Search found 101 matches

by zaphod
Sun Nov 05, 2023 7:30 pm
Forum: Construction
Topic: Quick question re: plastic yard-sale signs
Replies: 5
Views: 10621

Re: Quick question re: plastic yard-sale signs

I like the Lt. Zombie approach of working outward from the center. Signs are a great source for sheet styrene.
by zaphod
Sat Aug 12, 2023 5:36 pm
Forum: Scratchbuilding
Topic: Fixing scratches in clear plastic
Replies: 7
Views: 23784

Re: Fixing scratches in clear plastic

Zubie good point,

I think the gloss clear probably would work.
Maybe add some Tamiya retarder and some of their acrylic thinner, so that it has a chance to self-level before drying.
by zaphod
Thu Jul 20, 2023 5:25 pm
Forum: Scratchbuilding
Topic: Scratchbuilding article
Replies: 11
Views: 31971

Re: Scratchbuilding article

The instructable from PjF is still up and the link to McMaster Carr is still intact.
What an excellent article!
by zaphod
Thu Jul 20, 2023 5:18 pm
Forum: Scratchbuilding
Topic: Making decals
Replies: 22
Views: 79286

Re: Making decals

What a great discussion

Here in the year 2023, Papilio decal paper is still available. I am also seeing Hayes advertised a lot.

Any other brand updates or recommendations?
by zaphod
Thu Jul 20, 2023 4:58 pm
Forum: Scratchbuilding
Topic: Fixing scratches in clear plastic
Replies: 7
Views: 23784

Re: Fixing scratches in clear plastic

If you have trouble finding Future/Pledge/Floor Shine, I have had good luck dipping in Windsor and Newton clear acrylic varnish. I have the stuff from the Galeria product line and it self levels beautifully.
by zaphod
Sun Jul 02, 2023 11:03 pm
Forum: Scratchbuilding
Topic: Dissimilar plastics cement
Replies: 9
Views: 18203

Re: Dissimilar plastics cement

I have had success with the Loctite plastic bonder set. It consists of a felt pen with some organic volatile and CA glue. The pen might outlast the ca glue, so I tested it with a few different brands and viscosities of CA, and most the brands were successful with the pen. It is worthwhile to prep th...
by zaphod
Sun Jun 18, 2023 2:27 pm
Forum: Important Site News
Topic: 25th Anniversary, right?
Replies: 42
Views: 208359

Re: 25th Anniversary, right?

PREACH

(seriously, I could not agree more)
by zaphod
Sat Jun 10, 2023 3:38 pm
Forum: Scratchbuilding
Topic: Who collects stuff for scratch building?
Replies: 400
Views: 929356

Re: Who collects stuff for scratch building?

That shuttle craft in waiting from Cooper has rich potential.
by zaphod
Wed May 24, 2023 8:23 am
Forum: Important Site News
Topic: 25th Anniversary, right?
Replies: 42
Views: 208359

Re: 25th Anniversary, right?

I didn’t know he was a WW II veteran;

https://www.legacy.com/funeral-homes/ob ... batesville
by zaphod
Sun May 14, 2023 5:36 pm
Forum: Important Site News
Topic: 25th Anniversary, right?
Replies: 42
Views: 208359

Re: 25th Anniversary, right?

Aww hell, now I’m getting feels, brother, SSM has been a constant for me as well.

I miss Clyde aka Ent’il Zog, aka Emperor Zog the Appalling.
by zaphod
Tue Sep 27, 2022 6:21 am
Forum: Scratchbuilding
Topic: Best online source for hemispheres?
Replies: 35
Views: 184684

Re: Best online source for hemispheres?

John that’s excellent, I had forgotten about the critter locomotion devices.
You can fill in the breathing holes with putty or even work them into your design.
by zaphod
Tue Aug 23, 2022 1:34 pm
Forum: Important Site News
Topic: Loving the August Wallpaper
Replies: 6
Views: 12281

Re: Loving the August Wallpaper

Haha nice!
by zaphod
Tue Aug 23, 2022 7:02 am
Forum: Important Site News
Topic: Loving the August Wallpaper
Replies: 6
Views: 12281

Re: Loving the August Wallpaper

I’ll have to look more closely, I didn’t see the airbrush but I saw a heroic x-acto knife. And I just noticed the robot from MST3K, Tom servo?
by zaphod
Sat Aug 13, 2022 8:55 am
Forum: Finishing
Topic: Finishing: Home-made decals
Replies: 70
Views: 279287

Re: Finishing: Home-made decals

Thank you as well for the Hayes Paper link. Which printers are people using in the year 2022 A.D.? I notice Epson and Cannon both advertise consumer-grade printers that are capable of photo quality prints. And there seems to be a population of gently used printers of that variety online. I like to f...
by zaphod
Sat Aug 13, 2022 8:27 am
Forum: Important Site News
Topic: Loving the August Wallpaper
Replies: 6
Views: 12281

Loving the August Wallpaper

Tip of the hat to Rob Merrill, et al., the August 2022 wallpaper artwork is hella cool.
by zaphod
Sun Jul 17, 2022 12:11 pm
Forum: Finishing
Topic: Tamiya acrylics applied with a brush
Replies: 10
Views: 18771

Re: Tamiya acrylics applied with a brush

I have had fantastic luck when brushing using Tamiya Retarder and Gunze Sangyo Mr. Levelling Thinner. If using Tamiya Thinner, a little goes a long way. Don't do 50/50, or the paint will get weird. If you want your Tamiya to be a thin coat, add maybe 10% Tamiya retarder to the mix, and 10%-20% good ...
by zaphod
Sun Jul 17, 2022 11:53 am
Forum: Finishing
Topic: Advanced. Decals
Replies: 210
Views: 667925

Re: Advanced. Decals

I just finished dounloading and extracting a number of decal image files on the main SSM site. Carlos Pendragon Zagrando if you're out there, muchas gracias. Also, I happened upon some decal-friendly images on Pinterest and Deviant Art. These are files that can be rescaled, brightened etc., using yo...
by zaphod
Sat Jun 18, 2022 11:44 am
Forum: Lighting & Electronics
Topic: LED flexible filament
Replies: 13
Views: 27009

Re: LED flexible filament

I just found out about these today. I have found them on Ebay Canada and Ebay yanks, and they may exist in the UK as well. Here is an example of a blue LED filament with a length of 130 mm, which needs a drive voltage of 3 volts: https://www.ebay.com/itm/284639515761?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=7...
by zaphod
Sun May 22, 2022 6:37 pm
Forum: Scratchbuilding
Topic: Best online source for hemispheres?
Replies: 35
Views: 184684

Re: Best online source for hemispheres?

I'm sorry to see Kit Kraft closed their doors. I hope they're okay, wherever they are...
by zaphod
Sun May 22, 2022 6:34 pm
Forum: Scratchbuilding
Topic: Very good, free 3D modeler software
Replies: 42
Views: 194494

Re: Very good, free 3D modeler software

Do we know if there are updated versions of the above software for windows 10 or 11?
by zaphod
Sun May 22, 2022 5:51 pm
Forum: Finishing
Topic: Future floor polish
Replies: 269
Views: 921966

Re: Future floor polish

I have also had great luck Windsor & Newton Galeria gloss varnish. I have shot it through and airbrush, dunked canopies in it, and it stands up well to my oil paint pin washes. Remember if doing an oil wash over future, et al., don't use Turpenoid, it's too reactive. Use Gamsol or artists' white...
by zaphod
Sun May 22, 2022 5:43 pm
Forum: Finishing
Topic: Future floor polish
Replies: 269
Views: 921966

Re: Future floor polish

Here is the current name of Future as of 2022:

https://www.pledge.com/en-us/products/p ... loor-gloss
by zaphod
Sat Feb 26, 2022 3:22 pm
Forum: Important Site News
Topic: 25th Anniversary, right?
Replies: 42
Views: 208359

Re: 25th Anniversary, right?

I was reading an article/showcase in Finescale about different Starfury paint jobs, circa 1999-2000. Went straight to the website, haven't looked back. I remember when my then wife was in the hospital, about Xmas 2007, and there was such kindness. John sent me an SSM Christmas ornament, and I kept t...
by zaphod
Tue Jun 01, 2021 5:41 pm
Forum: Important Site News
Topic: Future Glazing tutorial on SSM YT
Replies: 1
Views: 28191

Re: Future Glazing tutorial on SSM YT

Far out! Terry did a great job!
by zaphod
Sun Feb 14, 2021 11:54 am
Forum: Scratchbuilding
Topic: Scratchbuilding article
Replies: 11
Views: 31971

Re: Scratchbuilding article

The right-angle gluing jig is something I need to make right away.
by zaphod
Fri Sep 18, 2020 5:26 pm
Forum: Scratchbuilding
Topic: Scratchbuilding article
Replies: 11
Views: 31971

Re: Scratchbuilding article

Thank you for doing this and for sharing it.
by zaphod
Wed Jul 01, 2020 6:33 pm
Forum: Important Site News
Topic: Mark Yungblut Has Passed
Replies: 15
Views: 72794

Re: Mark Yungblut Has Passed

Does his family need anything?
by zaphod
Mon Jan 15, 2018 9:31 pm
Forum: Finishing
Topic: Alclad acrylic gloss clear over Tamiya or other flat acrylic
Replies: 8
Views: 20598

Re: Alclad acrylic gloss clear over Tamiya or other flat acrylic

As long as it says Aqua Gloss, you're good to go.
by zaphod
Mon Jan 15, 2018 9:22 pm
Forum: Finishing
Topic: The Frugal Airbrusher
Replies: 39
Views: 167451

Re: The Frugal Airbrusher

So glad I found this thread. I'm just starting down the path of craft paints myself. I'm going to try the thinners mentioned here. I'm also going to maxing 50/50 with Liquitex Airbrush Medium, as noted by General Splatton on Youtube. MC Model Works on Youtube has a great three part video where he th...
by zaphod
Fri Feb 17, 2017 10:50 am
Forum: Scratchbuilding
Topic: Steampunkery from beach trash
Replies: 5
Views: 22658

I like that some of his work is a tribute to seafaring life forms, which are often harmed by plastic in the ocean.