Search found 294 matches

by USS Atlantis
Thu Mar 01, 2012 5:24 am
Forum: Construction
Topic: How would i go about deconstructing a part glued model?
Replies: 7
Views: 8352

There's a whole sticky-thread devoted to this

http://www.starshipmodeler.net/talk/vie ... hp?t=34285
by USS Atlantis
Sat Feb 18, 2012 10:24 am
Forum: Lighting & Electronics
Topic: How do I read these disk capacitors?
Replies: 2
Views: 3513

Re: How do I read these disk capacitors?

Wow, two questions in the same night . . . I've got a box of assorted capacitors. They all have various numbers on them, sometimes followed by a K. Disc capacitors are rated in pf values, similar to how resistors are rated - they use 3 digits First digit is the first number Second digit is the seco...
by USS Atlantis
Sat Feb 18, 2012 10:15 am
Forum: Lighting & Electronics
Topic: Need help with this photon torpedo circuit
Replies: 9
Views: 7726

About the switching diodes: what are those exactly? Would they prevent the circuit from working properly? Signal diodes are used to block current flow in one direction, in timing circuits they can be used to invert the timing sequence - using a different type of diode can cause the circuit to malfu...
by USS Atlantis
Sat Feb 18, 2012 3:48 am
Forum: Lighting & Electronics
Topic: Need help with this photon torpedo circuit
Replies: 9
Views: 7726

1) The diodes are probably 1N4148 signal diodes 2) Only place he's using a 10uf is across the power leads to level the spikes in the current - make sure that it's a polarized cap as well and that it's installed correctly - and a 3watt should be fine The others (C2, C3, C5, C6) are 10nf - which is a ...
by USS Atlantis
Sun Feb 05, 2012 4:40 pm
Forum: Finishing
Topic: Basics. Airbrushing.
Replies: 218
Views: 646664

Ken

Great tips there and thanks for posting that - even after 30+ years with my old, reliable model 200, I can still use all the help I can get

Have fun in Deutschland :)
by USS Atlantis
Wed Dec 21, 2011 8:08 pm
Forum: Construction
Topic: Easy Cast clear epoxy, bit of a rant
Replies: 7
Views: 10102

I use it for stand-alone clear parts - not as windows cast-in-place Insure you get complete mix, I usually mix for twice the recommended time Pre-heat the mold Once poured, put it all back in the oven - 150f for 30-40 minutes Leave it alone for at least 24 hours - - - - - - Cast in place? Uhhhh.......
by USS Atlantis
Wed Dec 21, 2011 3:18 am
Forum: Construction
Topic: Help release mold parts
Replies: 5
Views: 6311

Also look for something that specifically says "Rubber-to-rubber mold release" There are a few out there, and this is what you wanted to use when making the two-part rubber mold If you do use the petroleum jelly - use a VERY thin layer - too thick and the mold seams won't join properly whe...
by USS Atlantis
Mon Nov 07, 2011 8:03 pm
Forum: Construction
Topic: Easy Cast clear epoxy, bit of a rant
Replies: 7
Views: 10102

I use it for stand-alone clear parts - not as windows cast-in-place Insure you get complete mix, I usually mix for twice the recommended time Pre-heat the mold Once poured, put it all back in the oven - 150f for 30-40 minutes Leave it alone for at least 24 hours - - - - - - Cast in place? Uhhhh........
by USS Atlantis
Sun Nov 06, 2011 12:27 pm
Forum: Finishing
Topic: priming and filling question
Replies: 3
Views: 7068

Depends on the filler - with Apoxie Paste, I just apply over the primer
by USS Atlantis
Sun Oct 09, 2011 2:39 am
Forum: Lighting & Electronics
Topic: Parallel circuit resistor requirements
Replies: 1
Views: 3458

Yep - though I'd watch to see what resistor value it is If it's a higher value, that means that more power (volts & current) are being "stopped" by it - and that also means more heat dissipation One resistor dissipating a fair amount isn't going to heat up much - 24 resistors dissipati...
by USS Atlantis
Mon Sep 26, 2011 3:42 pm
Forum: Lighting & Electronics
Topic: Building a flashing LED - I need help
Replies: 10
Views: 6436

On a 555 circuit - if you calculate the inverse of the timing you want, then plug a signal diode (1n4148) in parallel with R2 - you invert the timing sequence Example - you want 1/10th on, 9/10ths off Calculate for 9/10ths ON - plug in the diode - voila - you now have a 1/10th on-9/10ths off blink V...
by USS Atlantis
Fri Aug 26, 2011 4:45 pm
Forum: Finishing
Topic: Casting Craft Transparent Dye?
Replies: 2
Views: 3776

I've used it with the suggested resin - gives a good even spread and can be made barely there to a medium dark color depending on how much you add to the base The resin itself is somewhat a pain - a few drops of catalyst to a few ounces of resin - and this is what I got the toaster-oven for - couple...
by USS Atlantis
Fri Jul 15, 2011 7:27 pm
Forum: Lighting & Electronics
Topic: Sound has gone bad
Replies: 1
Views: 3666

Stored for 10 years - I'd think the speaker

Should be able to pick up a replacement at Jameco or DigiKey or even Mouser
by USS Atlantis
Thu Jun 30, 2011 8:08 pm
Forum: Lighting & Electronics
Topic: LED brightness spectrum
Replies: 4
Views: 4771

mcd is the amount of light it puts out 1mcd = 1/1000 candala Candala is the SI unit of luminous intensity - similar to but different than Lumens (the unit you see on light bulbs) Candala measures intensity from one arc, not all around as Lumens do Example - a 25w CFL bulb puts out about 1700 Lumens ...
by USS Atlantis
Tue Jun 21, 2011 4:58 pm
Forum: Construction
Topic: The Abbey of Aves
Replies: 337
Views: 898769

For narrow seams, all I use is Apoxie Paste

Fills well, easily formed with a pallet knife or ceramic spatula, files and sands to shape well

Haven't used Fixit
by USS Atlantis
Wed May 18, 2011 6:33 pm
Forum: Construction
Topic: The Abbey of Aves
Replies: 337
Views: 898769

As a regular user of the Paste, here's my thoughts Sounds like one of several things 1) Improper mix - either the ratio or it wasn't completely mixed together - I usually mix the two parts for 2-3 minutes to make sure 2) Adulterated - something that could retard the drying got into one or the other ...
by USS Atlantis
Mon May 16, 2011 5:07 pm
Forum: Construction
Topic: The Abbey of Aves
Replies: 337
Views: 898769

I had to Google to see what Aves is, never having heard of it before. Once I got to the manufacturer's page, I see that these cats make Apoxie Sculpt. Now that, I'm familiar with that and have some in the cabinet. I've never used it much, mainly for gaming scale figure bases and bits, but I've got ...
by USS Atlantis
Thu May 12, 2011 7:29 pm
Forum: Finishing
Topic: Basics. Airbrushing.
Replies: 218
Views: 646664

James Tiberius Kirk wrote:what is the best I can use for Tamiya paints to thin through an airbrush?

Isopropyl Alcohol? Water? Distilled Water?!
I'd also stick with the Tamiya thinner, JT - unlike Testors, Tamiya seems to know what they're doing with acrylics and the thinners for them
by USS Atlantis
Tue May 10, 2011 7:35 pm
Forum: Scratchbuilding
Topic: Making Staright/Neat Panel lines?
Replies: 20
Views: 32660

Ok

1) Links only, inline pictures are not allowed by the forum owners

2) Couple items that can help - an engineer's ruler

Or you can cut some thicker blank styrene using a straight edge and use the styrene to lay out straight lines - the styrene will bend to follow curves
by USS Atlantis
Mon May 09, 2011 3:59 pm
Forum: Construction
Topic: How best to clean parts.
Replies: 14
Views: 16833

I use 91% or 99% isopropyl alcohol - keep some in a spray bottle

Couple spritzes and a wipe with some lint-free wipes (photo wipes) and she's clean enough for anything you want to do
by USS Atlantis
Wed May 04, 2011 4:36 pm
Forum: Lighting & Electronics
Topic: powering a large number of LEDs
Replies: 4
Views: 7248

First off - combo series/parallel Second - use a wall-wart 4 LED's in series is 12v 78/4 is 9.5 So you'll have 10 runs; 9 with 4 LED's each and one with 2 LEDs 10 runs at 25ma per run is 250 ma So your wall-wart needs to supply at LEAST 250 ma - I'd go with a 500ma or even a 1A unit, less heat gener...
by USS Atlantis
Sun May 01, 2011 3:32 pm
Forum: Construction
Topic: Making Clear Windows
Replies: 62
Views: 219351

Micro Krystal Klear works great! :D Use it for creating 1/72 scale windows. Dries as the name suggests: Crystal Clear! I should think for small scale portholes, it should be great. Ditto on the MKK - perfect stuff for making small windows - and attaching larger ones - something no modeler should be...
by USS Atlantis
Sat Apr 23, 2011 7:23 pm
Forum: Lighting & Electronics
Topic: Run Red LEDs on same circuit?
Replies: 8
Views: 5109

Input the specs for your red LEDs here and your source voltage. It will tell you what resistor to use. http://led.linear1.org/led.wiz I am not sure it really helps me as the setup i want requires 22 3-3.4v white LEDs and 2 Red LEDs at 1.8v, and i cant enter in that info Enter it as if each were a d...
by USS Atlantis
Thu Apr 21, 2011 6:06 pm
Forum: Construction
Topic: #79 Drill bit advice
Replies: 11
Views: 8893

Sounds about the right amount of time What I do is hold the piece and the drill - and if possible, rest the heel of one hand on the heel of the other - so any "jerks" are transmitted and both hands move together If the piece is larger, I'll set it on my bench, then rest my elbow on the ben...
by USS Atlantis
Thu Apr 21, 2011 5:25 pm
Forum: Construction
Topic: #79 Drill bit advice
Replies: 11
Views: 8893

Slow down a little bit

Don't press down on the bit more than absolutely needed, let it pull it's way through - drilling plastic is way different than drilling metal or even wood

I've got a #80 that's drilled probably 3-4 DOZEN holes so far and still looks like it'll last a good deal longer
by USS Atlantis
Tue Apr 19, 2011 6:53 pm
Forum: Finishing
Topic: Wait time between coats
Replies: 7
Views: 8721

I'd personally wait - it might still out-gas for a while

My rule of thumb - primer-sand-primer-sand-final primer coat - wait 2-3 days then start the detail painting
by USS Atlantis
Sun Apr 17, 2011 7:26 pm
Forum: Finishing
Topic: Defogging clear parts.
Replies: 8
Views: 11098

Callandor wrote:Also, what is a good window tint? I have not had good luck with the testor enamel stuff.
Enamel is a pain - for tinting windows use an Acrylic product

Model Master Acryl has several clear colors - I used the Clear Orange on my TSR-2 Canopy
by USS Atlantis
Sun Apr 03, 2011 1:16 pm
Forum: Lighting & Electronics
Topic: No Strobe on my DLM FFB
Replies: 14
Views: 14719

So what I would like to do is use a 556 timer and put the nav lights on the first half and the use the diode on the second half for the strobes. 1 chip and both navs and strobes on it. The nav lights are also "strobes", but of a different frequency Your plan is good, just need a diode on ...
by USS Atlantis
Sun Apr 03, 2011 5:03 am
Forum: Lighting & Electronics
Topic: No Strobe on my DLM FFB
Replies: 14
Views: 14719

You can get a strobe flash if you add a diode to a 555 circuit. OK cool.... then show me a picture or schematic so I can prove that. I'm not a AE engineer here... but I did stay awake in shop class. Google this then... LM3909N I think the "N" stands of National Semiconductor. We have not ...
by USS Atlantis
Fri Mar 25, 2011 4:16 am
Forum: Lighting & Electronics
Topic: Led and power supply question
Replies: 8
Views: 5054

When mixing LEDs like that, the norm is to separate then into different runs With that board, you can't do that, so the next best thing is to use a resistor based on the LOWEST value LED - which is your Reds and Yellows Now one problem is that to accurately calculate the needed resistor value, you n...