Model Building with Brass

The book was in great condition, but i expected more details on soldering brass.

Until Roger Zimmermann can find the time to write of his techniques, in modelling, this will have to do!Its a very good, more than just basic, book on model making. Using brass, copper and aluminum, some wood, the author shows clearly how he has developed simple techniques to create some sophisticated shapes. -I would have expanded the mention of solder to include the solders used by jewelers, with an explanation for the differences; melting temperatures, and how that can aid in the assembly of several soldered joints in a small area. Also, the use of resistance soldering, with the creation of custom fit electrodes. Solder paste, is another lacuna. Fabricating engine blocks, as is well shown, is a much better technique than the machining of solid blocks of brass, and is a way of reducing a complex shape down to bit-sized pieces. (It also does not require a mill nor a lathe!) This may be the best contribution to model making. -The author does render the process of Making a Model, very well! -After all!, it is just a matter of making the components, to scale, preferably out of a material that is not too delicate. Then, assembling them! That last sentence was offered in jest. To make models like the authors, requires lots of research, into your subject, and into your techniques! Model makers of the authors caliber are cross trained in pattern making, mold making, soldering, basic fabrication, oh!, and of course planning! The book is very well laid out, lots of very well photographed step by step sections! Easy to read, and logical. It is not an encyclopaedia, but does not suggest that it might be! I do recommend this book to all who love to make models and want to improve their own skills!

OK, the author is proud of his completed models and likes to show them off...with that you get the gist of 98% of the book.If you're going to put a title like "Model Building with Brass"...you better have the "brass" to include the howtos eg "explains all the tools and techniques".The book starts with the overview of tools...pretty useless for most of whom are probably the target audience of this book. Very little info on mills/lathes etc. Notes on pin vises and uses, that you should probably buy many drill bits (but doesn't go into detail that they break easily like he does with the jeweler's saw blades)...Next sections cover some basics on cutting out brass...notes that you use a file to shape a saddle joint on tubing (no notes of using a mill to do so...so guessing author assumes his audience only has hand tools...which is fine)...but no notes/tips/tricks on maintaining even curvature...soldering receives same general treatment..Shows gorgeous dials for his plane...but no real info on creating..The woven wicker seat for his plane is impressive...nice to have some "stages" photos...probably that and the aforementioned dials are coolest images in the book.By this point I just started flipping through (bored and realizing I'd wasted my $)and saw some notes on polishing copper finish applied to brass...if you rub too hard you'll have to re-plate..didn't see any "recipes" for nickel or brass plating...perhaps it was there...more photos showing contrasts of natural brass vs plated finishes...I think you get the idea.The author might should have just produced a coffee table book of his models...would have at least shown his models to better advantage...now the models themselves - gorgeous and impressive. But the book really fails to "teach" except to the true beginners..perhaps it should have been named "Beginner's Guide to Model Building with Brass"...If you like pretty pictures and/or are very new to working with Brass...by all means buy this.As for the How-To aspects of this book...if you've soldered two wires together or ever cut a piece of brass...you might want to look elsewhere for instruction...you just don't have a world-class modeler put out a book of this one's title and not have certain set expectations to fill.Definitely no where near the same league of instruction (but more pretty pictures) that Tabletop Machinist (Sherline) and Clockmaking & Modelmaking Tools & Techniques (Smith - video and book are must haves for the avid hobbiest).This book gets relegated to one of too-many shelves filled with read-once books in my library.Bummer...Would love to have this guy as a neighbor though ;-)

Obviously the author is way ahead of me so I don't want to be too critical. I enjoyed the book. It gave me ideas and angles from which to think about things. That is a benefit. Was it on par with my Wingrove books? Not quite. For me, so far, those are the gold standard. I also agree with another reviewer who mentions Roger Zimmerman. If he ever writes a book, I'll buy it. This book, however, is certainly not a waste of money, or useless, to me that is. No one in my sphere is into what I am into. I have no access to a mentor. I read articles and buy books. If I buy a book and learn even one thing that opens my mind, or saves me time, it was worth it to me.

This is a very good book not just for beginners but pros as well. I say that because Ken has a very good background in producing museum quality models. He loves to teach methods no matter how easy or hard it is.I saw a review of the book in Garden Railways magazine and couldn't believe my eyes when I saw who the author was as he lives a block from him. I called him and he invited me to his home and shop. He also was more than willing to sign my bookEntering his shop you can see he is meticulous in his craft because his shop is immaculate and well organized. He loves to share his knowledge and the history of his works. One can see why he was so eager to write this book because of his enthusiasm for his craft and the models he makes.My time spent with him was an amazing experience. He was so eager to share his knowledge with me. I just wish I would have gotten to know him sooner as he will be moving soon.I highly recommend this book. He is more than willing to sign your copy by just sending your book to him.

In a time were most modelers are using plastics, its is nice to see that also other materials can be used.Concerning brass, it is a much better choice than plastics.The results are much better, but most modelers do not know how to start.This book is very good, for the beginner as well the experienced model maker.I read it and was impressed. My fingers were tingling to start.Noteworthy are the pictures. They are so inspiring..!

it is mainly an illustration of what can be done, if one has the time and money, but in my view lacks the help to encourage others to use this in model building.

An excellent book for hobbyists wishing to know more about making brass parts in their model building.The book covers fabrication techniques as well soldering and some basic discussions about plating and colouring of brass.The photos in the book show the excellent craftsmanship of the author.My only suggestion for improvement would be to add a section on the machining properties of various types of brass and the modification of drill bits to minimize grabbing.

A beautifly put together book with lots of good photos of Mr. Forans work and some logical ideas are expressed but it is not really a how to guide, if you are looking for any plans look elsewhere. Having alreay read the books written by Gerald Wingrove over 20 years ago, I am sorry to say there is nothing new here and perhaps even less. If you want more in depth stuff get the Wingrove books I am sure Mr. Foran has. I can say that in this book he recomened another one called Tabletop Machining by Joe Martin and for that I am grateful to Ken Foran. If you want tolook at pictures of a beautiful model car being made it, this would be a book for you, if you are looking to learn how to go about it might be a bit of a let down.

THIS book was amazing, in the same category as Gerald Wingrove...