The Lowbudget Model Museum on YouTube!

[Tim Casey]

I got a new camera that blew me away, along with an excellent tripod and a dolly, just so I could film the museum in all its glory:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hf1L6amy56Q&t=87s




Personally, I think YouTube quality sucks, so if anyone from the clubhouse would like a blu-ray disc of this video, I'll send you one for $6.00 (which covers the blank disc, the envelope it's shipped in, and the postage). Just PM me with your address and whether you'd like stereo or surround sound (important) and Paypal me at timcasey@lowbudgetrecords.com. It looks superb on a big screen!

Happy Halloween!

[derekc62]

Can't wait to watch this, Tim!

[overspray]

That was a nice 'stroll'! Very enjoyable. The unfinished walls form a wonderful backdrop, and of course the collection is amazing in every aspect.

I noticed the motion activated light switches - did those work out as planned?

[Tim Casey]

That was a nice 'stroll'! Very enjoyable. The unfinished walls form a wonderful backdrop, and of course the collection is amazing in every aspect.

I noticed the motion activated light switches - did those work out as planned?

1) Thanks!

2) They worked out well, but they use electricity constantly, since they're always "on", looking for motion. They'll kill a 9V battery in about three months, even if the lights never come on. I used regular switches in line with them so I could break the circuit when no one will be around, like during the week.

[Tiger2]

Amazing collection Tim, many thanks for taking the time to create this guided tour of your work! Many years of collecting and hours of modelling pleasure, it's also a historical guide of the garage kit industry as well, from early days up to the present, capturing such iconic figures in all their glory!
Cheers,
Paul

[barad_dur]

Awesome collection !

[derekc62]

Great collection and presentation!

I think I counted 42 kits that you and I have in common plus a handful that I used to have but sold over the years.

What a treat to see all of these kits built and not just in a box!

[bucketfoot-al]

Oh man Tim! I can't wait to watch this.

[bucketfoot-al]

OK

Just watched the video. I cheated and put it on two times speed, it was still plenty slow enough to see everything.

A true jaw-dropping experience!!!

First, I have to commend you Tim on absolutely superb camera work, the dolly was a stroke of genius, and the lighting is nothing short of incredible.

The museum setup with the shelves attached to those old walls is pure genius.

Now to the substance of the matter. I am speechless, and glad that I don't dabble in figure kit builds, because I might be tempted to toss them all in the trash after seeing a true Master of the Craft tonight.

It was like I was getting a slow motion tour through Matisse or Picasso's gallery.

Your paint-ups of these figures are nothing short of the best that I've ever seen on any of these kits, and yes the lighting you employed probably has a little bit to do with that!

Your custom base enhancing and building is also off the planet awesome, absolutely the best I have seen.

Last but not least, I cannot tell you how great it is that all of your builds are full figure dioramas. (No offense to you bust guys, but no mere bust can ever match the impact of seeing one of Tim's builds!!!)

In baseball terms, your model museum and its contents Tim, are the equivalent of Freddie Freeman's Grand Slam bottom of the ninth home run against the Yankees in last year's World Series!

BRAVO!!! A TOUR DE FORCE!!!

[Tim Casey]

Wow - that's a lotta emoticons ya got there, pardner!

The whole thing came together almost accidentally.

The museum's an out-building behind the house; the guy who built the house in 1897 was a cigar vendor and used the room for rolling cigars. It has a cellar and an attic, and it's about 14' X 20'. It had plastered walls, but they got beaten up over the years when my uncles took out all the guy's shelves with a crowbar (thanks, guys). Then we hung out there as teenagers listening to and playing music. My wife and I finally stripped it to the studs a few years ago, replaced the boarded-up windows, and had this gorgeous-looking space - and suddenly I figured out where to put all my models that were all over the house!

This was what it looked like when my parents bought the house in 1955:



And this is what it looked like (from the rear) in 1900 from the house behind us:



I consider us lucky to live here. These houses are going for $1.2 million now. I can't even imagine spending that much money on one.

[bucketfoot-al]

I strove to use more emojis in that post than I had ever done in a post before - because the experience of viewing your Model Museum deserved it!

What a great backstory - and the family tradition (you might have seen some photos of me working over our vacation in our "woody" Summer home attic back in Croatia which my family bought in 1967 - so your story really struck a chord)

Can you post a photo of what it looks like now from the outside? I assume there is a fence around the property today ...

[overspray]

Cool photos of the house and museum. Hard to believe they predate cars!

[Stormheart]

I love everything about this! You have an amazing collection & the presentation is fantastic as well. Hats off to your modelling skill & camera work too.

[Tim Casey]

Here's my house nowadays:





The decorations, alas, are only up for Halloween....

The white fence was put up when we got beagles. They howl at everyone that walks by - about once every five or ten minutes. Before that, we had a small chain-link fence.

[bucketfoot-al]

Beautiful historic home Tim! *I can see the "Model Museum" in the back!!! Its got some shade cover now!

Lucky devil you!

[Squidy53]

Tim, I enjoyed the video of your collection hugely. As others have commented the building, shelving and lighting all add to the atmosphere/ambience. I reckon, correct me if I'm wrong, you are one of those builders that is that great combination of skill, imagination and attention to detal. With your music, radio show, movie showings and model gallery I think the modern term to describe you is a "creative." Great job in every direction. Congrats.

[Tim Casey]

Thanks for all the kind words, guys.