Episodes
7 days ago
Bench Time #197: Who Cut the Cheese?
7 days ago
7 days ago
Well, where do we start? This week we had an explosive mix of topics... From Brett's new Temu tools that he picked up, nipples, things that anger us at the workbench and items that you wouldn't want to accidentally sit on from your toolkit or workbench.
Can you believe we're almost at 200 episodes? We're working on some ideas for episode 200, but want some input from you guys too! Drop us a message on our FB page to suggest something fun for us to do or a new topic to cover!
Monday Sep 16, 2024
Monday Sep 16, 2024
The new Roast My Build Facebook group which is already at 46 member. Join now for some model build roasting!
Brett gives his update on the new Coke Zero Oreo Limited Edition - it’s awful
Todd talks about applying paper signs to his 1/35 scale diorama and how the paper edges look unless you work to sand down those visible edges, so to avoid them he took the step to paint them on the side of his building!
Brett will also be going live this week on Facebook and YouTube for some of his wharf buildout on the layout! Stay tuned for details on live workshop sessions later this week!
Saturday Aug 31, 2024
Bench Time #195: Progress, Shelf Queens, and UV Resin Rants
Saturday Aug 31, 2024
Saturday Aug 31, 2024
In this episode of the Bench Time Podcast, Todd and Brett dive into another week of modeling, griping, and a few laughs along the way. Here's what we cover:
Westboro Sandhouse Progress: Brett shares his latest updates on the ongoing Westboro Sandhouse project. What’s coming together? What’s been a challenge? Get the latest scoop on this long-term build.
Reference Photos for Old Models: We discuss the importance of using reference photos when building older models. How do you find the right photos? And how do you use them to bring your models to life? We share our tips and tricks.
Shelf Queens: Let’s be honest – do you have any shelf queens? We talk about those half-finished, long-neglected projects collecting dust on our shelves. Why do we abandon them, and will they ever see the light of day again?
Todd’s UV Resin/Light Gripe: Todd is back with another rant – this time about UV resin and lights. What’s grinding his gears? Tune in to find out.
Restoring the Original Craftsman Kit: Todd takes us down memory lane as he works on restoring an old original craftsman kit that he built years ago. What’s it like to breathe new life into a project from the past?
Did You Ever Lose Your Shit?: We get real about those frustrating moments when things don’t go as planned. What’s the most aggravating experience you’ve had while modeling? We share our stories – the good, the bad, and the downright ugly.
The Most Overrated Aspect of This Hobby: What part of modeling is overhyped? We each share what we think is the most overrated aspect of the hobby, and we’re not holding back.
Temu - HOrrible or HOt?: Finally, we delve into the world of Temu. Is it a treasure trove of HO scale goodies, or just a pile of junk? We sift through the offerings and give our honest opinions on whether Temu is worth your time and money.
Join us for another week of modeling madness, and don’t forget to share your thoughts on this week’s topics in the comments!
Thursday Aug 22, 2024
Bench Time #194: Where’s the Cork?
Thursday Aug 22, 2024
Thursday Aug 22, 2024
Bench Time #194
This week on the Bench Time Podcast, Todd answers a listener question about how he sets up his work area to help him work better and setting up his work area for his impatient personality.
The we both talk about unpacking the boxes of all of our buildings that we had packed up over a year ago, and the laying of the track roadbed.
Does anyone know about the shortage of cork or cork board? Apparently there is no current cork shortage after in-show research but why is it so hard for the hobby stores (at least around here) to stock the cork roadbed? Or are they just not ordering as much inventory anymore? We’ll get to the bottom of this…
Thursday Aug 08, 2024
Bench Time #193: Matthew Hankins - Patapsco Falls Division
Thursday Aug 08, 2024
Thursday Aug 08, 2024
Welcome back to the Bench Time Podcast, this week we have Matthew Hankins back on the show for his second appearance! The last time we had Matt on the show, it was for Episode 127 when we talked about his work with the Four County Society of Model Engineers as well as some of his modeling work.
This week talked with Matt about his diorama work, working with the different scratch builds, shadow box builds and how keeping the variety of work changing allows him to keep his attention span fresh.
Then he goes into his scratchbuilding process for all the different wood sections he builds on his structures. From some sections being the modular wall sections from FOS Scale Models to using strip wood to layer on all of the different features on more unique buildings.
We also talk a lot about the different styles and the different things that drive each of us as modelers… It’s not the destination, it’s the journey!
Watch Matt’s videos on his Patapsco Falls Division YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/@patapscofallsdivision2579
Check out his Patapsco Falls Division facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064555072590
The Patapsco Falls Division website at: https://patapscofallsdivision.net
Feature photo credit: Matthew Hankins - Patapsco Falls Division
Friday Aug 02, 2024
Bench Time #192: Updates on the Diorama & The Great Hat Gripe
Friday Aug 02, 2024
Friday Aug 02, 2024
Todd gives us a bunch of updates, gripes, and tips as Brett works to kickstart working again after a long vacation the past 10 days. In addition to Todd's updates on the French Cafe diorama, he also talks about a creative and innovative modeling technique that he used to turn an error or mis-casting on a diorama figure into a really awesome looking hat for the lady outside the cafe! This ties into what we talk about with getting creative and being true modelers!
Brett is also currently working on editing up two new YouTube videos, so keep an eye out for them on our Wiley's Scale Modeling YouTube Channel!
Friday Jul 12, 2024
Friday Jul 12, 2024
This week's episode felt more like old times! We figured it would take a few episodes to get back into the swing of things, but damn this week was a ton of fun. Brett and Todd give us an update on the new "E" layout because it finally has all of the bench work completed and is ready to begin working UP from the base now.
Then Brett gives us a quick update on the status of his new build, which he spent some time this past Monday night showing his work on during a Facebook/YouTube live session.
After that, Todd discusses the finishing steps to his diorama of the French Cafe that he's wrapping up before he gets into his HO scale model building again.
Then we jump into some listener questions and of course, Todd had a complaint and grievance that he aired out on the show (or two, or three).
Since we mentioned RailroadKits & Microlumina, we figured we would give you guys a link to check out some of their awesome kits, details and lighting options for your model railroad layout! Check them out here: RailroadKtis & Microlumina. Don't forget, they also have the F&SM Metal Castings! (neither of these two links are affiliate links, just wanted to direct you to awesome things)
Tuesday Jun 18, 2024
Bench Time #190: Getting Ready to Assemble the Layout
Tuesday Jun 18, 2024
Tuesday Jun 18, 2024
Hey gang! We're back with Bench Time #190 and the typical internet problems that Brett loves! This week we give you all some updates on our newest work, plans for the layout, gripes, and a funny eye doctor story. Question for all of you: What are some topics that you'd like us to cover in the coming episodes? We're always willing to share our stories and what we're building but want to hear from you what are some content topics you'd like us to discuss next week?
Monday May 27, 2024
Bench Time #189: Memorial Day Bench Talk
Monday May 27, 2024
Monday May 27, 2024
We hope you all have a safe memorial day weekend and take time to remember the reason we all have the ability to enjoy this holiday.
This week we're back with the usual rants and discussions about the hobby. Brett also talks about his crusty paint bin and the things we save in the hobby trying to be cheapskates.
What are you working on currently at your workbench?
Tuesday May 14, 2024
Bench Time #188: Let's Get Building! The Long Awaited Return and Reboot
Tuesday May 14, 2024
Tuesday May 14, 2024
Hey Fine Scale Freaks! Guess what? Todd and Brett Wiley are back at the bench, and we couldn't be more excited! It's been over a year since our last episode, and boy, do we have some catching up to do.
So, here's the scoop: we've been through a lot – layout teardown, house demolition, building a new home, and finally moving back in. Now that the dust has settled, Brett is ready to dive back into the bench, and we’re both gearing up to piece together a brand new, much larger, and way improved layout.
In this episode, we’ll fill you in on what Todd’s been up to in the modeling world, including some cool new clubs he’s joined and all the latest projects he's been working on.
We're thrilled to be back and can't wait to share our journey with you. So tune in and let's get back to some fine scale modeling fun. Happy to be back, Fine Scale Freaks!