Search found 21 matches

by novahobbies
Tue Mar 19, 2019 1:52 pm
Forum: Scratchbuilding
Topic: Making your own photo-etched parts? How hard? How costly?
Replies: 11
Views: 38192

Re: Making your own photo-etched parts? How hard? How costly?

Funny that this has come up this month, I also have found a need to get a couple small parts etched. I came here to look and lo and behold...seems like we're in the same boat! I'm frustrated because all I need to etch is one tiny oval 'hoop,' but such is life as they say. I ordered my starter suppli...
by novahobbies
Sun Oct 25, 2015 10:59 am
Forum: Finishing
Topic: Future as a printed decal sealer?
Replies: 2
Views: 7526

Future as a printed decal sealer?

Has anyone tried using Future as a sealer for inkjet-printed decals prior to application? I don't really like using aerosol "acrylic" sprays, since they don't lay down all that great.
by novahobbies
Mon Aug 10, 2015 3:49 pm
Forum: Scratchbuilding
Topic: Best online source for hemispheres?
Replies: 35
Views: 184091

THAT'S the link I was looking for! Thank you sir. Bussards for the Daedalus....check!
by novahobbies
Mon Aug 10, 2015 2:58 pm
Forum: Scratchbuilding
Topic: Best online source for hemispheres?
Replies: 35
Views: 184091

Best online source for hemispheres?

I thought there was a sticky for this, but I haven't been able to find it (and my Google-fu is very weak today apparently!) but can someone direct me to a good inexpensive source for some clear 1" diameter plastic hemispheres? Amazon used to be a good source, but the smallest I can now find is ...
by novahobbies
Sat Jan 07, 2012 12:14 pm
Forum: Construction
Topic: Does Future inhibit cure of platinum rubber?
Replies: 13
Views: 13073

You shouldn't have any problems - I've molded against Future with a platinum based rubber. But if it's glass-smooth finishes you're after, nothing beats wet sanding down to superfine grades. Future doesn't *always* cure perfectly smooth.
by novahobbies
Fri Aug 13, 2010 3:43 pm
Forum: Scratchbuilding
Topic: A little X wing inspiration
Replies: 17
Views: 34635

Holy crap! The weathering is fantastic. Nice job!
by novahobbies
Thu Jul 15, 2010 12:36 pm
Forum: Scratchbuilding
Topic: Has anyone ever used alumilite products for casting?
Replies: 14
Views: 20474

Hey Bambam, where do you get your MPK rubber from? I found them on http://www.hobbysilicone.com , but the rubber seems pretty soft and the prices aren't any better ( and sometimes a little worse) than smooth-on. For instance, the 10 lb MPK standard tin cure extra firm only has a hardness of shore 36...
by novahobbies
Tue Jun 29, 2010 8:24 am
Forum: Scratchbuilding
Topic: $%#^*@ing Lathe.....
Replies: 7
Views: 10908

Nope, the drive belt is a special toothed belt that connects to a stepdown pulley, and you can adjust the speed by moving the v-belt (which is fine) to different positions between the drive, the stepdown and the tool pulley. The good news is that the motor also has a direct pulley to connect to the ...
by novahobbies
Thu Jun 24, 2010 2:11 pm
Forum: Scratchbuilding
Topic: $%#^*@ing Lathe.....
Replies: 7
Views: 10908

Kylwell wrote:Well maybe you could form some kid of rudimentary lathe.... oh come on, you all know you wanted to say it. :D
LOL You got me.
by novahobbies
Thu Jun 24, 2010 1:08 pm
Forum: Scratchbuilding
Topic: $%#^*@ing Lathe.....
Replies: 7
Views: 10908

You could try rigging a temp one out of an old pair of nylons... if that helps. I'd also order 2 belts for when the next one goes. Double check all the pulley surfaces and surrounding areas to make sure there's nothing around causing premature wear. How did you know I wore.......??? Umm, nevermind....
by novahobbies
Thu Jun 24, 2010 8:53 am
Forum: Scratchbuilding
Topic: $%#^*@ing Lathe.....
Replies: 7
Views: 10908

$%#^*@ing Lathe.....

:evil: So I finally got to a point where I'm getting some serious work on the Spacedock done. I've got my stock for the connecting tubes pre-formed to a close size, and I went out to the lathe for the first time in what seems like forever. Chucked the stock in, centered it nice and even, and turned ...
by novahobbies
Sun Jun 20, 2010 11:46 am
Forum: Scratchbuilding
Topic: Spacedock
Replies: 22
Views: 34567

Funny, mine links without any hotlink errors. But thanks for the heads up, I know it happens sometimes. Mtyler, way back in the day I too toyed with doing a 1/2500 scale station. The thought of an almost 5 foot diameter by over 7 foot construction in my home (then a college dorm) was a pretty convin...
by novahobbies
Sun Jun 20, 2010 5:11 am
Forum: Scratchbuilding
Topic: Spacedock
Replies: 22
Views: 34567

Believe it or not, but the Jackill's blueprints come closest to replicating the correct angles of the stations upper section. The "official" side image (the first link in Ex Astris) is pretty much wrong in every angle. I've been collecting every image I can find of this for the 1/10,000 sc...
by novahobbies
Thu Dec 06, 2007 1:01 pm
Forum: Construction
Topic: Molding/Casting Starter Kits?
Replies: 8
Views: 8977

I too would recommend the smooth-on, but be warned about Oomoo! It's great stuff -- especially for beginners -- but don't expect to pull many castings out of this stuff. Because of its easy mix ratio and the thin viscosity, the rubber doesn't hold up well in the long run. Expect to be able to pull m...
by novahobbies
Tue Apr 10, 2007 10:21 pm
Forum: Construction
Topic: Mattel Vac-U-Form: It does work!
Replies: 17
Views: 21469

No frakkin' way. Is that a LIT Akira? Did you vaccumform the whole thing??? :shock: If you haven't shown this pics to Starcrafts, you really should.

.........that's really something, dude. :8)
by novahobbies
Tue Oct 24, 2006 7:59 am
Forum: Lighting & Electronics
Topic: dumb question about wall-wart power
Replies: 3
Views: 4721

Many thanks. :D As it happens, the WW that I'm using is a variable-output variety that even has a polarity switch on it, so I think I'm good to go!
by novahobbies
Mon Oct 23, 2006 9:16 pm
Forum: Lighting & Electronics
Topic: dumb question about wall-wart power
Replies: 3
Views: 4721

dumb question about wall-wart power

OK, this is going to sound silly, but here it is: I'm finally stepping into the world of LED-lighting for some buildups I have on the bench. I've done my homework, checked out some how-to sites, used the LED calculator, and finally bought the LEDs, resistors, wire-wrap, etc,etc, etc. I'm going to us...
by novahobbies
Sun Mar 19, 2006 6:13 pm
Forum: Construction
Topic: New foam surfacer??
Replies: 1
Views: 2357

New foam surfacer??

I was browsing a link provided by PerfesserCoffee over in Hobbytalk, and discovered this:

http://www.sculpt.com/catalog_98/Castin ... smooth.htm

Has anyone (Hey, Joe Brown!) tried this? It's description sounds really promising!
by novahobbies
Tue Mar 14, 2006 12:26 am
Forum: Construction
Topic: Roto Casting
Replies: 36
Views: 24281

I built one for the Negh'var main hull when I was casting that -- it was way too large to solid cast it, and I didn't have the funds to go out and buy one. Mine was entirely people-powered, though. I stood there and turned the frames slowly and evenly to get full coverage. The ones that other compan...
by novahobbies
Fri Mar 10, 2006 4:14 pm
Forum: Construction
Topic: Beginning Resin Mold Casting
Replies: 3
Views: 4812

I believe Micro-Mark and the Compleat Sculptor both stock that book....and they both have web sites. You may want to check there also.
by novahobbies
Mon Dec 30, 2002 12:19 pm
Forum:
Topic: Wives or significant others at Wonderfest
Replies: 32
Views: 569

My wife regularly attends the Vulcon Orlando conventions with me, but we won't be making W'fest (again) this year. She has always been really supportive of the hobby, though I've heard her muttering under her breath "$150.00 for a piece of plastic?? " more than a couple times..... ;-) Last...