MechTech

More breadcrumbs, but no loaf of bread.- MT

Those trees did not die in vain! - MT

NZEOD, all the same, that sucks! We'll be your polystyrene support group! Arbit, if you connect the switches to a meter or a light, you'll know when they trigger. That might take some of the guesswork out for you. Yes, it is tough to work that out. The downside to scratch building, YOU engineer the whole thing. If my ship was a kit, I'd be done with the second one already! - MT

Thanks Pengbuzz! I'm thinking the stern too, plus the "blast zone" is farther back in the event of any issues. Arbit, my favorite thin (solvent) cement is Microscale Micro Weld. The best part is it's solvent free and non-toxic. It has that citrus smell, BUT IS NOT like the other junk on the market that is non-toxc! It is just as strong and fast as the solvents and if you like all the Microscale decal chemicals, you'll love this stuff too (same bottles). You can use an old brush to apply it too. There are faster cements on the market, but you have to wear a mask with them and use on a windy day outside! My daughter and I found that out the hard way with Plastruct Plastic Weld. It is a neural toxin and kept my daughter and I awake all night after we built her first model. I tossed it the next day. Someone on the boards here was like, "Never use that stuff man!" For superglue, long story, but the only stuff I could get locally overseas back in the day was Duro Superglue. So for superglue I use that. Plus it comes in 2 and 4 packs pretty cheap at hardware stores (blue and white label). The formula has remained consistent through the past 20 years or so I've been using it. I date the tubes so I keep my stock rotated. For CA accelerator, I use Arm and Hammer baking soda (and it keeps the fridge fresh too) Just put a little in a small bottle. I use a small soy sauce bottle like they used to give at sushi take out places and still sell in some sushi places. Whatever works for you. Just a little powder sprinkled into the joint and BAM! No stink and fumes. Then you can use it to build up and fill in gaps. My ship has places where the plastic was sanded away and only the glue and baking soda remain. It makes a stronger faster bond than stinky accelerator, its edible and CHEAP! Did I say it's strong? I attached a photo from a tutorial I did four years ago so you can see what I mean. - MT

As far as I know this is the same acrylic type resin from SLA printers. I've had other people tell me I need to try some out, but I honestly can't think of a use for it - yet. DON'T LOOK INTO THE LIGHT! I think it may just be a clearer substitute for the other acrylic based glue, Cyanoacrylate (CA). Maybe make windows or navigation lights with it. The problem is most of these yellow with age too. If you try it, let us know how it went. The sun will also make it more brittle like SLA resin (that I do have experience with). - MT

I hate it when mecha fight in the kitchen! This is looking great Mike! You have the right balance of line art and anime magic combined! - MT

That's the first I've heard of issues with Bandai's plastic from those kits. Were the parts well washed? Maybe some wax got onto the joints preventing adhesion? NEED YOUR HELP guys! FINALLY got to build something! These are ONLY THE TOP HALF of the 1/72 scale Mk-141 Harpoon launcher tubes. The older ships used them so I went with them for accuracy (of course they have WAAAAY more detail on them too versus the lightweight mounts which are smoother). I still have to build the bases. I can't decide whether to let them hang over the stern (back) or from the sides. What do you guys think? Note the metal tube? You can guess whey it has to hang over the edge. These took a lot of work to get all aligned right with a depth gauge for placement and a jig to cut part of the braces. Now I just have to get some tiny model rockets! - MT

That's cool Electric Indigo. I had the kit they did of the giant flamethrower from 88 or 89? It was a great big expensive kit! I also didn't have a family to feed then The Mistrel is looking good Herve! You can do it Arbit! - MT

That illustration looks great Pengbuzz! Which kit is that Electric Indigo? - MT

That Falcon looks movie prop perfect William! Q-Rau Kelsain! Derex, I thought about you last week. Brewster Rocket Comic of two AT-AT's attacking ground troops. One has the bumper sticker, "How's My Driving? Call..." and the other says, "My child is an honor student at Coruscant High School." I found it on line: http://www.gocomics.com/brewsterrockit/2017/03/26 That's cool Pengbuzz! I like the idea. Yeah, it could almost pass for the ASS -1 . School is keeping me tied down so not much here. Working on two Mk-141 Harpoon missile launchers. The simulated connector rings were cut on the lathe and a pounce tool was rolled against them to simulate bolt patterns. You can see they're square patterns, but look round at non-magnified distance. HMmmm, what's the metal tube for...? - MT

Just look up "geared motors" on ebay or "brushed motors" at Hobby King. Hobby King has had great service to include a return so I'd trust them. Maybe a cheap servo would be the same and a better way to go? - MT

Great move with the magnets NZEOD. I did the same with my 1/350th valk. Gotta watch those drills. Now we know why you're not NZMARKSMAN Hopefully you didn't feel it! Congrats Derex! That came out great! The decals may not be canon, but they do add a nice touch. Meanwhile mine is calling out to me from the basement, but I'm so busy, I have to ignore it! That build came out awesome William! The photoetch and fiber really add realism and dimension to the Falcon. Take away the background and it could pass for a movie prop! Nothing major to photograph this week. Too busy catchin up with school! - MT

Cool! - MT

I've noticed that the metal geared robot style motors are now less than $5.00, so that's cool! They were like $10-15.00 on average. Someone's even got a 6mm diameter with metal gears in it for about $10! You guys could kick butt with all that. - MT

Go to the hardware store and get some threaded rod with matching nut, then you can use the motor of your choice! NZEOD has a great idea by the way. The Daedalus had several screw drives, they are some of the strongest and easiest to make. You can couple the motor with a u-joint or gears. Part of the Daedalus ramp (similar to doors) was also direct drive from metal geared servos (below). You could easily do that too with a cheap servo.- MT

Gerwalk mode on my old work keyboards would have been awesome! Those little tabs in the back never seemed to tilt it up enough! - MT

Before hitting all the classwork I have to do, I just popped in to see the new stuff. GREAT WORK EVERYONE! I don't have time to give individual props, but it's ALL looking great! - MT

Thanks Pengbuzz! I'm just catching up on all this weekend's builds here. Your diorama is looking good! The perspective in the artwork is a nice touch. - MT

Oh, make yours R/C like this dude (wish I could read Japanese: - MT

Sorry Arbit, I just now saw that you guys have been posting here (busy with school and museum stuff). That Yamato fiber looks great! The problem is you can still see the fiber. I think he sliced it at an angle and laied it in the rifle grooves of the barrel. Watching your video, this one popped up too, talk about "wave motion!" I have the fiber and I have a board from something else that I think will work. I thought of gluing the fiber to the other side of the clear barrel piece or drilling holes, the problem is the fiber or holes are always visible. Trying to work that one out before I leap into it. Did you try using those small motors for the doors? You could go direct drive or have some sort of clutch for model safety.- MT

Nice finish; I like the colors too! - MT

Talking about old VCR's...I take whatever dies and strip it of whatever I think I may need later. That keeps things clean and keeps me from being a hoarder Built a simple gear case from recycled gears and styrene for the two radars (surface and combination search). Stuck that into the mast sealed forever and added some more details to include the SATCOM antennas with optronics to the mast too. Then built an illuminating radar (illuminates targets for missiles to home in on) from spares and added a few more details. Hopefully It'll have some weapons soon other than the placeholder turret. - MT

Thanks guys! I don't think I do anything quick. The Daedalus was supposed to be quick, and nine years later... Today it's the radar gears in the mast. - MT

It came out great Sketchley! The smaller scales are more "fun" top deal with anyhow. - MT

This was a great rescue job and turned out great! - MT