Steve Neill Studio 1/2 Scale TOS Enterprise Buildup

Shizman · 10-11-2011, 06:13 PM

Here I go on my buildup of Steve Neill's excellent TOS 1/2 studio scale Enterprise. I can only do pictures right now.

I'm not very far along right now, but I thought I'd post to keep me motivated and to help advertise this excellent model.

The resin I'm using takes 24 hours to cure, so it is taking multiple days to fill the windows. I did a bunch of different part sections at a time.

The windows in the B/C deck are done:

The 3 lights on the bottom rear corners. The blemishes are the adhesive left behind by the Scotch tape I use on the hull while the resin cures. It will come off with alcohol or Goo Gone.

I even filled the nav light locations until I determine how the LED is going to sit in there.

I originally used the resin on the big top saucer windows, but I suspected that it would sag over time, so I replaced it with the acrylic that Steve sent. It's nice and clear as you can see. I'll frost it up from the inside I think with some high grit sandpaper since it's not really attractive to see the fiberglass on the inside through this window. How cool would it be to put a room here though?

I have cut out ALL the windows in the secondary hull and filled them with clear resin. My plan is to do something a little different and paint the insides black for windows that aren't lit. I'll see how that effect looks and worst case I can paint over them from the outside.

Both halves done:

A shot of the lower saucer. I have all the windows cut out and filed and am starting to fill each section with clear resin. Each night a do a different section and then work on other parts of the ship while this cures. Look how huge this ship is using the keyboard as reference. It's crazy big and I love it.

A shot of the top of the saucer. All windows are done here. I filled the nav light areas here as well until I get the lighting sorted out.

A shot of the armature for the saucer. It needs to be shaped a little via trial and error to get the fit just right. I am considering putting more wood in between each section so that there's a former every 45 degrees for maximum support. My messy workshop is in the background.

Here's my first attempt at ever using fiberglass. I used resin and it stunk and I'll use epoxy next time. I suck at it and used too much resin but used the Dremel to sand away a bunch so this is how it stays. Nice and strong. The pipe was initially held in with JB Weld and the covering of fiberglass should keep it nice and strong. More messy workshop in the background.

I just noticed that I messed up the title of the thread, but it's close. Should say Studio 1/2 Scale TOS Enterprise. Oh well...

vaderman1701 · 10-11-2011, 06:29 PM

Great start. I can't wait to see the progress on this one.

Scott

Chrisisall · 10-11-2011, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shizman

Here I go on my buildup of Steve Neill's excellent TOS 1/2 studio scale Enterprise.

Another thread I will be riveted to!
YOU GO, GIRL!!!

Mauiman · 10-11-2011, 07:54 PM

Hope you do well with this model.

Chrisisall · 10-11-2011, 08:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mauiman

Hope you do well with this model.

Looks to me like a stellar start!

vaderman1701 · 10-11-2011, 08:44 PM

I am gridding ear to ear...

ZOMBIEREPELLENT · 10-11-2011, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chrisisall

Another thread I will be riveted to!
YOU GO, GIRL!!!

That means there's at least ONE rivet....

Looks like you're off to a great start!

Chrisisall · 10-11-2011, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZOMBIEREPELLENT

That means there's at least ONE rivet....

Oh no, NO, not a rivet thing again....

Aztek Dummy · 10-11-2011, 09:11 PM

your windows look great!

were they difficult to file out?

Aztek Dummy · 10-11-2011, 09:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vaderman1701

I am gridding ear to ear...

I "deflect" that comment

Shizman · 10-11-2011, 09:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aztek Dummy

your windows look great!

were they difficult to file out?

I used a 1mm drill to get them close and then an electric file to finish them off. Went very quickly. I'd say it ended up being about 1 min/window with that method. A couple of hours and I had them all done.

The beauty of an electric file is that you can constantly check squareness as you go without having to stop. You end up moving along several planes when manually doing it and I find you have to stop and check often or else you end up with a mess.

Tiberius Kirk · 10-11-2011, 10:23 PM

Looks good so far Shizman!

Keep up the good work.

robn1 · 10-12-2011, 12:17 AM

Look's like a great start Shizman

Just to keep track, that's one rivet so far right?

Aztek Dummy · 10-12-2011, 09:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shizman

I used a 1mm drill to get them close and then an electric file to finish them off. Went very quickly. I'd say it ended up being about 1 min/window with that method. A couple of hours and I had them all done.

The beauty of an electric file is that you can constantly check squareness as you go without having to stop. You end up moving along several planes when manually doing it and I find you have to stop and check often or else you end up with a mess.

can you point us to a source for your electic file?

gracias

Shizman · 10-12-2011, 09:36 PM

Certainly.

ELECTRO-FILE ELECTRIC FILING MACHINE

It's discontinued where I got it, but maybe you can find it elsewhere. It's worth the price I paid (I think ~$75).

crackerjazz · 10-12-2011, 10:13 PM

Wow, Shizman, that's one tool I've always wished for - didn't know it actually existed. You're really lucky to have gotten one - it says product discontinued. The only ones available in ebay are manicure/pedicure electric files

crackerjazz · 10-12-2011, 10:14 PM

I don't see any Dremel equivalent anywhere

trekriffic · 10-12-2011, 10:34 PM

Darn it! That looks like a really handy tool to have. Wonder why it was discontinued.

Dengar1 · 10-12-2011, 10:41 PM

Looks like an electric file used for sharpening chainsaw blades. Check you local Stihl distributor :-P

Spheric Thor · 10-12-2011, 10:47 PM

These might be a suitable alternate electric file:

Sander / Filer Set, 110v AC

Cordless Sander / Filer Set

robn1 · 10-12-2011, 11:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crackerjazz

...The only ones available in ebay are manicure/pedicure electric files

That's probably what it is, just re branded as a hobby tool.

SteveNeill · 10-13-2011, 12:18 AM

John your windows look better than mine. Excellent job.

Love the electric file I must find one somewhere!

Steve

Shizman · 10-13-2011, 07:47 AM

Thanks Steve. I guess I lucked out when I bought that file. I think the people that made it were just a small business and eventually went out of business. I don't see any other products from them. I'm sure the other items from Micro-Mark will do the trick. Mine came with a lot more attachments though, which I'm happy with. I can even take micro files from sets that have no handles and use them. It's very versatile.

I'm still working on this every night. I get a couple of hours to do things. Last night was filling of more windows (I am doing the edge windows on the saucer now) and shaping of the armature so that the secondary hull shells fit over top cleanly. I got the left side done.

I also blacked out the same windows as Steve's but from the inside. I like the look of it. I'll take some pics soon and show you what I mean. All the windows kind of look the same except when they are lit and then the black windows remain unlit. It's a more realistic effect although not studio accurate.

If I had a milling machine, I'd do what Max has suggested in his studio scale TOS Enterprise buildup for an armature regarding the pylons. I do have a CNC coming this week though so I still might be able to come up with something.

Pics soon!

trekriffic · 10-13-2011, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spheric Thor

These might be a suitable alternate electric file:

Sander / Filer Set, 110v AC

Cordless Sander / Filer Set

Those look like they'd do the trick! Thanks for the links!

Great job on shaping the windows Shizman.

healvis · 10-13-2011, 11:11 AM

Your really flying through it, great stuff. Do you seal the plywood armature with anything?
John.

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10-11-2011, 06:13 PM	#1
Shizman Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Wellesley, ON, Canada Posts: 150	Steve Neill Studio 1/2 Scale TOS Enterprise Buildup Here I go on my buildup of Steve Neill's excellent TOS 1/2 studio scale Enterprise. I can only do pictures right now. I'm not very far along right now, but I thought I'd post to keep me motivated and to help advertise this excellent model. The resin I'm using takes 24 hours to cure, so it is taking multiple days to fill the windows. I did a bunch of different part sections at a time. The windows in the B/C deck are done: The 3 lights on the bottom rear corners. The blemishes are the adhesive left behind by the Scotch tape I use on the hull while the resin cures. It will come off with alcohol or Goo Gone. I even filled the nav light locations until I determine how the LED is going to sit in there. I originally used the resin on the big top saucer windows, but I suspected that it would sag over time, so I replaced it with the acrylic that Steve sent. It's nice and clear as you can see. I'll frost it up from the inside I think with some high grit sandpaper since it's not really attractive to see the fiberglass on the inside through this window. How cool would it be to put a room here though? I have cut out ALL the windows in the secondary hull and filled them with clear resin. My plan is to do something a little different and paint the insides black for windows that aren't lit. I'll see how that effect looks and worst case I can paint over them from the outside. Both halves done: A shot of the lower saucer. I have all the windows cut out and filed and am starting to fill each section with clear resin. Each night a do a different section and then work on other parts of the ship while this cures. Look how huge this ship is using the keyboard as reference. It's crazy big and I love it. A shot of the top of the saucer. All windows are done here. I filled the nav light areas here as well until I get the lighting sorted out. A shot of the armature for the saucer. It needs to be shaped a little via trial and error to get the fit just right. I am considering putting more wood in between each section so that there's a former every 45 degrees for maximum support. My messy workshop is in the background. Here's my first attempt at ever using fiberglass. I used resin and it stunk and I'll use epoxy next time. I suck at it and used too much resin but used the Dremel to sand away a bunch so this is how it stays. Nice and strong. The pipe was initially held in with JB Weld and the covering of fiberglass should keep it nice and strong. More messy workshop in the background. I just noticed that I messed up the title of the thread, but it's close. Should say Studio 1/2 Scale TOS Enterprise. Oh well... Last edited by Shizman; 11-08-2011 at 08:52 AM.

10-11-2011, 06:29 PM	#2
vaderman1701 Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Baltimore, MD Posts: 674	re: Steve Neill Studio 1/2 Scale TOS Enterprise Buildup Great start. I can't wait to see the progress on this one. Scott

10-11-2011, 07:54 PM	#4
Mauiman Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: The badlands of Jupiter. Posts: 159	re: Steve Neill Studio 1/2 Scale TOS Enterprise Buildup Hope you do well with this model.

10-11-2011, 08:44 PM	#6
vaderman1701 Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Baltimore, MD Posts: 674	re: Steve Neill Studio 1/2 Scale TOS Enterprise Buildup I am gridding ear to ear...

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10-11-2011, 09:11 PM	#9
Aztek Dummy Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 269	re: Steve Neill Studio 1/2 Scale TOS Enterprise Buildup your windows look great! were they difficult to file out?

10-11-2011, 10:23 PM	#12
Tiberius Kirk Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 623	re: Steve Neill Studio 1/2 Scale TOS Enterprise Buildup Looks good so far Shizman! Keep up the good work.

10-12-2011, 12:17 AM	#13
robn1 Shat happens Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Snow Camp, NC Posts: 1,846	re: Steve Neill Studio 1/2 Scale TOS Enterprise Buildup Look's like a great start Shizman Just to keep track, that's one rivet so far right?

10-12-2011, 09:36 PM	#15
Shizman Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Wellesley, ON, Canada Posts: 150	re: Steve Neill Studio 1/2 Scale TOS Enterprise Buildup Certainly. ELECTRO-FILE ELECTRIC FILING MACHINE It's discontinued where I got it, but maybe you can find it elsewhere. It's worth the price I paid (I think ~$75).

10-12-2011, 10:13 PM	#16
crackerjazz Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Toronto Posts: 486	re: Steve Neill Studio 1/2 Scale TOS Enterprise Buildup Wow, Shizman, that's one tool I've always wished for - didn't know it actually existed. You're really lucky to have gotten one - it says product discontinued. The only ones available in ebay are manicure/pedicure electric files

10-12-2011, 10:14 PM	#17
crackerjazz Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Toronto Posts: 486	re: Steve Neill Studio 1/2 Scale TOS Enterprise Buildup I don't see any Dremel equivalent anywhere

10-12-2011, 10:34 PM	#18
trekriffic Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 612	re: Steve Neill Studio 1/2 Scale TOS Enterprise Buildup Darn it! That looks like a really handy tool to have. Wonder why it was discontinued.

10-12-2011, 10:41 PM	#19
Dengar1 Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 9	re: Steve Neill Studio 1/2 Scale TOS Enterprise Buildup Looks like an electric file used for sharpening chainsaw blades. Check you local Stihl distributor :-P

10-12-2011, 10:47 PM	#20
Spheric Thor Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Ohio Posts: 960	re: Steve Neill Studio 1/2 Scale TOS Enterprise Buildup These might be a suitable alternate electric file: Sander / Filer Set, 110v AC Cordless Sander / Filer Set

10-13-2011, 12:18 AM	#22
SteveNeill Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 1,913	Re: Steve Neill Studio 1/2 Scale TOS Enterprise Buildup John your windows look better than mine. Excellent job. Love the electric file I must find one somewhere! Steve

10-13-2011, 07:47 AM	#23
Shizman Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Wellesley, ON, Canada Posts: 150	Re: Steve Neill Studio 1/2 Scale TOS Enterprise Buildup Thanks Steve. I guess I lucked out when I bought that file. I think the people that made it were just a small business and eventually went out of business. I don't see any other products from them. I'm sure the other items from Micro-Mark will do the trick. Mine came with a lot more attachments though, which I'm happy with. I can even take micro files from sets that have no handles and use them. It's very versatile. I'm still working on this every night. I get a couple of hours to do things. Last night was filling of more windows (I am doing the edge windows on the saucer now) and shaping of the armature so that the secondary hull shells fit over top cleanly. I got the left side done. I also blacked out the same windows as Steve's but from the inside. I like the look of it. I'll take some pics soon and show you what I mean. All the windows kind of look the same except when they are lit and then the black windows remain unlit. It's a more realistic effect although not studio accurate. If I had a milling machine, I'd do what Max has suggested in his studio scale TOS Enterprise buildup for an armature regarding the pylons. I do have a CNC coming this week though so I still might be able to come up with something. Pics soon!

10-13-2011, 11:11 AM	#25
healvis Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 47	Re: Steve Neill Studio 1/2 Scale TOS Enterprise Buildup Your really flying through it, great stuff. Do you seal the plywood armature with anything? John.

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