Jases Battlestar Galactica

[JAWS]

All tips help Charles & are greatfully appreciated. Its hard to leave parts in the moulds. Just want to crack em open like its a Christmas present! The anticipation is a killer sometimes. As is the let down when theyre crappy....

[bwayne64]

(07-30-2010, 05:41 PM)star-art Wrote: Those JPS cockpit parts are very thin. The key to successfully casting them in resin is to use the right resin (I hear something called "hard cast" is the one to get) and to leave them in the mold for at least 24 hours to make sure they are fully cured. You should also keep the molds nice and warm to make sure the resin fully catalyzes. Hope that helps!

Hey Charles,
Would you have a line on where to get that "Hard Cast" resin. I did a Google search, and asked around, but not joy so far. Thanks in advance,

Joe



Oops, checked Google again, and found it. It's by Silpak. Heres the page I found.

http://www.silpak.com/casting-materials/...ne-plastic

[JAWS]

I believe smooth-On might have it. I know they additives that harden your resins.

[JAWS]

Finally got the last of the Rocos on the Starboard side tonight. Just need the Fujimi f16 drop tanks, Hasegawa 155mm U bolt, some styrene chips & the sides are done Relief Oh damn the frakn 211's.................................................................................................................................
Thats probably it until next week. Have to get a new lid cut before I can start that. I still need the Raider & FalGal for the bottom so can't really do that until I get them either. oh well looks like its time for a break

[darkimmitator]

Damn nice !!!!! It's definately lookin the part Jase .That's a god damned Battlestar taking shape there boys !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[JAWS]

Thanks mate. Hows your coming along? I should mould up the 211's today. It really looks good when theyre on. Hope the Fujimi F16 isn't far away either. Its been a bit quiet this week. I hope everyones been building.

[Wombat]

No building down here.

But good to see you've got them top side panels done at last.Looks bloody great at that also,Jase!
Looking like a Battlestar without question,once ya get them 211's done and them F-15(hopefully thats what ya got coming,not F-16) tanks the dides will be pretty much done.Yeah,get a new lid cut for this section and start the detailing on that.First you'll need to get those Entex part's casted like you mentioned but the moulding side of that shouldn't be a problem for ya.Hopefully the casting side of things doesn't cause too much grief.

Anyway,what ya got there is looking good there mate!!

[JAWS]

Just a bit more primer to see what needs smoothin out. I believe im still 1 or 2mm short at the back from not spacing the Rocos adiquately I'll deal with that once the new Engine Plate is cut Wednesday. Im getting the Engine Plate, Main Body & Buildings cut this week. I might get the Arms & landing bays cut depending on finances. The main one is the Engine Plate so we'll see what happens mid week. The other thing I did today was start the mould for the 211's. I spent some time on it & hope it will be a good one.

[Wombat]

Sounds like christmas is coming early for you!

Man thats gonna be sweet having all that ready for assembly,you ain't gonna be short of things ta do once ya get that pile of plastic home,thats for sure.First thing is you'll finally be able ta assemble that backplate up with your port's and the other greeblies taht go on there.I know ya been hanging ta get that piece done.You'll be on a roll again real soon with it all.If ya a mm short still once ya get that new backplate,i'm sure you'll be able ta work it that it'll look just fine mate.

[star-art]

That's really coming together. Looking good!

[JAWS]

Thanks fellas. Its amazing what a good coat of primer can do. Couple little bumpy spots to smooth out but am happy with what Ive done all up. The mould for the 211's is looking good. Should be ready by this afternoon to pump a couple out hopefully.

[JAWS]

Ok small update. Had an accident at work this morning so am off for a week & won't get much done I think. Anyway the mould for the 211's is good. The first cast was great except for the little jerry cab bit worked well. Ive tweeked(cut) the mould & the second run was perfect. Its funny cause I went to glue em on thinking they were as is & then they didn't fit! I was just WTF!!!!! Then realised they had some cut from the ends of course... A little trim & they fit great. Well nearly great. I have to remove some tabs from under the 257's that stop the last one from butting right up to the top wall under the 257 & 215. Always something to keep ya guessing. I have also started to cut/shape the Saturn V parts for the bottom of the engine. Again I was too quick to cut & removed the join tabs from the outside rear pieces when they should have been left on. Theres something that covers the join & instead of sacrificing another Saturn V kit will just live with it. I think....

[darkimmitator]

Nice update there Jase . Those 211 castings look real good too !!!!

[Wombat]

Looking good dude!!

Sorry to hear about your mishap,glad things aren't worse than what they are.It could have easily been that way.
I'll be calling you tomoz when i get home dude.

Hope ya feeling betta soon there,Jase!

[427 Cobra]

(08-04-2010, 05:46 PM)jasonwright.1972 Wrote: Ok small update. Had an accident at work this morning so am off for a week & won't get much done I think.

Well, if it's any consolation - I damn near broke my ankle yesterday in a hole that my mom dug for my fucking idiot big mouth aunts' damn dead cat! Why the hell didn't she just bury the damn thing in her own yard? (Dumbass!) This has been there for years, but I was cleaning the pool (a collapsable one) and like a dumbass, I was moving it thinking all was well when I stepped into a one foot diameter, six inch deep hole while packing up the liner, which is also the outside material with loops for metal pipes to go inside to support it. This was laying out in the sun to dry after cleaning the dirt from the bottom of it.

I had to paint a project (Korean war U.S. Army tool chest), and put it back together (which is why I had very little time to myself this last week), as well as clean the pool sand of all debris, and roots as one pushed its' way through the bottom of our pool. I had to take the whole thing down, then put sand in one spot that was washed out, and level it, then clean the tarp that comes with the pool to keep grass from poking through, and clean the bottom of the pool liner itself. This was an all day affair! It was getting dark by the time I finished putting the pool together again, so no water, but it did rain during the night, but only a little. I just finished cleaning my paint gun when I had to work on the pool. (Of course, my niece was visiting my mom, and was of no help at all.)

At least my ankle doesn't hurt, but the paint on the tool chest is mismatched, so until my uncle gives the go-ahead with having it computer matched, it'll remain in my backyard until I can finish it in the proper olive drab. I tried to match this perfectly, but the box has sun fading. I'll have to use a non faded part for matching. I know that Army green is the norm for camoflage, but at that time they painted everything olive drab, which is too dark to match grass of most species, except Kentucky blue grass. Kentuckorea? I don't know of any Kentucky blue grass growing across seas!

[dbhs]

Hope you're doing ok Jase. Model looks great.

[JAWS]

Thanks fellas. Well Cris I nearly broke my neck or maybe even worse yesterday when a railing I leant on gave way plunging me 6-8ft head first onto pebble crete driveway....Just lucky I put my hands out to break the fall of my head hitting the ground.
The models coming along well thanks fellas. Picking up my Engine plate today. YAY!!!! So happy about that. The guy from the plastic supplier likes my build so much he's halved the quotes he gave me & am getting my plastic cut pretty damn cheap. Which is good cause I got 2 parking fines & a speeding fine, car Rego on top of my other bills. Plus I need 4 new tyres.... Im sure we're all in the same boat but it really sucks! Update tonight boys.

[LastBattlestar]

I hope you are OK Jase? Hopefully you will recover enough to have a couple of days at the bench?

Mike

[Richard_2001]

Jason,

Heres to hoping you suffer no long term injuries from your unexpected fall!

The Roco castings look great! nice job on the engine section so far. good news on the discount as well

Richard

[JAWS]

Yes dispite nearly coming to a quick end things are coming along nicely. I have got one side of 211's on & am in process of finishing the other. The extra time I took in making the mould worked as all the pulls have been successful thus far. Its so much better not getting any wastage other than the casting flash. Just awaiting that call to poick up my plastic...

[darkimmitator]

YEAH , , ,Very nice !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Lookin sharp there Jase !!!!

[Wombat]

Looking more and more like a Battlestar with every part mate.
Good to hear them castings are working out just fine up there now,the more ya do the betta you'll get at it all.
Also good news on your new plastics,won't be long and you'll have that backplate all detailed up,starting with those port's.
Have fun!!

[JAWS]

Thanks Keny. You got those parts yet? Once I recieve the Fujimi F15 she'll look sweet I rekon. Im pretty happy with how its comeing along. I have concerns about my length again. I know the Centurion treads are going to hang a little. Im certain I spaced just a fraction too much on the top Rocco's. Otherwise everything has fitted prety much as it should. I'll get the Ports side 211's finished today hopefully.
I was supposed to get my Engine Plate yesterday but because they reduced the quote I had to send them more parts to get cut to meet the minimum cost....maybe today

[darkimmitator]

(08-06-2010, 07:23 AM)jasonwright.1972 Wrote: Thanks Keny. You got those parts yet? Once I recieve the Fujimi F15 she'll look sweet I rekon. Im pretty happy with how its comeing along. I have concerns about my length again. I know the Centurion treads are going to hang a little. Im certain I spaced just a fraction too much on the top Rocco's. Otherwise everything has fitted prety much as it should. I'll get the Ports side 211's finished today hopefully.
I was supposed to get my Engine Plate yesterday but because they reduced the quote I had to send them more parts to get cut to meet the minimum cost....maybe today

Hey Jase , got the parts this afternoon !! Nice castings Sir .Made my day when I opened the package and saw all those greeblies ...Just like Christmas in August !!!!! Thanks man !!

[JAWS]

Good Kenny. The castings aren't the greatest but thanks anyway. Now I have the resin situation sorted things have improved again. Hope to see some progress on your build soon buddy.

[JAWS]

So after all my bills & fines rolled in I wasn't left with much from the old pony express...But with what I did have left I have had my:

-Body cut
-Neck cut
-Forward & Aft Arms cut
-Middle Arms cut
-Engine Back Plate cut (FINALLY!)

So I should have plenty to do right! Wrong..... I was unable to pick it up due to inadiquate timing & have to wait till Monday to get them! ARRRRGGHHhhhhhhhh!!!!! Thats a killer. Its like waiting for a child to get born or that last hour before knock off, it just sucks.

[JAWS]

Picking up my Acrylics this morning! Its been a long weekend waiting for these.

[darkimmitator]

And then let the assembling begin !!!! Be sure to protect yourself from the fumes of that arcrylic bonder Jase .Just lookin out for ya man !!!!

[JAWS]

As with most things relating to this build there has been another screw up. Its actually almost funny. I went to pick up my arylics I had laser cut & after a discussion about getting some domes machined & vaccuformed for the Falcon project picked up my stuff, jumped in the car & went home eager to progress with some building. After laying out my parts realised I was missing my main body section so rang up the supplier. "No we cut them he says", "um no you haven't", "yest we cut them he says". "You should have 4 x small bulk heads & 2 x rectangle for upper & lower?". I looked at my pieces & almost laughed with confused dissapointment..... "Yes I see them now." "Theyre tiny!". "We just cut them from the files you sent us?". "Oh, er, um????!!!!". "Could the files have been wrong?". So I quickly checked them. Yep they were wrong for some reason "Ok Im sorry there has been a 'small' error". I'll fix them & get them cut on the next run.................... Damnit!!!!!
So Ive got my Neck & Arms cut that won't fit on my 'Tiny' body....

[JAWS]

So scribed the engine plate & started to fit the ports which didn't go as planned. Figure that..... Have had to tear them apart to remove the C Strip from the corners so they can be fitted properly. It hasn't gone well & I am about to chuck a serious tantrum

[Wombat]

Well it looks like it's been an up and down day for you there.just stay positive dude,i'm sure them ports will go back together OK with a bit of workin.Thats great news on you getting your new acrylics,especially the backplate.The undersize body pieces are a bit of a laugh really.Had the decimal point out by one position aye?I guess you can always build a 1/4 scale one just for fun.

[JAWS]

Another day I should have gone back to bed. Couldn't be unhappier with the days proceedings. Wrong files cut & stupid ports that just didn't want to go in. They should have gone in easy. They look just crap! I got glue everywhere & theyre just fuct. Wanna just pull the 12 guage out & pretend Im a Cylon Base Cannon......

[427 Cobra]

It's OK, Jase - you'll get back in the swing of it soon! I've had many days, and days full of mistakes! Just look at my X-wing build. There are times when I was wondering, "What the hell am I thinking"?! I still can't get myself motivated to doing any more on it. I haven't given up, but I'm just frustrated with how my search for casting products is going. That, and I think depression is setting in again....

~ Cobra Chris

[LastBattlestar]

Sound like we're all having hell with the ports! They are extremely difficult to build and detail. I built mine undetailed so that when fitting to the backplate, I have easy access to the seams for filling and sanding without greeblies getting in the way. However, it's making detailing in there an absolute killer. The other way round is not easy either. There ain't no easy way to build these $%#^&*@! so we must grit our teeth and get it over and done with!

Hit the joints with primer and see how it looks Jase, it may not be as bad as you think.

Mike

[darkimmitator]

All in all ,I think that if these were easy to build ,they wouldn't be as fun to build .It's how challenging these are to build ,that keeps them so rare ( and how expensive they are to build ) . Just remember Jase , don't let the challenge overshadow the fact that not only are you one of the lucky few that own one of these babies ,but you personally built it .Chin up man , we all know here that you will get things sorted out . A good nights sleep and those ports will just fall into place !!!! Now don't ever admit that your a toaster again !!!!!!!!!!! LOL

[JAWS]

Thanks guys. A second look the next day has smoothed my distain. Theres just a couple of areas that are unnacceptable. The thing is once the lights go on all the imperfections are really highlighted...

[JAWS]

Have scribed the top panel & will now bevel the edges to fit snuggly(Like the one I cracked previously) This one is cut to the rigt size so is good to go after tha. I know theres a few people interested in 1/8 JPS castings but just haven't got to that section yet so haven't done them. I have alsorepaired the engine ports. Excuse the glu, its only onthe backside thank the resin gods. I'd say I will again rebuild them at a later time(much later)

[dbhs]

I've never scribed on acrylic. Looks like it is hard to see what you are doing. Would it be easier if you primered it first? Maybe you need the plastic exposed on the surface for gluing?

Looking good.

[JAWS]

Its actually quite easy Doug because its clear. I put my layout under neath, secure the piece so it doesn't move & trace the design with pencil. Thats why its all scaratched up with sand paper. So the pencil adheres to the acrylice. Then I take it off & place over a sheet of white paper & scratch the lines in.

[Wombat]

OK,that is the final lid this time,it looks good the scribing job you've done on it.I guess we've both had practice with that now on this particular piece.I think your ports should scrub up OK from what i can see.Once you replace the channel in the corners it should cover anything that looks a bit average right now.As for the lighting,i'm thinking that they'll hide a lot of the detailing when they are on,i picture them burning bright as.
Keep going,ya doing just fine!

[JAWS]

Thanks mate. The C Channel will cover up the ugly seams & the primer will do the rest. The main thing that was annoying me was not leaving enough gap for the C Channel in the corners but after closer observation think Ive fixed that. Hangin out for these Fujimi F15 parts... I'll have this section pretty much done by the end of the week except for the turrets that go in the ports. they'll have to wait. My funds are dpleted now for a while & just have to work with what Ive got.

[Wombat]

Well it's not like you haven't got much there ta go on with in the meantime,i'm sure you'll find plenty that you can still do.Don't get too fussed on them ports,if you look at mine closely they aiun't that flash either.As long as they look the part mate,theres plenty of eye candy to keep one captivated on this build that a small blemish here and there wont even be noticeable.

[427 Cobra]

Just remember what you've been telling me all along, Jase - slow, and steady wins the race! I know that rhymed, but it was unitentional. Just keep plugging at it slowly until you can't stand it anymore. This is what I did until I got to the point where I can't go anywhere with it. The fact that I have to make casts of parts that I need to make multiples of is what stopped me dead in my tracks. I think I've found a site that'll help me a long way with the four footer. This may just be my salvation yet!

~ Cobra Chris

[JAWS]

So Ive moved on to the bottom as a kit I was waiting for to finish the sides isn't even in the post yet cause I sent the $ to a wrong PayPal account... Anyway Ive instantly noticed what Phil would already have & that we're a lil narrow on the bottom. This will affect spacing of parts some but at the moment Im not going to let it get me down. I'll just make notes for the next one.

[Wombat]

Oh you are gonna be having some fun with this.It's actually not to bad and i found it layed out betta than i was expecting.You can see what i managed to achieve,so you can at least get it looking like that.Perhaps you'll work it even betta yet?I'm not that fussed really,it looks the part and i can live with it.Oh,i'm not taking notes,this is it,i'll never be doing another,not in this life time anyway!

Have fun there Jase!

[JAWS]

Thanks mate & I agree. Was just stirring.

[BSG_TOS]

Looks great!!! Please don't forget the dozen Flux capacitors which are integrated in the underside ... next to the FTL propulsion system.


  flux_capacitor.jpg (Size: 4.58 KB / Downloads: 89)

[427 Cobra]

(08-16-2010, 04:39 PM)jasonwright.1972 Wrote: So Ive moved on to the bottom as a kit I was waiting for to finish the sides isn't even in the post yet cause I sent the $ to a wrong PayPal account...

How did that happen? I certainly hope that you can get your money back from whoever that was! You should if this was a mistake. There's a link to refunding money for buyers that the seller can use if needed.

On a lighter note: This is looking more Battlestar everytime I look at this thread. I love seeing the tank bodies all lined up along the sides.

~ Cobra Chris

[JAWS]

Thanks fellas. Yeah I just 'cancelled' the payment once I realised i typed the wrong account name. All is fixed now & that last kit for the sides will be on its way soon. Ive got plenty to keep me occupied so its ok. All I really need is the two Raider bottom pieces which I believe Im getting from Brad that are cast off an original studio model. Should have good update tonight.

[dbhs]

Hehehehehehe

(08-18-2010, 01:08 AM)427 Cobra Wrote: On a lighter note: This is looking more Battlestar everytime I look at this thread.

I first read this as "Badasslestar". LOL

I think that's appropriate too !!