Engineering / Modelling Books for Winter Evenings?

[Dr_GMJNParticipant @dr_gmjn]

Posted by Clive B on 15/02/2021 09:04:40:

Did you click on the link I provided? It still works for me.

Clive

Yes, but I don't understand how you got those results.

[Clive BParticipant @cliveb55652]

Curious. In that case, afraid I can't help; I can still see it and there is another used one on offer for £29.99.

Clive

[SillyOldDufferModerator @sillyoldduffer]

Posted by Clive B on 15/02/2021 09:40:42:

Curious. In that case, afraid I can't help; I can still see it and there is another used one on offer for £29.99.

Clive

Curious indeed. Searching from within Amazon UK I get the same result as Dr_GMJN, but Clive's link finds a different offer. (GMJN and I see the Hardback result, Clive gets a Paperback.) Which search engine did you use Clive? There's are at least two official Amazon searches, plus Google & co. Possibly Amazon's app gets a different result to the web page because it doesn't use the same interface. Probably a bug, because Amazon lose sales.

Peculiar high prices are explained in various ways:

• When an advertiser is out-of-stock it's often cheaper and much less fuss to change the advertised price than to remove the link entirely and pay to set it up again when stock becomes available. Changing to a high price is a cheap way to stop customers asking. Or
• The high-price connects to a specialist book finding service. Paying someone else to find stuff is costly. Or
• The book is collectable, rare, and in excellent condition.

I expect there are other reasons! Not sure what the world record price for a second-hand book is, but certainly tens of millions, and occasionally substantial sums for battered examples:

Darwin (Charles). On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection, or the Preservation of Favoured Races in the Struggle for Life, London: John Murray, 1859, iii-ix + 502 pp., folding lithographic diagram, half-title and advertisements discarded, occasional spotting (stronger towards front), a few light stains and marks, several leaves sometime dog-eared, leaves a2-4 (a2=title-page) slightly nicked and friable along fore edges, B6 with closed tear in fore margin repaired verso, I1 badly frayed, with 6cm closed tear, and old tape-repair along fore and bottom edges just touching final letter of each line not affecting legibility, P12 with closed tear to top margin (old repair touching running head recto) and a few other nicks, Y9-10 each with 3cm closed tear repaired verso (repairs covering part of text but not affecting legibility), manuscript correction in black ink to p.109 ('not' scored through), edges untrimmed, original cloth, recased and relined, rubbed, a few sections of wear to extremities, tips bumped, housed in a custom morocco-backed solander box, 8vo in 12s

Sold for £21000 last year.

Dave

[Clive BParticipant @cliveb55652]

Thanks Dave,

Without wishing to go down an off-topic rabbit hole, Google throws up two separate links to different offers from Amazon as well as other options from competitors. A search from within Amazon does indeed provide a vastly overpriced option. Go figure……….

Clive

[Dr_GMJNParticipant @dr_gmjn]

Thanks Both.

BTW Clive, what exact search terms did you put into Amazon?

[Dr_GMJNParticipant @dr_gmjn]

So the first of the new book suggestions arrived today:

Introducing Model Traction Engine Construction by John Haining.

Read the first couple of chapters already, and it’s spot on for someone at the beginning of a project like this. Seems very good value at less than £10 delivered. Only ordered it yesterday…

[Ramon WilsonParticipant @ramonwilson3]

Some relatively limited run books, certainly aimed at the plastic modelling world do command some very high prices once out of print – Duel in the Mist Vol 1 springs to mind – a fifty pound book on first release and now fetches an excessive price in comparison if one comes up.

That said I have seen as above some highly inflated prices for some for which there must be a good reason and the listing explanation seems a viable one given the article (book) concerned.

So, my copy of Malcolm Darches book will sit on the shelf until I slip off the old perch and then perhaps somone will make a killing

My Norman Ough book arrived just before lunch – still lies unopened along with another on Trawlers and a plan. Workshop time may be somewhat curtailed this afternoon

Ramon (Tug)

 

Edited By Ramon Wilson on 16/02/2021 13:32:46

[Mike PooleParticipant @mikepoole82104]

Some years ago Ian Bradley’s Myford Series 7 manual was fetching silly money on eBay. Myford had plenty of copies still at the proper price of £6. A couple of years later it was reprinted at a sensible price. Books can reach high prices when they go out of stock but it is worth having a good look round to see if anyone still has stock and enquiring with publishers if a reprint is in the pipeline.

Mike

[Andrew TinsleyParticipant @andrewtinsley63637]

Guy Lautard's Bedside readers are a good case in point. They are soft covered A4 size, I purchased all the different ones for a total of about £30. I was horrified when I looked at Ebay and booksellers. They were asking well over £100 each! For once I managed to get a bargain. Why Guy doesn't have another print run, I know not, but he could manage a tidy profit if he did.

Andrew.

[noel shelleyParticipant @noelshelley55608]

For anyone thinking of building a furnace or forge, Gas burners for forges ,furnaces or kilns.

[Ramon WilsonParticipant @ramonwilson3]

Doc G – What a cracking addition to the collection Norman Ough's book has made. Absolutely superb and yes there was that ship in dock model just as I remembered it. How on earth does one man produce such a vast quantity of models all built to absolute perfection? It's going to take some digestion for sure

I have not had a book from Seaforth for some time and was surprised to find this was published in 2016 – a real steal at £15.99 delivered

Thanks for the recommendation – well pleased indeed

[Dr_GMJNParticipant @dr_gmjn]

Posted by Ramon Wilson on 16/02/2021 18:54:11:

Doc G – What a cracking addition to the collection Norman Ough's book has made. Absolutely superb and yes there was that ship in dock model just as I remembered it. How on earth does one man produce such a vast quantity of models all built to absolute perfection? It's going to take some digestion for sure

I have not had a book from Seaforth for some time and was surprised to find this was published in 2016 – a real steal at £15.99 delivered

Thanks for the recommendation – well pleased indeed

I’m glad you like it; recommendations can sometimes go either way! It seems like modelling was literally his life. While being hospitalised through modelling exhaustion seems crazy, I can see how it might happen if you don’t have any distractions. I like building plastic and card models, and entering IPMS competitions. Striving for perfection can push you to getting pretty close to the end of your tether. Which is daft. I know of one renowned modeller who became quite seriously mentally ill through his pursuit of impossible to achieve perfection. Sounds like Norman was in the same mould. The result was however a series of utterly brilliant models.

[Ramon WilsonParticipant @ramonwilson3]

Posted by Dr_GMJN on 16/02/2021 19:58:30:

I’m glad you like it; recommendations can sometimes go either way! It seems like modelling was literally his life. While being hospitalised through modelling exhaustion seems crazy, I can see how it might happen if you don’t have any distractions. I like building plastic and card models, and entering IPMS competitions. Striving for perfection can push you to getting pretty close to the end of your tether. Which is daft. I know of one renowned modeller who became quite seriously mentally ill through his pursuit of impossible to achieve perfection. Sounds like Norman was in the same mould. The result was however a series of utterly brilliant models.

Like you I've had my moments at IPMS competition but no longer build anything with the intention to compete. I try my best to introduce detail not there in the basic plastic model to enhance its outcome but it's very much for personal choice.

However when one sees such craftsmanship that you have no doubt seen at times one soon realises that one is only scratching the surface compared to some. There are some incrediblly talented model makers out there for sure but I don't allow it to be a cause of disillusionment rather to see it as inspiration just try to do just a little better

I bought my copy of Ough's book from ebay but thought it might be worth taking a look at Seaforths site. I now have 'Ship Models of Glasgow Museum' pre ordered hopefuly to be published at the end of the month. Couldn't resist and somewhat inevitable given my previous comment on the museum!

Happy times indeed

Ramon (Tug)

[Dr_GMJNParticipant @dr_gmjn]

Posted by Ramon Wilson on 17/02/2021 08:40:03:

Posted by Dr_GMJN on 16/02/2021 19:58:30:

I’m glad you like it; recommendations can sometimes go either way! It seems like modelling was literally his life. While being hospitalised through modelling exhaustion seems crazy, I can see how it might happen if you don’t have any distractions. I like building plastic and card models, and entering IPMS competitions. Striving for perfection can push you to getting pretty close to the end of your tether. Which is daft. I know of one renowned modeller who became quite seriously mentally ill through his pursuit of impossible to achieve perfection. Sounds like Norman was in the same mould. The result was however a series of utterly brilliant models.

Like you I've had my moments at IPMS competition but no longer build anything with the intention to compete. I try my best to introduce detail not there in the basic plastic model to enhance its outcome but it's very much for personal choice.

However when one sees such craftsmanship that you have no doubt seen at times one soon realises that one is only scratching the surface compared to some. There are some incrediblly talented model makers out there for sure but I don't allow it to be a cause of disillusionment rather to see it as inspiration just try to do just a little better

I bought my copy of Ough's book from ebay but thought it might be worth taking a look at Seaforths site. I now have 'Ship Models of Glasgow Museum' pre ordered hopefuly to be published at the end of the month. Couldn't resist and somewhat inevitable given my previous comment on the museum!

Happy times indeed

Ramon (Tug)

Off-topic, but agreed about model competitions. I find that building with the intention of competing has improved my models a lot. My local IPMS show is Huddersfield (now held in Halifax!). The judges have been kind over the years and I've had had quite a few class wins, and one year got best in show. The only other competition I entered was at Cosford, but that's no longer running.

My pal and I (and latterly my son) go to the Telford show, and I always think I'd like to enter the competition, just for the experience of it and to dream a bit! No chance of getting a class win of course, but really just for the sake of competing. I've always put it off because it would mean an overnight stay. However, we've been deprived of model shows for a year now, so this year we are planning to go down for both days, and I will enter all my regional show class wins, and that will be something ticked off the list of things I want to do one day.

Of course, that's if it's not cancelled! Which id a huge "if".

[Ramon WilsonParticipant @ramonwilson3]

Ha – going off on a tangent is not such a bad thing at times Doc

I've never built specifically to compete but when I returned to plastic modelling in 2003 I felt a bit of self imposed pressure to do so when attending shows with club colleagues. At first it was an enjoyable reward for the effort put in but is a double edged sword for me. Last comp 'entered' was indeed at Telford in 2008 – got a gold in 1/48 modified aircraft so saw that as enough. I have been fortunate to receive 'Awards' at various shows since where a model on display is chosen by someone but, save my club comps, have not physically entered a competition as such since that year.

Haven't been for about three – four years – it's a long way to go and definitely a two night stay for us.

You should do it though – if only the once, for as you know it's been a major event with entrants from over Europe though whether that will be the same if it does go ahead this year remains to be seen.

Yes, missed the shows this last year – usually do three or four. The last was the East of England show at Peterborough last March – literally, just before the shutdown.

[Dr_GMJNParticipant @dr_gmjn]

Posted by Ramon Wilson on 17/02/2021 21:39:02:

Ha – going off on a tangent is not such a bad thing at times Doc

I've never built specifically to compete but when I returned to plastic modelling in 2003 I felt a bit of self imposed pressure to do so when attending shows with club colleagues. At first it was an enjoyable reward for the effort put in but is a double edged sword for me. Last comp 'entered' was indeed at Telford in 2008 – got a gold in 1/48 modified aircraft so saw that as enough. I have been fortunate to receive 'Awards' at various shows since where a model on display is chosen by someone but, save my club comps, have not physically entered a competition as such since that year.

Haven't been for about three – four years – it's a long way to go and definitely a two night stay for us.

You should do it though – if only the once, for as you know it's been a major event with entrants from over Europe though whether that will be the same if it does go ahead this year remains to be seen.

Yes, missed the shows this last year – usually do three or four. The last was the East of England show at Peterborough last March – literally, just before the shutdown.

That’s awesome. A gold at Telford would be it for me, I couldn’t imagine doing better. I think our first Telford was 2012. Love it!

We only do Halifax/Huddersfield, Cosford and Telford for plastic models, and Doncaster for Model Engineering and railways. Only been to two Model Engineeing shows – just when I could do with going to one, they’re cancelled! The last Halifax Show was also just before lockdown. I suppose a load of old blokes in a confined space isn’t a good idea under the circumstances.

[Ramon WilsonParticipant @ramonwilson3]

Yes it was certainly one of those special moments, as you can imagine. When I put the model on the competition table in the morning there was only a handful on there. Just as I was about to move away this guy came up and put an absolutely stunning Fiesler Storch down. Absolute perfection.

I turned to my wife and said bet that wins – as it turned out he got the Silver but I would have been just as pleased had it been the other way such was it's standard.

My model – a heavily weathered Revell Junkers Ju52 on floats featured as an article in the Spanish 'EuroModellisimo' magazine which was very pleasing too even if the text was all in Spanish.

I still have it, safe in it's box and bring it out occasionally for the odd show – as you say who knows maybe we'll have something later this year to go to to bring a resurgence of interest.

Ramon

[Dr_GMJNParticipant @dr_gmjn]

Posted by Ramon Wilson on 18/02/2021 14:22:06:

Yes it was certainly one of those special moments, as you can imagine. When I put the model on the competition table in the morning there was only a handful on there. Just as I was about to move away this guy came up and put an absolutely stunning Fiesler Storch down. Absolute perfection.

I turned to my wife and said bet that wins – as it turned out he got the Silver but I would have been just as pleased had it been the other way such was it's standard.

My model – a heavily weathered Revell Junkers Ju52 on floats featured as an article in the Spanish 'EuroModellisimo' magazine which was very pleasing too even if the text was all in Spanish.

I still have it, safe in it's box and bring it out occasionally for the odd show – as you say who knows maybe we'll have something later this year to go to to bring a resurgence of interest.

Ramon

That sounds great. Would be nice to see a picture – perhaps put it in "Related Hobbies" – I put some of my model aircraft there a few months back. Even a silver or bronze – or indeed anything at all at Telford would be a dream come true for me, never mind a gold.

Last year I'd spent months struggling with a particular model – relatively new, but a terrible kit. I entered it in the OOB class, and had high hopes. After judging, I was disappointed to see it had been disqualified and put in the Modified class, because a fellow competitor had pointed out to the judges that it had some photo-etched parts (so much for camaraderie!). I pointed out to them that the photo-etch was included in the box, and therefore it was perfectly within the rules – and they agreed it had been a mistake. I didn't make a big deal out of it, and as I said, I've had surprise winners before, so I guess everything evens out.

Talking of floatplanes, I'm currently building the Airfix Swordfish. Despite vowing never to buy Airfix kits again, I always get seduced by the new red boxes and artwork. I also chose the silver finish option. It's a nightmare, and makes me want to get on with cutting metal again.

[Ramon WilsonParticipant @ramonwilson3]

Judging is a difficult thing to do at best but a lot of judging can be sometimes be a bit too subjective rather than objective. I've always believed in accepting the results even if they are disappointing as it's not a job I would relish.

Bit of a paradox at times – if you win/place did the judge make the right decision? Or if you didn't, did he make the wrong decision. Depends on which way it's perceived by all sides but I have witnessed some very upset people on occasion who thought the judges had got it wrong.

Being seduced by box art is a failing I suffer from too – too often. Have you seen that Hong Kong Models are releasing a 1/48 Lancaster based on their 1/32 one – saw it just this morning on 'The Modelling News'

I'll take your suggestion and pop some pics up in Related Hobbies sometime but not to day – the lure of the cast iron is far too strong

[Dr_GMJNParticipant @dr_gmjn]

Posted by Ramon Wilson on 19/02/2021 09:09:16:

Judging is a difficult thing to do at best but a lot of judging can be sometimes be a bit too subjective rather than objective. I've always believed in accepting the results even if they are disappointing as it's not a job I would relish.

Bit of a paradox at times – if you win/place did the judge make the right decision? Or if you didn't, did he make the wrong decision. Depends on which way it's perceived by all sides but I have witnessed some very upset people on occasion who thought the judges had got it wrong.

Being seduced by box art is a failing I suffer from too – too often. Have you seen that Hong Kong Models are releasing a 1/48 Lancaster based on their 1/32 one – saw it just this morning on 'The Modelling News'

I'll take your suggestion and pop some pics up in Related Hobbies sometime but not to day – the lure of the cast iron is far too strong

I've not seen the 1:48 HKM Lancaster – it was the Wingnut Wings cockpit or nothing for me!

I don't take the judging too seriously, after all, particularly at Telford I think there has to be an element of what the judges like – They can't possibly select a winning model objectively in, say, some of the 1:72 aircraft classes, because there appear to be too many that would fulfil all build quality criteria. Combine that with the fact that the judges can't be experts on all types of subject, and it's inevitable that some folks go home a bit peeved. That would be my only hope of winning something – if the judges happen to like the idea of, say, a 1:72 Mosquito shown in "bare wood" form.

[Ramon WilsonParticipant @ramonwilson3]

That's exactly what I mean Doc – a far too enjoyable hobby to be spoilt by over enthusiatic but unrealistic expectation that a judge will know exactly what effort an entrant has put in – on every model in front of him.

My interest in returning to plastic modelling in 2003 was by deciding to make an Airfix Lancaster for my cousin's husband's eightieth birthday. He served not only with 467 Sqd RAAFat Waddington during the war but also as an airframe fitter on S-Sugar itself.

That's Bob atop the fuselage in front of the windscreen

A closer look

…and the photo it was based on. When I asked him what he was doing up there the answer was simple – cleaning the perspex! He's now in his late nineties and has finally in the last year or so succumbed to the dreaded dementia

The other photo is he and myself underneath S – Sugar at Hendon

Heres the link to the new kit announcement

**LINK**

[mgnbukParticipant @mgnbuk]

Despite vowing never to buy Airfix kits again, I always get seduced by the new red boxes and artwork.

Same here !

Nigel B.

(occasional assembler of "decent 3 footers" i.e they look decent from 3 feet away. )

[Dr_GMJNParticipant @dr_gmjn]

Nice to see some great modelling there Ramon.

Re. the three footers – at least that'll be a decent distance to make the Airfix panel lines look to scale…

Anyway, back to books. This one has been in the family since 1933 – an old encyclopaedia that belonged to my Dad. It was in pretty poor condition:

The pages are ok, but the spine was dead:

I got it restored last year at Woods book binding, and they made a really nice job of it, as requested retaining as much of the original as physically possible, including the first page with a hand written note from my Great Grandmother to my Dad, dated Christmas 1933. the diagrams, photographs and descriptions are fascinating:

[peter smith 5Participant @petersmith5]

I prefer Playboy.
Those were the days???

pete

[Ramon WilsonParticipant @ramonwilson3]

That's a really nice restoration Doc and a lovely book to treasure  and not only for the personal reasons. Got me thinking – if I could only keep one book which would it be

A difficult decison for sure

Ramon

 

 

 

Edited By Ramon Wilson on 21/02/2021 21:02:26

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