Search found 343 matches

by Joseph Osborn
Mon Feb 29, 2016 5:32 pm
Forum: Construction
Topic: Disaster recovery; advice on casting tiny parts.
Replies: 6
Views: 15508

I have no idea what that part is based on the description and part number. Is it an antenna? Can you post a link to a photo? Or post a photo to the Starship Modeler Facebook page?
by Joseph Osborn
Wed Nov 04, 2015 10:26 pm
Forum: Construction
Topic: Brand new to Resin Casting, need advice
Replies: 10
Views: 17523

I recommend you skip the Alumilite starter set and just get the Alumilite High Strength 3 silicone rubber and the white "Amazing" casting resin. The rubber is stocked in the same section as the tools and the starter set, but the white resin is in the section with the polymer clays and epox...
by Joseph Osborn
Fri Aug 21, 2015 9:16 pm
Forum: Finishing
Topic: Urethane primer
Replies: 8
Views: 12101

Works great on real cars and other vehicles that have to have a good weather-proof coating on them. Scale models, not so much. About the only folks who regularly use 2-part urethane paint on models are car modelers, and they usually only use 2-part clears over lacquer or acrylic basecoats to get a s...
by Joseph Osborn
Sat Jul 18, 2015 11:21 am
Forum: Finishing
Topic: Painting Dragon's 1/24 Iron Man figures
Replies: 3
Views: 8278

I recently did one of these 1/24 scale Iron Man figures and I had no trouble using Vallejo primer on the vinyl pieces. Here is my build log at The Clubhouse showing my process: http://theclubhouse1.net/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=110467 Please note you have to be a member there to see topics. Ov...
by Joseph Osborn
Sun Jun 21, 2015 6:24 pm
Forum: Finishing
Topic: Clear Coating With Future Floor Wax
Replies: 6
Views: 13755

Try it on a test subject before you commit to using it in your finished models. Since it's so thin, it's easy to get runs if you aren't careful.
by Joseph Osborn
Sun Apr 12, 2015 9:44 pm
Forum: Scratchbuilding
Topic: Micro Lathe set up for Dremels
Replies: 7
Views: 15175

I got one of these mill/lathe contraptions several years ago and it actually works pretty well in the mill configuration. As a lathe, not so much, but I used it for a few things before getting a Taig lathe. The hardest part to me about using the Vandalay mill was work holding. The mill table has a l...
by Joseph Osborn
Mon Mar 16, 2015 8:23 pm
Forum: Scratchbuilding
Topic: Mold material
Replies: 8
Views: 17503

It'll work. Same principle as a rigid fiberglass mold. You have to be careful of your draft angle and you can't have any undercuts. And depending on what you're going to use as your casting material, you'll need a very effective barrier coat/mold release, like PVA.
by Joseph Osborn
Tue Mar 10, 2015 10:16 am
Forum: Construction
Topic: So I can't use Mr. Surfacer to prime a vinyl figure?
Replies: 23
Views: 52706

Lacquer primer is fine for vinyl models. I've used Duplicolor lacquer spray primer from the auto parts store and Tamiya spray surface primer with no trouble whatsoever. Vallejo's excellent acrylic primer would probably work just fine (with somewhat diminished adhesion), but enamel is definitely a no...
by Joseph Osborn
Sat Mar 07, 2015 9:29 pm
Forum: Finishing
Topic: Anyone know of a printable masking medium?
Replies: 5
Views: 11127

http://www.texascraft.com/hps/Waterproo ... ive-Vinyl/

Inkjet-printable white vinyl with a non-permanent adhesive. 3mils thick, which is not terribly thick, but may not work on compound curves very well.
by Joseph Osborn
Fri Dec 19, 2014 8:03 pm
Forum: Construction
Topic: Brass Rods
Replies: 3
Views: 9245

I find a convenient spot on the model as close to the balancing point as possible and install a DC jack socket there. Then I epoxy the matching DC jack plug into the top of the brass tube with the power wires hidden inside the tube. This way, the model can be removed from the rod for transport or cl...
by Joseph Osborn
Sat Oct 25, 2014 9:08 pm
Forum: Construction
Topic: Help with Torus shapes.
Replies: 6
Views: 13647

Here ya go for your 5" torus as a 3D print:

http://shpws.me/wuAz

Price isn't that bad; just over $20 delivered. It's yours if you want it.
by Joseph Osborn
Sat Oct 25, 2014 1:54 pm
Forum: Construction
Topic: Help with Torus shapes.
Replies: 6
Views: 13647

Depending on the size and thickness, it may not be so expensive to have one printed by Shapeways.
by Joseph Osborn
Thu Sep 25, 2014 7:05 pm
Forum: Finishing
Topic: Mixing and storing paint
Replies: 4
Views: 8975

I wouldn't pre-thin the paint at all. I'd just mix the two equal parts into one container and use that mixed paint for all my subsequent painting, thinning it as needed.
by Joseph Osborn
Thu Sep 18, 2014 9:07 am
Forum: Scratchbuilding
Topic: Good inexpensive lathe and mill for metalworking?
Replies: 7
Views: 11879

Got a Harbor Freight Tools store nearby?
by Joseph Osborn
Sat Sep 13, 2014 11:53 am
Forum: Scratchbuilding
Topic: 2 part mold help (probably a really simple answer)
Replies: 7
Views: 17099

Ya, sounds like your mold release between the halves wasn't up to the task. May I ask what you used between the mold halves? There is a lot of very bad information floating around on the various internet forums and it's usually perpetuated by people who don't actually know what they are talking abou...
by Joseph Osborn
Fri Aug 08, 2014 1:36 pm
Forum: Lighting & Electronics
Topic: Need advice on a simple LED lite setup
Replies: 3
Views: 9174

IMHO, the LED's are the only things of value in that little puck light. I suppose the battery holder is useful if you want to just use 3 AAA's. My basic lighting scheme is to put the batteries into a base and run power into the model through a stand. The flickering LED you referenced is only 1.8mm, ...
by Joseph Osborn
Mon Jul 21, 2014 10:01 am
Forum: Finishing
Topic: Decals for the Motion picture era kit.
Replies: 1
Views: 6889

I'd suggest contacting Round 2 and inquiring about a replacement decal sheet directly from them.
by Joseph Osborn
Sun Jun 29, 2014 12:48 pm
Forum: Construction
Topic: question on photo-etch annealing
Replies: 7
Views: 18569

I'm assuming it's an electric stove; put it on high and let the piece get as hot as possible-- glowing is nice-- and then remove it and let it cool. How large is the piece? I usually just use a Bic lighter or a candle flame to anneal small pieces-- it's a lot faster.
by Joseph Osborn
Fri May 23, 2014 10:44 pm
Forum: Finishing
Topic: Frog/Painters tape
Replies: 3
Views: 11849

Frog Tape has a yellow tape for delicate surfaces that is virtually identical to Tamiya tape in appearance and performance for a much lower price. I think this particular tape is called Kabuki rice paper tape. It's available at paint supply places like Sherwin-Williams in three different widths and ...
by Joseph Osborn
Wed May 21, 2014 9:56 am
Forum: Finishing
Topic: Alclad polishing?
Replies: 15
Views: 32628

Cotton T-shirt, used dryer sheet, flannel cloth...
by Joseph Osborn
Tue May 06, 2014 9:53 pm
Forum: Lighting & Electronics
Topic: A new big flat white LED!
Replies: 35
Views: 69740

That is cool. I wonder if the acrylic "lens" can be cut down at all?
by Joseph Osborn
Wed Apr 16, 2014 11:56 am
Forum: Lighting & Electronics
Topic: Bakatronics-anyone use them?
Replies: 10
Views: 21590

I haven't done any business with this company but I've bookmarked it because they have some really nice stuff and appear to be completely legit.
by Joseph Osborn
Fri Apr 11, 2014 10:29 am
Forum: Finishing
Topic: Rustoleum primer filler?
Replies: 2
Views: 6358

Rustoleum paints are usually not particularly friendly to most types of styrene used in kits. If you can, go to an auto parts store and get some Duplicolor brand Filler-Primer. Duplicolor paints normally work better on styrene, but keep the coats light so the paint doesn't adversely attack the plast...
by Joseph Osborn
Tue Mar 04, 2014 4:37 pm
Forum: Lighting & Electronics
Topic: looking for circut simulators
Replies: 6
Views: 14652

use Google to search for circuit simulator software.
by Joseph Osborn
Fri Feb 28, 2014 8:49 am
Forum: Finishing
Topic: Kleen Strip-PLEASE READ
Replies: 9
Views: 15669

I have never heard of this extremely harsh chemical being recommended to strip paint from any sort of plastic/resin kit! Who on earth said this would work?? About the harshest chemical you'd ever need to strip paint would be Easy-Off Oven Cleaner. Usually Super Clean or Purple Power is adequate and ...
by Joseph Osborn
Fri Feb 21, 2014 7:09 pm
Forum: Construction
Topic: Paint Thinner Alternative
Replies: 13
Views: 20767

Are you using Enamels? There is a product called-- wait for it-- "odorless mineral spirits" that indeed does not smell as bad as normal paint thinner. If you are using lacquer paints, then you are out of luck-- those paints and thinners are just smelly and there's no getting around it.
by Joseph Osborn
Fri Feb 14, 2014 4:02 pm
Forum: Lighting & Electronics
Topic: Best way to secure fiber strands
Replies: 11
Views: 14577

I wouldn't say there is any one best way to secure the fiber strands. I do know that regular old super glue does damage the typical plastic fibers we use for model lighting. I have used 5-minute epoxy and it works extremely well, and I have heard of guys using a hot glue gun but I have not tried tha...
by Joseph Osborn
Sat Feb 08, 2014 10:50 am
Forum: Finishing
Topic: Testors Decal Bonder...
Replies: 4
Views: 11618

Testors Decal Bonder is meant to be used as the top sealing coat for inkjet- printed decals. It is not intended for spraying decals that have been applied to a model. I guess you could, since the can I have seems to be nothing more than glosscoat lacquer. The trick to hiding the edges of decals is t...
by Joseph Osborn
Sun Dec 15, 2013 11:08 am
Forum: Lighting & Electronics
Topic: Diffusing led strips
Replies: 10
Views: 16911

Have you frosted the inside of the clear pieces but still have hot spots? Filling the space inside the nacelle with white polyester batting should diffuse the LED lights if frosting didn't do the trick.
by Joseph Osborn
Fri Oct 18, 2013 8:32 am
Forum: Finishing
Topic: 2 year old Acreation decals
Replies: 3
Views: 7064

It's usually a good idea to take a small decal from the sheet, such as part of the manufacturer's identification or item number, and test that piece to see what kinds of problems you might have. You can adjust your application method to overcome any deficiencies in the decal sheet.