Starship Modeler Discussion Forums

What are your favorite sites to buy model supplies, models, tools and such? I see you have a store here is awesome as well.

What are your favorite books on scratch building? The gundam book looks awesome, but I'd like to have one in english as well.

Thanks

Mike, Thanks for the wonderful advice! The links you sent are awesome! We'll be doing stop motion animation with the models, so being able to pose the model is needed. We'll probably make a few fixed models for static shots when needed. Thanks for the joint suggestions. It amazes me the resources at...

Thom,

WOW! Amazing site and wonderful advice. I can't thank you enough for taking the time to reply to my inquiry.

Pollycaps are a brilliant suggestion! Love the magnet idea as well!

Thank you!!!

Kugar

Hey guys/gals,

Anyone know of any good books, online tutorials, sites and such on how to scratch build models that transform? Specifically Veritech-like fighters from Robotech (transform from jet to robot)? I've done a search online with no luck.


Thanks!

I see... that makes sense.
If I find something I'll post it here.

Thanks!

Is there a site where you can see a color comparrison for various brands and such?

Thx

Yeah, the guy's work is stellar! One of the best builds IMHO. I tried contacting him via email, but he never replied. =(

Much respect!

Hey guys, I know the answer varies per person, but what brand, type, and color grey do you guys use, via airbrush, to paint your ships? One of my fav projects posted here is the deathstar turbolaser: http://www.starshipmodeler.com/starwars/ta_tower.htm He used Floquil Gray Primer, which I may use as...

Thanks for the heads up on the white glue! I had no idea. =)

That is brilliant! I am always amazed by the incredible ideas you guys have!!!!

Thanks!

Nevermind. I found clear styrene.

Sorry about that =)

What material do you guys use for cockpit glass?

Thanks!

Woah! That is super cool! Thanks for letting me in on that! I could live in Hobby Lobby all day! I have so many creative interests it's hard to keep up with the expense!

Thanks for the help. Once the short is finished I'll post a link here for you guys to see.

Thanks again!

*Looking for a 40% off coupon for Hobby Lobby* LOL

The scratchbuilt models are not finished yet. I'm going to weigh, measure, and photograph them once they are done.

Thanks!

Hey guys! I'm working on a big project where a buddy is making scratch built models we want to make duplicates of. The models are for a short film we're working on. I was wondering, in your expert opinion, what material I should make the duplicates. I assumed I would be casting them in resin, but th...

Thanks Richard! I'll make some calls today!!!

Sorry guys. I didn't realize I'd need to go to a plastic manufacturer, otherwise I wouldn't have bothered you. I thought there was a dist/hobby shop out there that had this kind of stuff and I wasn't able to find it. I don't want you guys to think I didn't try to find it before asking. I honestly di...

Ure-Fil works great, but if you aren't pressure casting you'll have a beeyatch of a time getting decent parts due to bubbles. It also makes the parts brittle. Don't bother mixing old rubber with new, it aint worth the trouble. It doesn't pour well cuz it gets mega thick when you add chopped up rubb...

Sorry, I didn't mean to put the rubber chips in the resin, but in a new rubber mold. I read it in a book. Just thought I'd ask. I didn't think of using something as a resin filler. Any suggestions? Thanks for the help. MUCH appreciated! I read you can grind up old rubber and use it as a filler in ne...

Anyone know where I can purchase large sheets of Styrene? I read on a site where someone said you could buy 4' x 8' sheets, but I couldn't find anyone that sells it that big. The largest sheets I've found is 7" x 12". I'd like to buy larger sections....

Thanks!

I read you can grind up old rubber and use it as a filler in new casts to save on expense. Have you done this?

I don't plan on casting more than 2 starships from this mold, so I figure it may be a good alternative to throwing the molds away/storing them and never using them again.

Thx

Thanks for the advice SSC! Oh, I forgot.... I don't plan to cast it as one piece. I hope it didn't sound like that was my plan. Oh, when I said clan, I meant clay. Any suggestions on a good clay product to buy? What about release agents? Do you need release agents for resin? Does anyone cast ships a...

Hey guys! I'm new to Starship Modeler (joined last week). I'm also new to modeling. Well, I put together a bunch of models when I was a kid, but that doesn't count. LOL I'm interested in scratchbuilding and casting. I'm going to take some great advice from some of the posters here and buy casting su...

Thanks guys, you are super awesome for helping me out!

I know the road ahead will be frustrating, but I can't help being excited about it! All of these articles are getting me pumped!

Thanks!

seam-filler wrote:As for a bible, there are dozens of books out there. Some are good, some are excellent. But i've found this sight ust about the best...

http://www.howtoairbrush.com/

thanks Seam-filler! an awesome site!!!

Oh, sorry about that. I'm new to this. The prototype will be made out of Styrene materials. The model is based on an original concept, but the scale is in the 1/35 range. I'd say no bigger than your typical x-wing 1/35 scale fighter, but thicker. It has two main wings with a few other protruding fin...

Hey guys! I'm working on a project with a few people. One of the guys is making a scratch built ship for the project that we want to make duplicates of. Instead of making multiple copies by hand we'd like to cast molds for identical duplicates. I've been doing some research and was wondering what yo...

Thanks for the advice guys.

As for me I've been buying Harbor Freight tools and such for many years. It's true their equipment is sub-par of the big boys, but I've been very lucky thus far.

I really appreciate having a community like this I can communicate with.

You guys rock!

get a pressure gauge and a air regulator attatched to your compressor, that way you can control the psi. I usally spray in the area of 12-18psi. The lower the pressure too, the thinner the paint, mostly ;) and as ar as there being a "bible" of airbrushing, I have never seen one, but my re...

I'm new to many aspects of modeling. I decided to get serious about it and am diving head first, but I think I jumped the gun on buying a few things. After doing some research I read 30 PSI and lower is best for airbrushing models. I purchased a 40 PSI compressor yesterday. Is that too much? Also, w...