Let's Build an Escape Pod!
- Thread starter Boxcar Bret
- Start date
July 5, 2025
Hellllllllll YEAH! Thank you, Gregg Nowling! You totally rocked with the laser cutting of my escape pod plating. This is a classic story of what this group is about. Me and some others needed a ride to lunch at WonderFest. Gregg, whom I’ve never met before, offers to drive us. We’re all talking about our upcoming builds and I start lamenting about the plating on my escape pod kit and how it doesn’t fit. I tell him how I have new files from Jason Eaton but need to get them cut out. Without a pause Gregg offered to cut them out for me and here we are. If you learn just two things from this story it’s 1. It pays to get in a car with strangers and 2. If you need a set of these files be sure to join Jason’s Patreon page. They will be available thru the month of July.
Now I need input from you Replicons. What is the best way to glue down large pieces of sheet styrene?
I’m hoping to start on the plating for the escape pod this weekend and my concerns are:
1. Being able to reposition them as the glue sets.
2. Not having it bow out or “float” in the middle.
3. Avoiding undercuts at the edges.
4. The “base” styrene pieces have to adhere to a rotocast form.
I read of others doing the trick of rolling the plastic with a steel rod over some dense foam or neoprene to preform the curve in the styrene. I’ll be doing that.
Let’s hear what you’ve got!
Hellllllllll YEAH! Thank you, Gregg Nowling! You totally rocked with the laser cutting of my escape pod plating. This is a classic story of what this group is about. Me and some others needed a ride to lunch at WonderFest. Gregg, whom I’ve never met before, offers to drive us. We’re all talking about our upcoming builds and I start lamenting about the plating on my escape pod kit and how it doesn’t fit. I tell him how I have new files from Jason Eaton but need to get them cut out. Without a pause Gregg offered to cut them out for me and here we are. If you learn just two things from this story it’s 1. It pays to get in a car with strangers and 2. If you need a set of these files be sure to join Jason’s Patreon page. They will be available thru the month of July.
Now I need input from you Replicons. What is the best way to glue down large pieces of sheet styrene?
I’m hoping to start on the plating for the escape pod this weekend and my concerns are:
1. Being able to reposition them as the glue sets.
2. Not having it bow out or “float” in the middle.
3. Avoiding undercuts at the edges.
4. The “base” styrene pieces have to adhere to a rotocast form.
I read of others doing the trick of rolling the plastic with a steel rod over some dense foam or neoprene to preform the curve in the styrene. I’ll be doing that.
Let’s hear what you’ve got!
LOTS of thick, orange, long rubber bands from Staples or Office Depot.
joberg
Legendary Member
I like to live dangerously and use CA glue. First, I'll outline my panels to see where they land and then apply the glue and the panel after quickly.
No need for elastics! Or, contact cement: apply to both surfaces and let it dry completely, then apply...no need for elastic band either
No need for elastics! Or, contact cement: apply to both surfaces and let it dry completely, then apply...no need for elastic band either
The CA is the a little too dangerous for me. I’ve been entertaining the idea of using contact cement. What brand do you use? Do you think it will work on the rotocast hull?I like to live dangerously and use CA glue. First, I'll outline my panels to see where they land and then apply the glue and the panel after quickly.
No need for elastics! Or, contact cement: apply to both surfaces and let it dry completely, then apply...no need for elastic band either
joberg
Legendary Member
I use the contact cement from The Dollar Store (cheap but very good)...it's 30ml all-purpose bonding.
So if I'm understanding this thread, the plates they send with this are too small? I have one and was getting ready to start it.
I’m not sure about all of them but definitely the panels for the lower hull. They come up like a 1/4” or so short.
I’m really trying to psyche myself to get going. I’m pretty intimidated by this whole process. I’m also trying to have patience and do it right rather than just winging it. In other words trying not to be lazy and do those extra steps and the smart stuff that people that have gone before have recommended.
More cowbell Escape Pod, please.
Okay so I have a question. Well two actually. I laser cut the file from Jason’s Patreon and I have this:
Is the hull the wrong size as well because as you can see, the Jason pieces are too small.
Also do you cut the nubs off the back of the treads so they lay flat or leave them on and just glue as is?
Thanks,
John
Is the hull the wrong size as well because as you can see, the Jason pieces are too small.
Also do you cut the nubs off the back of the treads so they lay flat or leave them on and just glue as is?
Thanks,
John
Actually it looks like my file somehow got resized when I loaded it into Lightburn. Uggg.
Is this a half circle a kit part or just styrene? It's not on Jason's file.
Thanks,
Thanks,
bwayne64
Master Member
I don't know what it is about the Escape Pod. It's not as Sexy as an Tie Fighter or as Elegant as an X Wing, but it always gets my views.
Not for candy, only for laser cutting, ; )
bwayne64
Master Member
Would love to know the settings on the guys laser cutter. I'm guessing he's just scoring the styrene. People have mentioned that if you cut all the way through, it tends to melt back together. I don't have my laser yet, but will when my Social Security kicks in next year. Lord Willing that is, ; )
Here’s what mine looked like. Nice clean cuts. No melting. It’s all about finding the combination of the right speed and power.
bwayne64
Master Member
awesome, good to know you can cut all the way through.
