Derek B Posted October 26, 2023 Share Posted October 26, 2023 Hmm, I haven't made a vacform kit in years, but the itch is still there... should I? Derek chaos07, Lee White, Alex and 4 others 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LSP_Kevin Posted October 26, 2023 Share Posted October 26, 2023 Go for it, Derek! I've cut and sanded several of the Welsh airliners you sent me all those years ago, so it would be a good inspiration and incentive for me to continue with them. Plus, I'd get to see how it's really done! Kev chrish, Lee White, LSP_K2 and 2 others 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek B Posted October 26, 2023 Author Share Posted October 26, 2023 2 minutes ago, LSP_Kevin said: Go for it, Derek! I've cut and sanded several of the Welsh airliners you sent me all those years ago, so it would be a good inspiration and incentive for me to continue with them. Plus, I'd get to see how it's really done! Kev Well, knowing that it will help you more than me, then it is a done deal Kev! The original kit decals are shot (cracked and split in several places), so I have to address that issue at some point. Derek LSP_Kevin, Kagemusha and Alex 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek B Posted October 27, 2023 Author Share Posted October 27, 2023 The start. Derek Panzerwomble, LSP_Kevin, chaos07 and 1 other 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shoggz Posted October 27, 2023 Share Posted October 27, 2023 1 hour ago, Derek B said: The start. Derek You're a brave man Derek! Derek B 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek B Posted October 27, 2023 Author Share Posted October 27, 2023 16 minutes ago, Shoggz said: You're a brave man Derek! I have made quite a few vacforms in the past (about 40 years ago) and also made vacform master patterns for model companies, so they really do not hold any fear for me Rich! Derek Shoggz, LSP_K2 and Alex 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LSP_K2 Posted October 27, 2023 Share Posted October 27, 2023 I've heard they're pretty accurate kits, but have no first hand knowledge. Derek B 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LSP_Kevin Posted October 27, 2023 Share Posted October 27, 2023 11 minutes ago, LSP_K2 said: I've heard they're pretty accurate kits, but have no first hand knowledge. Given that Derek mastered many of the early ones, you'd hope so! Kev LSP_K2 and Derek B 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LSP_K2 Posted October 27, 2023 Share Posted October 27, 2023 11 minutes ago, LSP_Kevin said: Given that Derek mastered many of the early ones, you'd hope so! Kev That I did not know. My roommate says they're pretty good, that's all I know. Derek B 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek B Posted October 29, 2023 Author Share Posted October 29, 2023 (edited) The classic way of sanding vacform parts is using a large flat surface covered with wet and dry paper. The risk with this method - especially for large parts - is that it is difficult to apply even pressure on the parts in all areas during sanding, resulting in unevenness of the part edges (the edges end up looking 'wavy'). Therefore, I use the sanding block and scraping method to sand the edges of my larger vacform parts (I still use flat surface sanding for the smaller parts). I also find that this method gives me more sanding control, saves sore fingertips and is much quicker than flat sanding. The first parts I have sanded here are the left wing parts. I block sanded the leading edges and tips up to the black felt tip line by sanding the part break material from the carrier sheet having scored around the parts (at a 45 degree angle) and bending and snapping the carrier sheet away. The wing trailing edges were thinned by scraping them (on the inside of the wing surface) with a curved scalpel blade and finishing with the sanding block. Derek Edited October 30, 2023 by Derek B chrish, Panzerwomble, Shoggz and 8 others 11 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex Posted October 29, 2023 Share Posted October 29, 2023 This is inspiring. I have a Welsh Models vac kit of a Convair airliner in the stash somewhere. I should dig it out... Derek B 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek B Posted October 30, 2023 Author Share Posted October 30, 2023 41 minutes ago, Alex said: This is inspiring. I have a Welsh Models vac kit of a Convair airliner in the stash somewhere. I should dig it out... Hi Alex, Is it the 1/72 Proteus kit? Derek Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LSP_Kevin Posted October 30, 2023 Share Posted October 30, 2023 Nice progress, Derek. I use the same sanding method as you, after having been advised to do so many years ago by an experienced vacform builder. I agree that it's the better way to go over flat-sanding, but the latter method is the one you see recommended all the time! Kev Derek B 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomprobert Posted October 30, 2023 Share Posted October 30, 2023 Great stuff, Derek - gotta love an MD-11! I built this model a few years ago and it's great - I remember the engines being a bit fiddly (although the resin is very nice!) but other than that it was more or less like an IM kit once the parts were all removed and sanded appropriately. It seems you are making a great start! Tom Derek B 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek B Posted October 30, 2023 Author Share Posted October 30, 2023 As I haven't made or finished a civil airliner model for long time, I am not sure which is the best white paint and finishing varnishes to use on them these days, so I would appreciate any advice that you may have please? Many thanks Derek Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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