Studio Half Scale TOS Enterprise Scratch build

[Mauiman]

That deformed saucer part looks like you are making a hand tossed pizza. :lol

But really I am sorry that you had such horrible luck with that product. Wish you could get your money back. Your shop is looking like you are going to need to hire your self a helper. Which it is a cool and great looking shop. That car looks very sexy. The Enterprise is also looking very good.

 

[ZOMBIEREPELLENT]

Wonder if I could mix something with the clear epoxy I use to make it milky and then I wouldn't have to buy dental acrylic.

White resin pigment should do the trick. I wish I could afford one of these.. I can't wait to see people building these up.

 

[GeorgeC]

Well...

These pics make me want to seek out a Dean Martin album and play, "That's Amore!"

"...with a great pizza pie...!" :lol

 

[SteveNeill]

Spent the day getting big boxes and packing. These kits should go out tomorrow...then I have to spend a couple of days making new Spock ear molds. The olds ones have worn out and I have some orders to fill.

Then...Finally...I will start the construction and videos so you guys no what to do and I have a finished ship!

Yes I could use help but can't afford it. That's the way it goes. Thanks guys.

Steve

 

[GeorgeC]

Steve,

Please do not take my last post as personal criticism.

Sometimes "mishaps" are interesting and as other people said before they thought maybe you were practicing pizza-making technique!

Anyhow, I had two questions to ask you...

Based on your professional experience, how long does it take on average to build up a model (from scratch to final paint, electronics, and structural assembly)?

Are the Spock ears really that hard to make? I kind of gather they are based on the fact they never looked the same from film to film and there are many stories about how painful bad-fitting ears are.

 

[Shizman]

Can't wait to get started on mine. Will really like to watch you do yours as it will take the guesswork out of it. I have lots of garage kits where I have to analyse them before continuing on. Sometimes that's rewarding but sometimes it ends up with a shop full of half-built models.

 

[SteveNeill]

George that wasn't my mishap. That was a CR customer that left his model in the box too long. Not to put down CR or their technique as they make great models and I know Jim. But that upper saucer section is very thing and heat and cold over a long time can do this.

If one can work straight through without life getting in the way about 4 months for something like this E.

Spock ears are not painful and they are hard to get right. Every single make up artist after my work on TMP failed or didn't care to make them look like John Chambers originals right up to the JJ thing called Star Trek.

Steve

 

[Vidar 710]

My copy of the kit has been in the box for about 5 years. I didn't have any kind of problem like that, but... my saucer top came with laminated styreen all the way around the edge. It's fine, because without it, it would fall into the bottom half. This is the only copy of the kit that I know of that has come this way. Dosen't bother me - gotta putty and sand anyways.

IMG_20110920_084830.jpg picture by Tracy_Mann - Photobucket

Tracy

 

[SteveNeill]

So I managed to get the new Spock ears sculpted and molded in one day. And I got the first two kits shipped. That means I start building tomorrow on my big E.

Videos to follow.

I am raising the price on the kit to 1750. In the end these kits cost nearly 500 in materials alone. And about a week to make one up.

It turned out to be much more work and cost than I had originally thought.

Nothing like making up three in a row to give you a realistic idea just how much is involved.

Steve

 

[kahn1701]

Steve

Looking forward to my kit and building along with you.
I cant wait till friday.I feel like a kid xmass morning,fingers
crossed,and praying Ill get what Ive always wonted.
(AND I AM!)
Thanks again for all your hard work.

 

[DrMcoy]

so, here's a thought, steve.

what if after you build yours up, you then encase the ship in a clear giant block of acrylic with chain coming out top, to match one seen in Catspaw, only bigger. would make for a unique and awesome display option, don't you think?

oh sure, i know what you all are thinking...how the heck can you change any burnt out light bulbs if the darn thing is encased in solid acrylic?

the answer -- very carefully.

geeesh.

 

[robn1]

so, here's a thought, steve.

what if after you build yours up, you then encase the ship in a clear giant block of acrylic...

That should keep the nacelles from drooping :behave

 

[trekriffic]

God! You guys just won't let that bone alone will you???
Steve already showed us how he's going to keep the nacelles aligned moving forward- he's tied them together with a rope!
May not look pretty but it works! :rolleyes

 

[kahn1701]

Speeking of Catspaw?
Anyone know who can or is macking that little metel Enterprise?

Willing to pay??

 

[Onigiri]

EFX has plans for the Catspaw Enterprise

 

[SteveNeill]

Today I got the engineering section started. All the windows that were lighted in the series are on this hull in the same locations.

Also primered and light proofed the hull and we are ready to add dental acrylic windows tomorrow.

Got Eliot Brown's test PE sheets today and I'm happy to say they fit like a glove! So we are good there.

Video is uploading now. Tonight and tomorrow I'll get all the windows cut on the saucer section and bridge. To me this is the hardest part of the build it goes fast from here.

Steve

 

[robn1]

Cool, construction has begun!

 

[Shizman]

Come on FedEx! I want to build along.

 

[feek61]

Looks grand Steve. Looking forward to the build phase (and videos).

 

[Ray22]

This is going to be Epic!