Starship Modeler Discussion Forums

...looks like I have some models to build. Thanks Paul, I'll definitely check t out.

As someone who never has the time, money, know-how or supplies all at the same time to light a model, I too am very fascinated by this idea. One quick questions though, can I string together light strips of different colors? Say I want to run together some red, blue and white, is that feasable? or a...

Just to be certain, is this the stuff I'm looking for?

http://www.floorcareproducts.com/floor-finish/index.asp

Ah, great Ken. Thanks a lot, I'll keep an eye out for it

Can anyone in the SoCal area, particularly San Diego, tell me where they get their Future from? I've been looking around the usual haunts but can't seem to find any. I check a few retailers websites but I'm not sure exactly what I'm looking for. I haven't found anything that just goes by the name Fu...

I need to cement 2 6X12" sheets of styrene. Any tips? I haven't had much luck with the Testors styrene glue. Do I need to sand the surfaces first? Is there a spray adhesive at a reasonable price I could use?

Thanks in advance,

Paul

I've had good experience with Simple Green.

I recently picked up a compass like that from Home Depot for less than $5. Works great.

Awesome, guys! My sis works there so I'll have her pick some up on the way home. Hope she uses her discount. Don't know why I didn't think to check it out. Thanks for the heads up!

Hi all,
I'm looking to cast up a few clear pieces for a project and I'm looking for some quality clear resin that won't break the bank. I found the Smooth-on kind on their website but the only product they had was a gallon bucket for almost $200. Anything out there in the sample size variety?

I have some rustoleum auto primer here that I got from Home Depot. I like using it because it builds up a surface and fills in small imperfections and once cured, can be sanded quite nicely. For final coats I usually use spray paint. I do have an airbrush but I hate lugging all my stuff out and the ...

Let us know what you find out!

Thanks Atlantis. That makes sense now. Does the higher MCD require a greater power source? Do they burn out quicker?

Hi all, I had planned on buying a bunch of cheap LEDs and experimenting and such when I came across something I was not familiar with. What does MCD mean? As in a 7000mcd vs. a 10000mcd?

Thanks for the info guys. My plan was to make a one-off hollow styrene hull for a larger starship idea I had. Since its a one time thing, I can add the detail after the main shape is formed so I guess a make mold would work. The difference in the level of detail was really what I was curious about. ...

Which is easier and cheaper with the least margin for error for a beginner? I understand it probably depends on the subject more than anything else. Does one work better with male or female plugs? Which gives the best level of detail? I have a big honking compressor but no vacuum pump. I'd be intere...

The only effective method I can think of to create custom spheres in various sizes is to vacuform over a sphere. I've never vacuformed anything in my life and was curious if there were any alternatives?

Is it the rubber that shrinks, the liquid plastic or both? Can this be avoided? Are there different types of materials that do not shrink? Is the shrinkage uniform?

Vacuum pump? I'm curious how that works in pressure casting...is the idea to suck all the bubbles out instead of compressing them to an invisible size?

So when using a homemade vacuum chamber the lesson is to have someone else test it out first...Done and done.

Thanks for the info, guys. I have a Harbor Freight not too far from me and I think I'll go check it out this weekend. I'm looking forward to getting this underway.

I am interested in getting into pressure casting as I want to create bubble-free pieces and clear pieces for my scratchbuilds. Can anyone fill me in on the basics of the process and materials required? I see Alumilite has one available for around $200. Can I build my own from a pressure cooker? Does...

I got my first order of resin this week. Its smooth-on 320 and I am amazed by the stuff. I have only handled a resin model once, maybe 15 years ago so this is my first real experience with the stuff. Its has about a 3 minute pot life and hardens real quick. I had some molds I previously made with sm...

Sold! I'd heard good things about it but I figured the price would be a little high. At $13, thats not too much at all. Once cured, I assume its pretty easy to sand? Not super hard like Bondo, I assume...

Title says it all. i mostly scratchbuild so i don't have too much experience with styrene models in the last 10 years. I just want to fill the seams with no cracks, etc. i really want to make this model look great.

Thanks for all the advice guys, it certainly has given me a few more ideas. I plan to give it a whirl sometime this week. For the record, I don't recall excatly what the kit was but its a WWII German anti aircraft artillary gun called a Flakverling...something or other.

I plan on casting some thin gun barrels in about 1.32 i think. Now i was wondering if getting resin in the mold is even possible... Would I use a syringe to force the resin down the narrow tube? I'm trying to do it relatively cheap and i can't really think of anything. My only other option I think w...

Looks real good there, Darkov. I'd like to add that guitar and base strings make great scale ribbed tubing. I have used that to great effect in turning a bland scratchbuild into a more interesting model.

Looks real good there, Darkov. I'd like to add that guitar and base strings make great scale ribbed tubing. I have used that to great effect in turning a bland scratchbuild into a more interesting model.

Can anyone suggest a good primer for basic LED and CCFL lighting? I'm thinking of something in book form as I tried reading tutorials on he web and they just left me scratching my head. All I want to do it light my models nicely, maybe put in a circuit for a few blinking lights. i don't need to know...