MechTech

Maybe one of our members needs to drive by Hasegawa's headquarters building and look for an "under new management" sign? - MT

Do you want to add lights or special effects to your model or dioram? Are you on a ramen and bologna budget (tight budget), but want to light up one of your models or dioramas? I recently came across a cheap, but VERY versatile way to do it. If you find one of these light wands (see photo) or similar LED product, you can accomplish it. What’s so special about this "patrol wand"? Instead of just “blinking” or staying on, it has four multi-colored LEDs with SEVEN modes to help animate the lighting of your project. Once again, there are probably other toys or products that will do this, but I found this one for only $1.00 and the circuit card is slim and easily used in a lot of models! Mode 1: All on. Mode 2: All blink together quickly. Mode 3: All blink together slower speed. Mode 4: Chase one after the other and back slow. Mode 5: Chase one after the other, one direction only. Mode 6: Chase one after the other quickly (directional strobe in the opposite direction). Mode 7: Chase one after the other, blinking twice before going to next color and then backwards. “So how does this help me?” you might ask. If you want to make landing lights inside of your model or on your runway, #5 or #6 will work depending on what speed you want. Just push the button to get to the mode you want. You want to put random blinking lights on your SDF-1 mode #7 will work, or LED’s put close together you can get a staggered “KITT effect” as on Night Rider. The LEDs are multi-colored, but can be replaced with white or amber LEDs for your purpose and coupled to fiber optics to get light where and in what sequence you want it. I did find a white LED version, but can’t find it again. For those of you in America, I got mine at Target (pronounced Tar-Jhay if you want to sound snobby). Sorry, couldn’t find a part number to order, but they are up front with the cheap $1.00 items. For those of you overseas, look for the picture on-line under “LED wand.” Here is a video link (not mine) of what the modes look like: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UC9ANtEQygA An online source (there are MANY) is: http://www.banggood.com/Wholesale-Multi-Color-7-Modes-LED-Flashing-Light-Glow-Wand-Sticks-Party-Fun-Supplies-p-56850.html This is just an inexpensive suggestion to help you get your lighting done without breaking the bank. If you have similar inexpensive ideas, please share them!- MT

That's great Xigfrid! You've done something most of us would NEVER do - put our works into the hands of our children! Cool Thom! I've got the 1/350th waiting for about five years now. I won't build it until I have display case to put it in. NZEOD, if I'm ever over in your neck of the woods and invite myself over, make sure we don't tour "the little shop of horrors" section before dinner - MT

Sorry for the delay! No, it didn't! I replied to their original email, sent them other emails and sample pictures, but all I got was chirping crickets! So I gave up. - MT

Nice use of landing ring decals on the Daedalus Both ships look GREAT! - MT

It's coming along great! - MT

This looks like the hand-made wood models from the Philippines. It doesn't look custom or anything, but if you move the decimal from what you paid, they average around $129.00! Eeewww, they glitter glued it too! That's just wrong! It looks 1/48th scale from the photos. If it is, just use the parts from an old kit. Fixing the parts and repainting will be the fun part, though. Matching finishes is a pain! Maybe you can contact one of the company's on ebay or other site that do wood models? You may end up spending the original value just to fix it! I hope that helps you somewhat. - MT

That's cool NZEOD! Just keep in mind that LEDs emit IR and UV which may yellow your great paint jobs. UV filters over them may help out. Here's a link on it: http://www.nouvir.com/index.cfm?ref=90200&ref2=9 We're in the same situation at the museum thinking of putting in strip LED lighting. We don't want them to yellow our artifacts. That "rare bird" (Regult) came out great Derex! Good to see some 80's love! - MT

HLJ is saying "unpainted." I wonder what kind of stickers/decal work these would really need? - MT

Hey ValkyriePM, long time, no see! Great comeback with a couple of GREAT models! They came out exceeelnt and the weathering looks realistic! Congratulations on a couple fo great display models! - MT

Nice detail work! - MT

I think you're skipping the "newbie" level and going strait to "advanced!" It's looking great so far! - MT

Man, that Prometheus is nearly the size of a 1/700 carrier! Looking AWESOME! - MT

AWESOME work Andrea! The colors and paint look great. I can hardly wait to see it done! - MT

I always love seeing that technique! It's just cool to see models being done with variety. -MT

That's what I get for posting late at night! My bad, the cruiser's been out, the Storm Attacker is new. I'm going back to sleep now - MT

Looking good! The good news is that the Zentraedi have "organic" looking ships with uneven surfaces. That should make life a little easier on you. - MT

Yeah, the Hase DYRL has been out for a while! Is this Ground Hog Day the movie ? Yes, the other stuff IS great news if true! My son wants a Cheyenne. - MT

I missed it too, but this is good! I might have to get one for a father-daughter build! - MT

Thanks Boinger! I'm creating new music for it! Then nobody can say anything. - MT

Good on ya Derex, there's no school like the old school! You'll make it work! Looking good Xigfrid! I'd smash it with my slipper too! No, a baseball bat, too scary looking to get that close! - MT

Your work is looking awesome! I tried making a test barrel, but my cross slide doesn't have enough travel and even though I was able to work around that, the whole thing doesn't want to stay in the chuck after turning the long taper. That is the only way I can do it to ensure strengh.

Here's a shape sample I was talking about above. The dimensions may vary in this JPEG from the actual-sized labeled sample. - MT

Thanks for sharing that! I want that Cordoba model on the 1999 sample page! - MT

Looks great, thanks for sharing! - MT