As I get more back into the hobby, and more adjusted to
retirement, I tend to be working on more than one project
at-a-time, and not just building models, but also
electronics, Arduino, programming and web design. My
technology projects can be found on YouTube
@jtodora (Technology & Stuff)
and/or on
@skipsmessyworkbench (Skips Messy Workbench)
and/or on my Technology & Stuff website at
jtodora.com (Technology & Stuff)
and/or on this website.
However, my main focus is on model building. As I have stated
many times before, my favorite part of model building is the
research and then the assembly. I absolutely hate the
painting part of the hobby. I guess because I'm so bad at it.
As I state on the homepage of this site,
Skips Messy Workbench
modifying a statement thought to be coined by author
Dorothy Parker
(I hate writing, but love having written):
The Ford Model "A" was among the most successful cars ever
producted. The Model A was the first ford to use the
standard set of driver controls with conventional clutch
and brake pedals; throttle and gearshift.
Previous Ford models used controls that had become out of
date and uncommon to drivers of other makes. The Model A's
fuel tank was located in the cowl, between the engine
compartment's fire wall and the dash panel. The fuel was
distributed to the carburetor by gravity. In cooler climates,
owners could purchase an aftermarket cast iron unit to place
over the engine's exhaust manifold to bring heated air into
the cab. A small door could be opened or closed to adjust
the amount of hot air entering the cab. Model A was the first
car to have safety glass in the windshield.
As of this writing I'm not sure of the color scheme I'll be
using for this build. I'm leaning toward black fenders with
a two-tone blue body; however, I'm wondering how dark
purple fenders with the two-tone blue body would look?
I'll pretty much be doing this kit box stock except that I
will most likely add the copper strips used for spark plug
connections to the distributor. We'll see.
THESE PAGES ARE CURRENTLY BEING MODIFIED AND HAVE GONE LIVE
AS OF MAY 28, 2025. CHECK BACK AGAIN LATER.
I am planning to animate this project. It will be
my first attempt at adding electronics to a build.
I have worked in electronics and industrial controls
my entire 50-year career, so I know I have the
know how; however, I don't know what is available
in the way of small components that will fit
within the model. I'm initially planning to use
an Arduino or two or three to perform the control
functions; however, that can change as I proceed
through the build. I definitely want to attempt
making it RC controlled which will also be a first
for me. Some of the things I plan to animate are:
The internal head rotating
The head lights randomly blinking
If possible, the head moving up/down
The torso rotating
All lights on the torso working
Adding the robots voice. I already have many voice clips
The mouth blinking to the voice
The grippers opening and closing
The feet tread moving so he can walk
So...we'll see how all this plays out.
I know there are a lot of others who have
animated this kit and I've watched some of
there YouTube video's. I also see that
there are electronic packs available, but
at a high price. That said...I want to do it
on my own using my own ingenuity.
To view my opening entry video for USACC build click on the
USACC Logo above to visit my photo journal for this build.
The Unified Scale Automotive Content Creators (USACC) group
was founded by Matt at
The Luka Cee Channel
and Mark Batson at the
HobbyDude007 Channel
This is the 5th annual build and this year the group has had
significant growth in the number of participants. It's one of,
if not the only group build I get involved in.
My plan for this build, as of September 15, 2025, is:
... I don't know ... I'm leaning toward a street rod,
but I can change my mind while I'm type this text.
Because I have so many projects on the bench that I
want to finish, I even thought about doing out-of-box;
but when I opened the kit, there are parts, like wheels
and tires, that I really don't like. I'm not a GM guy.
I have nothing against GM products and I really like the
Camaro, the Pontiac GTO and the Corvette, to mention
a few. But I think like most of us, we are what are
dad's where, and my dad was a Mopar guy, and so am I.
I'm actually thinking about putting a Dodge HEMI under
the hood, but we'll see? In some ways I think that
would be sacrilege, after-all, there are many very
hot Chevy engines out there. Again...we will see.
