Hero Phaser Scratchbuild

[robn1]

I'll have to give up on making more in fiberglass, unless I can find a laminating medium that won't eat up the molds. Or a more resilient mold material. With epoxy the molds only last for five or six pulls, it's too much work and money to continue like that.

Urethane resin is fine, but it foams up because of humidity. I tried a new resin, Freeman Repo 1, which is more resistant to moisture. It cures great, but it's too brittle for small or thin parts. It snaps and cracks too easily.

I've got some more Smooth-On resin on order. I've read that faster curing resins are less likely to foam, because they cure before they can react. I'm getting some with 2.5min pot time and 15min cure. The stuff I had before was 90min cure, and started foaming after about 20min. But it was awesome when it worked, thin and tough. And easy and quick to cast. Hopefully the new stuff will solve the problems.

 

[robn1]

I finished adding the p2 details.

Then masked the sides, and primed the wood edges.

 

[Chrisisall]

Do you have a license to be awesome?

 

[robn1]

I practice awesome without a license :lol

 

[NakedMoleRat]

I practice awesome without a license :lol

Reading that line while looking at your avatar! :thumbsup

 

[robn1]

First resin p1s. I used Smooth Cast Onyx black resin, seems like good stuff.

I slush cast these, three coats.

Dried primer on the p2. I masked the sides to prevent filling in the details. After I sand down the tape ridge along the edge, I'll give it an overall spray of Tamiya primer.

 

[KUROK]

This is some precise work, dude.

 

[DrMcoy]

cripes...looks like i better start saving my pennies for what looks to be the most awesomest pistol phaser ever.

nice work...thanks for posting progress pics.

 

[Tiberius Kirk]

Amazing!

 

[nomuse]

Mmm. That's really clean slush cast. Looks almost as clean as the fiberglass pulls. I'd love to be able to control wall thickness like that.

 

[spacerone]

Beautiful! keep up the good work:thumbsup

 

[Chrisisall]

Rob, I'm afraid we're gonna hafta SEE that license to practice Awesome...

 

[robn1]

Thanks guys! The sides are pretty even, but it's a bit lumpy on the bottom. I'm still working on my slush technique. Onyx gels in about two minutes so I have to work fast.

Rob, I'm afraid we're gonna hafta SEE that license to practice Awesome...

It's in my other pants.

 

[gyoung2993]

You got skills my friend.....

 

[Krisk]

Very nice build so far!

 

[Sean]

fantastic work! hey robn1 did you build a BSG pistol awhile back? I know some one did but I can't find the post.and I think It looked like your work.

 

[robn1]

Thanks guys! The BSG wasn't mine, I think Chrisisall did one.

 

[judgedredd]

great work

 

[Benbot]

As a new member of the forum, I just wanted to say it is a real treat to read through this thread and see all the stages of this project so far. I can't wait to see this to the end!

 

[Amazing DJ]

The construction methods are all new to me, yet you make it all make sense! Thanks for the great photos.