plates in space!

kerick · November 25, 2016, 09:54:39 PM

I entered the plates in space challenge build over on Starship Modeler. Started slapping plates together today. Plastic appetizer plates from Walmart.

I wasn't sure what kind of plastic these were made of. I thought they were polystyrene but no way to be really sure until glue is applied. The liquid glue worked fine so that was a relief. I removed the ridge the plate sits on on the bottom plate. Pain in the butt but I got it sanded smooth.

[url=https://flic.kr/p/PojSWs]

The low flat dome on top is one of the plastic lens from a projection TV. I CA glued this one and added Aves Epoxie Sculpt to fill in around it out to the ridge.

[url=https://flic.kr/p/PB2X3H]

Nice stack of plates plus a plastic container and the dome shape piece my daughter thought I could use.

[url=https://flic.kr/p/P3yjh9]

I was thinking of lighting it as the parts were all molded in clear. It would probably get complicated quickly so I'll pass on it. Maybe next time.

zenrat · November 25, 2016, 10:24:56 PM

Wouldn't it have been more appropriate to use saucers instead of plates?

I like the look of this. It seems such an obvious thing to do but not one that ever occurred to me.

When finished you need to hang it from fishing line and take some close encounter pics.

PR19_Kit · November 26, 2016, 01:29:35 AM

Quote from: zenrat on November 25, 2016, 10:24:56 PM

Wouldn't it have been more appropriate to use saucers instead of plates?

NARSES2 · November 26, 2016, 05:38:33 AM

Quote from: zenrat on November 25, 2016, 10:24:56 PM
Wouldn't it have been more appropriate to use saucers instead of plates?

I have not added that one to the "list"

Neat idea Kerick

kerick · November 26, 2016, 11:16:19 PM

Quote from: zenrat on November 25, 2016, 10:24:56 PM
Wouldn't it have been more appropriate to use saucers instead of plates?

When finished you need to hang it from fishing line and take some close encounter pics.

They were appetizer plates so half way between saucers and real plates!

Maybe in a field surrounded by careless cows!

TheChronicOne · November 26, 2016, 11:22:36 PM

This is fantastic! I love what you have going on here. I refuse to join in with the "saucer" clownery.... they were always plates... .

Dizzyfugu · November 26, 2016, 11:52:16 PM

This is shouting "Light effects, please!". Nice!

Crackingjob · November 27, 2016, 12:35:30 PM

Brilliant.......

I once used two paper plates for the basis of USS Enterprise, and a shampoo bottle for USS Voyger, but that was years ago...glue was always a problem then....can't wait to see how this turns out

kerick · November 27, 2016, 01:00:31 PM

If I were to light this I would need some sort of pulsating or spinning effect for the bottom piece. I could cut in from the bottom to install it. Any ideas? I've tried lighting things before but it gets too complicated and I lose interest.

Captain Canada · November 27, 2016, 01:11:01 PM

What a neat idea for a build....and it certainly looks the part !

Crackingjob · November 29, 2016, 02:29:49 AM

Quote from: kerick on November 27, 2016, 01:00:31 PM
If I were to light this I would need some sort of pulsating or spinning effect for the bottom piece. I could cut in from the bottom to install it. Any ideas? I've tried lighting things before but it gets too complicated and I lose interest.

Christmas and new year are great times to pick up small lighting sets, often battery powered....I have seen mini disco balls on stands ...try charity or thrift shops you never know......

Old Wombat · November 29, 2016, 06:49:08 AM

Your "kit" is clear plastic, so keep it simple;
- maybe make 2 or 3 levels inside with flashing or pulsing LED's of different colours in each & just some clear spots in the external paint job for the light to come through;
- if you're feeling really adventurous, maybe glue some aluminium foil inside the clear spots to block through-vision into the interior (the foil should still reflect light out);
- alternatively, you could mark where your external "lights" are going to be, use those plastic reinforcing rings for ring-binder paper to mask around the points on the inside, use some type of dot masking for the external points & spray-bomb the whole thing silver before putting in the 2 or 3 levels (you may want to use primer on the outside before painting other colours over the silver ... or not), putting in the LED's & gluing it together.

Note: These were the best relatively simple ideas I could come up with quickly but I've never done lighting & I'm sure others could help you with other, much better super-simple lighting options.

kerick · November 29, 2016, 07:44:05 AM

As its all glued together I was thinking of cutting into it from the bottom to install some simple white or multi colored lights. Paint one coat of white on the outside to reflect light around inside then black for light blocking then silver top coat. Use a drill to make small holes just deep enough to penetrate the paint for port holes. I would like to have pulsing lights in the "drive" portion at the bottom. We shall see.

kerick · December 02, 2016, 07:06:38 PM

PSR stage, not much to show. Part of me wants to add fins, other part says no.....

TheChronicOne · December 02, 2016, 07:36:06 PM

I vote no fins.. in my mind one aspect of such a craft is its ability to change directions near instantly and fins would lend to the idea that it has a front, back, sides, and that it primarily goes in one direction.

A Borg Cube comes to mind... wherever it goes, whatever direction... it's facing forward. Same thing for a saucer (PLATE!! ) there is no front, no rear... it just "goes."