Federation Commander

For those of you who like to have the fully correct externals on ships, when you add phasers, how do you do it?

I've heard that some people use epoxy, but is that two part epoxy cement or is it epoxy putty?

I use two-part epoxy glue. Usually the 5-minute-ish kind.

This is best done on a bare-metal (washed and clean) mini.

Mix a small batch of the glue up (I do this in mini Dixie-cups).
Dip the tip of a toothpick into it to pick up just a very tiny dab of glue.
Poke the mini with that dab of glue and twist the toothpick as you pull it away to help it keep a small footprint and not ooze out into a blob.
Once you have your little dab(s) of glue on the mini, turn it upside down. This again keeps the phaser bump as a nice small roundish bump, and doesn't let gravity flatten it into a blob. Keep the mini flipped-over until the epoxy cures.

Prime and paint as-usual.

How big do these generally turn out? I know it's going to be dependent upon the specific technique and how well I can get it done, but I'm just curious if you have a ballpark idea.

Done right (take a few practice runs first on scrap), they're spot on.

Many of the phasers on the mini masters are done the same way.

Optimus: Will is correct. 90% (or more) of the phasers on the original master for the minis currently in production were done in this manner. The remaining 10% of the masters had phasers constructed of small (and I mean real, small...) balls of green putty epoxied onto the master.

Now, for a change of pace, the monitor I am constructing for SVC will have a totally different method of phaser construction. While accompanying wifey on a shopping trip [she introduces me as BOB - Beast Of Burden- ], I found a packet of extra fine pins designed for use with silk. these have pinheads that are about the same size as a phaser bump. I plane to drill a 1/32" pilot hole where every phaser will go, clip off one of the pins, and epoxy the resultant shaft into the pilot hole, leaving a pin-head phaser bump flush with the surface of the miniature.

I used snipped-off steel pins for the phasers on the upcoming FedEx master, because I hadn't mastered the epoxy-method yet. For master that have to withstand the heat of mold-making, I'd probably do that again. For general mini kitbashing, etc., it's nothing but epoxy now.

Tony,

Where did you find those pins?? I hate using the epoxy method. IMHO it makes the bumps way too big, but I haven't found anything that works so easily that withstands the process (and even still the first thing to 'disappear' in the casting process are the epoxy phasers). But tiny-headed pins...

I thinkthey can from Jo-Ann during one of wifey's "Scrap-booking expeditions", but I'll have to go home and double check the packaging to be sure. Once I get home, I'll look at the pin-box and see. If I can't tell where it came from, then I'll try to post the MFG info and the part number - perhaps they'll have a web site.

Or, I could just take out a few for future use and sell you the rest at an exorbitant profit level!

Thanks for all the suggestions guys. This worked great! I used a very small pin to apply the epoxy rather than a toothpick to get the phaser bumps about the same size as those on the CC saucer. Now my kitbashes can actually have weapons on them in addition to (some superb looking) decals. I'll post some photos of the ships I used this on once I get them painted up.

I use very fine-pointed bamboo toothpicks (which I should have specified).

Looking forward to the pics of your minis.

Tony,

Any word on where you got the pins??
And in response to the threatened 'enrichment' scheme...

"That's dishonest...low."
(60 points if you can name the movie from which the quote originated. And an extra 60 if you name the movie and the character who spoke it.)

John Schneder II wrote:Tony,

Any word on where you got the pins??
And in response to the threatened 'enrichment' scheme...

"That's dishonest...low."
(60 points if you can name the movie from which the quote originated. And an extra 60 if you name the movie and the character who spoke it.)

Serendipitiously, we made a pilgrimage to Jo-Ann last night. They don't carry them, so it was either Michael's, Hobby Lobby, or Hancock Fabrics. I checked the packaging and unfortunately, the brand name isn't on the box... but I do recall that they were "Extra Fine, Silk Pins". Perhaps that'll help ou track some down locally.

In response to your response:
Easy - I just picked up a used DVD with the Mad Max collection on one disc. The Gyro Captain said

"That's dishonest... low!"

to Max when he found out that the shotgun wasn't loaded...

John,

It was a pack of 100 pins for next to nothing. I'll never use that many of them, so I'll send you a few dozen. If they will work for what you want, you'll have enough to get you started while we both look for a place to get more. If they won't work - neither of us is out any great amount.

OK... this is getting weird. I just watched Mad Max on Blu-Ray with some friends not a week ago.

And Tony wins the 60 points plus the bonus 60

And as always Tony, you are the man!! I looked at JoAnn today when I was out shopping, and no luck. Planned to hit Hobby Lobby and Michael's (in the same part of the strip) tomorrow. I'll be on the lookout for those from you. I owe ya' a beer at Origins