The 2009 "$1 Store" Lightsaber Contest.

[pwyll]

No WalMarts? They usually have a small modelling section with the toys.

You could also try a autoparts store, they have small cans of spray in a bunch of colors and usually have brush-in-bottle touch up paints.

There is one Walmart here, and I actually went in out of desperation (first time in four years)--the toy section is three (3!) aisles (at CHRISTMAS) with absolutely no model section at all. The last time I was in (four years ago) the toy section was 12 aisles with almost a half aisle of models and paints...

:wacko

 

[Michael Bergeron]

There is one Walmart here, and I actually went in out of desperation (first time in four years)--the toy section is three (3!) aisles (at CHRISTMAS) with absolutely no model section at all. The last time I was in (four years ago) the toy section was 12 aisles with almost a half aisle of models and paints...

It's sad, modelling isn't the common hobby it used to be.

jason1976 you will have my entry tomorrow!

 

[pwyll]

Yeah, if paint is all you need, there is a really nice selection of regular spray paint at wal*mart too. And since the paint doesn't count towards the $20. you can spend as much, or as little as you like for the paint.

Heck if you look in the craft section of Wal*mart, Meijers, or any regular craft store, they have those "Apple-Barrel" (and other brands.) of cheepo craft paint, for like .99 a bottle. (it sucks, but its cheep, and easy to find. ) At that price you could get enough for the little lady, to have her own to play with.

Or, hey, you could even us a marker. or pull one apart, and brush the ink on.

Stain if purple with grape juice, or other stain causing food. :lol

Us fingernail polish. (actually that stuff can be the bomb, for painting models, and small props. )

there are always alternatives.

The Walmart here got rid of its craft and sewing department five years ago. I guess the JoAnn's was too much competition.

Due to the nature of materials (mostly polypropylene and metal) marker, grape juice, et al. just won't stick.

I hadn't thought of auto stores, we have an Advance Auto and Auto Zone next door to each other on one side of town and across the street from each other on the other side of town (it takes 15 minutes to drive across town at the height of rush hour), so that's a possibility. I'll be checking out the JoAnn's and auto stores tomorrow.

I haven't given up yet, I'm just not confident about drying time. With the mix of materials it's going to take a couple coats of primer and three or four sessions of segment painting, and it's cold and humid right now.

I wasn't worried at all at first because I was thinking the deadline was midnight, December 1st (Tuesday night). This morning I realized it was probably supposed to be midnight, December 1st (Monday night/Tuesday morning). I work third shift and we seem to see the liminal times differently than most people, so it wasn't until this morning I realized I had a day less than I was thinking. I still know it's possible, and I'll still be trying, but I'm not confident of being able to finish anymore.

On the other hand, even if I don't finish I may still send pics as I was quite surprised how good my $1.25 looks so far (have only used one item and half an item that was packaged 2 for $1). Especially since this is my first scratch-build *and* my first attempt at a light saber of any kind...

 

[jason1976]

I wasn't worried at all at first because I was thinking the deadline was midnight, December 1st (Tuesday night). This morning I realized it was probably supposed to be midnight, December 1st (Monday night/Tuesday morning). I work third shift and we seem to see the liminal times differently than most people, so it wasn't until this morning I realized I had a day less than I was thinking. I still know it's possible, and I'll still be trying, but I'm not confident of being able to finish anymore.

Hey I used to work 3rd shift too, and my girlfriend works 2nd, and keeps me up half the night, every night, so I kind of think the same way most the time.

Well, since I wasn't very clear about Midnight December 1st meaning Monday night, and not Tuesday night, and since there are a lot of folks come to this party late, I'll except entries until 12:00 Tuesday night. Think of this not as an extension, but rather a mater of interpretation.

But as soon, as the clock/calendar role over to December 2nd, in your time zone, the entry period is closed, anything after that will be turned away. (again, I'll be going by the time stamp on your e-mail, or PM)

 

[Sporak]

Mine is finished...
Working on getting the pics arranged cropped etc...

Yeah, I totally thought it meant Tuesday night at midnight.

 

[TrekFan_1701-D]

Nothing like a late start!!:eek Almost got it done, last of the paint and pics tomorrow. Can't wait to see everyone elses' work!!!

 

[pwyll]

Hey I used to work 3rd shift too, and my girlfriend works 2nd, and keeps me up half the night, every night, so I kind of think the same way most the time.

But as soon, as the clock/calendar role over to December 2nd, in your time zone, the entry period is closed, anything after that will be turned away. (again, I'll be going by the time stamp on your e-mail, or PM)

Ah, okay. Now I have no excuse.

Thanks for the clarification--now I have time to make a road trip to The Land of Stores. Between two Targets, two Micheal's and a HobbyTown, I'm confident I can find suitable paints, lol...

 

[zewise1]

Looks like a fun contest. Cant wait to see the pics.

 

[jason1976]

.....-now I have time to make a road trip to The Land of Stores. Between two Targets, two Micheal's and a HobbyTown, I'm confident I can find suitable paints, lol...

If model paint, is what you need, you'll have no trouble finding it at Hobby town. I have some friends that work at the one here in Columbus, Ohio. and I get all my Model paint there. They have a wide selection of colors and brands.

 

[Grundy]

I hope to finish mine this evening after work and get you the pics Jason, nearly done now just a little more assembly needed. I was begining to worry that I may not get done in time but thanks to the new deadline I feel confident mine will get done. Can't wait to see what everyone has come up with.

 

[fanboy]

i've got the main painting done and will finish final assembly tonight (i hope) then it's just down to the details and weathering.

i can't wait to see the other submissions!

 

[Contec]

jason1976 , Could you confirm that you got my email?..... Contec

 

[jason1976]

got it, and reply sent, to all of todays entries, and names added to the list able.

 

[TrekFan_1701-D]

Got 'er finished and the pics sent this afternoon!! That was fun! so glad to finally be a member!!!

 

[jonny5]

I probably should have asked this a month ago, but when you say the contest is over Midnight December 1st, do you mean the first minute or last minute of Dec.1st and by what time zone are you measuring that?

 

[jawajaka]

As someone who just got onto this forum, I won't be able to participate. My question: are these contests run every year? I did the same thing with the dollar stores in building an oversized ion gun, mostly out of vacuum cleaner parts, a poster tube, and lots of black markers. I spent three hours at my desk at work making it for the Revenge of the Sith opening that night. I was made for these type of contests!! (Unfortunately, the gun got torn apart that night as I tripped on a step going up to the stage for the costume contest. I won, but the gun didn't make it....)

 

[jason1976]

I probably should have asked this a month ago, but when you say the contest is over Midnight December 1st, do you mean the first minute or last minute of Dec.1st and by what time zone are you measuring that?

That was already talked about one page back.

Hey I used to work 3rd shift too, and my girlfriend works 2nd, and keeps me up half the night, every night, so I kind of think the same way most the time.

Well, since I wasn't very clear about Midnight December 1st meaning Monday night, and not Tuesday night, and since there are a lot of folks come to this party late, I'll except entries until 12:00 Tuesday night. Think of this not as an extension, but rather a mater of interpretation.

But as soon, as the clock/calendar role over to December 2nd, in your time zone, the entry period is closed, anything after that will be turned away. (again, I'll be going by the time stamp on your e-mail, or PM)

 

[jason1976]

As someone who just got onto this forum, I won't be able to participate. My question: are these contests run every year? I did the same thing with the dollar stores in building an oversized ion gun, mostly out of vacuum cleaner parts, a poster tube, and lots of black markers. I spent three hours at my desk at work making it for the Revenge of the Sith opening that night. I was made for these type of contests!! (Unfortunately, the gun got torn apart that night as I tripped on a step going up to the stage for the costume contest. I won, but the gun didn't make it....)

Welcome. Sorry you missed this one, and Sorry to hear your gun didn't make it, it sounds cool.

We used to do these much more often, but it's been quite some times, since I've heard of one around here, that's why I'm hosting this one. If this one works out, I would like to have one around this time each year, and maybe other kind of contest through out the year.

I have had a lot of folks asking me if a Blaster contest is next, and wall I may do one eventually, I'm actually thinking of a Phaser contest first. (in a few months.) I mean, since this one was kind of for the star wars fans, I thought it would be nice to do something for our Star trek friends. It might be a $1. store contest as well, or I also thought it might be fun to make it a "Wood phaser contest." just to change it up a little. (and it would still be pretty cheep to participate that way too.)

 

[fuelish]

A contest or two a year would be great. I really enjoy building but I tend to slack unless it is a job I have to do. This is one of the few projects "for fun" that I have finished in a couple of years. The rest of them get drug out every now and then for a little tinkering and then reboxed.

I appreciate you doing this, I know there had to be a bunch involved in getting the prizes, making the rules, and staying on top of the submissions.

 

[jonny5]

OK then either way, my entry has been submitted via email as of about 11:05 pm Sunday November 30th.