MechTech

Great Jefuemon! Thanks in advance for giving us the "inside view!" - MT

Mini Me! If you want some barrels turned in aluminum, just let me know. They have better strength and help with uniformity. - MT

Thanks guys! I know there are some who are either "Trekkies or Star Warriors" and get a kick out of it. Our pastor even jokingly pointed out that our church seems to have one group sit on one side and one on the other, it's funny! Our bassist always wears some kind of Darth Vader shirt or Vader Christmas sweater for the holidays! Looks good Derex! Too bad about the decals! That's why I keep a can of artist's fixative and Microsol Superfilm (my bottle's like 20 years old)! I just printed some decals and had them ruined by not letting them dry long enough! The fixative made them run a bit. The Superfilm ate up what was left by the fixative. Now I need more decal paper - MT

If I smoked pot I would have thought I was having flashbacks watching that video! OK, back on target... Those Tomy Tec vaks look awesome! They must be well tampo-painted like the 1/200th diecast planes I have. You can actually read some of the "do not step" markings! Opening canopy-COOL! I don't really do 1/144th, but I'm tempted to get one for my son and I. Of course the lights and sounds are cool too! I've gotta get me one of those Macross aprons for the shop! - MT

That's some cool stuff dudes! AS far as movement goes, if you use servos (depending on how much movement you need) they have feedback and the computer knows where the servo axis is. Steppers are OK, but can miss teps and have no feedback for the driver circuit. I even went servos on my CNC cutter for the same reason; less waste, more control. Keep up the awesome work! - MT

Looking good! - MT

That's a cool idea! Yeah, the white would be an issue and maybe the front is too much, but I think it's a great start! - MT

Looking great! I'm working on my BA in Graphic Communications so I can appreciate the effort that's gone into it. - MT

I'm voting this one of the best SDF-1 builds, and not just because it started out as paper either... - MT

What he said ^ "Inconceivable!"!!! Maybe servos would be more torquey and cheaper? Are you tracking how many miles/kilometers of plastic you're using? - MT

For those that had a rough Monday, here's something to lighten up your week courtesy of the local modelling club's Facebook page. Sorry if you're "that guy" ... - MT

For explosive rounds hitting stuff, the best recreative effect I've found is to drill a hole (all the way through if that's what you want and then cover the back with tape) and then fill it with match head scrapings. CAREFULLY hold a lighter next to it to set it off. Just do it last or your gloss/matt coatings will ruin the realism. No kiddos, I'm not condoning playing with matches - this is art The busted up building pieces could be recreated with plaster or old busted up concrete (sand only). You may need to recreate breeze block or brick work under stucco work. Have fun with it - but not TOO much fun! - MT

Still looking great! Too bad we can't get this as a kit. I'd make mine into an Airsoft version or Max styled fire extinguisher - MT

I hate white too! I avoid it at all costs and I'm about to have to use it on a model. Plus there's the whole yellowing thing too. For white, I like to stick to a rattle can then finish on top of it once cured for a week. Then I detail it with panel lines etc... I may sound "paint racist" but white is just a pain on so many levels! - MT

Man, these look awesome!!! - MT

See there's another one! 1/32nd is normally for big aircraft and some older American armor models. 1/35th is for armor with some aircraft too. You're both right! Our hobby has more scales than the fish in the ocean! -MT

All of the scales DO drive me nuts! For example, I want to get a plane in 1/350th scale, but it is only available in 1/400th (big in France thanks to Heller). 1/400th is close, but TOO small! I HAVE the 1/20th Votoms kit, bought the 1/24th scale aluminum parts thinking they'd be close - NOPE! 1/20th is also a BIG car scale too in Japan. Yes, some standards would be nice like USB has become for computers versus all the other connectors that used to be used (hated that too). But variety is the spice of life I suppose." Just gets too spicy sometimes! - MT

"C'mon suckas, spend your cash!" OK, I could be wrong, but that's what it should say! These look better with each post. Looking at HLJ's photos, I guess the two in the set are parts swapable for three versions. Kinda the easy way some of us have been doing it the hard way with model kits. - MT

More cool stuff! You got us scheming now NZEOD! - MT

That does look cool!!! The Russians have circles on their carrier decks. We have lines so they have to have circles. It's an old US vs Russia thing - MT http://www.naval-technology.com/projects/kuznetsov/kuznetsov5.html

1/20 is popular in Japan. I thought the same thing too at first, and then said, "oh yeah, forgot." Same thing with 1/60th scale. We're victims of different cultures Then again, the different cultures are bringing us some GREAT models! - MT

Somehow I missed this a couple of years ago!? They look great Andrea! The stands are a nice break from the usual "flat" carrier decks and airfield dioramas. - MT

I don't currently have a spray booth, but the plan is to make it fold up against the wall/bench with hinges. Similar to this: http://www.micromark.com/fold-up-spray-booth,11594.html A key feature is to make a cover with heavy plastic sheeting (tarp material). I knew a guy that urethane coated woodwork and after applying the urethane, he set it under a clear plastic "tent." It kept dust off his work. So my plan is to paint and then "tent" the work in the booth. That way no dust settles on the work. I'll still have to use rattle cans outside to paint, but then I can tent them in the booth to gas-off and cure without ticking off my wife. Everyone is happy that way - MT

Those are terrific! It gives me some great ideas! The first tank is a little overboard with a CF bulb. LEDs would be better and last longer. Plus the CF creates UV that will bleach the "blast" from the inside out. Thank for sharing, those are cool! - MT

Thanks guys! It felt good to get a piece of history ready for display again. Looking great Xigfrid! - MT