Just as an FYI, but my final obstacle with this build has just been over come with the fiber optic store finally getting back into business.
I have just ordered 60 feet of end glow cable for 50% off - so normally that'd be $108 but got it for $54 with shipping making it $85AU - and that is a steal really when it used to cost me that much for just 20 feet!
So, if you are in the market for some fiber optic cable to spice up your build, https://thefiberopticstore.com/ is the place to go.
No, I am not being paid or sponsored by them in any way (I wish!) - I just really like their product!

Happy building!

Fibre optics?  

I start twitching just at the thought of that!

LOL,  you and me both mate   this will be a task that I'm not looking forward to

Evening all

Thought I'd post a quick update of where I'm up to. Since Friday last week, I have been working on the top plate. I was asked elsewhere if I could elaborate a bit more on the process of detailing. I thought the top plate edging would be a good subject to show how I do things.

Quick disclaimer -  I am not a professional modeller and my work is pretty average in terms of tidiness but I try. I have seen some seriously amazing scratch builders here and on other sites, with some actual skills they could teach which is why I feel like a little bit of a fraud doing this as what I do pales in comparison. But I said I would, so here goes.

First, I had to measure out how much over hang I wanted and then conform the back edge to the edge of the existing base plate:





Then I drew out a basic outline of the edges:



resulting in:



Using the waste material from the base layer cut, I then made a second layer. This was then flipped over and every edge lined with 0.20x0.20 strip plastic. I have run out of strip already - I used an entire pack on just 3 sides with the rear ones still to go. I'll be in the city on Friday so I'll pick some more up then









So that's 2 evenings worth of work. Now I have started to detail the lower ledges. Once they've been done, I'll permanently attach them and then blend in the upper surface to the plates. Then the detailing will be done and I can move onto painting and lighting it all.





As you can see, I've found a good use for all those left over PE radar bits I have lying around. They make for some great details

I hope I haven't insulted anyone's skill levels with my very basic and rudimentary attempts at scratch building, but I'm hopeful it will help someone out with some ideas..
As always, thanks for stopping in and having a look

Si

I want to know where you get the giant single bladed razor blade from ? 

Nah, seriously that's fascinating and well beyond my skill levels 

Being a bit cocky, I'm fairly sure I have the skill level, what I lack is the Patience of a Thousand Saints!

   

Good grief, just LOOKING at that makes my brain reel!   

I'd never even THINK of doing something as complex as that, I'm not sure I'd have enough years left to do it anyway!

thanks guys. 
Wanna see my next project? 



Yeah baby, I am sooo going to turn this into my own personal N1! Not Mando's one coz EVERYONE will do it silver and like most people on this site, who the heck wants to do OOB and be like everyone else??
Yep, I foresee lighting, extra detailing and a racy paint scheme 

Quote from: Madhatter on February 19, 2024, 09:56:09 PMthanks guys. 
Wanna see my next project? 

Yes please          (incredible detail on the Top Plate by the way      )

well, here we are again with a tri-monthly (verging on half yearly now) update. Yes, I have finally sat my rear end back down to try get this base finished - or as close to as I can before I find something else to do. However, I do want to make a fair effort to get as much done as possible and I have set myself a deadline which I won't publish because I probably will exceed it!

In order for me to blend the lips in with the top as much as possible, I had to glue the edge to the top so I could get everything to fit. Whilst that sounds like nothing unusual the size of this top plate is not almost as long as my whole work space which makes handling it a delicate operation.

Anyways, here's a few pics of where I am up to. I have almost finished the front right edge and am now making my way round the sides. All to be repeated with the left sides. I won't go as crazy on the rear as I have up front because no one will likely look at that part















I am sorry for the slightly blurry photos - my hands have been more shaky than a wet dog of late - its cold here (at least that's what I'm telling myself). I should use a proper DSLR and a tripod to take the photos - but I was being lazy and using my phone. You get the idea anyways
Righteo then - see you again in a couple of months   

How EVER do you know where you are trekking round that incredible structure?     

Awe inspiring could be an understatement, here.  

Wouldn't mind seeing it in real-space, say Aust Model Expo 2025/26? (I'm aiming for one of those two, at the moment.)

two weeks until the Aus Model Expo... are we going to see it this year ?

Been too long since you had a masterwork there.

thanks guys - nah, it won't be done in 2 weeks sadly (I wish I could though!) I still have to install the fibers into the SD itself yet and that's a couple of months worth of work right there
LOL - I won the sci-fi last year with my airbrush star ship Brian - surely that counts right?