It's Summer break and now that sports and activities are winding down, Brett is getting some more time back at the bench and layout! This week we pulled off the second live stream of the podcast and you can watch the replay here: https://www.youtube.com/live/TWRqKsBErlI?si=LF1eRjn1x8oyYnQq Subscribe to us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WileysScaleModeling Join our model building Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2189549561072602 Follow our Facebook page: https://www.face...
Jun 04, 2025•1 hr 12 min•Ep. 285
Catch Bench Time #210, our first ever live stream episode ! Join Todd & Brett as we dive into the world of scale modeling, discussing our latest projects and updates after a brief spring break. We cover various aspects of the hobby and share our tentative plans to attend the AMPS 2025 International Convention in Camp Hill, PA (May 15th - May 17th). Tune in for the usual banter, modeling insights, and maybe a few live stream hiccups! Live Stream Link: https://youtube.com/live/e9rznHwdiwk AMPS...
May 02, 2025•1 hr•Ep. 284
This week we had the pleasure of having a long-time listener and supporter of the podcast, Matt Probst on the show to share with us his history and journey in model railroading and how he has really exploded onto the scene of our hobby online by putting together some amazing scenes and work on his layout! The other great thing about having Matt on the show (which was long overdue) was that he is literally our neighbor as far as the hobby goes! He grew up practically down the street from us and i...
Mar 31, 2025•1 hr 20 min•Ep. 283
Welcome back to the show James A Powell of Dirt Spot.7 and Monster City Studios! This week we had a blast talking with James about setting scenes, working with limited resources or forcing yourself to do more with less, and the fun and differences of the various types of detail parts that are available now. We also got super into the colorized historical videos of cities from the early 1900's. Check out this great YouTube channel that colorizes old historic videos: https://www.youtube.com/channe...
Mar 22, 2025•1 hr 26 min•Ep. 282
We really don't have much to say about this week's episode other than it was full of some really off the wall topics and we just let it rip! Brett and Todd do go over some layout updates, Brett's recent build of Ligget's Hay Kit of the Month by FOS Scale Models (not an affiliate link) and how he made his homemade hay bales with transfer tape. The rest of the episode was... Well you just gotta listen because we were all over the place on this one!...
Mar 15, 2025•1 hr 16 min•Ep. 281
Ouch! This week on Bench Time, Brett shares the gory details of his recent encounter with a miter saw, a cautionary tale for all hobbyists. (Spoiler: fingers and spinning blades don't mix!) We'll also dive into some inspiring model railroad layout discussions, exploring creative design and construction techniques. And to keep your projects looking their best, Todd's here with invaluable tips and tricks for maintaining your paint brushes and paints, preventing that dreaded gunk buildup. Whether y...
Feb 24, 2025•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 280
This week's episode is packed with exciting updates from our world of model railroading and model building. We dive deep into the latest transformations of our layout. Brett's been hard at work adding hills, planning a serene "wooded" area, revamping the wharf, and developing the intricate downtown/city section. Then, we check in with Todd on his epic, never-ending train station project. He shares his recent progress and discusses the details of his latest modeling endeavors. Plus, Todd recounts...
Feb 08, 2025•1 hr 22 min•Ep. 279
Welcome back to Bench Time with Wiley's Scale Modeling! In this episode, we sit down with the talented duo behind Mudd Creek Models, Frank and Natalie. We delve into the world of laser-cut wood structures and detail parts, exploring their passion for creating incredibly realistic N and HO scale components. From intricate buildings to essential windows and doors, Mudd Creek Models offers a fantastic range of products to elevate your layout. Join us as we chat with Frank and Natalie about their de...
Feb 01, 2025•1 hr 12 min•Ep. 278
It’s been a few weeks since our last episode, but we’re back from the holiday break and we’ve been cranking out some great model railroading work and progress on the layout. Brett Finished the Walthers Merchant Row I, and had been adding track to the layout, so you’ll soon be seeing some trains running soon! We also spend too much time talking about bubblegum… But we’re proud of it. In addition we also talked about the price of the insulation foam that we use for the layout and how it seems to k...
Jan 13, 2025•1 hr 40 min•Ep. 277
This week we talk about the difference between going 50%, 90% or 100% on a model kit build, what it takes and doesn’t take to make a kit more realistic. Todd’s example is how he built the Merchant’s Row II kit to look almost real as if you were walking down the sidewalk in front of that building. Then we talk about the monstrous train station that Todd is building along with the Merchant’s Row I kit that Brett has started! We wrap up the week talking about some plans for the background/upper sec...
Dec 24, 2024•1 hr 14 min•Ep. 276
Join us this week for some layout updates and some stories from our reenacting past!
Nov 26, 2024•1 hr 35 min•Ep. 275
How grateful are we to have been able to record 200 complete episodes of the Bench Time Podcast together as Father and Son? We can’t even begin to explain how much we’ve learned by sharing our journey together in the model railroading and fine scale modeling community with all of you! Over the past six years we’ve been able to meet so many great people and with our new plans and slight changes to this podcast, we plan to meet many more! We thought it would be fitting to check in on a few of our ...
Nov 01, 2024•3 hr 1 min•Ep. 274
We're one away from 200! And Todd's busting out the 1:87 scale again on his workbench as we are looking to make some major progress in the coming weeks on the layout. We've got a lot planned for the next episode, but enjoy this week's as we ramble on in our typical fashion!
Oct 29, 2024•1 hr 19 min•Ep. 273
This week we chat about some architectural history after Brett's recent visit to Harper's Ferry and todd explains the history of the small town in France that he is building his diorama from, Narbonne, FR . In addition to the brief history lessons, we give some model building updates and discuss our recent projects which include: Adding realistic scale barnacles to piers for a waterfront building Using UV resin for covering up / filling in gaps in scale figures and models...
Oct 22, 2024•1 hr 18 min•Ep. 272
Well, where do we start? This week we had an explosive mix of topics... From Brett's new Temu tools that he picked up, nipples, things that anger us at the workbench and items that you wouldn't want to accidentally sit on from your toolkit or workbench. Can you believe we're almost at 200 episodes? We're working on some ideas for episode 200, but want some input from you guys too! Drop us a message on our FB page to suggest something fun for us to do or a new topic to cover!
Oct 03, 2024•1 hr 19 min•Ep. 271
The new Roast My Build Facebook group which is already at 46 member. Join now for some model build roasting ! Brett gives his update on the new Coke Zero Oreo Limited Edition - it’s awful Todd talks about applying paper signs to his 1/35 scale diorama and how the paper edges look unless you work to sand down those visible edges, so to avoid them he took the step to paint them on the side of his building! Brett will also be going live this week on Facebook and YouTube for some of his wharf buildo...
Sep 16, 2024•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 270
In this episode of the Bench Time Podcast, Todd and Brett dive into another week of modeling, griping, and a few laughs along the way. Here's what we cover: Westboro Sandhouse Progress: Brett shares his latest updates on the ongoing Westboro Sandhouse project. What’s coming together? What’s been a challenge? Get the latest scoop on this long-term build. Reference Photos for Old Models: We discuss the importance of using reference photos when building older models. How do you find the right photo...
Sep 01, 2024•1 hr 19 min•Ep. 269
Bench Time #194 This week on the Bench Time Podcast, Todd answers a listener question about how he sets up his work area to help him work better and setting up his work area for his impatient personality. The we both talk about unpacking the boxes of all of our buildings that we had packed up over a year ago, and the laying of the track roadbed. Does anyone know about the shortage of cork or cork board? Apparently there is no current cork shortage after in-show research but why is it so hard for...
Aug 23, 2024•1 hr 14 min•Ep. 268
Welcome back to the Bench Time Podcast, this week we have Matthew Hankins back on the show for his second appearance! The last time we had Matt on the show, it was for Episode 127 when we talked about his work with the Four County Society of Model Engineers as well as some of his modeling work. This week talked with Matt about his diorama work, working with the different scratch builds, shadow box builds and how keeping the variety of work changing allows him to keep his attention span fresh. Th...
Aug 08, 2024•1 hr 49 min•Ep. 267
Todd gives us a bunch of updates, gripes, and tips as Brett works to kickstart working again after a long vacation the past 10 days. In addition to Todd's updates on the French Cafe diorama, he also talks about a creative and innovative modeling technique that he used to turn an error or mis-casting on a diorama figure into a really awesome looking hat for the lady outside the cafe! This ties into what we talk about with getting creative and being true modelers! Brett is also currently working o...
Aug 03, 2024•1 hr 17 min•Ep. 266
This week's episode felt more like old times! We figured it would take a few episodes to get back into the swing of things, but damn this week was a ton of fun. Brett and Todd give us an update on the new "E" layout because it finally has all of the bench work completed and is ready to begin working UP from the base now. Then Brett gives us a quick update on the status of his new build, which he spent some time this past Monday night showing his work on during a Facebook/YouTube live session. Af...
Jul 13, 2024•1 hr 40 min•Ep. 265
Hey gang! We're back with Bench Time #190 and the typical internet problems that Brett loves! This week we give you all some updates on our newest work, plans for the layout, gripes, and a funny eye doctor story. Question for all of you: What are some topics that you'd like us to cover in the coming episodes? We're always willing to share our stories and what we're building but want to hear from you what are some content topics you'd like us to discuss next week?
Jun 18, 2024•1 hr 16 min•Ep. 264
We hope you all have a safe memorial day weekend and take time to remember the reason we all have the ability to enjoy this holiday. This week we're back with the usual rants and discussions about the hobby. Brett also talks about his crusty paint bin and the things we save in the hobby trying to be cheapskates. What are you working on currently at your workbench?
May 27, 2024•1 hr 22 min•Ep. 263
Hey Fine Scale Freaks! Guess what? Todd and Brett Wiley are back at the bench, and we couldn't be more excited! It's been over a year since our last episode, and boy, do we have some catching up to do. So, here's the scoop: we've been through a lot – layout teardown, house demolition, building a new home, and finally moving back in. Now that the dust has settled, Brett is ready to dive back into the bench, and we’re both gearing up to piece together a brand new, much larger, and way improved lay...
May 14, 2024•1 hr 12 min•Ep. 262
This week we had James A. Powell on the show for a long-overdue appearance! James talked with us about some exciting new things he's working on including a soon available pre-order of a new book he is featured in from White River Productions. https://shop.whiteriverproductions.com/products/swts NOTE: Brett was incorrect about White River productions and the Civil War History book, it was not WRP and instead a different publisher with a similarly scenic sounding name. We started a TikTok, it may ...
Mar 25, 2023•1 hr 41 min•Ep. 261
Wayman Humphrey from Pro Scale Models on Facebook, YouTube and even TikTok joined us for his first guest appearance! We talked about everything from his intro into scale modeling, his love of art, music, tattooing, and everything in-between. Make sure you check out Wayman's art and videos at the links below. We can't wait to have him back for some deeper model building and bench time talks! YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2LXm7buhIQJzcxylBzhUMg Facebook Page: https://www.faceb...
Feb 25, 2023•1 hr 41 min•Ep. 260
This week we talk to Brian Wolfe from Mainline Hobby Supply ! This is one of our favorite hobby shops in the PA / MD region and if you have a chance to stop by when you're in the area, definitely pay them a visit! Another interesting thing we hear from Brian about his history with the hobby shop is how he literally had his blood sweat and tears in the shop build. It's these kinds of places that we need to keep in business as the hobby evolves. At the end of the show we go into a little news and ...
Feb 06, 2023•1 hr 22 min•Ep. 259
Welcome back for Bench Time #184 where we featured Bernard Hellen of Miniprints.com! We were very excited to get Bernard back on the show, and coincidentally it was almost two years to the day since we had him on last, you can catch his other episode here: Bench Time #159: Bernard Hellen of Miniprints Bernard talks about some new developments from miniprints and how we can't believe that he's coming up on the 4th anniversary of the business! We also discuss some of our favorite miniprints models...
Jan 21, 2023•2 hr 35 min•Ep. 258
This week, Brett talks about his holiday week off and a visit to NYC and American Girl Doll store.... We also cover some measuring mess-ups (or was it), Todd's canyon fears, adding fine snow from woodland scenics to the white water of a waterfall, some more glue talk, and Todd's mishap with his fine scale eagle.
Jan 15, 2023•1 hr 50 min•Ep. 257
It's the holiday season, so we decided to kick back, let loose and we definitely went all over the place! Todd discusses his Neopolitan-like build and Brett chats about the new rocks and progress on the Terminal area of the layout where he's adding a gulley/storm water runoff area. We also talked about some more affordable plaster that a long-time listener and original guest of the show, Steve had recommended to us. The details on it, directly from an email to us from him are below: "This is fro...
Dec 10, 2022•1 hr 48 min•Ep. 256
