Search found 299 matches

by Andrew Gorman
Sun Nov 05, 2023 11:24 pm
Forum: Construction
Topic: Quick question re: plastic yard-sale signs
Replies: 5
Views: 10571

Re: Quick question re: plastic yard-sale signs

I just ignore any printing. It usually doesn't telegraph through to the next layer, and if that becomes a problem a coat of scratch filling primer will take care of that. I pull styrene sheet out of dumpsters all the time- any vacuformed packaging is probably styrene if it isn't clear PETE, so many ...
by Andrew Gorman
Sun Oct 15, 2023 7:27 pm
Forum: Scratchbuilding
Topic: Laser cutting service
Replies: 33
Views: 111053

Re: Laser cutting service

Place down the street from me can handle 100"X52" which should work for most scale models:
http://www.pagodaarts.com/info
Just look up laser cutting + your nearest city and see what comes up
by Andrew Gorman
Wed Aug 23, 2023 10:29 pm
Forum: Scratchbuilding
Topic: Styrene Rod with Wire Core?
Replies: 7
Views: 9802

Re: Styrene Rod with Wire Core?

Butyrate is a little more flexible than styrene. Still will glue with a hot acrylic glue with methylene chloride in the mix.
by Andrew Gorman
Sat Aug 12, 2023 11:41 pm
Forum: Scratchbuilding
Topic: Fixing scratches in clear plastic
Replies: 7
Views: 23729

Re: Fixing scratches in clear plastic

Surface preparation counts! The better you buff it out, the better the clear coat will work. A model canopy or most clear model parts are not big and doesn't take a lot of time to do right. If you can more or less see through the part it's ready for a clear coat. If there is a scratch, you are still...
by Andrew Gorman
Mon Jul 17, 2023 11:27 pm
Forum: Scratchbuilding
Topic: What's a dental vacuum former?
Replies: 20
Views: 58753

Re: What's a dental vacuum former?

A full size vacuform set up IS a lot of work. A good intro is this book: https://www.amazon.com/Vacuum-Forming-Hobbyist-Douglas-Walsh/dp/0998932701/ref=asc_df_0998932701/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=316862106435&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=7641524108661398430&hvpone=&hvp...
by Andrew Gorman
Sun Jul 16, 2023 8:16 pm
Forum: Scratchbuilding
Topic: What's a dental vacuum former?
Replies: 20
Views: 58753

Re: What's a dental vacuum former?

it's limited, but doesn't take up a lot of space. Mattel platform is 2/12 X 3". I'm using some 1/32 inch thick PVC which is sturdy enough for my purposes. It seems about as thick as most vacuform kits I've built. Thinner plastic would give you better detail if that's what you need. If the part ...
by Andrew Gorman
Sun Jul 16, 2023 1:04 pm
Forum: Scratchbuilding
Topic: What's a dental vacuum former?
Replies: 20
Views: 58753

Re: What's a dental vacuum former?

I just fired up my upgraded Mattel for the first time this year and it worked fine pulling a form off of a resin master- the power bay boiler doors on a Revell XSL-01- a pretty simple section of a cone. First sheet of plastic drooped to far and contacted the heating element, so I had to use another ...
by Andrew Gorman
Thu May 25, 2023 5:35 pm
Forum: Scratchbuilding
Topic: What's a dental vacuum former?
Replies: 20
Views: 58753

Re: What's a dental vacuum former?

The usual modifications to a Mattel are pretty simple- a new perforated platform to hold your masters, a metal cover to help the heating element heat up faster, a little rubber one way valve, new rubber feet and some silicone grease for the vacuum pump. Some have bypassed the pump to connect a shop ...
by Andrew Gorman
Thu May 25, 2023 3:53 pm
Forum: Scratchbuilding
Topic: What's a dental vacuum former?
Replies: 20
Views: 58753

Re: What's a dental vacuum former?

I just checked eBay and original Mattel machines are even cheaper than the Michaels product! (May 25, 2023)Repair and upgrade methods are all over the web, and upgrade parts are available. I really like my seldom used machine and it doesn't take up a lot of space.
by Andrew Gorman
Tue May 23, 2023 9:47 pm
Forum: Scratchbuilding
Topic: What's a dental vacuum former?
Replies: 20
Views: 58753

Re: What's a dental vacuum former?

The transparencies for overhead projectors are very thin. Someone, maybe gaugepods, used to sell clear PVC punched for the Mattel machine but it looks like they no longer sell hose or the upgrade parts. the PETE used for blister packaging obviously works well for vacuforming and blank sheets and she...
by Andrew Gorman
Sun Oct 16, 2022 5:11 pm
Forum: Construction
Topic: Styrene cements and construction
Replies: 125
Views: 517529

Re: Styrene cements and construction

MEK has it's uses, but it is nasty stuff and stinks. Clear PVC primer is about 70% MEK and is available all over.
by Andrew Gorman
Sat Oct 15, 2022 10:47 pm
Forum: Scratchbuilding
Topic: What's a dental vacuum former?
Replies: 20
Views: 58753

Re: What's a dental vacuum former?

They are about the size of the old Mattel Vac-U-Form, which are not expensive now because of the interwebs. The Mattel I have works great the one or two times a year I use it and does not take up a lot of space. The upgrades from: https://gaugepods.com/products/mattel-vac-u-form-rebuild-kit?_pos=1&a...
by Andrew Gorman
Sat Oct 15, 2022 10:38 pm
Forum: Construction
Topic: Styrene cements and construction
Replies: 125
Views: 517529

Re: Styrene cements and construction

Plexiglas or Acrylic cement is about the same thing. My West Coast source is TAP Plastics. https://www.tapplastics.com/product/repair_products/plastic_adhesives/tap_acrylic_cement/130/945?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&adpos=&scid=scplp10717&sc_intid=10717&gclid=CjwKCAjwtKmaBhB...
by Andrew Gorman
Thu Oct 13, 2022 9:59 am
Forum: Scratchbuilding
Topic: Looking for BLACK Styrene Rods
Replies: 3
Views: 6253

Re: Looking for BLACK Styrene Rods

How long do you need them to be? For those diameters you could stretch some black sprue. Black seems to be more available in ABS or acrylic. Just use a hotter solvent and those could work.
by Andrew Gorman
Fri Aug 19, 2022 10:05 pm
Forum: Scratchbuilding
Topic: DSEV Chesley Bonestell
Replies: 14
Views: 28219

Re: DSEV Chesley Bonestell

Very nice! And big!
by Andrew Gorman
Sun Aug 07, 2022 6:26 pm
Forum: Finishing
Topic: What is the oldest paint you have that is still good?
Replies: 25
Views: 94311

Re: What is the oldest paint you have that is still good?

I have some Pactra enamel in the square teardrop bottle that is still fine after a couple of drops of thinner. I'm guessing those are from the 1970's. Almost all of the acrylics I've picked up over the past 20 or so years have turned into marshmallow like blobs that respond to nothing except being t...
by Andrew Gorman
Sat Jun 25, 2022 8:20 pm
Forum: Scratchbuilding
Topic: Best online source for hemispheres?
Replies: 35
Views: 184134

Re: Best online source for hemispheres?

I picked up some ChiCom dollar store ping pong balls today- still unglueable with methylene chloride laced acrylic cement... I'll have to try the official variety.
by Andrew Gorman
Sat May 28, 2022 6:28 pm
Forum: Scratchbuilding
Topic: Best online source for hemispheres?
Replies: 35
Views: 184134

Re: Best online source for hemispheres?

I tried acrylic cement with methylene chloride on them a long time ago, without success. Materials change- I should try again!
by Andrew Gorman
Fri May 27, 2022 7:43 pm
Forum: Scratchbuilding
Topic: Best online source for hemispheres?
Replies: 35
Views: 184134

Re: Best online source for hemispheres?

A lot of fishing bobbers are styrene. Ping Pong balls are some un-glueable plastic, unfortunately.
by Andrew Gorman
Sun Mar 20, 2022 5:26 pm
Forum: Construction
Topic: Working with old second hand kits
Replies: 6
Views: 15058

Re: Working with old second hand kits

I use ancient decals all the time. The window trick works 9 times out of 10. I spray a light coat of clear lacquer over them if a test decal breaks up or just to be cautious. Then trim them closely if they are still yellowed. I have not had a problem with clear parts, but worse case scenario, glue t...
by Andrew Gorman
Thu Feb 24, 2022 6:36 pm
Forum: Construction
Topic: best way to join 2 VERY similar parts with different curves
Replies: 5
Views: 9643

Re: best way to join 2 VERY similar parts with different curves

Can you splice just the sub bay into the 8 window bottom? or just trim down the 4 window bottom where it starts to diverge from the 8 window fins? Dry fit both of the bottoms and take a good hard look at how they go together. My first impulse would be to use as much of the 8 window fins as possible,...
by Andrew Gorman
Mon Jan 17, 2022 6:45 pm
Forum: Construction
Topic: Which glue for old Lindberg kit "Visible Human Body"
Replies: 8
Views: 17701

Re: Which glue for old Lindberg kit "Visible Human Body"

Look for the cement used for acrylic/plexiglas/perspex. Make sure methylene chloride is one of the ingredients. It's a fun kit to build and paint.
by Andrew Gorman
Fri Jan 14, 2022 11:36 pm
Forum: Construction
Topic: working with ABS
Replies: 19
Views: 47861

Re: working with ABS

It's not PVC Cement you want- it is the PVC Primer that you smear on the pipe before you use the cement. It's the runny stuff in the can with a pompom applicator attached to the cap. It's a witches brew of solvents, cheap and available at any hardware store. Stinks to high heaven! It flashes off slo...
by Andrew Gorman
Fri Jan 14, 2022 12:30 pm
Forum: Construction
Topic: working with ABS
Replies: 19
Views: 47861

Re: working with ABS

If you're dead set on MEK, PVC primer is about 30% MEK. I've used it as a model solvent cement is a pinch. There is a clear primer now so you are not stuck with the purple.
by Andrew Gorman
Tue Jan 11, 2022 12:39 pm
Forum: Construction
Topic: working with ABS
Replies: 19
Views: 47861

Re: working with ABS

MEK is Methyl Ethyl Ketone- what you need to look for is methylene chloride somewhere in the ingredients. In California I use TAP plastics acrylic cement- https://www.tapplastics.com/product/repair_products/plastic_adhesives/tap_acrylic_cement/130/296?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&adpos=&...
by Andrew Gorman
Mon Jan 10, 2022 11:34 am
Forum: Construction
Topic: working with ABS
Replies: 19
Views: 47861

Re: working with ABS

For glue, make sure it contains methylene chloride! ABS can be resistant to normal styrene liquid cements. Any cement for acrylics or plexiglas will work well.
by Andrew Gorman
Fri Dec 10, 2021 8:42 pm
Forum: Finishing
Topic: Very thin laser-printed decals
Replies: 5
Views: 16593

Re: Very thin laser-printed decals

Excellent tip, seamfiller!
by Andrew Gorman
Tue Nov 23, 2021 7:50 pm
Forum: Construction
Topic: Looking for a super quiet airbrush compressor
Replies: 4
Views: 9961

Re: Looking for a super quiet airbrush compressor

When I was looking into a very quiet compressor a CO2 tank seemed like the best idea. Tank rental and filling it were super cheap compared to a compressor. Did not do it- moved instead- but call up your local airgas or air liquide for a price.