Most common mistakes new builders make.

[Blaxmyth]

Just tried this tip with some cloth and polyester resin on the inside of a trooper chest plate I've had pepped and waxed for a while.

Wow! I used less resin, got more cloth placed and smoothed, with easier working compared to the chip brushes I've used up till now. Used less acetone and the brush just flicked dry. Just waiting for it to set up some so I can remove the supports and lay on a second lot of cloth.

Best tip I've heard for a long time! If I was getting a tattoo any time soon, it'd have 'Contec' somewhere in the wording! :thumbsup

when working with resin,latex and such, use a Silicone Pastry brush. The resin will not stick to silicone

http://dining.byu.edu/mix/images/gadgets/pastry_brush.jpg

 

[obiwan kowalski]

The silicone brush is one of the best tips yet. I am testing out some silicone bbq gloves during my next resin session. Hopefully they will turn out to be reusable. Since they aren't skin tight I will be able to slip in and out of them plus they won't tear.

 

[LupusSolitaras]

Remembering to use the right adhesive for the materials at hand. Super Glue is NOT a fall back option.

 

[Contec]

Just tried this tip with some cloth and polyester resin on the inside of a trooper chest plate I've had pepped and waxed for a while.

Wow! I used less resin, got more cloth placed and smoothed, with easier working compared to the chip brushes I've used up till now. Used less acetone and the brush just flicked dry. Just waiting for it to set up some so I can remove the supports and lay on a second lot of cloth.

Best tip I've heard for a long time! If I was getting a tattoo any time soon, it'd have 'Contec' somewhere in the wording! :thumbsup

:thumbsup Good to hear my tip is helping people

 

[banthapoodoo]

It takes more time to remove a bad paint job than it does to put one on.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Nick K]

As Al Borland would say," Measure Twice,Cut Once"

 

[NormanF]

Don't think you don't need to change out of your decent trousers before mixing some paint or resin or anything, YOU DO!

I don't know, I like the large streak of white plastic that is now embedded into one of my t-shirts. Actually did notice a drop of plastic on one of my good work shirts, but luckily it is a part that gets tucked into pants.

- Never put screws in something and think, "I'll just put this back in the lathe real quick to smooth something out." Yoiks!

- Think your prop looks horribly toy like while you are painting it? It will be better after you finish and weather it. (Unless it is not supposed to be weathered).

- If you think failure is not an option then you are in the wrong sport. It took me four tries and a lot of work before I got to the point where I could make a mold of something. When I removed the mold the rubber was not thick enough and I did too much damage to the original so I had to make a cast, fix the cast, and make a mold of that. And looking back that second mold is bad too.

- MSDS is not a random string of letters. Always read the Material Safety Data Sheet for what you are working with. Someone mentioned to wear nitrile gloves when working with fiberglass. But some brands say to wear Butyl gloves and other say natural rubber.

 

[Sluis Van Shipyards]

- MSDS is not a random string of letters. Always read the Material Safety Data Sheet for what you are working with. Someone mentioned to wear nitrile gloves when working with fiberglass. But some brands say to wear Butyl gloves and other say natural rubber.

After cutting PVC with a Dremel I found out that cutting PVC releases chlorine gas. So yeah it's important.

 

[PaulMmn]

"Everything takes longer and costs more."
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Don't Rush! Creating things is a kind of "Zen" thing-- you can work quickly, but don't hurry! If you hurry, you'll make a mistake and have to un-do and re-do!
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PLAN! Use pencil and paper and sketch things before you get near a saw! If you can use Google Sketchup, use it to design whatever it is you're building. You can see how panels overlap, where you need a rabbet or dado, and plan how you'll assemble things. If you can't use Google Sketchup, learn! If you can't, build the first version out of cardboard boxes to see where the problems will be. It's cheaper to make the first cut once you're sure where it goes!
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Measure twice. Cut once!
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DO NOT WORK WHEN YOU'RE TIRED!!
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If you goof it up, let it sit overnight. Go to bed, get a good night's sleep, and look over the damage in the morning. It may not be as bad as you thought. Even if it is as bad as you thought, sleep lets your subconscious think about it and come up with a better salvage plan.
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There are more, but these are a start.
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--Paul E Musselman

 

[MikeX]

Have a spotter. There have been several times my girl has walked into my work area, took one look at me and said "oh hun, you look high. You need to take a break. Let's go get a beer". You tend to not notice the fumes around the same time that there is to much of 'em.

Dont make full face hard helmets that fit snug and perfectly conformed to your head. Everything shrinks. Helmets shouldn't be so tight they give you a headache.

I agree with "change your clothes". I dont have special clothes that I work in. But my girl made me buy special clothes that I am not allowed to work in.

Dont use latex to make molds.

Dont lean in.
When doing detail work, it seems common to lean in and get stuck on one section. You'll end up Overdoing that part and realize it no longer matches the rest of your project. Or you'll lose your self in that detail and realize you lost track of way to much time. Try to train your self to lean back and look at the whole project as much as you can.

Some one said "buy sand paper every time you have the chance" seriously, Do iiiiiiiiitttttttt! And gloves

Can we like, vote on a badge or ribbon for the guy that said to use a silicone pastry brush. GENIUS!

 

[Wreckhur]

You get what you pay for! If you buy cheap tools, you will make a cheap prop.