Beyond The Sprues

Modelling => Tips, Tools & Techniques => Topic started by: The Rat on September 23, 2022, 04:18:50 AM

Title: File under...
Post by: The Rat on September 23, 2022, 04:18:50 AM
...Why didn't I think of this before? 

Nose weight can be a pain to hold in, as we all know. I tried putty once; melted a significant amount of fuselage which took more putty to correct. White glue takes time to dry properly, and sometimes comes loose, and usually after the fuselage is closed up. So in doing this F9F Panther, it finally dawned on me: don't glue the weight. The nose cone holds just the right amount, as determined by a taped-together model with fingers at the main gear placement. After squashing some split-shot fishing weights, they were dropped into place and secured with a couple of pieces of sprue, bonded with liquid cement. Other aircraft configurations may make this difficult, but I'll certainly be doing this whenever possible.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52377331428_854a1af4c5_o.jpg) (http://"https://flic.kr/p/2nNpvQq")F9F weight (http://"https://flic.kr/p/2nNpvQq") by Dave Bailey (http://"https://www.flickr.com/photos/190327384@N02/"), on Flickr
Title: Re: File under...
Post by: Frank3k on September 23, 2022, 08:00:40 AM
sealing the weight behind a plastic "bulkhead" is a good idea. If the area is inconveniently placed or oddly shaped, I use modeling clay, like the stuff used when making molds. I found some lead shot that works great. I also have larger steel bearings that work just as well.
Title: Re: File under...
Post by: Kerick on September 23, 2022, 08:27:06 AM
I’ve done that before, it worked well.
Title: Re: File under...
Post by: The Big Gimper on September 23, 2022, 06:12:17 PM
I bought a bottle of these from a local everything store (Princess Auto).

(https://basspro.scene7.com/is/image/BassPro/1905077_120829053344739_is)