Jump to content

What did you order or the post deliver? (Other hobbies)


Recommended Posts

3 hours ago, Martijn Meerts said:

Sure is a lot easier to get on than a full size one too 😄

 


True that.  Although the full Penny Farthings are much easier to mount than a tall unicycle!

This one's also a lot easier to slow down as I can scuff my feet on the ground.  Going downhill is very exciting.  The full ones, you stand on the back step bar with one foot, and press on the top of the back wheel with the other to brake.
 
This is the Hoppley 32" Penny Farthing.  The company had been making full size ones too, but there are currently supply chain issues with getting the big rims, so production is on hold indefinitely.  They do have a dozen stores worldwide, even in Japan, if anyone else wants to join the Steampunk Revolution!
: 3
https://www.unicycle.com/

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Martijn Meerts

I'll stick to my folding bike for now, easier to carry on the train 😄

 

  • Haha 1
Link to comment

Latest delivery from Hobbysearch today came in two boxes. Here’s the contents of box number two:

 

image.thumb.jpg.0c8297c1e6f2180ef94c917424771311.jpg

 

‘Z-GATTAI! SHINKALION!’

’Zailiner E353 Azusa, Z-gattai shimase.’

 

Yeah, I know it’s a kids anime but hey, I’ve actually learned stuff about Japan and its railways from the show, and besides - trains. 😉

 

For those so inclined, here’s the real thing transforming for action. Being the official PV, it sadly lacks the clunks and thumps of the bits shifting as it transforms, or the E353’s horn as it prepares to Z-combine:

 

 

This is the third such Shinkalion or Shinkalion Z Moderoid kit in my collection, I have the original E5 Hayabusa and the Z E5 Yamanote sitting on my shelf with a couple of Gundam models too (not shown so I could get an easier photo).

 

image.thumb.jpg.df568ecd9899015695b14f0d6b770c76.jpg

Edited by ED75-775
  • Like 4
Link to comment

HobbyZone, a largish mall-based chain retailer in Japan, we’re running an event for Tamiya Mini 4WD racers. 

 

Hobby Zone are quite a generic model shop, not really specialising in anything but having an ok range of models, tools as well as collectibles, toys and puzzles. They don’t sell any railway stuff apart from the odd Tomytec building or Tomytec collection series. They occasionally have things like the 1/50 Aoshima train kits or the O gauge DD51/EF66 models. 

 

They had a track set out for a small competition and my boys were fascinated. Certainly a low cost hobby with cars ranging between ¥1000-¥1300 at SRP and upgradable motors, bearings, wheels, rollers and weights for young kids pocket money prices. 

 

Tracks seem to be the big expense. Starter 2 lane starts at about ¥6000 and a 3 lane starter with flyover about ¥20,000

 

I remember buying a couple of these type cars in the early 1990s. From a UK hobby shop called Beatties, long out of business. I don’t think the track was easily available in the UK though so it never really caught on.

9A1BC97B-2E38-4305-AE95-87200A4DE90A.jpeg

Edited by Kamome
  • Like 3
Link to comment

This summer here in Boston, the weather was way to hot to do any riding on my Ha'Penny Farthing. With the cooler fall weather, finally had a chance to upgrade it and get used to riding with the new apehanger handlebars!  Here's a photo from last weekend at the Monster Mash parade over in Somerville.  I was riding with the Flutterby Fairies performance group, so I added wings to my usual Steampunk Cat outfit.
: 3

Today, I took it over to a machinist friend's house, and he cut 2.25" of the ends of the handgrips.  That will make it easier to navigate crowds at an event (scheduling just didn't work out to do this before Halloween).  With the cutting done, now I can ponder painting it up.

Facbook video link:
https://www.facebook.com/509145464/videos/3417106371946359/
 

MonsterMash30Oct2022.jpg

Edited by Cat
  • Like 2
Link to comment

Got this book in 😁 There's another that I'm interested in from the 70's but it's hard to find south of the $100 price point. I figure I'll hunt for that one in old bookstores/libraries (So You Want to Build a Live Steam Locomotive).

 

book.jpg

  • Like 2
Link to comment

Well met! I will need to look into that place.

 

I really want one but for the time being but am settling on just reading. I'm needing to move to Wisconsin for a few months to take care of my mom so will have plenty of down time to read.

Link to comment

Abe books is a great place for the odder books. Sort of a clearing house for bookstores all over. Sadly I  think now owned by amazon.

 

check your library as well. Here in Maryland we have a easy system to search the whole state for an item with interlibrary loan. also with some librarian help look across the us for an interlibrary loan. I once got Max Headroom DVD set when they were oop and super rare from Denver! Took 3 months but it came and they just sent a prepaid mailer to pop it in the mail. I actually find more of what I want in other counties than ours! 
 

best wishes with your mom.
 

cheers

 

jeff

  • Thanks 1
Link to comment

Wow! Fantastic! I love the library. Speaking of which I have to run right now to return a pile of stuff to the library that has stuff due today!

 

jeff

Link to comment

Alas, ABE is indeed owned by Amazon now.

Book Depository in the UK has a goodly selection of used books, and new, especially UK imprints.  Free worldwide shipping.  They also list on ABE, but better prices direct on their own site since they don't have to give a cut to Bezos.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
1 hour ago, Cat said:

Alas, ABE is indeed owned by Amazon now.

Book Depository in the UK has a goodly selection of used books, and new, especially UK imprints.  Free worldwide shipping.  They also list on ABE, but better prices direct on their own site since they don't have to give a cut to Bezos.

 

Sadly Book Depository is also a subsidiary of the Bezos Imperium, though they hide it well.

 

https://www.theguardian.com/books/2011/jul/05/amazon-the-book-depository

  • Sad 2
Link to comment

Got a wooden kit from my friend (clock gear version, not a rubber band powered one). Also found a more affordable copy of the book I've been looking for. What a surprise I got when I found an old photograph slipped in between the last pages.

1.thumb.jpg.1239fef99ae400b76c1ff4c9c37c666f.jpg2.thumb.jpg.9b87efa04d97e2c4015c2f10def97481.jpg

3.jpg

4.jpg

  • Like 1
Link to comment

Very cool wood loco model, I’ve looked sideways at those as gifts for friends.

 

ha glad you found it cheap and wit a surprise inside!

 

jeff

Link to comment

Not built an RC car since my early teens,  last one was bought from Beatties (a now defunct British hobby chain who struggled to attract modelling interest in the Playstation era and closed in the early 2000s) 

 

Wanting to dip my toe in the water once again and with my youngest son receiving an entry level RTR, but very fun, Kyosho Lizard 4WD buggy, thought it was time I joined in. 

 

The GR Yaris WRC kit came home with me yesterday from a clearance in a small independent I found and a price too good to pass up. Also bought an interior mould to add. The store was a tiny independent, with a wealth of mostly gundam type things and military kits. There were literally 3 Tomix sets from probably 20-30 years ago.

 

 A few eye rolls from my significant other but should make a nice distraction for me and my 2 boys to get stuck into.

 

I did some further research and read that this chassis (TT-02) is not ideal as a rally RC but as the more suitable option XV-01/02 was 3 times the price at about ¥30,000, still think this is a good beginner car to get started. For a little over ¥6000 it can’t be a bad thing and I’ve been viewing some youtube clips of how to get it to a reasonable performer on dirt. I have some bearings, propeller shaft and a slightly meatier motor arriving today.  The next step is to look into options for shocks as the included ones look very basic and flimsy. 

 

The final thing is to sort out some sort of transmitter and servos. The basic Tamiya one seems reasonable in terms of cost and included parts but not sure if other options would be better for expansion. 

C3E2FB57-F078-4F36-95D4-559E86C7017B.jpeg

44874515-E27C-4D68-BE61-4C77625EFB0A.jpeg

  • Like 5
Link to comment

My new 12-100 lens.

 

Probably the best combo with my OM1. Roughly a gain of 4 stops (marketing says 5.5 stops, but 4 in real life, in any condition; closer to 4 which is anyway great)

 

What I love is the overall weight and the balance with the camera. Easy to shoot. The first shots are really great. 

 

Now let's go to extrem conditions, it can rain like hell as it's waterproof !!!  

 

I'll be in Japan in April with it.

 

 

IMG20230224162125.jpg

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Yugamu Tsuki

Got a Girls Und Panzer art book in that focuses on the various tank details. @Cat

 

Had a quite a few CD Japan points that were set to expire so figured they were as good towards this as anything.

1.jpg

2.jpg

3.jpg

  • Like 2
Link to comment

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...