Wednesday 30 October 2013

San Francisco Cable Car - An Impressive Wood & Metal 1:24 Scale Model from Occre



San Francisco’s cable cars are an important icon of the city, and anyone visiting or holidaying in San Francisco will have treasured memories of riding the picturesque cable cars up and down the hilly streets.

The first cable cars of this kind were brought into operation in London and, many years later, on 2nd August 1873, Andrew S. Hallidie introduced the first San Francisco cable car, on the Clay Street line.
136 years later these attractive vehicles are still running on the streets of San Francisco and form an essential part of the city’s daily life.


The system is based on a cable that is pulled at a constant velocity, along the whole route, by a stationery engine. The cable car starts to move when a device, called a grip, is engaged under pressure to the cable. By loosening this grip, and at the same time applying the breaks, the car is brought to a halt.

These days there are only two fleets still in service. One of these is Powell-Hyde and Powell-Mason, while the other is California Street.


Hobbies are pleased to offer OcCre's impressive 1/24 scale San Francisco cable car wood and metal model kit, which contains all the parts necessary for you to create an accurate replica.

The models' dimensions:   length: 395mm  x  width: 107mm  x  height: 160mm


Laser cut wooden parts make up the body and interior. Fine African walnut strips cover the roof & platforms.

Wheels, brakes, bumper supports and stops, headlight, leaf rings and steering wheels and other small parts are precision cast white metal.



The comprehensive photographic instructions included with each kit make building the model easy and hugely enjoyable.







The Occre model is a reproduction of car No. 60, of the California Street fleet, built by MUNI (San Francisco Municipal Railway) in 1998 this car was brought into service in 2002.

This car is based on the original model, built by John Hammond & Company for the California Street Cable Railroad Company, back in 1906.






Monday 21 October 2013

Introducing the Sparkling World of Sequin Art !!!

Sequin Art consists of brightly coloured sequins, pins, flocked board and a polystyrene frame.
Initially Sequin Art was considered more suitable for children. However, adults became interested in the product thus creating a new market within the craft industry.


 Produce exciting sequin pictures by simply placing the velvet design on the frame and attaching the sequins to complete this vibrant product. 


 

A new variation has now been launched! Sequin & Bead Art is an original product following in the Sequin Art range and sold each year in increasing number.

  

Thousands of Sequin Art are sold each year in the UK and overseas with sales rising strongly year on year! It's great, it's fun and most of all a sense of achievement is had by all.



Our Rock Angel Manga Chick and Hello Kitty Gothic are amongst some of our newest and most popular Sequin Art Picture Kits.



Many new ideas and innovations have been further developed within the Sequin Art range in recent years. These include Silhouettes which give a silhouette shape against a brightly coloured background, and Sequin Art Junior for the younger generation with easy to follow printed layouts and with even more choice in designs for the Sequin Bead Art which are being developed all the time


Over the years Sequin Art has developed and has it's own unique image with an increasingly strong following. Innovative designs have been added, with different images for example 3-D Sequins. These consist of a polystyrene model whereby coloured sequins and pins are attached to create a three dimensional figure. The feeling is of accomplishment and satisfaction, both unique and addictive.

http://www.alwayshobbies.com/crafts/sequin-art/3d/3d-sequin-art-gnome



    



Friday 18 October 2013

Buy the NEW Hobbies 2015 Handbook

Hobbies handbook

The latest edition of the Hobbies Handbook has over 180 pages of products to inspire and challenge you.


We now stock an extensive range of plastic model kits of aircraft, ships, transport & military models.


Tools are a speciality, and Hobbies stock an extensive range of Fretsaws, Bandsaws, Sanders. Routers, Lathes and Dremel Multi-tools, Airbrushing Tools and much more.

We also have a huge selection of specialist books from Whittling and Scroll sawing to Dolls Houses and Model Ship building.

Our Period Ship Kits are always massively popular and include a Mississippi Paddle Steamer, the magnificent HMS Victory, Golden Hinde and our best selling HMS Fly.

Then there are Pond Yachts, Radio Controlled boats, Balsa Rubber-Powered Planes & Gliders, and Remote control helicopters



Brand New for the 2014 catalogue is the high quality OcCre Model Kits. These include a London bus, London tram, Stephensons Rocket, San Francisco cable car as well as the Lisbon tram, Berlin Tram, Adler Steam Train and Pacific 231 locomotive train.

In the Craft Kits section we show Jigsaw puzzles, Sequin Art, Painting by Numbers, Matchbuilder kits, 3D Fun Cubic Puzzles.


Hobbies are world famous for our Model Plans enabling you to build your own Dolls House, childrens toys, garden furniture, rocking horse, jeeps, cars, trucks, trains and hundreds more great ideas.

Our Dolls House section is second to none, and combined with the Streets Ahead catalogue, we offer everything you will require for building and furnishing an amazing dolls house.

In the Steam section we offer the range of Mamod working steam models, including steam rollers, engines and even a fire engine.




All for only £3.25 including postage from Tel: 01508 549330 or from the website.

Phone NOW for your copy


Monday 14 October 2013

Timber Kits - Magical Mechanical Models to Build !!


Timberkits are mechanical models made of wood and sold in kit form. Put them together, turn the handle and see them work. There is a great range of themes and and skill levels to suit everyone.
Timberkits are creative, fun and educational

It is an art form in which you can appreciate the magic of mechanical action and gives a fascinating education and hobby for children and adults of all ages.


In these safety conscious electronic times most of the mechanisms we depend on are well hidden so we never get to see how things work.
Take a look at the building blocks of our mechanical world. Assemble the wooden cams, push rods, levers and cranks and understand what makes it tick.

After you have made the model you can paint, varnish or customise it in your own personal way then try another!



Start your own Band!!


The Double Bass player rocks back and fourth, tapping his right foot, sliding his left hand up and down the Double Bass' neck and plucking the strings with his right hand. His head bobs in time with the music.

The Drummer looks simply amazing. With a full kit of drums and operating cymbal. One foot working the `top hat`, while producing a syncopated `rhythm` on the snare drum.

The Guitarist leans forward and bends at the knee while both arms move to play the guitar. Operated by two cams.


To complete your set we offer a moving mechanical model of a Classical Pianist, playing the piano, and a Clarinet Player who sways from side to side as he beats time with his foot, whilst arching his other foot in and out to the rhythm. 


Making a Timberkit is to step into the whole world of Automata and Mechanical Toys, with ingenious moving models and scenes.

Amaze your friends! No special knowledge or skills needed, just a little time and patience to follow the instructions.



     



Timberkits span ages from 7 upwards with designs of varying complexity and a wide range of themes to suit all interests and make excellent gifts for all occasions.

Enjoy the warmth of the natural wood, sourced from sustainable forestry and fully machined with no further need for specialist tools.


If your arm gets tired you can even motorise your model with our universal battery kit


Monday 7 October 2013

Easily Build and Furnish a Dolls House - Every Little Girls Ultimate Christmas Present !


 



Stock Reference - DH039B

The Trelawney Manor Dolls House is a 3 Storey House with Hinged Roof Attic, Split Front Opening Pillard Porch and Balcony, Interior Walls, Stairs and Doors and Chimnneys

The exterior walls have a Brick Effect Finish with White Windows and Door Finished with a Slate Black Roof

House is made of MDF Construction with approx sizes of:
  • 33" (84cm) High
  • 32" (81cm) Wide
  • 18.5" (48cm) Deep

Supplied Flat Packed in Ready Made Panels with all details completed.



The Trelawny is just one of the great Dolls Houses on offer from the Hobbies website. See the full range - click here

OK you've got your Dolls House, Now the real fun begins.

Hobbies stocks an impressive range of Accessories designed to breathe life into your Dolls House rooms, and bring added realism.
You choose which rooms will be your Kitchen, Dining Room, Living Room, Bedrooms, Study, Music Room or Nursery.




You choose the Wallpaper, the Carpets, the decor, the Furniture, and the style you want.

Do you want your living room to have a Mahogany Fireplace with Brass Peacock Firescreen ?

Will the bathroom suite have a Corner bath, or Vanity Unit ?

Who will be living in your Dolls House? a Modern Family? a Stylish Lady, a little Westie Dog ?

and if its being made for a Christmas present, you will need a Christmas tree and presents, Christmas lights, a wreath, baubles and maybe even Santa Claus himself.




All of these incredibly detailed 1:12th Scale accessories are available from Hobbies website,. or from the Hobbies Store at Raveningham Norfolk.


http://www.alwayshobbies.com/books-$4-dvds/dolls-house/streets-ahead-2015-dolls-house-catalogue

We can now offer the Streets Ahead Catalogue 2015 for only £3.95 while Stocks Last.
This dedicated Dolls House Catalogue is jam packed full of accessories, figures and ideas for room settings.
At just £3.95 this is an offer far too good to miss!


And while you're having fun decorating and furnishing your Dolls House, don't forget,  joining the Hobbies Club gets you 5% Discount off all your orders for the year!!

Sunday 6 October 2013

Come Fly Away! with Guillows Balsa Wood Model Airplanes

A great favourite with Hobbies customers is our extensive range of Guillows Balsa wood model Airplanes
The Guillow model airplane company was founded by Paul K. Guillow, a World War I US Navy Aviator. His experience as a Navy pilot kindled in him a great interest in aviation and eventually lead to the creation and marketing of a line of small balsa wood, shelf model construction kits of famous aircraft. From the Fokker triplane to the Sopwith Camel of WWI to the P-51 Mustang and P-38 Lightning of WWII.


Balsa airplane models appeal to both the young and the “young at heart”. Everyone will remember the shiny red propellers of their favorite toy airplane!

The most popular kits are surely the Balsa World War II Models with a 16½" wing span - approx 1/30 scale. These easy-to-build balsa airplane kits contain die-cut balsa parts, plastic cowls and canopies, decals , plastic prop, wheels, tissue and a 24-page model building booklet.

The range includes planes such as the Messerschmitt BF-109- the best known German Luftwaffe World War 2 Fighter, and the Supermarine Spitfire Mk-1 - Britain's greatest World War 2 Fighter.






For those with an interest in the History of Flight - Don't miss out on constructing a true piece of Aviation History !! -



A replica of the first powered, heavier than air machine to achieve pilot controlled sustained flight. Guillow's has produced a Museum Quality scale replica of the 1903 Wright Flyer.

This amazing model kit has a 24" wingspan and over 150 laser cut parts.