Transporting completed or in progress models

General Discussion General Modeling Discussion
1

Here is a good question for everyone. I do not own or drive a car, instead I use a bicycle as my primary mode of transportation. I have recently joined a “local” modeling club. The “problem” is that this “local” club is in another town (but still within the county where I live) and is a little more than 10 miles away.

The distance is NOT a problem, as I’ll ride wherever I need to regardless of the distance that I have to cover. I also have a trailer that I use for carrying large and/or heavy loads. I can easily and safely transport my (limited) tools and supplies as well as kits that are still in the box.

However I am concerned with transporting either a completed model or a model that is in progress. The club that I have joined has one meeting the second Tuesday of the month and then towards the end of the month they have a “crash and bash” meeting where they meet and work on a kit. Also for the first meeting of the month they have themes such as “Short or Shortened” cars, or “Long or Lengthened” cars or “Cars that Mom drove” the next one after that would be “Cars that Dad drove,” etc.

A completed model I can see that if it is properly packed, i.e. wrapped in newspaper or tissue-paper, or bubblewrap and put back in its box that it should be “safe enough.” However for a kit that is in progress, would the cement have had enough time to properly set/cure after just a couple of hours for a 10 mile (give or take) trip back home via bicycle and trailer?

2

You are scaring me, man! Moving your model shortly after partial assembly? I’ve killed for less than that. I can’t even wrap my mind around the notion that someone would consider doing that. Unless a tornado is coming. In your case, I think I’d super glue the whole thing. Tricky. Good luck.

3

FlyItLikeYouStoleIt,

Obviously, I have my doubts about the logistics of such an undertaking or I wouldn’t have asked for advice. I’m thinking of just going to the “Crash and Bash” meeting(s) to observe the various building methods.

As I said, I would be more comfortable transporting a completed model vs. attempting to transporting an in progress kit.

Would even CA have had enough time to properly set/cure after just a couple of hours? Or am I better off just going to observe but not build?

P.S.

Don’t worry, I would never consider attempting to transport a freshly painted model.

4

DC, our club members use plastic boxes (2 ft. x 3 ft.) with a piece of blue foam wallboard in the bottom. We place them in the box and put wooden toothpicks into the foam against the body of the model and around it. Usually 6 or 8 will hold a plane or car or most armour. Add more toothpicks if needed. We just went to MosquitoCon a couple weeks ago. It’s a 2-1/2 hour ride for us and all of the boxes were stacked in the trunk. There were no problems either going or coming from the show. If my memory serves me right, in all the trips we have taken, there was only one problem. One plane developed a loose landing gear leg and was fixed when we got there with a little CA. When the foam wears out due to too many holes in it, throw it away and cut a new piece. It comes in 4 x 8 foot sheets. If you just glued it in place, it has to cure no matter what kind of glue you use. Safety first. Bring it to the meeting the next time.

Jim [cptn]

5

Jim,

I think that you might have missed where I use a BICYCLE for transportation. I can see how what you have suggested would work for a person who owns a car. But I don’t really see it working so good with a bicycle and trailer. As even though I have a “tote” bag to place items into, as the trailer is bouncing down the road the toolbox and the storage box will be bouncing around inside of said “tote” bag. During that bouncing I can see the toolbox giving the storage box a good knocking. Eventually opening the lid.

Also with said “tote” bag it would be all but impossible to insert most storage containers. The trailer itself is 15"x23". Even if I forgo the “tote” bag and just use a storage container, I wouldn’t have room for both the storage container and my toolbox.

So, thank you for the suggestion, but in my situation it wouldn’t be practical.

6

[:^)] Hey DC. You have a situation there don’t you? I think your idea of going to hang out and gleen from their builds at first is a good idea. I’d pop the question to your fellow club mates and see if the have any ideas. My first thought was seeing the model bouncing in the trailer like you mentioned. Not good for a build or partial build. Maybe someone in the club could hook you up with a ride? Maybe someone goes right past your house. Never know. Anyway, Best of luck with the transport issue. I’m sure they would love to see your work…WE want to see your work!

Eagle90

7

Eagle,

That’s what I did tonight. I just rode over and hung out and enjoyed the company of other “glue sniffers.” [;)]

I agree, even in a “well padded” trailer, model, plus toolbox, in the back in a trailer plus bouncing down the road, I don’t see that being a good combination of things. And rather I see it as being a recipe for disaster.

As I asked before, would CA have had enough time to setup and cure in that short of a time? I don’t see the “last pieces glued” having a strong enough of a bond to safely travel.

Also as I said, a completed build wrap in either newspaper or tissue paper or bubblewrap and either put back into it’s cardboard box or some sort of plastic storage box being a different story.

But, a recent and partial build I don’t see being a good mix for travel down the road in a trailer behind a bicycle.

One way that I could maybe see it happening is getting a storage box/container that fits in my trailer. And subdividing it. Either in half with a shelf, and putting tools and heavy items in the bottom and then the model in another smaller box packed with newspaper/tissue paper, bubblewrap/peanuts to protect it.

Or dividing it in half, but instead of using a shelf, just following KISS. And instead dividing the storage box/container divider making two equal sized side-by-side sections. And again, putting the tools/heavy items in one side and lighter i.e. model protected with newspaper/tissue paper, etc. in the other side.

I’m sure that I’ll think of something. Seeing if I can get a ride with another member is also a good idea, I’ll ask at the next meeting.

Also as I’ve said before, the distance in and of itself doesn’t bother. It’s just the idea of attempting to transport an “in progress build” that has me nervous. And considering that I have no problems with riding out in traffic on a multi-laned high-speed road. I’d say that that is “interesting.” [;)]

8

Eagle,

Here’s a link to the thread I started over in the Auto sub-forum:

AMT/Ertl 2009 Chevy Corvette Coupe

It’s still a work in progress. I’m almost done with the painting and then I’ll start the assembly.

It’s a kit that I’ve received from the good people at the HHV. Thanks to them I’ve been able to start a nice stash. I have 12 cars, 11 of which I have picked up from HHV and 5 aircraft, 3 helicopters and 2 planes. Of the 2 planes my GF picked up an SR-71 Blackbird for me as an early birthday present.

I’ll post more pictures of the Vette as I progress with it, probably to the thread that I have already started over in the Auto sub-forum.

9

DC. Here is a possibility. sounds like the club you joined is a car club? When transporting use either a plastic or cardboard shoebox size box. Use either very soft foam (cushion foam) or peanuts. Put a layer in bottom then put model (in a ziploc bag) in then more on top. close the box. use bungie cords to keep the box up in the air in your trailer. the cords should absorb the shock of normal road bounce. This should work very well with car models. With a little tinkering you could make it work for planes too. John

10

John,

While all models are welcomed, yes it is primarily a car club. Thank you for your advice, and if I’m reading it correctly, I think that you are talking about using bungie cords as a “hammock” of sorts, right?

If so, I think that that should work. Or possible alternative would be to use a bungie cord cargo net and sandwich the model in between two of them.

So far, I’ve only been to two of their meetings. The first meeting of the month is more or less a “show and tell” meeting with themes. Such as:

January - 2013 & New Vehicles

February - Short or Shortened

March - Long or Lengthened

April - Phantom

…

July - Red, White or Blue

August - Cars from the year you were born

September - Vehicles that??

…

December - Red and/or Green

So far it seems like a nice and friendly group. As well as a fun group and helpful. This June they’ve got a Swap Meet setup. And most of the tables are sold, as well as getting reps from various modeling companies being there as well.

11

Yes I guess hammock would describe it right

12

Johnny,

Thank you, I agree that that might work. As well as using other bungie cords to secure my toolbox in my trailer under the “hanging” box with the car in it.

Or another idea. Take my idea from above of finding a medium to large storage box that’ll fit in my trailer. Place my toolbox in the bottom and then suspend a model in a protective box above the toolbox. That way everything has a layer of protection.