What are you working on right now?

[Demolition]

What, no love for mullets?

I had a mullet-ish haircut in middleschool in the 80s so I tread lightly on that one

 

[Demolition]

I fixed the lines, and changed the center line to a white passing lane, the yellow wasn't doing it for me.
Now for some heavy weathering.....depicting a scene about 20 years after the apocalypse.

View attachment 176151

Well that was a quick turn around! Looks good.

 

[TimM63]

I received a little extra cash from work so I took the plunge and ordered a new Saturn 4 Ultra 16K 3D printer bundle.
https://us.elegoo.com/products/saturn-4-ultra-16k-complete-bundle-mercury-plus-v3-0-resin

I set up my printing station today. Getting ready for my first resin print.

 

[BarleyBop]

Getting ready for my first resin print.

We want the skinny on everything!

 

[TimM63]

We want the skinny on everything!

How come no one ever wants the fat on everything? Always the skinny!! '

 

[BarleyBop]

So back to Skualand while I finish up the driver for the G7107 cargo truck.
The kit provided exhaust isn't gonna exhaust much looking like that!

Now that's what I'm talking about!

 

[Marauder1981]

As the New Year came around, I decided to swap out my airbrush compressor. I have been improvising with a Craftsman "pancake" style compressor that was for my workshop. It worked ok, but the regulator was terribly fiddly and it was loud enough to wake the dead. You could hear it anywhere in the house when it ran. Replaced with a Master Airbrush 1/5 HP Cool-Runner TC-426. At first, the regulator leaked air like a sieve until, after fooling with it for a half hour, I realized I had installed it backwards… air out v air in, doh! Now it purrs like a kitten, super quiet and ample air pressure. My hope is it lasts more than just a few years.

 

[Mopar]

What, no love for mullets?

Be like Billy Ray!

 

[Mopar]

What are your recommendations for an airbrush and pump? Thanks!

 

[BarleyBop]

Well, it was bound to happen: after all this time shuffling around the bench, I lost two intakes that are to fit inside cowling at top of radial engine.
Luckily I have good photo reference, so I set out to fabricate them.
Of course my first thought was to brass, but iffy, the tube undersized... maybe I can persuade it? Nope. Not enough.
So out comes some Evergreen tubing: reamed out the interior, cut to length, tapered to the back, then squashed into ellipse.

I may try heating it to override the material memory if necessary.

 

[C.A. Whitecloud]

For that, you need lights from the sides as well as from above. A ring light at the front is also a good addition, but not as necessary.

My setup is like this:

View attachment 169732

This is a folding photo studio (but set up permanently in my modelling room), with lights above and on each side, shining through the white fabric so the shadows aren't as harsh. The lights on both sides point up somewhat, which also helps reduce the harshness of the shadows. Also, these are white lights, not blueish like your fluorescent tube probably is.

I take photos through the ring light at the front, which I added because Aldi had them cheap a few years ago — the flexible mount I bought for it cost more than the light did

 

[C.A. Whitecloud]

I got this for Christmas!

 

[Edbert]

I set up my printing station today. Getting ready for my first resin print.

What is that in the middle?

 

[TimM63]

What is that in the middle?

It's a resin recycle stand. Resin tray holder on top, paper filter holder in the middle, and resin bottle on the bottom.
I will take a picture of it in use.

 

[BarleyBop]

Painted up the intakes...

 

[Littlemarten]

What are your recommendations for an airbrush and pump? Thanks!

GREX for the airbrush, California Air Tools or GREXex for the compressor. GREX airbrushes are very well made, very capable, and their product support is outstanding. I doubt there is an airbrush made that is easier and faster to disassemble (completely) and clean: 15 to 20 minutes, if you are as fussy as I am.

I currently have three California Air Tools compressors, one large for air tools, one small portable for when the big one is too far away, and one very small for airbrushing.

 

[Mopar]

GREX for the airbrush, California Air Tools or GREXex for the compressor. GREX airbrushes are very well made, very capable, and their product support is outstanding. I doubt there is an airbrush made that is easier and faster to disassemble (completely) and clean: 15 to 20 minutes, if you are as fussy as I am.

I currently have three California Air Tools compressors, one large for air tools, one small portable for when the big one is too far away, and one very small for airbrushing.

That's great info! Thank you! I'm going to check into that. I'm a 21 year military veteran and the same as you...I'm fussy. My wife has to tell me to calm down a bit at times. Oh well.

 

[Project510]

As the New Year came around, I decided to swap out my airbrush compressor. I have been improvising with a Craftsman "pancake" style compressor that was for my workshop. It worked ok, but the regulator was terribly fiddly and it was loud enough to wake the dead. You could hear it anywhere in the house when it ran. Replaced with a Master Airbrush 1/5 HP Cool-Runner TC-426. At first, the regulator leaked air like a sieve until, after fooling with it for a half hour, I realized I had installed it backwards… air out v air in, doh! Now it purrs like a kitten, super quiet and ample air pressure. My hope is it lasts more than just a few years. View attachment 176296

I purchased my TC9101 back in 2016. Your machine is basically an upgraded version of what I have. Mine is still running like the day I bought it. With better cooling, larger tank, dont see why it wouldnt last a good long while.

 

[Project510]

That's great info! Thank you! I'm going to check into that. I'm a 21 year military veteran and the same as you...I'm fussy. My wife has to tell me to calm down a bit at times. Oh well.

If you are looking for a more budget friendly option, The Ghaaleri 68 is very similar to the GREX trigger style airbrushes. I really enoy mine. I think it was $55 total, comes with two size needle/nozzle and 2 size cups. Basically covers all your needs from fine detail to wide coverage.

Compressors are a different story. I have not purchased one since 2016, but I imagine the quieter you go, the more expensive it gets.

 

[Marauder1981]

I purchased my TC9101 back in 2016. Your machine is basically an upgraded version of what I have. Mine is still running like the day I bought it. With better cooling, larger tank, dont see why it wouldnt last a good long while.

Very much appreciate the reassurances! I'm always a little suspicious of a bargain/deal but was having real heartburn over the thought of shelling out $300-$400 for an Iwata or Paasche compressor.

 

[Project510]

Very much appreciate the reassurances! I'm always a little suspicious of a bargain/deal but was having real heartburn over the thought of shelling out $300-$400 for an Iwata or Paasche compressor.

I had a hard time paying what I did for mine, but it ended up being worth it in the end seeing as how I am going on 10 years!

 

[BarleyBop]

through the weekend

Somebody's gonna be busy!

 

[BattleScale Collectica]

Some recent rivet work done to Blue Thunder's tail boom.

 

[Wolf Star]

I'm currently working on the old AMT Enterprise C and I've got a new commission build coming, the Estes 1/48 Soyuz. Also have a 1/72 U boat wreck I've been faffing about with for a long time.

 

[BattleScale Collectica]

I'm currently working on the old AMT Enterprise C and I've got a new commission build coming, the Estes 1/48 Soyuz. Also have a 1/72 U boat wreck I've been faffing about with for a long time.

sweet. post some pics!!

 

[BarleyBop]

... experimenting with embedding brass and metal in Krystal Klear behind landing light lens... once it clears up, I'll paint the back with Molotow before gluing it on the wing edge.

It's been a few hours, and the Krystal is starting to become transparent around the edges; a shadow of the embedded parts staring to show.

Hope it doesn't look too weird!

 

[BarleyBop]

The slow reveal...

Painted the back of the KK with Molotow...
The Jury is out for a few more days.

 

[Wolf Star]

So many lifeboats...This is only the top side of the saucer too.

 

[Demolition]

The slow reveal...

View attachment 177074
Painted the back of the KK with Molotow...
The Jury is out for a few more days.

Wow that's neat! I like that.

 

[BarleyBop]

...in the wing. Pleased at how it looks, not accurate but does suggest a lamp of some sort, and the Krystal technique worked!

I'll install the flanking guns after painting.
Now to mask the light.