Starship Modeler Discussion Forums

The guy posting his progress on the DS9 space station over in 'On The Bench' seems to be using the approach you guys are describing, and has great pictures. Might be worth checking out.

The CCFL tubes are great for warp nacelles on Trek ships, and the spot light seem like they could go into the PL Big E saucer with little modification.
Thanks for the tip about the sale, btw.

I saw what look like CCFL tubes prewired for 12 V DC, coming in various lengths and colors. They terminated in cigarette lighter adaptors. :idea: Also, there were LED spot lights, also for 12 V DC. :idea: I can't seem to bring up a link, but if you go there, you'll see what I'm talking about. I was ...

Hi All, I searched and didn't find a thread on this so..... I'm doing the 1/350 Enterprise A as a just-for-fun training run before I do another one with lights. (yes, he's finally working on a model!) I needed to mask the windows before priming, and all I had on hand was Elmer's white glue. It's dry...

Let me know if this is the right place to ask: which glues work well on PVC?

Wow, that's what I call product support!
I have been considering getting a Madman Lighting kit, and the response to Nightshade's questions raises the comfort level considerably.

I have some resin parts that I want to drilll little holes in for fibre optics. Any tips in drilling so that I can avoid cracks? I have a pin vise and a chuck I can put in a power drill, and some little tiny drill bits. Is slow better than fast? I have never used bits this size, so I guess I'll use ...

Emperor Zog!
Once again, you are a beacon in the fog.
Thanks for the advice!

Right on Matt, great to hear from you! :bravo: I had forgotten about the train folks; they invented lighting models. Yeah, I'm going to start small and go from there. Also, I'm totally going to buy a couple of the learn-to-solder kits Sparky referenced in the web site kitsusa. I'm knee-deep in geome...

Hey Right on Sparky,
that's a great idea. I looked at that link of kits above, lotsa good stuff. I've got payday coming up in a couple weeks, I think I'll get a couple of the small ones.
Now that I have a digital camera, I'll start posting stuff as I get it done.
Zaphod

Mike I am lovin' that Big E. Exactly the sort of spotlight effect I want to be able to do. :bow: Don, I really like your suggestion about the BoP. In fact, I have one of your lighting kits! :D :bravo: I have had a chance to reflect, and I think I will start even smaller than that. I have and ERTL TI...

That was really cool of that guy to take the time and put that article together. I noticed that on the thread he got flamed by some pompous jackass know-it-alls.

Great article, thanks for the link!

Hear ye, hear ye, :idea: Let the support group for intimidated modelers come to order...... :squad: Yesterday I was wistfully looking at my kit of the 1/350 NX-01, saying that is cries out for lighting, but being too afraid to start, fearing that I might irretrievably destroy the kit. :( 8-[ :doubt:...

Dude, the more copper the better. I say go nuts.

Ok cool, thanks for following up.
I guess the resistor is on the LEDs themselves. I'll just have to get some and play around with 'em, as you are.
Thanks again!

Hey, is Ent'il Zog's treatise on Christmas LEDs still online? Umi, do you know the voltage drop and max current on these?
Zaphod

I've seen something called Lazertran in the Dick Blick catalog. Has anyone tried it?

Wow.... SuperBrightLEDs has a helicopter nav light kit, ready to go. That could drop right into an aircraft model or even a starfighter model. Good stuff!

Heyyyyyyy........
That's great advice Bar. I'm all over it! 8)

Brad, do you mean the sort of vinyl that they extrude for window frames? Just wondering. If that's true then I might be able to tell the two materials apart by flexibility, such that styrene seems slightly more rigid. I will definitely be wary of the vinyl signs.

I eagerly recommend the "Terrain Masterclass" book by Osprey. I believe it's by Richard Windrow. Also, "Making Wargames Terrain" by Games Workshop is awesome because it shows dirt-cheap ways to make terrain using unsuspecting found objects, such as paper towel tubes. "Terrai...

I seem to remember about a year or so ago there was a discussion of cheap, subversive sources of styrene sheets. I used the search function, to no avail. Wasn't someone saying that a particular brand of 'for sale' sign fits the bill? Please review and advise.

Brian the somewhat forgetful

I have lately been dabbling in the so-called "fine" arts, and over at wetcanvas.com they have a pretty active airbrush forum. The search function at the site works great, btw. Also, if you register you get a $5 Dick Blick coupon. Hope you find it useful: http://www.wetcanvas.com/forums/for...

What mold material do you guys recommend for casting metal? I am considering the lead-free alloys from Micromark.

You might check out a snooty art supply store. There a few lines of acrylic paint that, when thinned to the consistency of Model Master, give more ounces per dollar spent. They also have the benefit of having more archival pigments and non-yellowing media. Some brand names to look at are Windsor &am...

I've also had good luck with Ambroid Safe Weld. It's less toxic and doesn't run the wife out of the room.

Basic question: what thinner do you guys use for your oil washes?

A few years ago in Finescale Modeler, Paul Boyer shared his ratio. He uses 3 parts acrylic model paint to 5 parts water and ~1 part dish soap, the change the surface tension. I use Dawn dish soap, because it doesn't have skin moisturizers. Also, I use distilled water when I remember to. As far as wa...

I found something new that I wanted to share. I have recently started tinkering with Alclad, and have found a great undercoat. The Krylon Fusion line has a gloss black. I layed down the fusion gloss black and let it dry for a few days. Here in the high desert, paint cures rather well. Anyway, I then...

I find the Testors website a great way to get paint, and the service is amazingly good. Also, I discovered there that they have a line of fantasy acrylic paints, for miniatures and the like.