Starship Modeler Discussion Forums

Styrene doesn't machine very well because of it's low melting point, but it is possible if you take it slow. My recommendation is to use a carbide cutter on an acrylic sheet and then print your metal looking design with a UV flatbed printer. The signs should last several years, or more if you coat t...

I would get something as large as you can afford. IMO you will always need something large to accommodate future needs. So don't buy for your needs of what you want today. Think of what you will need in the near future. I have an AnyCubic MonoX and am really satisfied with it, mainly because I have ...

Temperature plays a huge part in 3D printing as well as the height of the build plate. Try some calibration prints at different layer heights to see if the steppers and screws are working ok.

TazMan2000

Colours don't reproduce accurately as well since monitors are RGB and basic laser and inkjet are CMYK. TazMan2000 In other words -- difference between additive (light) vs subtractive (ink/pigment). Interesting YouTube video show fun stuff about RGB https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uYbdx4I7STg Exactl...

Colours don't reproduce accurately as well since monitors are RGB and basic laser and inkjet are CMYK.

TazMan2000

Try Photogrammetry. There is free software out there.
Meshroom, 3DF Zephyr. If it doesn't produce the quality you need, the only thing you lost is a bit of time.

TazMan2000

Castrol Super Clean. Not as smelly as Easy-Off, but you still should use ventilation.

TazMan2000

The LEDs themselves can't be motion activated. You must incorporate another circuit that would activate the LEDs by either by movement by shock (picking it up) or by pressure (a squeeze of the trigger). The circuit would have to have a programmed persistence, (shut off timer) on how long the LEDs wo...

The filter will pick up droplets of paint and should be changed whenever you notice it getting stained. It won't pick up everything but the rest of the tiny droplets should dry up as they pass through the ducting. However they still can adhere to objects, so don't have the duct-work pointed at your ...

If you have a desiccant filter on your compressor that should be enough. I would let your model acclimatize to the outside as much as you can, and of course, paint in the shade. I built myself a indoor paint booth with a both room fan and filter that had an attachment with a hose I can stick in the ...

You can use an inline desiccant filter.

TazMan2000

I was curious to use Vallejo Air because I hear it smells like candy. But today I just got an email from a friend who said that he used Vallejo paint on his model and even after letting it set for 3 days, the paint just rubbed right off onto his finger. This is the second time I've heard from someo...

Is it "vallero or Vejio?I was wondering about these paints.They are acrylic urethane paints said to be "airbrushable" strait out of the bottle(although I would thin them anyway). I was curious to use Vallejo Air because I hear it smells like candy. But today I just got an email from ...

Their "Air" series are sprayable right out of the bottle. Yes, easy to do chip effects, mainly because the paint is virtually solvent free and doesn't have a lot of sticking power. I never had any trouble with this paint going over other common model paints. It does have the nasty habit of...

Jpolacchi is correct. I either paint my model in gloss, apply the decals and spray again with DullCote, or, just paint the area where the decal will go in a Clear Gloss, apply the decal the overcoat the area with DullCote. Works like a charm.

TazMan2000

The Leopold and Karl Morser are authentic kits used in SW and in other Sci-Fi movies for detailing. In addition the King Tiger, and Panzers an several other tanks too numerous to mention. One of the problems in using the previous mentioned kits is that they have been used so often that they become r...

My LHS doesn't carry this stuff even though the have Amost all lines of the Vallejo paints. I'm going to ask that they stock this stuff.

TazMan2000

Good idea. A quick search came up with several models. Some are rounded, and wouldn't look good, but there are others that are machined with the proper curvature and a crisp edge. Shop around.

TazMan2000

Drill and pin with brass. Use epoxy in the hole to ensure you get good resin to brass/epoxy contact. Use the thickest brass rod that can reasonably fit in the hole. Be careful when you drill. The bit will want to go in the oath with the least resistance, like bubbles and the outside wall. Best to st...

Bug screen. Metal mesh preferred. But if it's sold on a roll, it might be difficult getting the memory out of it before you dip it in resin.

TazMan2000

Would white glue work?

TazMan2000

Superclean
I've never tried it on signs, but I have tried it on plastic models and this works great.

TazMan2000

It depends on the material that is beings used to print. PLA is biodegradable, but a quick wash in alcohol probably is a good idea, as well with ABS. in my experience, PLA is crappy to sand, but ABS is less so. The amount of sanding required is dependent on the quality of the printer and layer thick...

Hey DeltaVee? Did you follow any of the "good" advice given? If something bad happened, I hope you will still share, since this might prevent someone else from having the same problem.

TazMan2000

I would just go and buy another can. Even thought it may not seem like there is any pressure in the can, poking something into it may cause a huge mess, and may be costlier to clean up than the cost of a new can.

TazMan2000

On a flat surface you can go with decals. Another way is to paint your parts in the lighter colour, then cover the entire place you want to paint checkerboard with low tac tape. Take a pencil and make evenly spaced lines over your model and then gomth other direction. Once it looks right, start cutt...

Old toothbrushes are ideal for removing dust from scribing and sanding. They have many other uses such as spreading talc into RTV moulds.

TazMan2000

You could make a RTV mould of the head and then have no issues with gluing the resin head to the body.

TazMan2000

There is also white decal film. You may have to play with the saturation of the colours to get the results you need. Vector graphics are best, but you can also do JPEG or any bitmap. It depends on what quality you need and what the viewing distance is on the decal.

TazMan2000

Loctite Vinyl, Fabric and Plastic Adhesive might work, but I've never tried it myself. I'm not sure you would be able to sand the seam, so perhaps you can cover it up.

TazMan2000