Completed my scratchbuilt miniature Olympic Doughnuts van

I recently completed my miniature of the iconic Olympic Doughnuts van which stood outside Footscray train station here in Melbourne for 30 odd years. It was a Melbourne institution, which sadly was removed during a station upgrade about eight years ago.

The miniature is in 1:20 scale, and is mostly constructed from Evergreen plastic card.

Because the original is no longer there for me to measure and record, I had to work from photos available online. This was a bit of a challenge, but in the end I think I captured the original.

It was a pleasure to build this and capture a little piece of lost history.

Video is embedded below, but in case that doesn't work here is the link:
Scratchbuilt scale model Olympic Doughnuts van in Footscray, Melbourne

Cheers,

Dave

New video: How to make a mini diorama scene of chopping wood

Here's my latest video, it's a long one! In it I go step-by-step on how to create a natural miniature diorama of a chopping block tree trunk. It's in-depth, showing that literally anyone could make this - there are no phenomenal skills or techniques involved.

The scale is roughly 1:15 or so - it was guided more by the base than any specific measurements.

The only really unusual bit is the use of aluminium cooking foil to give size, strength and a basic skeleton for the sculpture.

Video is embedded below, but in case that doesn't work here is the link:
How to make a wood-cutting mini diorama scene

Cheers,

Dave

New video: Hot wire foam cutter - the tool I didn't think I needed...

You guys know me. I like to save money where I can when building models. I'm always banging on about not wasting money on single-use tools or the latest gizmo. Usually this advice is sound, but sometimes you encounter so much grief and frustration trying to use a workaround that it makes sense to cough up and buy the proper tool. Trying to neatly and cleanly cut foam is one of those times.

For months I avoided purchasing a hot wire foam cutter. I know you can make your own, but my electrical skills are dodgy and I didn't want to burn my house down. So I used workaround solutions. And the results weren't pretty. I believe the term "butchery" is used in this video.

Am I happy with it? You betcha. Every time I use it, it makes me smile because I'm not swearing at the terrible results I previously achieved!

Video is embedded below, but in case that doesn't work here is the link:
Hot wire foam cutter - the tool I didn't think I needed...

Cheers,

Dave

New video: How to scratch build metal trash cans for dioramas

Here's my latest video, showing you how to scratch build your own old-school metal trash cans for scale model dioramas. Perfect for adding a sense of grit and grime to any streetscape! I show you mine built in 1:20 scale, but in the video I also give dimensions to make these in 1:35 scale as well.

It's a very satisfying technique. I won't lie, it's fiddly and tricky and time-consuming, but the results are well worth it.

Full disclosure: I first saw this technique in a Facebook photo tutorial by a modeller named Luc Po. So all credit for the technique must go to him. I just thought that the world could use a video tutorial, it's a lot easier to follow, and here it is.

Video is embedded below, but in case that doesn't work here is the link:

How to make scale metal trash cans for dioramas

Cheers,

Dave