Search found 116 matches

by SpaceRanger1
Thu Oct 13, 2022 10:21 am
Forum: Scratchbuilding
Topic: Looking for BLACK Styrene Rods
Replies: 3
Views: 6261

Re: Looking for BLACK Styrene Rods

Andrew Gorman wrote: Thu Oct 13, 2022 9:59 am How long do you need them to be? For those diameters you could stretch some black sprue. Black seems to be more available in ABS or acrylic. Just use a hotter solvent and those could work.
I’ve thought of sprue stretching. I’ve not see any black plastic rods that small.
by SpaceRanger1
Thu Oct 13, 2022 7:41 am
Forum: Scratchbuilding
Topic: Looking for BLACK Styrene Rods
Replies: 3
Views: 6261

Looking for BLACK Styrene Rods

Does anyone produce small-diameter (i.e., 0.010 inch and 0.020 inch) styrene rods in black? All I can find on-line are white (Plastruct and Evergreen brands). But I recently purchased some new old-stock Contrail styrene rods on eBay, and they were black, unlike the gray styrene I remembered from yea...
by SpaceRanger1
Sun Feb 20, 2022 6:14 am
Forum: Finishing
Topic: Thinning Humbrol for airbrush?
Replies: 11
Views: 17243

Re: Thinning Humbrol for airbrush?

Humbrol enamels must be well-stirred prior to use. I use a Badger battery powered stirrer. If the paint has been stored for a long time and the pigment has settled, I use a small screwdriver to chop up the settled pigment before applying the stirrer. I then re cap the tin and put it on a paint shake...
by SpaceRanger1
Mon Sep 13, 2021 1:35 pm
Forum: Finishing
Topic: What is the oldest paint you have that is still good?
Replies: 25
Views: 94508

Re: What is the oldest paint you have that is still good?

I’ve got 60-year-old Humbrol enamel still as fresh as the day it left the factory. Humbrol is my go-to paint for just about everything.
by SpaceRanger1
Thu May 07, 2020 6:10 pm
Forum: Finishing
Topic: Goodbye, Model Master (update)
Replies: 22
Views: 83385

Goodbye, Model Master (update)

This is the report, as posted elsewhere: "This is unofficial information but I've been informed that Rustoleum, as of today, May 7t, 2020 is stopping the entire Testors product line. I doubt anyone within the hobby industry has any desire to buy the Testors dead horse it's become. So this is ve...
by SpaceRanger1
Tue Feb 25, 2020 8:27 pm
Forum: Lighting & Electronics
Topic: Flickering LED?
Replies: 10
Views: 29302

Re: Flickering LED?

Never mind.
by SpaceRanger1
Thu Jan 02, 2020 12:40 pm
Forum: Construction
Topic: Stripping "chrome" off model pieces
Replies: 22
Views: 100457

Re: Stripping "chrome" off model pieces

naoto wrote: Thu Jan 02, 2020 3:51 am the recommended background music for the task?
https://youtu.be/Y2CWfSLyjx8
"Like" button pressed (repeatedly!).
by SpaceRanger1
Tue Dec 31, 2019 8:31 pm
Forum: Finishing
Topic: Instrument Panels
Replies: 20
Views: 98102

Re:

Kylwell wrote: Mon Oct 25, 2010 8:49 pm Odd that you'd bring this up, as I've been working on some decals for instruments like these.
Where'd they go?
by SpaceRanger1
Sat Dec 28, 2019 9:30 pm
Forum: Finishing
Topic: Using acrylics to protect Bandai plastic from enamels/oils?
Replies: 4
Views: 18069

Re: Using acrylics to protect Bandai plastic from enamels/oils?

I don't think I have ever painted enamel or lacquer over acrylic. I have painted acrylic over these paints. Since acrylics are water based they don't interact with enamels. Not all "acrylics" are water-based; there are acrylic enamels and lacquers. Tamiya "acrylics," for example...
by SpaceRanger1
Sat Dec 07, 2019 2:10 pm
Forum: Finishing
Topic: Instrument Panels
Replies: 20
Views: 98102

Re: Instrument Panels

Check general aviation magazines such as Flying for ads for electronic flight instruments and engine management system panels. Scanned and reduced, these make good sci-fi instruments; they can’t be recognized for what they really are in small scales. Ad photos for sound gear (mixer boards, amp contr...
by SpaceRanger1
Fri Jul 05, 2019 9:51 pm
Forum: Finishing
Topic: Are Paint Fumes Hazardous to Your Health?
Replies: 10
Views: 31230

Are Paint Fumes Hazardous to Your Health?

https://time.com/5619823/paint-fumes-harmful-research/ "The new study isn’t proof that paint and related chemical exposures cause autism, and should be “interpreted with caution,” the authors write. But the findings are in line with previous studies that found an association between paint chem...
by SpaceRanger1
Sat Jun 29, 2019 5:55 pm
Forum: Lighting & Electronics
Topic: Glow-In-The-Dark paint for fiber optics /light pipes?
Replies: 8
Views: 36733

Re: Glow-In-The-Dark paint for fiber optics /light pipes?

Plastruct makes fluorescent acrylic rods in various diameters. These absorb light along their length then emit it from the end. They're available in red, blue, yellow, and green. These might be ideal for your project. One or two LEDs in an accessible spot might be enough to provide the light level y...
by SpaceRanger1
Tue May 07, 2019 5:46 pm
Forum: Important Site News
Topic: How to request thread permanence (?)
Replies: 3
Views: 43330

Re: How to request thread permanence (?)

Another thread that needs to be permanenced/permanentified is the ongoing thread on the 1/350 K'Tinga.
by SpaceRanger1
Mon Jan 21, 2019 11:39 am
Forum: Construction
Topic: Problem with a seam across grooves
Replies: 12
Views: 44523

Re: Problem with a seam across grooves

Cut off the location pins, then sand the mating edges of both halves flat on a sheet of sandpaper taped to a flat surface. It shouldn't take much sanding; just move the parts in a circular motion on the sandpaper. Assemble carefully.
by SpaceRanger1
Thu Jan 17, 2019 6:59 pm
Forum: Finishing
Topic: Decals ripping during slide off
Replies: 9
Views: 27996

Re: Decals ripping during slide off

NEVER touch decals with fingers or hard object to slide them off the backing paper. Instead, use a soft, quality brush, such as an artist's sable hair brush. Buy a small one and use it exclusively for decals.
by SpaceRanger1
Thu Jan 10, 2019 10:46 pm
Forum: Lighting & Electronics
Topic: 23rd Century Phaser with 21st Century Problem
Replies: 6
Views: 32358

23rd Century Phaser with 21st Century Problem

I own a Diamond Select/Art Asylum Star Trek "40th Anniversary Phaser Pistol," bought shortly after it was released. It worked perfectly. But not having a place to display it, I put it back in its original box and stored it away in a closet. Upon recently moving to a new house, I unboxed it...
by SpaceRanger1
Fri Dec 14, 2018 12:46 pm
Forum: Construction
Topic: "hotness" of plastic glues?
Replies: 5
Views: 24151

Re: "hotness" of plastic glues?

FineScale Modeler did a glue review a while back, but i don't remember which issue it was in.
by SpaceRanger1
Tue Oct 02, 2018 10:21 am
Forum: Finishing
Topic: Decals
Replies: 9
Views: 31135

Re: Decals

seam-filler wrote: Tue Oct 02, 2018 2:47 am
SpaceRanger1 wrote: Fri Sep 28, 2018 6:08 pm Setting solutions can sometimes cause brown stains to appear under the top coat, especially if the water in your area is hard.
Try using filtered water or de-ionised (battery) water.
Yep. Shoulda mentioned that, because I use distilled water from Walmart.
by SpaceRanger1
Fri Sep 28, 2018 6:08 pm
Forum: Finishing
Topic: Decals
Replies: 9
Views: 31135

Re: Decals

After decals have thoroughly dried and before applying any clear top coats, you might also wipe the model down with a soft damp cloth to remove any residue left by the evaporation of the Micro Set and Micro Sol. Setting solutions can sometimes cause brown stains to appear under the top coat, especia...
by SpaceRanger1
Sun Sep 16, 2018 7:20 pm
Forum: Finishing
Topic: Re: Vinyl Masks
Replies: 1
Views: 11125

Re: Vinyl Masks

It is my understanding that vinyl masks have a "shelf life" of about two weeks, in that they will gradually shrink from their edges, making them unusable and unsuitable for long-term storage prior to use. How true is this? I have several projects in mind that will require the use of masks ...
by SpaceRanger1
Sat Aug 18, 2018 8:50 pm
Forum: Finishing
Topic: Homemade Transfers (the old-fashioned way)
Replies: 2
Views: 14638

Homemade Transfers (the old-fashioned way)

This is how it was done prior to the introduction of after-market decals, home computers and graphics software, ALPS printers, and blank decal paper. From the "Model Talk" column by Geoffrey Norris, RAF Flying Review (International Edition), May 1960, p. 45. "You need: a sticky label ...
by SpaceRanger1
Thu Jun 21, 2018 12:07 pm
Forum: Construction
Topic: Thinnest,fine tooth saw blade???
Replies: 5
Views: 22052

Re: Thinnest,fine tooth saw blade???

This one: http://umm-usa.com/onlinestore/product_info.php?products_id=35&osCsid=00c2df7dfca32256e27c466bfe916ea7 See here for additional blades and other options: http://umm-usa.com/onlinestore/index.php?cPath=21_28 A Google search for "photo-etched craft saw" will turn up other option...
by SpaceRanger1
Mon Jun 18, 2018 10:15 pm
Forum: Construction
Topic: Small power detail sander
Replies: 5
Views: 23799

Re: Small power detail sander

You can make your own from an inexpensive battery-powered electric toothbrush.
by SpaceRanger1
Sun Jun 03, 2018 8:16 pm
Forum: Finishing
Topic: Applying aftermarket decal help
Replies: 2
Views: 14761

Re: Applying aftermarket decal help

The decal manufacturer will usually recommend clear coating, but I'm unfamiliar with PNT decals. Clear coating generally does not affect the application of decal setting solutions. Micro Set and Micro Sol are, in my opinion, invaluable and work with 95% of the decals available. Some decals might req...
by SpaceRanger1
Mon May 28, 2018 1:11 pm
Forum: Construction
Topic: Using putty to fill gaps and seams
Replies: 15
Views: 54238

Re: Using putty to fill gaps and seams

I wrote this some time ago, but it's still applicable: The best way to avoid large gaps is to carefully test fit parts before assembly. But if you have a very large gap in spite of your best efforts, it's best to try to fill it with styrene plastic rod/strip and liquid cement, allowing it to dry tho...
by SpaceRanger1
Mon May 14, 2018 10:35 am
Forum: Construction
Topic: Applying strip styrene to cylinders - evenly!
Replies: 10
Views: 39413

Re: Applying strip styrene to cylinders - evenly!

Estes, the model rocket people, makes a wonderful cylinder marking and fin alinement kit. I have one and it is worth having if you never build a model rocket that takes engines. It is great for keeping the lines straight on cylinders. I'll second that. For larger sizes or longer lengths, you could ...
by SpaceRanger1
Mon May 14, 2018 10:18 am
Forum: Construction
Topic: Applying strip styrene to cylinders - evenly!
Replies: 10
Views: 39413

Re: Applying strip styrene to cylinders - evenly!

Tesral wrote: Thu May 10, 2018 12:59 am Estes, the model rocket people, makes a wonderful cylinder marking and fin alinement kit. I have one and it is worth having if you never build a model rocket that takes engines. It is great for keeping the lines straight on cylinders.
I'll second that.
by SpaceRanger1
Thu Apr 26, 2018 4:51 pm
Forum: Scratchbuilding
Topic: 1/72 Armor for Greeblies'
Replies: 13
Views: 41809

Re: 1/72 Armor for Greeblies'

HO model railroad detail parts also make good 'greeblies,' steam engine parts in particular.
by SpaceRanger1
Sat Mar 24, 2018 8:21 pm
Forum: Finishing
Topic: Ugh...primer left a texture!
Replies: 4
Views: 16649

Re: Ugh...primer left a texture!

Dukat, S.G. wrote: Sat Mar 24, 2018 2:24 pm You know those brown paper bags grocers used before going all plastic? Very, very fine sandpaper, that. Try it :)
Coffee filters work, too. New ones, that is. Used ones will leave a brown stain on your model. :)