Search found 203 matches

by Pat Amaral
Sun Oct 03, 2021 8:34 pm
Forum: Important Site News
Topic: 25th Anniversary, right?
Replies: 42
Views: 208304

Re: 25th Anniversary, right?

The domain, Starshipmodeler.com was originally purchased in 1996. The discussion forums were started sometime after that. As I recall, Starshipmodeler.net was set up in 1997 and the forums were moved there about that time. There have been a couple renditions of the forums since then but they've rema...
by Pat Amaral
Wed Aug 17, 2016 3:05 pm
Forum: Lighting & Electronics
Topic: Monostable multivibrator problems
Replies: 11
Views: 18797

I learned a huge amount of stuff from this thread
and the links within.

http://www.starshipmodeler.net/talk/vie ... hp?t=62848

It took me just a couple days to figure out everything I
needed.

And the controller boards cost just a few bucks!
by Pat Amaral
Wed Aug 17, 2016 2:15 pm
Forum: Construction
Topic: Washing Small Parts?
Replies: 5
Views: 11124

I plan on giving one of these a try soon. There are many others on the market but they'er considerably more expensive.
by Pat Amaral
Fri Jun 10, 2016 9:09 pm
Forum: Lighting & Electronics
Topic: Drilling fiber optic
Replies: 6
Views: 11133

Buy tons of them. Bits breaking is a fact of life but with patience and practice, you'll get better at it.
by Pat Amaral
Wed Jul 15, 2015 11:16 am
Forum: Finishing
Topic: How Do I Mask This
Replies: 11
Views: 19202

If you don't like the way the Parafilm works out, you can try frisket film (art
supply stores will carry it). I've also used Bare Metal Foil for complex masking
but it can be a little tricky on curved surfaces.
by Pat Amaral
Fri Feb 13, 2015 12:24 am
Forum: Construction
Topic: Window making tool for the novice?
Replies: 16
Views: 49681

To be honest, I really hate the idea of melting out the windows. It's going to be extremely difficult to get a consistent look. You're way better off going the "drilling them out" route. Besides, melting styrene gives off very toxic,acrid fumes. I advise against it.
by Pat Amaral
Fri Jul 11, 2014 9:27 am
Forum: Lighting & Electronics
Topic: 3-12v adjustable wall wart-1 amp?
Replies: 3
Views: 8949

Wall warts can be finicky animals. The Amp rating labeled on the thing (in your case, 1 Amp) is what the unit is capable of drawing under its optimum load. That being said, the current draw your circuit is calculated at is much lower (200mA). What I've found with most warts is that if you're driving...
by Pat Amaral
Thu Jul 03, 2014 3:36 pm
Forum: Scratchbuilding
Topic: NEED: 1:500 Naval Photoetch parts
Replies: 6
Views: 15377

by Pat Amaral
Mon Jan 20, 2014 9:57 am
Forum: Finishing
Topic: Post Your Spraybooths
Replies: 6
Views: 10906

I've built two rigs based on the plans I posted here a few years ago.
by Pat Amaral
Wed Jul 17, 2013 7:05 pm
Forum: Lighting & Electronics
Topic: Clyde "En'til'Zog" Jones has passed away
Replies: 28
Views: 82772

The trophies for this year's Iron Modeler competition were designed with Zog's memory in mind.
by Pat Amaral
Thu May 23, 2013 9:52 am
Forum: Finishing
Topic: Spray can to airbrush?
Replies: 12
Views: 21025

Small warning. Decanting a "spray bomb" into a jar for airbrushing isn't necessarily a straight forward process (unless you don't mind making a HUGE mess). The propellant in the can is dissolved into the paint. This is what allows for the atomization of the paint when you press the nozzle ...
by Pat Amaral
Sat Nov 24, 2012 2:17 am
Forum: Finishing
Topic: Designing a spraybooth
Replies: 9
Views: 8612

Here's a pic of the filter can we built. It should give you some idea of how it went together.
by Pat Amaral
Fri Nov 09, 2012 12:00 pm
Forum: Finishing
Topic: Designing a spraybooth
Replies: 9
Views: 8612

I use primarily acrylics but when we first built the indoor filter can, we shot a rattle can full of lacquer paint straight into the booth (not the whole can but a fair amount). The filter worked very effectively. I wouldn't make a habit of regularly shooting lacquers with this setup but it works gr...
by Pat Amaral
Fri Nov 09, 2012 11:32 am
Forum: Finishing
Topic: Designing a spraybooth
Replies: 9
Views: 8612

A couple years ago, I put together an article on the main site that covers just what you're looking for. We've been using the rig at various events and I use it in my basement. The design has worked very well for us. Here's a link to the article: http://www.starshipmodeler.com/tech/pa_booth.htm Hope...
by Pat Amaral
Thu Aug 09, 2012 7:48 am
Forum: Construction
Topic: Building a turn table for painting
Replies: 14
Views: 21643

I picked up a cheep one at my local dollar store and it's been serving my paint booth well for several years.
by Pat Amaral
Tue Nov 08, 2011 7:19 pm
Forum: Lighting & Electronics
Topic: Fiber Optic Data Cable
Replies: 4
Views: 5840

I used to teach a telecom cabling course that included fiber termination. Bottom line... Don't use it. First, like the others said, it's just too fine and difficult to use for starship lighting. Second, it really is kind of hazardous when handled incorrectly. The fiber itself could be smaller than a...
by Pat Amaral
Tue Oct 04, 2011 9:29 pm
Forum: Lighting & Electronics
Topic: Coluoring fiberoptic strands?
Replies: 13
Views: 13284

If you're intent on using white LEDs, I suggest you place colored gels in between the LEDs and the FO. You can get gels (basically colored acetate sheets) at most art supply stores.
by Pat Amaral
Thu Sep 22, 2011 3:14 pm
Forum: Lighting & Electronics
Topic: Wire size question
Replies: 2
Views: 4449

This is what you need. Although you may be able to find it cheaper.

30AWG is the thing to look for.
by Pat Amaral
Thu Mar 10, 2011 1:54 am
Forum: Scratchbuilding
Topic: Box(es) o' stuff to get rid of
Replies: 7
Views: 12147

You could go to Wonderfest and use the stuff as your entry fee for Iron Modeler. For that matter, anybody taking a box from your stash could do the same thing.
by Pat Amaral
Sat Jan 29, 2011 9:59 pm
Forum: Finishing
Topic: Display stand help
Replies: 5
Views: 5359

There are flat(ish) nuts designed to fit that kind of threaded lamp tubing. Thread one nut onto one end of the tube, fit it through the base, then thread another nut on top to cinch it down. They also make another lamp part (I think it's called a cap) that goes over the top nut to cover it up and ma...
by Pat Amaral
Thu Oct 21, 2010 12:30 am
Forum: Lighting & Electronics
Topic: Ok.. so I have screwed up (Wall Wart help)
Replies: 5
Views: 7827

Keep in mind that using an unregulated power supply at less than its rated current will likely cause it to supply a higher than rated voltage. This can also cause problems. I've measured unregulated 12 volt wall warts, rated for say, 500mA, reading 16 to 18 volts when running at 100 or 200mA. If at ...
by Pat Amaral
Sat Oct 02, 2010 1:16 am
Forum: Lighting & Electronics
Topic: Who's got the best lighting kits?
Replies: 5
Views: 8099

I agree with face. Your kits have a good combination of ease of use, fair price and flexibility. I've never used any of the other companies' products either so I can't speak to their quality. I've looked at VoodooFX's stuff, and while the products seem to be well designed (as far as I know), they te...
by Pat Amaral
Wed Sep 15, 2010 7:46 pm
Forum: Finishing
Topic: WASHES
Replies: 6
Views: 6289

Nice explanation, Robb. Maybe you could explain what a surficant is. Did you mean surfactant? If so, then I assume you mean a few drops of dish soap. What other examples appropriate to modeling are there?

Thanks in advance,
by Pat Amaral
Tue Aug 10, 2010 7:37 am
Forum: Scratchbuilding
Topic: SULACO big scale
Replies: 56
Views: 97424

Holy mother of pearl, that's some amazing work!!
by Pat Amaral
Fri Jul 30, 2010 3:35 am
Forum: Finishing
Topic: Paint booth
Replies: 10
Views: 11958

I've talked to a few people since John posted the CoMMiES plans on the main site. Most are suggesting concerns about using a bathroom fan as this type can present a spark hazard which could ignite the paint fumes in the airstream. While I've been using my rig for several years now without an issue, ...
by Pat Amaral
Thu Jul 29, 2010 3:08 pm
Forum: Finishing
Topic: Paint booth
Replies: 10
Views: 11958

For those who may be interested, John has posted plans for the CoMMiES paint booth and indoor filter can on the main SSM site now. You can download the PDF from there if you like. http://www.starshipmodeler.com/tech/pa_booth.htm If you have any questions, PM or email me (link at the bottom). Enjoy!
by Pat Amaral
Wed Jul 28, 2010 11:03 pm
Forum: Lighting & Electronics
Topic: Drill Bits
Replies: 7
Views: 7435

SSM was selling several sizes of micro-drill bits at the table during Wonderfest. I know there were lots left because I helped to pack them up when the show was over. They don't appear to be in the store but I'll bet if you email of PM Linda, she can hook you up with what you need.
by Pat Amaral
Sun Jul 25, 2010 11:34 pm
Forum: Lighting & Electronics
Topic: Would you buy a small chip, single-function solution?
Replies: 6
Views: 5672

Sounds like an interesting proposal. I think your suggested prices may be a little low though. I believe your production costs (especially for that big kit) might easily exceed those prices. Just a thought.
by Pat Amaral
Wed Jul 07, 2010 5:28 am
Forum: Finishing
Topic: Paint booth
Replies: 10
Views: 11958

Fellow CoMMiES member, Brad "Mr. Badwrench" Guy and I prepared a handout describing how to build your own paint booth and indoor filter rig. I used it to give a presentation at the last Wonderfest. I've asked John to post the .PDF in the Downloads section of the Tech Library on the main si...