Posts Tagged: model

Crafts-Hobbies — Comments Off
28
Feb 11

History of the HO Model Train

The HO model train has captured the imagination of several models train enthusiasts for a long period of time. Over a span of time, the popularity of these trains has risen at a phenomenal pace, especially in the United States of America, and several European nations. This is evident from the sales figures of this type of toy trains that clearly reflect the preference of the train hobbyists. The HO scale models however, are yet to capture the British trains market which continues to prefer other types of toy model trains.

The name HO model train has an interesting story behind it. HO scale actually denotes half of the O scale models. Before the World War I started, the O scale toy models commanded a long list of loyalists in both North America and Europe. After the end of the war, however, they manufacturers sprung up in nearly all important toy train markets. In these markets, demand eventually shifted to the smaller model railway trains from the heavier ones that were extremely popular once. One of the key reasons behind this demand shift is believed to be the space constraints that hobbyists encountered because of their relocation to various parts of the world. In addition, the financial pressures on the hobbyists led to major cuts in expenditures on hobby items such as the toy model trains. Gradually, these scale surpassed the classic models that were bulkier in nature.

With time, these HO scales have gained the trust of millions of hobbyists who purchase these models because of they find immense scope for landscaping and detailing in these models. You get to expand these layouts and make use of the detailing space to the full extent. Once you purchase the HO scale you can make use of it by using a number of special accessories that are designed to match the size of your models and add color to the landscape you are setting out to create.

To draw more buyers and retain the existing ones, the HO scale manufacturers have altered the design of these types on a regular basis. This has encouraged more model train enthusiasts to take up these models and spend their leisure time with these small playthings. Further to assist the hobbyists in designing their landscapes, these HO scale have been decked up with numerous detailing aspects. Owing to the compact size of these model trains, minute detailing is easily possible even by the most inexperienced hobbyists.

By opting for a HO scale you stand to benefit as these models last for a longer time, thereby increasing the fun for you. Trains are new way of living in the child dream and all of train lovers spend more time with family, what brings more happiness in their homes.

Crafts-Hobbies — Comments Off
9
Aug 10

Properly Building a Model Tank

Building model tanks can be very fun. It can also help to pique your interest in military history and fire your imagination as well. Anyone who sets their mind to the task can assemble models. There are just a few steps that you will have to take and a few tools that you should have on hand before you begin.

The first thing you will want to do is to find the right spot to assemble your model. You should choose a table that is large enough to allow you the room you will need to spread everything out. It should also have ample lighting over the table so you can easily see any small parts or the paints if you decide to paint your model. Once you have your spot chosen you can buy a model tank that is within a skill level that you are comfortable with.

After you have found the model that you would like to assemble you should then begin to gather your tools. If you are not planning on painting your model then all you will need is a good hobby knife, a pair of tweezers, a piece of fine grit sandpaper and some model cement. If you do decide to paint your model then you will also need the paints, paint brushes and cleaner. It would also be wise to put down a drop cloth on your work surface to keep any stray cement or paint from staining up the table itself.

You are now ready to begin. Open your kit and remove the instructions. Find the individual parts that you will need to use for each step and sort them accordingly. When you remove parts from the sprue, make sure that you cut them rather than breaking them as you could end up having to make a repair right off the bat. Use the sandpaper to remove any little nub of plastic left over from its removal from the sprue or any flashing that was left behind during manufacturing.

Wash all the parts in lukewarm or cool water with a very small amount of mild detergent and allow all the parts to dry. Once your parts are dry you can begin the assembly process. Use only as much model cement as you need to attach the pieces together and make sure that you clean up any stray drips of cement as they happen.

If you want to put a bit more effort into your model you can fill any gaps with putty which can then be sanded flat. This model will then need to be painted so that all the surfaces will properly match. Any decals that came with the model can be applied once the cement has had time to cure and the paint has dried. Congratulations! You have assembled your first model tank. If you enjoyed yourself then you might consider making model building a full time hobby.

Parenting — Comments Off
3
Feb 10

Parenting Good Behavior – How to Build Your Child’s Self-Esteem – 5 Secret Tips

Most people think that they can influence their child’s confidence by giving them lots of praise, but the real truth is what truly enables a child to utilize opportunities and feel confident is the ability to think in ways that see opportunity so that your child can seize the opportunity. This has been called possibility thinking. It trains the brain to look for possibilities vs. limitations.

Raising your child with a high degree of self-esteem helps insure that your child can utilize these advantages or possibilities. Most importantly though, is how you train your child’s mind to think and speak. This will be the largest contributor to your child’s success. As a child, there is an unconscious learning process that takes place by observing parents and others, called modeling. It is when your child watches what you do and models the behavior you exhibit.

How you model your personal behavior in situations both stressful and nonstressful is how children learn to deal with the world on a daily basis. In a stressful situation if you personally are a quitter, I do not care how smart your child is or how good their grades are, they will also learn a pattern of quitting by observing you model quitting in daily life.

If you unconsciously seek validation from others, your child will learn, by you modeling it to them, that validation from outside yourself is a must have and then go seek it from their peers. If you model self-command to them, then they too will learn self-command.

If you model fear during a crisis, your children unconsciously learn how to have the same toxic thinking pattern you do. Children learn limited negative or possibility thinking from you and your daily actions because it is the only example that is being modeled to them in that moment.

Parents play a big role in the development of their child’s ability to think in daily life. Whether they learn negative or power thinking habits depends on what you allow daily in your house and what you model for them.

As a parent you are the class room of life. Children learn your thinking style and habits. As a parent, it matters what behavior you model to them every day. In the real world you must model true, authentic self-esteem, not a false sense of self-esteem, if you want them to learn and have it.

Here are 5 steps to modeling successful behaviors to your children

Parents, model desired behavior

You can not expect your child to do what you are unwilling to do. If you do not want them to develop certain habits, you must make sure that you do not model those habits and behaviors for them.

Parents, examine your thinking and speaking habits.

There are six deadly accepted limited thinking and speaking habits that can sabotage your success and your child’s success forever if it continues going unnoticed. You must learn what they are and avoid using any one of them. This will help ensure your child’s future success habits.

Parents, stop the continued daily usage of limited negative thinking.

Even in the smallest amounts limited negative thinking destroys your child’s aspirations and yours before they even begin. Not understanding what limited thinking really is can allow you to use it all the time without you knowing it. Learn what limited thinking and speaking habits you use.

Parents, learn and model self command.

Self-command is the ability to take action in a direction and maintain a powerful level of excitement, focus and drive to complete the task. Learn to drive your own personal power then model it for your children and your children will naturally develop this powerful tool to help them succeed in their daily activities. This will give your child the edge in life. It teaches your child strong leadership skills

Parents, understand the plays in your play book.

Every family has a play book that they use to play the game of life. When you understand what plays you and your child have in the family play book, you can find the plays that have been used to sabotage results and replace them with plays that produce desired results.

Parents, modeling desired behavior for your children helps them develop into strong adults with strong self-command and self-esteem. Your child will watch you. What you do, your children will do. Teach them how to have the life of their dreams, by you having and modeling the life of your dreams.

Vickie Jimenez is the author of “Champagne thoughts and Caviar power The Science of Results Oriented Thinking” and has over 20 years in the Personal Development field. She is an expert in personal and business mind set performance as well as work environment management. She is a speaker, corporate trainer and the CEO of Success Systems Seminars. She teaches companies and individuals how to raise accountability and performance through self-command. increasing production, revenues, culture, sales and career satisfaction. To learn more visit http://successsystemsnow.com

Crafts-Hobbies — Comments Off
31
Jan 10

Matchbox Car Model Number System

Matchbox die-cast cars have always been assigned a model number. While the system created early on worked well for some time, it eventually began to become very confusing. This article will briefly explain the numbering system and changes over the years.

Each year the cars would simply be numbered 1 through 75 on the package. The actual model number would be MB# (# is the model number). The model number did not change from one year to the next unless a change was made. For example, the very first Matchbox ever, was the Road Roller in 1953, or model MB1. When a change was made, like the new paint color in 1956, the model number was changed to MB1b. This change still makes sense as it is the same vehicle with a slight variation. It follows suit that the model number should also remain the same, but with a slight variation. This basic version of the system is extremely easy but it will get complicated quickly.

In 1967, the Road Roller mentioned above, was removed from the line of vehicles and replaced with a Mercedes Truck. What was the model number for the Mercedes? MB1e. By this time the Road Roller had undergone a few more changes and was currently at model number MB1d, which explains why the new number ended with an ‘e’. However, some wonder why it was continued to be an MB1. When the vehicle changed completely, should not the model number also? From the beginning, Matchbox decided to limit the number of models produced in a year to 75. (This was the case until 2008 when it was increased to 100 cars.) In order to keep the vehicle line to 75 model or numbers, that means that they had to reuse the numbers 1 through 75. While the logic here is understandable, it created confusion since one model number over the decades, ended up representing multiple vehicles that had nothing in common.

When Matchbox was sold by Lesney Products to Universal Toys in 1982, the numbering system was re-evaluated. The numbering system posed problems, especially from manufacturing perspective. Universal changed the numbering system so that when a new vehicle was added, a new number was added to the MB# list. (They were well past MB600 as of 2002.) However, they made this change on the manufacturing side only. The customers continue to see cars numbered 1-75 (or 100). Another reason that Universal adopted a new numbering system was the fact that cars where produced for five different regions of the world. These regions were the Americas, United Kingdom, Germany, Australia and the Rest of the World (aka ROW). The line of cars produced by each region was similar but naturally, there were many variances as well. This meant that even within one year’s production, there may have been up to five variations of any model number.

While the numbering system may only be of concern to collectors it has been updated to drastically reduce the possibility of variances among one model number. However, it still poses problems when collectors are seeking older vehicles since the model number they desire represents multiple vehicles. The year is very helpful in narrowing down to the specific vehicle in this situation, but be assured that some verification will be required when looking for a specific vehicle.

Author Wesley Skiles is creator of http://www.mattelmatchbox.com, a novice collector and father of two boys that love die-cast cars.