Starship Modeler Discussion Forums

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...

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!

I plan on giving one of these a try soon. There are many others on the market but they'er considerably more expensive.

Buy tons of them. Bits breaking is a fact of life but with patience and practice, you'll get better at it.

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.

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.

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...

Tom's Modelworks

http://www.tomsmodelworks.com/catalog/i ... Path=23_34

I've built two rigs based on the plans I posted here a few years ago.

The trophies for this year's Iron Modeler competition were designed with Zog's memory in mind.

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 ...

Here's a pic of the filter can we built. It should give you some idea of how it went together.

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...

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...

I picked up a cheep one at my local dollar store and it's been serving my paint booth well for several years.

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...

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.

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

30AWG is the thing to look for.

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.

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...

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 ...

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...

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,

Holy mother of pearl, that's some amazing work!!

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, ...

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!

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.

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.

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...