre, and pistol. The spade cleans up beautifully and quickly. The lamp will be finicky work, but should clean-up nicely.
The sabre, though an easy clean-up, will not be used: it doesn't "work". Instead, I intend to replace it with a kukri.
And now for the setback. Upon close inspection, I noticed that the jaws and the frizzen of the inner lock were missing: these were probably lost upon demolding. I had two options: attempt to restore the missing items; or ignore it and hope that nobody notices, very likely given the scale size of the items in question. You know which option I chose:
The reworked items are in "white". There is still some minor clean-up to be done on the MS, but all-in-all, I am very pleased. And once again the resin proved tougher than it appears!
FOLLOW-UP
Save for the pre-priming once-over, the pistol is now done! In addition to sanding down the remnant of the casting sprue at the butt of the gun and cleaning-up the pommel, I very carefully drilled out both barrels--successfully!
09 July 2010
Smart Max's Jeremiah Crow--UPDATE
As you might have read in the Comments in the previous posting, work on this little gem is underway. I would reiterate that the resin used is much harder than I originally surmised: sharp blades and bits are a must! Much of the work is being done 'manually' with an X-acto blade--better control and no chance of overheating.
The legs are now pegged and have been transferred to the working base. Save for the head, the main components of the kit can be dry-assembled simply be carefully snapping and/or pressing into place. Most impressive.
Still formulating the painting strategy, but I can safely say that most of the pieces will be painted prior to assembling. The superb design of the kit, at least of the major components, was obviously devised with this approach in mind.
I am guessing that I am still at least a few weeks away from priming, which is fine by me as I am still working out the colour scheme. One thing I know for sure is that he will not have a Bavarian/sky blue great coat!
More to follow. . .
The legs are now pegged and have been transferred to the working base. Save for the head, the main components of the kit can be dry-assembled simply be carefully snapping and/or pressing into place. Most impressive.
Still formulating the painting strategy, but I can safely say that most of the pieces will be painted prior to assembling. The superb design of the kit, at least of the major components, was obviously devised with this approach in mind.
I am guessing that I am still at least a few weeks away from priming, which is fine by me as I am still working out the colour scheme. One thing I know for sure is that he will not have a Bavarian/sky blue great coat!
More to follow. . .
08 July 2010
Smart Max's Jeremiah Crow
A brutal day at work and record-breaking oppressive heat (101°F as I write) were all made right by the arrival of Jeremiah Crow (more images may be seen here). Thanks as always to Chuck Robinson and The Red Lancers for superb service.
This is a small figure: 50mm to the top of the head. Which makes the detail, engineering, and the quality of casting, as you shall see, all the more remarkable. The kit is comprised of 10 pieces plus one groundwork accessory (a VERY pleasant surprise!) plus the base. Most miniaturists appear to prefer the textured cobblestone base, hence why the groundwork accessory was such a surprise: I have never seen it in images of any build-up!
As I mentioned in my introductory posting, these kits are not cheap. Hence the question: is it worth the asking price? And I would have to respond with an unqualified "YES"! My only caveat would be that if you tend to be fumble-fingered and/or ham-fisted, then you might be particularly selective about your choice/s, as most will require a light touch while handling and assembling.
My only reservations are as follows: 1) Packaging. The beautifully-printed sepia tone box is sturdy, but just so. And the contents are bagged in a smallish zip-lock bag which lies loose in the box. Given the thinness of many of the pieces, this is a disappointment looking for a place to happen. Mine arrived with no damage whatsoever, but I have read of instances where the recipient was not quite so lucky.
And, 2) Refsheet. This is definitely a 21st c. product. By that I mean that it is web-based/driven. There is no color guide, no background notes, no assembly guide included with the kit. And there isn't even an image of a built-up kit, painted OR un-, to refer to. The main drawback to this is that a potential patron who is not familiar with the kit will either pass it over; or be compelled to open it and handle it, and this could have unfortunate consequences given the fragility of the pieces.
Aside from that, this is yet another superb kit from Smart Max, and I can't recommend it--or its companions--enough!
Now. . . as promised. . .
The "groundwork accessory" referred to above is the crow on the cruciform headstone.
Notice the textured granite finish on the base. You might notice a tiny pinhole near the rim of the top hat. I have found two other such "flaws" in the kit. Given the type of resin used, and the outstanding overall quality, I can live with these. . . (PS--Filled and finished in less than 15 mins.!)
This is a small figure: 50mm to the top of the head. Which makes the detail, engineering, and the quality of casting, as you shall see, all the more remarkable. The kit is comprised of 10 pieces plus one groundwork accessory (a VERY pleasant surprise!) plus the base. Most miniaturists appear to prefer the textured cobblestone base, hence why the groundwork accessory was such a surprise: I have never seen it in images of any build-up!
As I mentioned in my introductory posting, these kits are not cheap. Hence the question: is it worth the asking price? And I would have to respond with an unqualified "YES"! My only caveat would be that if you tend to be fumble-fingered and/or ham-fisted, then you might be particularly selective about your choice/s, as most will require a light touch while handling and assembling.
My only reservations are as follows: 1) Packaging. The beautifully-printed sepia tone box is sturdy, but just so. And the contents are bagged in a smallish zip-lock bag which lies loose in the box. Given the thinness of many of the pieces, this is a disappointment looking for a place to happen. Mine arrived with no damage whatsoever, but I have read of instances where the recipient was not quite so lucky.
And, 2) Refsheet. This is definitely a 21st c. product. By that I mean that it is web-based/driven. There is no color guide, no background notes, no assembly guide included with the kit. And there isn't even an image of a built-up kit, painted OR un-, to refer to. The main drawback to this is that a potential patron who is not familiar with the kit will either pass it over; or be compelled to open it and handle it, and this could have unfortunate consequences given the fragility of the pieces.
Aside from that, this is yet another superb kit from Smart Max, and I can't recommend it--or its companions--enough!
Now. . . as promised. . .
The "groundwork accessory" referred to above is the crow on the cruciform headstone.
Notice the textured granite finish on the base. You might notice a tiny pinhole near the rim of the top hat. I have found two other such "flaws" in the kit. Given the type of resin used, and the outstanding overall quality, I can live with these. . . (PS--Filled and finished in less than 15 mins.!)
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