Randy Cooper 37.5" Star Destroyer

[jkno]

This will be a GREAT SD. :thumbsup Wish I had the space for one.

 

[Eisley]

Wowww... Really looks good :thumbsup

 

[vj mojo]

Been working on the fibre optics for the bridge and main engines, building this so that it will be easy to separate/dismantle if I have problems with the lights or for maintenance.






The lights for the main engines will screw into the back of the main bulk head for easy removal. Just got to work on the sub engines






Decided to have the top hull removable by six screws, two of these screws head snapped off and so had to dig them out and then putty up. Hope it holds

 

[Smiling Demon]

Gonna get one of those in a couple of months!!

Good score!!
I know you are proud!!

 

[Robiwon]

That type of LED can put off some serious heat. What brand is it?

 

[vj mojo]

That type of LED can put off some serious heat. What brand is it?

I haven't checked for heat yet, still to buy resistors and power source then I shall do some tests, more concerned about the internal wires generating the heat. The lights wont be turned on all the time.
It's a 3W star led bought of ebay, didn't give a brand name.

 

[Robiwon]

3W Luxeons, Cree's, etc are what people use in lightsabers, and they generate a lot of heat. That's why we use huge heatsinks on them. Test it out before you commit to those LEDs in your build.

 

[vj mojo]

Thanks for the tip, I shall keep a close eye on them.

 

[vj mojo]

Finished lighting the engine unit, happy with the way it has turned out just need to get my 12V DC power source.

 

[Scratchy]

Oooohhhh..... it's magic :eek

:thumbsup

 

[Master Tej]

Love the engines!

- Master Tej -

 

[Nils]

With built in LEDs, its an impressive piece.
Here's mine: http://www.therpf.com/f11/rc-star-destroyer-fiber-optics-167398/

 

[vj mojo]

With built in LEDs, its an impressive piece.
Here's mine: http://www.therpf.com/f11/rc-star-destroyer-fiber-optics-167398/

That's Awesome looking. How did you paint it, and what color did you go for

 

[vj mojo]

Bit of an update, have been working on the reinforcing/skeleton to stop sagging later on and just to straighten the sides from a bit of warp that must of been from casting. Also going to use the frame for a stand that can be used either side.

Have also worked on the lights for the docking bay just need to fix them into position.

Also been doing a bit of drilling on the trenches, the drills I bought of ebay are the cheap and nasty ones that bend and break and not long enough, having a bit of grief trying to find some decent drill bits.

 

[Snicol]

That bay lighting looks sick!

 

[vj mojo]

Nearly finished the bottom hull, decided to thread the fibre optic last cause I didn't know how I would cut the fibre that would be sticking out from the little crevasses in the trenches.

Also decided to notch out the thick parts of the trenches for easier drilling.






Finally drilled the holes for the trenches, not looking forward to the main structure. Drill bits I ordered to fit my dremel still haven't arrived. Layed down the base coat with a few tinted panels then rescribed the panel lines.

 

[vj mojo]

Then applied a pastel wash and then cleaned up.










Started installing the lights. Next the fibre.




This is where the stand will go, same for the other side and with the plug.

 

[kokkari]

I love your idea with structure mounts on the sides with the plugs. It will look sweet when its mounted and done. I too am trying to figure out how I will trim the fibers in the little recesses and trenches on mine also. Anyone have any ideas?

 

[Muzza]

I love your idea with structure mounts on the sides with the plugs. It will look sweet when its mounted and done. I too am trying to figure out how I will trim the fibers in the little recesses and trenches on mine also. Anyone have any ideas?

You could finish the painting and washes in the trench then dome the ends of each fibre and thread them through. to dome the end of a fibre optic strand just heat up the tip of a old hobby knife then with the flat side of the knife press it against the end of the fibre this will dome the end of the fibre and it act as a stop when you pull the fibres on. Just one tip you have to get the tip of the knife temperature just right to melt the plastic fibre and not to burn it.

 

[vj mojo]

I think if you dome the ends it will end up making the lights look a little too big, maybe if I had used smaller fibre optics that could of worked, but it is hard enough drilling 0.5mm holes through resin.
Good idea though.

For the stand, I got the idea from here. I like the idea of not having something directly under the model holding it up. also wanted it to be interchangeable.