ACTA:SF Building the Klingon D6

[Dagretto]

So after having a very positive reaction to Noble Armada, and having my cash flow freed up a bit, I decided to invest in Star Fleet. I picked up the core book as well as the Romulan Fleet box (because the Gorn are not out yet!). So working on the Romulan version of the D-6, anyone have suggestions on how to glue on the warp engines? The casting looks like it was optimized for resin, an this join would be a cinch! But in metal it'll be quite a bit more challenging. There's not much surface area, or room for pinning. I thought of making some shims for the underside out of photo-etch brass frame I have laying about, but of course that might turn out to be an ugly join. How have others handled this? Thanks!

Damon.

 

[Ben2]

After dry fitting to make sure the joins matched up perfectly, I used superglue and two tiny blobs of liquid green stuff, pressed the join together quite forcefully, held it while the glue set, left it for a while and then trimmed any green stuff spill off with a craft knife. I then put a little more glue on the underside along the join.

I wouldn't want to drop it (though using epoxy would make it even stronger) but they've held quite nicely for gaming with. I'll be getting some pluck trays to put all my ships in, but thats because of the flexible posts.

A thin additional join piece should not look too bad. If you aren't doing a belly bird (and there isn't one etched in as there is with the eagle ships) then people don't have a reason to pick it up and start poking it.

 

[Dagretto]

A thin additional join piece should not look too bad. If you aren't doing a belly bird (and there isn't one etched in as there is with the eagle ships) then people don't have a reason to pick it up and start poking it.

Actually I have a sheet of warbird decals I used with the SL2400 range I was thinking of putting on the belly of this thing...

Damon.

 

[Ben2]

If it is going to get handled a lot, I'd add a thin join piece and then blend it with some green stuff so it is a smooth transition. Painted and no one will notice, and it should be butter fingered clod resistant (there's someone in every gaming group you're glad isn't a surgeon).

 

[McKinstry]

I used superglue to set the wings but a coating of epoxy on the underside to make sure they could handle at least a bit of bumping.

 

[Iain McGhee]

I just used superglue (gel). The trick is to run a file lightly over the contact areas to roughen them slightly, allowing the parts to "key" better.

 

[Wagged]

Alternatively - use some spit and superglue... a bit of saliva on one of the mating surfaces, and superglue on the other..sets real quick if you are a having holding them at the correct angle.

Apparently superglue was designed for use binding human tissue on the battlefield and a bit of saliva works wonders.

 

[Wagged]

"having holding them at the correct angle."

should read

having trouble holding them at the correct angle.

 

[seattledv8]

I find a dab of white glue (Elmers) between the super glue makes a very strong and fast setting bond.

 

[astronomypete]

Apparently superglue was designed for use binding human tissue on the battlefield and a bit of saliva works wonders.

Guys don't try this at home... Superglue is an irritant. It says so on the label... After speaking to A&E (ER for the USA) doctors, superglue is never to be used. They use a special "super" glue.

As to how it works, all air has moisture (water) suspended in it, and its this water in the atmosphere which causes the glue to set. The more moisture, the quicker the bond works. However, if you flood the glue with water, it can lead to an expansion of the joint, and swelling, in addition it doesnt produce such a strong bond. But you're right it sticks very quickly. I did it with my klingons to get them glued. I used a drop of water on the end of a craft knife and applied it after I'd put the glue on. After I held the parts together, to minimise the ammount of water inside the actual bonding surface. (yes a third hand is essential, my son got quite good at it.) I then filed down the excess bubbling with a small file, some times that led to a remake of the join, but wait 30 minutes first before filing, for best results.
In theory if you are gluing in a hot humid enviroment, it should bond much quicker, but I don't have the stats on the difference.