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03-27-2011, 09:19 PM | #11 |
Hisstank.Com General
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Mississippi
Posts: 5,867
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My Feedback: http://www.hisstank.com/forum/buy-se...ck-thread.html MTF Vice Admiral. BFS H.A.C.K.S. Series 1 All-in. MTF Valkyries Asgard. Eagle Force All-in early bird. CFT Dime Novel Legends Posse. Zombie Lab All-in. MTF World War II Mayhem. HasLab Jabba's Sail Barge. HasLab Razor Crest x3. MTF Vietnam Mayhem 1st + All-In 2nd. HasLab Sky Striker x 5. Callsign: Longbow Pick 6. HasLab HISS x 3. HasLab Dragonfly x 3. HasLab Ghost. |
03-27-2011, 10:36 PM | #12 |
COBRA NAVAL AVIATION
Join Date: May 2010
Location: COBRA Aircraft Carrier "Tyranny Rising"
Posts: 1,207
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Wow! Thanks y'all!
Friendly Plastics Plastics are wonderful things for sure, but not all plastics are ideal for the type of fabrication you will be doing. The best plastics to use are Polystyrene or Styrene for short, ABS (Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) which is a sister plastic to Polystyrene and PVC ( Polyvinyl Chloride) which is what plastic pipes for household plumbing are made of. Polystyrene is the weakest of these, but the most plentiful within the model-building hobby. Model kits are made of this plastic. Companies like Plastruct and Evergreen specialize in the production of styrene sheet and stock (stock is shapes like tubes, round and square rods and strips). ABS is a stronger version of styrene. The newer 'Joe vehicles body shells are made of this while the 80s vehicles are styrene. Tip: If you are unsure as to what type of styrene you are dealing with there are two tests you can perform to be sure. First you can attempt to glue a piece of polystyrene to it with a welder for alike plastics only. If after the adhesive cures the added piece of plastic is able to be pulled away it is ABS, if not it is polystyrene. The second method involves a saw, manual or power. if when you cut into the plastic a bitter acrid smell is released it is ABS. This is the downside of ABS, its a terrible smell, especially if using power equipment like a Dremel. Lastly is PVC, which I started utilizing about two years ago. It is very useful as large tubes of styrene are impossible to get, which is what forced me to diversify (though you can also use ABS sewer pipe which is the dull black pipe on the plumbing aisle). PVC will allow you to add large circular shapes easily and cheaply to your project. PVC is also available as sheet as well as rod (circular and square). I have been trying to get hold of some for a year now, but the budget just isn't there. It is the superior plastic for large structures like bases, playsets and ships. I intend to use it for an amphibious assault ship I have planned. A company called Weld-On makes great adhesives for it as well as Oatey, which makes PVC pipe cements available at any hardware store. You should be able to get Weldon products at any plastics supply. PVCs downfall is its weight. The larger diameter the pipe the heavier it gets. Unfortunately it seems to be the cheapest alternative when you are seeking large (4" and up) diameter pipe. A note about acrylics Acrylics also known as Plexiglas are another usable plastic. Acrylics are tough and tough to work with. You can cut them with a Dremel but it will be difficult and the melted plastic turns to an iron-like crust on either side of the cut. It can be cut manually but the cut is difficult even with a good Japanese type saw. They make special cutting tools that are like a blade you pull across the plastic, then snap on the cut, called the "score and snap" method. It's a pain. Cutting with power equipment such as a table saw will require a special blade and they are not cheap. I have one, a lower end blade costing $120. Use acrylics only if you need a clear tube, a tough window or a very glossy finish without painting. This plastic certainly has its uses but you will work hard to use it. Weld-On for acrylic is the best adhesive for it, I have heard MEK will work as well. Plastruct, Inc. - Home Evergreen Scale Models Home | Plastic Tanks | Plastic Buckets | Plastic Bottles | Labware | Plastic Tubing | PVC Pipe | U.S. Plastic Corp. IPS Corporation (Weld-On adhesives) And as always eBay. You can pick up some good deals on plastics here, especially PVC. Most often PVC sheet and shape is available only in large manufacturer sized lots, shutting out hobbyists. US Plastic is a great company I have ordered from before and they sell small quantities of plastics, so they are hobbyist friendly. |
03-27-2011, 11:09 PM | #13 |
COBRA NAVAL AVIATION
Join Date: May 2010
Location: COBRA Aircraft Carrier "Tyranny Rising"
Posts: 1,207
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The sky is the limit
Shortly I will wade into the build planned, a DreadnoK Fan Boat. As you tune in I want you to have a "can-do" attitude about what you see. Scratchbuilding is about problem-solving, risk-taking and enjoying what you are doing most of all. If it doesn't work out the first time, rethink it and build it again. The plastic can be cut up and be reused. Practice and trial and error will increase your skills. Have a clear vision of what you are doing, gather reference pics off the internet, get a folder full if you can, then study them. Visualize in your mind or even on paper how you will build the piece, this is the problem solving part. When you have a good idea, start scratchin'. Have fun most of all, it's a hobby not a job remember? And don't forget: MEASURE TWICE, CUT ONCE. |
03-27-2011, 11:25 PM | #14 |
COBRA NAVAL AVIATION
Join Date: May 2010
Location: COBRA Aircraft Carrier "Tyranny Rising"
Posts: 1,207
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This is one of my ref pics. I plan to do an armed version of this machine. |
03-27-2011, 11:31 PM | #15 |
Knight of Spear
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Helheim Forest
Posts: 10,531
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If you don't mind me asking, what kind of armament are we talking here?
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Let's make this showy. |
03-27-2011, 11:57 PM | #16 |
That Light Dude
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Wherever
Posts: 856
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The most important rule really is measure twice, cut once.
Looking forward to see what you do. I'm always looking for more tricks to add to my arsenal. I love working with styrene..... Sorry for the thread hijack. I can't help it, I'm a braggart ;)
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All my customs conveniently located in one place.... http://www.flickr.com/photos/36398360@N05/ Feedback http://www.hisstank.com/forum/buy-se...fireflyed.html |
03-28-2011, 12:21 AM | #17 |
COBRA NAVAL AVIATION
Join Date: May 2010
Location: COBRA Aircraft Carrier "Tyranny Rising"
Posts: 1,207
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Quote:
If you (or anyone else) have any suggestions on weapons let me know. |
03-28-2011, 12:25 AM | #18 |
COBRA NAVAL AVIATION
Join Date: May 2010
Location: COBRA Aircraft Carrier "Tyranny Rising"
Posts: 1,207
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Quote:
Thanks fireflyed! I'm going to try and keep it interesting even for experienced scratchbuilders. Is that a heavily worked over Snowcat in the pic? Looks really cool; I like personnel carrier variants. |
03-28-2011, 01:08 AM | #19 |
That Light Dude
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Wherever
Posts: 856
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Quote:
As far as weapons for your boat, marauder mini-guns are always my favorite go-to choice. (as you can see from that snow cat.) But you do great work. I'm sure whatever you decide will be the perfect choice. looking forward to it.
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All my customs conveniently located in one place.... http://www.flickr.com/photos/36398360@N05/ Feedback http://www.hisstank.com/forum/buy-se...fireflyed.html |
03-28-2011, 02:51 AM | #20 |
Cobra Viper
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: philippines
Posts: 340
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gee..i envy you guys that supply of styreen and evergreen sheets are easy to get in your place, the only time i got these sheets is when i went to hongkong and bought some there, although im using an alternative for it styreen is still best in making those scratchbuilt parts. goodluck!
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