Starship Modeler Discussion Forums

Same thing happens with me. Even when I paint on canvas things shift, I consider it part of the creative process.

Why not just go old school and use a Grain of Rice bulb?

Those worked fine for decades before the LEDs took over and they do emit light in every direction.

This site has flashing LEDs on different types- no circuit needed-
http://www.modeltrainsoftware.com/ledlights1.html

Local sign shops can get sheets of styrene in large sizes (18"×24" and larger) . If they don't stock it they can order it from their suppliers.

A lot depends on who produces the kit. I have some which require a lot of work to get the pieces to fit well, others (like Atomic City/Captain Cardboard) look like styrene kits just from a different material.

Thanks for the new link- that is a fantastic build!
Any chance you could update your links to the other projects listed above?

(sigh)
I really need to get my mind out of the gutter when reading thread titles...

We use Gerbermask (about 3 mil with a special low tack adhesive) and 3M Scotchcal (2 mill with a good adhesive) here at work. Oracal and Avery as good brands. High performance vinyls IMO are best- they conform to compound curved surfaces well and as long as the paint is dry there is no problem remov...

The Starship Modeler Store has this kit- https://starshipmodeler.biz/shop/index.cfm/product/8158/172-star-wars-the-force-awakens-millennium-falcon-snap-max.html It is 1/72 scale, prepainted and snap, but can be built up into a fairly good model. The best IMO is the Bandai 1/144 Falcon- it can be fou...

Small LED Christmas light sets are all over the place and very inexpensive. No soldering or having to worry about resistors- great way to get started. There are also some cheap knickknacks and decorations that use fiber optics. Get a couple on sale and take them apart for the fibers. Craft & hob...

That is a fantastic replica!
You really nailed it-

I wish you luck - a lot of the studio scale builders try to keep yhe donor kits secret. Some are dirt cheap on eBay and if their value becomes known the prices will spike. I do know there is a detail piece from the MPC X-Wing fighter on the side of the drive unit, the long strip behind R2. The small...

Thanks! - I really like that design. I had Homeworld One a long time ago but never got futer in the series...

Not familiar with this ship- could you please post a link to a reference image so I know what you are aiming at?

OK, now I can't just sit here ignoring an opportunity like this....! Just exactly what does a Spindrift need for lighting? I can offer the electronics, wires, fiber optics and LEDs but not any clear / translucent parts. What kind of special FX are needed? I can make LEDs blink just about any way yo...

Not much idea about the components, but looking at the photos on his site he seems to have ignored the distinctive front wheel housing lighting entirely. Those side arcs and the outrigger spots are a big part of the coolness of the Spinner.

At my sign company we recycle printed signs and use them again for clients. I would strip them of the ink instead of sanding them down. Different inks take different solvents, but be sure if you use lacquer thinner to wash the sign with 409 or Windex afterwards or you can burn the surface.

On prepaints like the ARC-170 I used rough sandpaper and an Xacto to score/chip the paint, then a silver leaded pencil to add the metal showing through the scratches...

While designed for the Pegasus it sounds like a great board for other Hangar Decks/Landing Bays also- I love animated landing lights!

If you have an EPS file just about any sign shop in the country can cut it for you. My company does it all the time- up to 48"- Vinyl will shrink up a bit over time but has no problem sticking to just about anything- we do Police car graphics and you do not want an upset customer who carries a ...

I have done design work for a sign company for over 23 years and I have seen so many different ways to solve any problem. A lot depends on the location and expected environment. We often use .040 Aluminum which can be bent and attached to a frame- most suppliers can shear it to spec for you. Most su...

There are a couple of builds on HT using SMT LEDs in lighting the BladeRunner Spinner kit. Worth the read if you are wanting a good idea of what it takes to use them.

I can print it for you on self adhesive vinyl- any size- PM me if you are interested.

I hate CA due to it's lack of tensile strength- it does hold pieces firmly and does a good job- then it can suddenly shear loose into powder. I am old fashioned I suppose, but I have used tube (gel) glue since the early sizties and I know how make it dance. I like the secure fusion and it provides a...

I bought some to experiment with a while back when it wsa fist mentioned in these forums. I ran teast with it on a sheet of styrene and a test meter. It beads up like water based ink, it does not stick to anything well and it is a poor conductor. A potentially great idea, but it just does not work a...

I jsut do not trust Superglues- they work for a while but can just let go or sheer with applied stress, or jsut when they decide to. For resin kits I use two part epoxy- it is a mess but it does last.

When cutting a hole or removing a section go smaller than the final desired result. It is easier to chop a smaller hole then slowly widen it the final size with scraping, sanding or filing than to cut it the exact size then have to fill gaps if anything turns out rough or not perfect.

I had a pen with the color changing LED illumination- it is a cheap gimmick built into some toys and gadgets. I would suggest you find some of those and tear them apart for a prewired effects module- much simplier and self contained.

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Many thanks for the quick answers- I sent them over to him and we will see what happens.
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I am sorry if this has already been dealt with, but I could not find an existing topic and the 'Search' did not help at all. A friend is wanting to cast some small objects out of lead. He can melt the lead and pour it with no problem, the big question is what sort of material could be used to make t...