New Star Trek builds!

mercs32118 · Styrene Addict

RE: New Star Trek builds!

lloyd II · Model Overlord

Just checked out your finished Destroyer. Really Beautiful! I liked keeping the raised lines on the saucer, it makes it look so FJD, like in the tech manual. I still like the way the hangar deck turned out. Looking forward to you next project.

Now I will be getting it before Christmas?

Tholian · Model Overlord

I have no even tried to light up one of my Projects. What I need is an Actual list of things I need to get in order to do it.

Know what I mean? What will I need from Radio Shack if I wanted the flashing Navigational lights on the saucer section. What I need to get the LED's to light up the windows and such.

Radio Shack Shopping list is what I am asking. LOL

mercs32118 · Styrene Addict

Well, on a "shopping list", it's a very long one, and you need to know something on electronics assembly before it even pays off for you. Learning simple circuit design, resistance values, and voltages, are all stuff you really need to know first. You can always buy "ready made" lighting kits, and that saves a lot of time if you just want to get it done easy. I don't divulge my particular designs, as they are custom made at the shop, and fall under the category of trade secrets. I don't mind sharing some information about the way I build lighted models, but it's the way I make my living, and there are some competitors out there who are always trying to get the "edge" over another builder. So no can do on any sort of list, sorry. I suggest you get a simple primer on electronics assembly, and do some of the projects that are included in it as assignments. Most good primers are for classroom purposes and will teach you much about what you need to know to make some simple "loop" circuits and such. Knowledge is a precious commodity, so gather some up for that next project!

Tholian · Model Overlord

well, actually I took electro Mechanical Assembly in School and do know simple circuits. I was looking for on what Transistors and diodes and such I need to get and the scematics on how to assemble them. I have seen some sipmle circuits, but thought you may give me a list of what to get and all.

But I understand and it's ok, trade secrets are just that. Secret LOL

Talk to you soon.

lloyd II · Model Overlord

Look at RS for the Engineers Notebook. I bought that many years ago, and with the RS catalog, I started to experment. I have even made my own printed circuit boards. I bought the kit at RS. RS is not the best place anymore to get all you need, but it is a start.

I bought from DLM years ago the light kit for the cutaway 1701. It was only the PC boards, and booklet on how to do it, and how to build the model. I have been drilling the zillion of holes, and when finished, I will solder the parts I bought. Hope I do it right.

mercs32118 · Styrene Addict

Well it sounds like you two have all the information you need to get going. Base your resistors on the power supply. I use 9 and 12 volts as standard voltage settings for most Star Ships. Do the math and you'll get the values your looking for. It's not rocket science or anything, just basic electronic stuff.

mercs32118 · Styrene Addict

Here's a picture of me at the shop, working on some electronic stuff. See...nothing to it! LOL

lloyd II · Model Overlord

Easy?

Looks scary to figure out.

Ok, it's not that bad.

Tholian · Model Overlord

Yea.... Easy

If I tried something like that, I would have a Blob of lit up Plastic laying on the table.

mercs32118 · Styrene Addict

It takes time to learn new applications and concepts. If I just spelled it out for you, I'd be cheating you out of the immense satisfaction of doing it for yourself. You'd miss the entire learning process which is yours for life, that's my point. I can just tell you how to do it, but you will learn nothing in the process other than copying a schematic. If you figure out step by step, you will have the means to light up models for the rest of your building days. Start with a few basic lighting circuits, this will lead to an understanding of how the more complex stuff works, and most importantly, why. Not trying to be a "know-it-all" because I'm not at all. There's stuff I see everyday that I have no inkling how it was done, but I get my wits together and figure it out. The only true payoff I get from any client's order, other than the fee, is the new things I learned in the process of making it happen. It's like the Biblical proverb, "fish for a man, feed him for a day, teach the man to fish, and feed him for a lifetime". That's my intent guys, to give you something to strive for, to learn new stuff and look back at the learning that led you there. Not to spell it all out in a list and cheat you out of all the fun in discovering the art of painting with lights. If I've offended you I apologize, didn't mean it that way at all. It's taken me years to learn to do it at this level. But I started with a little know-how, and a lot of screw-ups along the way. Model building, to me, is a slow and patient art, not the instant-gratification stuff we are surrounded by nowadays. When you get that first nicely lighted build completed, and you figured it all out yourself, you'll have a feeling of pride and accomplishement. That is a feeling worth more than gold, trust me on that. Hope you understand my point, I mean it in all sincerity.

mercs32118 · Styrene Addict

Oh, and a Happy Holiday season to everyone!

lloyd II · Model Overlord

Happy Holidays to you,too.

I understand where you are coming from, and agree. Every model I do, I am getting better. I have some small lighted projects coming up, so I will mess up, but I will learn from my mistakes.

The way you light a model, might not be the way I want to do it. So it is better to go with what I need to get them done.

mercs32118 · Styrene Addict

Thanks lloyd, thats exactly my point. Modeling is a personal art-form, do it your way!

lloyd II · Model Overlord

Just saw your new project. Klingon Bird of Prey! Another fun model to see put together.

But I am worried. Skill level 2! Might be more than you can handle.