Hot Wheels and Matchbox Photographers

Reply to Photo techniques ...............

nobody@flickr.com (Chris*4) — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 12:47:08 -0700

Chris*4 posted a reply:

Hi PMC 1stPix

Sorry for the delay in replying. For close-up photos indoors I keep the flashgun mounted in the hot shoe. However, if I am taking photos of dioramas then I tend to use two flashguns and bounce/diffuse the light. Here I use Nikon's flash control system. I don't use the camera's integral flash.

For outdoor shots I mount the camera on a tripod. I use reflectors eg road atlas pages to bounce sunlight back onto the model.

Chris

Reply to Photo techniques ...............

nobody@flickr.com (Phil's 1stPix) — Sat, 05 Mar 2011 22:48:35 -0800

Phil's 1stPix posted a reply:

Hey Chris- Interesting Info on photos... I know you do a lot of outdoor shots, but do you use the hot shoe and flash indoors a lot? I almost never use the integral flash, only auxiliary lighting. Just wondering what other techniques work out there...

Reply to How do you Customize a Hot Wheels Car?

nobody@flickr.com (Jason H.) — Mon, 21 Feb 2011 18:06:54 -0800

Jason H. posted a reply:

^Alright, Thanks

Reply to How do you Customize a Hot Wheels Car?

nobody@flickr.com (t.szuta) — Mon, 21 Feb 2011 16:20:00 -0800

t.szuta posted a reply:

A soldering gun would work fine. Just make sure you clean the tip when you are done.

Reply to How do you Customize a Hot Wheels Car?

nobody@flickr.com (Jason H.) — Sun, 20 Feb 2011 12:06:02 -0800

Jason H. posted a reply:

^Thanks, I was afraid to damage my Dad's new drill press. For heat, is a soldering gun okay?

Reply to How do you Customize a Hot Wheels Car?

nobody@flickr.com (t.szuta) — Sun, 20 Feb 2011 12:02:49 -0800

t.szuta posted a reply:

You are fine to go ahead with the drill press. As a word of caution, make sure you are wearing appropriate protection gear (safety glasses) before proceeding.

First, drill a small pilot hole (about 1/16")
Next, use a 3/16" drill to remove the head of the rivet. This will allow the base to be removed from the body.

Depending if you have a metal or plastic base you will have to do either of the following.

Plastic base:

Cut off tabs holding on axle set (axle set = wheel / axle assembly).

Remove axle set.

Replace axle set from axle set from donor car.

Heat up something metal (flat head screw driver) and melt the tabs back over the axle. This will once again retain the axle on the chassis.
If you don't want to use heat, you can apply a small amount of JB Weld over the axle. This will hold the axle in place. You can also use superglue, but USE IT SPARINGLY. It tends to run along the axle and into your wheels. Superglue + rotating wheels = FAIL!

Fit chassis back together with interior, windows, and body.
Apply a small amount of JB Weld to the area where the rivets were.
Some people use screws to hold the assembly together again. This requires a bit more skill, but it still rather simple.

Metal Base:

The directions for the metal base are almost exactly the same as the ones for the plastic base.

With the metal base, you will need a small grinding tool (Dremel) to remove the tabs holding the axles in place. Remove the tabs and the axle set will be free.

Apply a small amount of JB Weld over the axle. This will hold the axle in place. You can also use superglue, but USE IT SPARINGLY. It tends to run along the axle and into your wheels. Superglue + rotating wheels = FAIL!

Fit chassis back together with interior, windows, and body.
Apply a small amount of JB Weld to the area where the rivets were.
Some people use screws to hold the assembly together again. This requires a bit more skill, but it still rather simple.

I hope this helps a little.

How do you Customize a Hot Wheels Car?

nobody@flickr.com (Jason H.) — Fri, 28 Jan 2011 12:18:50 -0800

Jason H. posted a new topic:

I was wondering how you change the wheels of a Hot Wheels car since the bottom is held together with a rivet, not a screw. I'm afraid that if I drill into it with a drill press and super glue it back together, it might damage my Dad's drill press. Any suggestions?

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nobody@flickr.com (Jason H.) — Fri, 28 Jan 2011 12:11:28 -0800

Jason H. posted a reply:

I agree about a contest, but what kind of cars do you want? Cars in packages, hot wheels red lines, Matchbox lesneys, or just current hot wheels and matchboxes?

Photo techniques ...............

nobody@flickr.com (Chris*4) — Sat, 01 Jan 2011 04:23:20 -0800

Chris*4 posted a new topic:

These three images were taken with a DSLR, macro lens and flash mounted in the camera's hot shoe:

With this image I moved in closer to gain a detail shot of the above model:

Looking at this photo I am impressed at the level of detail Matchbox obtained in their casting technique.

Cheers Chris

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nobody@flickr.com (Phoenix Photographic) — Tue, 07 Dec 2010 13:45:18 -0800

Phoenix Photographic posted a new topic:

Hello everyone! I would like to say that I love seeing this much great content in the group pool! I am feeling like this group needs a new profile image (or buddy icon) and I don't want any of my photos as such. So, I would like to announce a contest (of sorts.) If you would like to see one of your photos as the new image, post your picture to the group pool, and send me a pm (so I won't forget ;) ) with a link back to your photo. Please be sure to do this, or I might not catch your photo! After a few submissions have been made I will choose a fitting photo. Or, if you would like, the group can choose by vote. Simply state in the description that the photo is up for the new group image, and in the comments say if you would like that image to be chosen. I apologize if this isn't done very efficiently, I'm not the best at groups. Have a great day, and Merry Christmas! :)

Hot Wheels and Matchbox Photographers

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Reply to Photo techniques ...............

Reply to How do you Customize a Hot Wheels Car?

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Reply to How do you Customize a Hot Wheels Car?

Reply to How do you Customize a Hot Wheels Car?

How do you Customize a Hot Wheels Car?

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Photo techniques ...............

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