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Conquer Fear By Doing, with Tim Nelson: Episode 152
What if the fastest way to level up your modeling wasn’t waiting to “get better,” but picking a fear and building straight through it? That’s the heart of this episode, where we sit down with Seattle modeler Tim Nelson to explore an intentional, cross-genre approach that turned anxiety into momentum. From smart starter ships and museum deadlines to vacform methods and CAD-assisted conversions, we share practical systems that help you finish more models and have more fun doing it.We open with show travel, stash-thinning honesty, and some cottage-industry collabs that could turn obscure fasteners and conversions into real products. Then we dive into Tim’s roadmap for facing “big scary” subjects: choosing a stepping-stone container ship before tackling USS Tennessee, curating rotating Museum of Flight displays that reward clarity over micro-perfection, and using mentorship to demystify vacforms with repeatable techniques. You’ll hear how disasters are normal, how to hide mistakes well, and why museum quality and contest quality are different—in a good way.There’s also a love letter to weird and wonderful subjects, like a 1/72 “Old Bill” London bus converted into a WWI pigeon loft, complete with delicate 3D-printed birds. Tim explains how small, story-rich builds strengthen composition, finishing, and research skills that transfer across aircraft, armor, ships, and figures. We round things out with a first foray into CAD and resin printing—a custom bullet nose for a Lockheed Vega—and big ambitions for RMS Olympic in dazzle camouflage. Along the way, we tackle club-building tips, listener mail from Bali to Terre Haute, and a few favorite new releases (plus a gentle rant on 3D-figure accuracy).If you’re looking for a spark to get back to the bench—or permission to try something you’ve always wanted—this one’s for you. Hit play, subscribe, and share your next “fear target” with us. What bold build are you starting this week?Northwest Scale ModelersMuseum of FlightTim's Old Bill Pigeon LoftSQUADRON Adding to the stash since 1968Model Paint SolutionsYour source for Harder & Steenbeck Airbrushes and David Union Power ToolsModel PodcastsPlease check out the other pods in the modelsphere!Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Give us your Feedback!Rate the Show!Support the Show!PatreonBuy Me a BeerPaypalBump Riffs Graciously Provided by Ed BarothAd Reads Generously Provided by Bob "The Voice of Bob" BairMike and Kentucky Dave thank each and everyone of you for participating on this journey with us.
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1:58:57
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1:58:57
From Bench Zen To Stash Reality: Episode 151
Model Paint SolutionsYour source for Harder & Steenbeck Airbrushes and David Union Power ToolsSQUADRON Adding to the stash since 1968Model PodcastsPlease check out the other pods in the modelsphere!Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Give us your Feedback!Rate the Show!Support the Show!PatreonBuy Me a BeerPaypalBump Riffs Graciously Provided by Ed BarothAd Reads Generously Provided by Bob "The Voice of Bob" BairMike and Kentucky Dave thank each and everyone of you for participating on this journey with us.
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1:26:24
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1:26:24
PMM Twelve Minute Modelsphere: November 2025
Holiday chaos is closing in, but we’re not letting the “dark time” steal the bench. We ride the high of the Cincinnati show: open hangar doors, perfect weather, strong models, and vendors who priced to move. That momentum rolls into plans for Murfreesboro, with friends heading in and schedules to wrangle. Live shows do more than fill a weekend—they sharpen your build list, set deadlines, and remind you why the hobby’s community matters. We also pull back the curtain on production: episode 151 is juggling a guest schedule, so we’re prepping a plan B, while episode 152 locks in a shop talk with Seattle-area multi-genre standout Tim Nelson. Tim’s approach to ships, cars, and aircraft is a masterclass in transferable craft—paint discipline, sub-assembly planning, surface prep—that levels up any subject.The dojo is surging past 5,500 members, and the feed is buzzing with show reports, flyers, and WIP updates from across genres. We share a practical tip to keep your posts visible: avoid cross-posting from other groups to dodge Facebook’s spam filter—rewrite natively and your updates won’t get stalled. As days get shorter, we lean into small sessions, visible progress, and accountability through community. We’re also looking ahead: HeritageCon, Fort Wayne Nationals, and AMP South Bend are already penciled for 2026, giving everyone milestones to build toward.Thanks to everyone who reached out about episode 150; the conversation around retirement and modeling clearly resonated. Keep the messages coming, keep inviting friends to the dojo, and keep the bench warm. If you enjoy the show, tap follow, share it with a modeling friend, and drop us a quick review—it helps more builders find their way to the community.Model Paint SolutionsYour source for Harder & Steenbeck Airbrushes and David Union Power ToolsSQUADRON Adding to the stash since 1968Model PodcastsPlease check out the other pods in the modelsphere!PMM Merchandise StoreSupport the show with PMM Merchandise!Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Give us your Feedback!Rate the Show!Support the Show!PatreonBuy Me a BeerPaypalBump Riffs Graciously Provided by Ed BarothAd Reads Generously Provided by Bob "The Voice of Bob" BairMike and Kentucky Dave thank each and everyone of you for participating on this journey with us.
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12:27
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12:27
Retirement, Inspiration, And Finding Joy In The Build: Episode 150
Ever feel your hobby start to feel like homework? We hit episode 150 with a full tank of mojo and a guest who knows how to keep it running. Dr. Paul Budzik joins us on the eve of his retirement after 51 years in dentistry to share a refreshingly honest blueprint for building with joy: protect inspiration, shed obligation, and stop treating your stash like a to‑do list. If finishing every kit has become a guilt trip, this conversation offers the reset you need.We dig into how small workflow choices can unlock big momentum. Paul explains why returning to simple, durable siphon‑feed airbrushes lets him paint in fast, focused sprints, and how linear building—one solved problem at a time—keeps him in the zone. He talks candidly about giving away kits and tools, the surprising relief that followed, and the fun of re‑engineering gear to fit the way he actually works. The theme is practical and personal: optimize for flow, and the bench becomes a place you can’t wait to sit.Looking forward, Paul outlines his shift toward 1/350 ship modeling. Rather than chasing every aftermarket add‑on, he focuses on form, history, and design evolution—comparing cruisers, exploring treaty constraints, and building on keel blocks for clean presentation. Along the way, he draws an important line between knowledge and skill: a video can teach a CAD commands, but blade control, masking finesse, and problem‑solving are earned at the bench. His goal on his channel is to teach thinking—how to define the objective, work backward, simplify, and make smarter choices with less effort.We also share highlights from the Cincinnati show, a stacked listener mailbag (from club table innovations to mirrored vs blurred bases), and quick hits from the release radar with a few buyer caveats to save you time and cash. If your bench feels crowded or your to‑finish list feels heavy, this one will help you reclaim the part of modeling that made you start in the first place.Enjoyed the conversation? Follow, share with a modeling friend, and leave a rating to help others find the show. Then tell us: what obligation are you dropping this week to build happier?Mike Mackowski's Space in Miniature YouTube and Website Paul Budzik's Scale Model Workshop Patreon PageSQUADRON Adding to the stash since 1968Model Paint SolutionsYour source for Harder & Steenbeck Airbrushes and David Union Power ToolsModel PodcastsPlease check out the other pods in the modelsphere!PMM Merchandise StoreSupport the show with PMM Merchandise!Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Give us your Feedback!Rate the Show!Support the Show!PatreonBuy Me a BeerPaypalBump Riffs Graciously Provided by Ed BarothAd Reads Generously Provided by Bob "The Voice of Bob" BairMike and Kentucky Dave thank each and everyone of you for participating on this journey with us.
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2:13:20
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2:13:20
Two Double Barrels Of Plastic: November Model Show Spotlight
Ready to turn November into a nationwide model show tour? We line up four standout events—ModelZona in Phoenix, the Cleveland Model Show, Charlotte’s Region 12 contest, and Middle Tennessee’s ModelCon in Murfreesboro—and dig into the details that actually affect your day: judging style, registration windows, vendor-room depth, food, parking, and how fast awards wrap so you’re not stuck in your chair at dusk.We start in Phoenix with ModelZona’s clean one-room layout near Sky Harbor, a clear first/second/third judging approach, and thoughtful specials like Best 1945 Subject and the Raleigh Williams Craftsmanship Award. Cleveland follows with a Sunday show that truly works: two gyms split contest and vendors, elevated tables for easier viewing and photos, and an eclectic slate of special awards—from Scandinavian subjects to pop-up headlight cars to a people’s choice Gundam/Mecha Pose. Charlotte adds a strong theme—From War to Peace—plus a non-sweeps policy, sold-out vendors, custom-designed Best Of awards, and a legendary Atomic Model Smasher for anyone needing a dramatic reset. Murfreesboro’s ModelCon caps it with smooth flow, full IPMS categories, sold-out vendors across every genre, and Smokin’ Butts BBQ parked out front; last year’s 542 models set the tone for an even bigger turnout.Along the way we compare what each organizer gets right: editable PDF forms that speed check-in, early registration cutoffs that keep judging on track, separate halls that reduce crowding, and smart awards that celebrate more than just the top category winners. Most of all, we celebrate the real win—camaraderie. These shows are where online friends become real-world collaborators, techniques get traded, and inspiration sends you home itching to build.Map your route, print your forms, charge your camera, and bring cash for that rare kit you didn’t know you needed. If you enjoy the show, tap follow, share this episode with your club, and leave a quick review to help more modelers find us. Where are you heading first?Start here for all show information and details!ModelZona 2025Cleveland Model Show 28IPMS Region 12 Regional Contest - CharlotteIPMS Middle TennesseeModel Paint SolutionsYour source for Harder & Steenbeck Airbrushes and David Union Power ToolsSQUADRON Adding to the stash since 1968Model PodcastsPlease check out the other pods in the modelsphere!PMM Merchandise StoreSupport the show with PMM Merchandise!Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Give us your Feedback!Rate the Show!Support the Show!PatreonBuy Me a BeerPaypalBump Riffs Graciously Provided by Ed BarothAd Reads Generously Provided by Bob "The Voice of Bob" BairMike and Kentucky Dave thank each and everyone of you for participating on this journey with us.
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1:06:31
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1:06:31