Search found 59 matches

by Devin
Mon Sep 08, 2014 3:00 pm
Forum: Finishing
Topic: Measuring out paint ratios
Replies: 8
Views: 15198

I use those small plastic cups used to dispense medication. They have markings on the side for measuring out in various amounts, and are fairly inexpensive at drug stores.
by Devin
Sun Jan 19, 2014 8:05 pm
Forum: Finishing
Topic: Post Your Spraybooths
Replies: 6
Views: 10902

by Devin
Thu Jun 20, 2013 1:31 pm
Forum: Lighting & Electronics
Topic: LED lights and UV
Replies: 0
Views: 11607

LED lights and UV

Not exactly a model lighting question, but it's model related: I want to light my display cabinet with LED lights. Am I correct in thinking that LED lights will not cause any UV fading of models, books, etc? I plan on buying some of the strip LED lights off of eBay.
by Devin
Fri Dec 21, 2012 11:04 am
Forum: Finishing
Topic: Low RPM electric sander?
Replies: 1
Views: 3191

Low RPM electric sander?

I have a handheld Mouse sander, and an orbital, but they're both way too violent to use on sanding models. I'm doing scratch builds now where I need to smooth large areas of sheet styrene, both flat and around curves. Using a sanding block or sponge with wet/dry paper works okay, but I was wondering...
by Devin
Mon Dec 10, 2012 1:30 pm
Forum: Finishing
Topic: Anyone tried the Grex Airbrushes yet?
Replies: 7
Views: 10997

I have one of the Grex airbrushes; side-feed, pistol grip and trigger. I like it a lot. It works equally well shooting large areas, and you can do fine work with it as well. While it's not a true double action -- more like a one-and-a-half-action -- it has enough control for me. I still use my Sotar...
by Devin
Wed Oct 24, 2012 1:19 pm
Forum: Finishing
Topic: MIG and AK Interactive Chipping Solutions
Replies: 2
Views: 3752

Thanks. That's what I feared. I'm going to give it a try on a test hulk to see how much of an issue it causes. My alternatives are to either get the Floquil acrylic paints, or to do it old school with salt and sand paper, skipping the chipping solution.
by Devin
Wed Oct 24, 2012 10:58 am
Forum: Finishing
Topic: MIG and AK Interactive Chipping Solutions
Replies: 2
Views: 3752

MIG and AK Interactive Chipping Solutions

I'm getting ready for stripes and such on my Fine Molds X-Wing. If I use the MIG chipping solution (similar to the hairspray technique), does anyone know if you can use lacquer based paints as the top coat, to be chipped away, or does it have to be acrylic? I've searched the 'nets to no avail, even ...
by Devin
Thu May 19, 2011 9:06 pm
Forum: Construction
Topic: The Abbey of Aves
Replies: 337
Views: 898212

That might be the issue I'm having. My Part B has a bit of "oil" on the top of the container that I didn't mix in completely before mixing in part A. The test batch from last night worked a lot better, but it's still just a bit tacky. I'm assuming it should dry to the same density as the A...
by Devin
Wed May 18, 2011 9:49 pm
Forum: Construction
Topic: The Abbey of Aves
Replies: 337
Views: 898212

I just did another test mix and see how that goes. I mixed it at least 4 minutes, so we'll see if that goes. The ratio's are always 1:1.

This batch is a few years old, so that might be it, too. I'll see how this test comes out, but otherwise I'll just order some more from the store.
by Devin
Wed May 18, 2011 12:26 pm
Forum: Construction
Topic: The Abbey of Aves
Replies: 337
Views: 898212

I'm having an issue, and I think it's a bad batch, but I shall seek opinions. I've got a set of Apoxie Paste that I mixed a batch of on Monday evening and the stuff still hasn't set fully. It's very tacky, and if I rub my fingers over it (applied to butterboard to fill some gouges) it will roll off,...
by Devin
Mon May 16, 2011 11:42 am
Forum: Finishing
Topic: Vallejo Paints
Replies: 9
Views: 11371

I use their regular paints thinned with their Model Air thinner all of the time. Some of the thicker paints (whites, light grays, blues) you have to thin a lot, sometimes 75% thinner, but they go on wonderfully with low pressure.
by Devin
Tue Apr 19, 2011 2:09 pm
Forum: Scratchbuilding
Topic: MicroLux Scroll Saw - Anybody got one?
Replies: 0
Views: 10122

MicroLux Scroll Saw - Anybody got one?

I'm in need of a scroll or band type saw. I have very limited space, so I was looking at this: MicroLux Mini Scroll Saw Does anyone have one of these and can comment on it? I'm aware that compared to most power tools, it's tiny and limited in the size of materials that can be cut on it. I have their...
by Devin
Thu Feb 24, 2011 11:26 am
Forum: Construction
Topic: I Hate F*&%!# Super Glue!!!!
Replies: 33
Views: 45384

I use superglue for women's nail extensions. They come in small bottles, so you use them before they go bad, and I buy the hypo-allergenic brands, as they do not put off any fumes or fogging. Pick them up at the drugstore in the nail polish and emeryboard section.
by Devin
Thu Feb 24, 2011 11:24 am
Forum: Construction
Topic: Foam?
Replies: 36
Views: 69766

Thanks, Joe. After building a USS Weehawken resin kit, in which I ended up replacing a lot of kit parts "just because I wanted to", I wanted to do my first scratch-build, and the hull on the City Class gunboats couldn't be simpler (parallel keel, main deck, and casemate roof for the entire...
by Devin
Tue Feb 22, 2011 10:26 am
Forum: Construction
Topic: Foam?
Replies: 36
Views: 69766

Wow, that makes my work downright puny. Amazing stuff.

I went with the pink insulation foam. You can see my progress Here. I haven't sheeted it yet, as I had to put that project aside for a client build.

Thanks to everyone for the suggestions.
by Devin
Wed Nov 24, 2010 12:54 pm
Forum: Finishing
Topic: Anyone use Alclad II Lacquer Metallics?
Replies: 12
Views: 9880

I really like them as well. I did my Cylon Raider in about four different shades (hard to make out in the photos) and it turned out really well. Super easy to use, dry fast, and stick like glue.
by Devin
Tue Sep 21, 2010 9:05 pm
Forum: Construction
Topic: Foam?
Replies: 36
Views: 69766

What types of issues did you run into with it? One of my computer consulting clients is a florist and he gave me a few blocks to try. The one thing I like about it in initial testing is that the Tamiya liquid cement does not attack it.
by Devin
Mon Sep 20, 2010 2:58 pm
Forum: Construction
Topic: Foam?
Replies: 36
Views: 69766

Good idea on asking for the broken sheets. I'll give that a try. Andrew, thanks for the sign foam suggestion. Another option I had never even heard of. For this project I'm going to destroy the foam during the process -- kind of like the lost wax casting process, but with styrene and foam -- but I'm...
by Devin
Mon Sep 20, 2010 2:15 pm
Forum: Construction
Topic: Foam?
Replies: 36
Views: 69766

I had considered that insulation foam, as it seems the train guys love it for terrain modeling. I'd been avoiding it, though, as those sheets are huge and I only need a small piece. I didn't want to store all of the extra in my 2 bedroom condo. But with my search for alternatives running out, I thin...
by Devin
Mon Sep 20, 2010 9:04 am
Forum: Construction
Topic: Foam?
Replies: 36
Views: 69766

Foam?

I need some foam to work with, something that's easily carved and sanded. I've thought of floral foam (used in flower arrangements) but maybe expanding foam would work better. Does anyone have any recommendations for expanding foam that works easy after setup?
by Devin
Sat May 22, 2010 9:03 am
Forum: Scratchbuilding
Topic: Laser cutting service
Replies: 33
Views: 111079

Excellent. Thanks for all the feedback, guys. I looked at my plans and what I need cut is really only 1 or 2mm wide, so now I'm not sure lasers and styrene are going to cut it (pun!), but I can get some estimates and see what the pros think.
by Devin
Fri May 14, 2010 1:17 pm
Forum: Scratchbuilding
Topic: Laser cutting service
Replies: 33
Views: 111079

Wow, that seems perfect. Thanks!
by Devin
Fri May 14, 2010 12:56 pm
Forum: Scratchbuilding
Topic: Laser cutting service
Replies: 33
Views: 111079

Laser cutting service

This is for a non-sci-fi build, but people on this board know more about this sort of thing than any other place I know of. I need to cut some parts for a paddle wheel, approximately 4" in diameter. Think of a wagon wheel with spokes, cut out of a sheet of .060" styrene. Does anyone know o...
by Devin
Sun Dec 13, 2009 5:40 pm
Forum: Finishing
Topic: Model Expo airbrush booth
Replies: 3
Views: 6304

Model Expo airbrush booth

Does anyone have experience or seen any reviews of the new Model Expo booth shown here? http://www.modelexpo-online.com/product.asp?ITEMNO=HSE420 While I built my own booth in the past and it continues to work beautifully, this one looks like a good, smaller, cold-weather (no venting outside) piece ...
by Devin
Wed May 27, 2009 12:49 pm
Forum: Construction
Topic: Warping styrene
Replies: 11
Views: 11252

I'm interested in this as well. I'm starting a scratchbuild that will utilize a plank-on-frame approach using styrene for the frames and sheeting. Been wondering myself if thick or thin styrene is the way to go.
by Devin
Tue Apr 07, 2009 11:48 am
Forum: Construction
Topic: Scribing - my way...
Replies: 29
Views: 101969

Kylwell wrote:I've found that the scriber gets dull rather quickly and a but of a honing stone works wonders for it.
It seems to me that the tips have a bit of a concave shape to them on the inner surface. I assume that using the stone only on the outside would sharpen just as well?
by Devin
Tue Apr 07, 2009 11:13 am
Forum: Construction
Topic: Scribing - my way...
Replies: 29
Views: 101969

Not sure if I should tack this onto the tutorial or not, but it is about scribing. I'm sure someone will move it if need be. I have one of these scribers: http://www.micromark.com/PANEL-SCRIBER-FOR-PLASTIC-MODELS,7194.html Love the thing, it works really well for me. After doing a 1/96th scale warsh...
by Devin
Wed Jan 14, 2009 5:52 pm
Forum: Finishing
Topic: Paint seeping through tape.
Replies: 22
Views: 17422

A buddy of mine did a test with Shure tape and Tamiya a few weeks back. His conclusion was to stay with the Tamiya, it's worth the extra money. His actual experiments are posted HERE.
by Devin
Thu Oct 16, 2008 1:25 am
Forum: Construction
Topic: Printable Scale Rulers?
Replies: 40
Views: 45000

Kylwell wrote:Ok, speak now or forever hold your peace.

Scales will be in: 1/20, 1/24, 1/25, 1/32, 1/35, 1/48, 1/60, 1/72, 1/96, 1/100, 1/144, 1/350, 1/700, 1/1000, 1/1400, 1/2500.

Any other scales people want?
1/200!
by Devin
Sun Oct 12, 2008 11:42 am
Forum: Finishing
Topic: Mr.Surfacer questions
Replies: 9
Views: 7656

Another question about Mr. Surfacer:

It comes in grades, 500, 1000, 1200. I had been operating under the assumption that the 500 was thick, 1000 was thinner, etc. Someone mentioned that was the case, but ALSO the 1000 is finer grain pigment than 500, 1200 a very fine pigment. Is that the case?