John Everett
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Member since: January 2012
July, 2016 MoM Winner
Posts: 1,278
Jan 17, 2012 0:53:48 GMT -5
Jan 17, 2012 0:53:48 GMT -5
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Post by John Everett on Jan 27, 2014 0:51:48 GMT -5
Hello All, I've finished a major diorama project and wanted to take a little detour into SciFi. The finished rover will only be about 6 x 6 inches and perhaps 4 inches tall. Two man crew modified from Tamiya and Verlinden figures. Driver's seat. Driver's legs repositioned. Hornet 1/32 head added. Lower body reworked with epoxy putty. First parts of the rover vehicle joined. I'm planning to light up the interior with LEDs. That's going to be as much work as the model itself. Thanks for following! John
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Post by deafpanzer on Jan 27, 2014 15:12:05 GMT -5
Freaking cool project!!! Please count me in...
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Post by TRM on Jan 27, 2014 16:25:35 GMT -5
Nice one John!! Is it me, or does that pilot look suspiciously a lot like another "pilot" we know? LOL!!! Off to pick up some popcorn for this!!
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Post by wbill76 on Jan 27, 2014 21:42:26 GMT -5
Definitely looking forward to this one John!
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Post by dupes on Jan 27, 2014 23:17:58 GMT -5
Sweet! Do you have an idea of what the rover is going to look like already? Or are you designing as you build?
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John Everett
Full Member
Member since: January 2012
July, 2016 MoM Winner
Posts: 1,278
Jan 17, 2012 0:53:48 GMT -5
Jan 17, 2012 0:53:48 GMT -5
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Post by John Everett on Jan 29, 2014 0:12:24 GMT -5
Thanks for following along, gents. Sweet! Do you have an idea of what the rover is going to look like already? Or are you designing as you build? Yes and yes. I have a very exact idea in mind. But, like any scratchbuilt project, that idea evolves as I take a look at what's available from the scrap bin. The final model will be pretty close to what I envisioned at the start. But many, if not most of the details will change along the way. Right now for example, I'm thinking the windows are too small. I may decide to tear them out and enlarge them with better built clear assemblies. A real Martian rover would probably have very small windows, like a deep sea sub. But I want the viewer to be able to easily see inside. A lot of scratchbuilding is like that, three steps forward, one step back. You should always be ready to throw away several hours of work if you're not happy with it. The final model will be better for having done so.
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Post by Mence on Jan 29, 2014 2:43:18 GMT -5
Interesting project, following...
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John Everett
Full Member
Member since: January 2012
July, 2016 MoM Winner
Posts: 1,278
Jan 17, 2012 0:53:48 GMT -5
Jan 17, 2012 0:53:48 GMT -5
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Post by John Everett on Jan 31, 2014 15:10:23 GMT -5
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John Everett
Full Member
Member since: January 2012
July, 2016 MoM Winner
Posts: 1,278
Jan 17, 2012 0:53:48 GMT -5
Jan 17, 2012 0:53:48 GMT -5
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Post by John Everett on Feb 1, 2014 19:39:50 GMT -5
Thanks Dicky, The most difficult part about printing your own decals is to find all the hidden menu options on your computer which allow the print to be at the highest possible quality. This work was done on a $90 printer. Playing around with lighting options and settled on this: A single bus will power all the lights (LEDs).
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Post by Leon on Feb 1, 2014 20:35:44 GMT -5
Nice work on the figure redo and really like the lighted screens John.
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Post by deafpanzer on Feb 1, 2014 23:37:02 GMT -5
Loved the work!!!
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John Everett
Full Member
Member since: January 2012
July, 2016 MoM Winner
Posts: 1,278
Jan 17, 2012 0:53:48 GMT -5
Jan 17, 2012 0:53:48 GMT -5
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Post by John Everett on Feb 2, 2014 1:21:27 GMT -5
A follow up: Obviously in need of a frame and trimwork. But I think it should look pretty good once its finished.
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danb
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Member since: November 2011
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Nov 17, 2011 9:22:52 GMT -5
Nov 17, 2011 9:22:52 GMT -5
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Post by danb on Feb 2, 2014 5:32:51 GMT -5
This is cool great project buddy can you share on the best way of printing stuff for yourself?
Dan B
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John Everett
Full Member
Member since: January 2012
July, 2016 MoM Winner
Posts: 1,278
Jan 17, 2012 0:53:48 GMT -5
Jan 17, 2012 0:53:48 GMT -5
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Post by John Everett on Feb 3, 2014 1:03:30 GMT -5
This is cool great project buddy can you share on the best way of printing stuff for yourself? Dan B I'm using a Windows computer and MS Word. (Apple computers do all the same things. But I can't afford them.) MS Word is excellent for dropping pictures and then shrinking them down to where you need them. There is even a little spot in the corner of the photo edit screen which tells you the final size that your manipulated photo will be. When you go to save your stolen internet pictures to your hard drive, save them as a PNG file. PNG is a higher resolution than standard JPEG files and your shrunken decal graphics will look sharper. Make lots of duplicate copies of your decal graphics, try to fill the whole page with decals. If you're scratchbuilding you can expect to have several rejects because your model will change or be adapted as the build progresses. When it comes time to finally send the MS Word document to your printer (I'm using an ink jet printer) have a look at the menu which pops up when you hit the PRINT icon. There will be an option to select, "Highest Quality, Specialty Paper". I use full sized decal paper from Micro Mark. In the US they are 8.5x11 size. When you are happy with the final printed sheet, protect the ink with a layer of spray-on matte acrylic from a spray can. Matte acrylic spray is available in the scrap booking section of the craft store. It's used for preserving photographs. Matte acrylic also stinks terribly when it's applied. So spray it outdoors if you're able.
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danb
Reviews member
March 2013 MoM Winner
Member since: November 2011
Posts: 2,808
Nov 17, 2011 9:22:52 GMT -5
Nov 17, 2011 9:22:52 GMT -5
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Post by danb on Feb 12, 2014 5:36:47 GMT -5
Thanks John for the info sorry i have not replied sooner have not been in ere for a bit been busy with life stuff keep up the good work buddy Dan B
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John Everett
Full Member
Member since: January 2012
July, 2016 MoM Winner
Posts: 1,278
Jan 17, 2012 0:53:48 GMT -5
Jan 17, 2012 0:53:48 GMT -5
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Post by John Everett on Feb 17, 2014 2:35:47 GMT -5
The Mars Rover will need eight wheels. My spares box has a nice wheel for this purpose. But the cost in fresh resin needed to produce 8 new copies was going to be a little expensive. Thus, I determined that there might be a less costly option: Total cost for both trucks, $6.48 USD. Eight tires, close enough to the original. There was some nice detail on the insides of the wheels. So I will probably reuse the hubs. Thanks for stopping by!
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Deleted
Member since: January 1970
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May 21, 2024 9:56:11 GMT -5
May 21, 2024 9:56:11 GMT -5
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Post by Deleted on Feb 17, 2014 3:08:11 GMT -5
LED lighting looks good Keep the updates coming
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Deleted
Member since: January 1970
Posts: 0
May 21, 2024 9:56:11 GMT -5
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Post by Deleted on Feb 17, 2014 3:37:13 GMT -5
Always up for a little scratch building, That's a great idea using the Toy tyres.
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Post by Leon on Feb 17, 2014 20:10:39 GMT -5
Nice replacement on the tires John,This is looking cool.
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Post by wbill76 on Feb 18, 2014 21:28:20 GMT -5
Now there's a creative solution for the wheels and cost effective too!
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venom1
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Member since: October 2012
Posts: 1,369
Oct 10, 2012 2:40:03 GMT -5
Oct 10, 2012 2:40:03 GMT -5
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Post by venom1 on Feb 20, 2014 0:26:28 GMT -5
Man, this is looking groovy! Great idea with the wheels, can't wait to see what the final design looks like!! Cheers, Sam
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John Everett
Full Member
Member since: January 2012
July, 2016 MoM Winner
Posts: 1,278
Jan 17, 2012 0:53:48 GMT -5
Jan 17, 2012 0:53:48 GMT -5
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Post by John Everett on Feb 25, 2014 2:07:32 GMT -5
Thanks for stopping by! Small update. I've begun work on the panel and suspension system. I'm beginning the interior detailing. Lots of shapes and gizmos and do-dads and such. Suspension system. These brass tubes are strong, but I don't know if I like the way the top joint comes together. It may be a simple fix with some epoxy putty.
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danb
Reviews member
March 2013 MoM Winner
Member since: November 2011
Posts: 2,808
Nov 17, 2011 9:22:52 GMT -5
Nov 17, 2011 9:22:52 GMT -5
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Post by danb on Feb 25, 2014 2:48:48 GMT -5
Nice update John thanks for sharing Dan B
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Post by deafpanzer on Feb 25, 2014 14:57:30 GMT -5
Agree with Dan... looking brilliant!
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Post by ceresvesta on Feb 25, 2014 15:23:15 GMT -5
Superb project mate, I am in!
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Post by armorguy on Mar 2, 2014 3:58:56 GMT -5
Bloody stunning ! This will look hyperrealistic ! What an interior, mindblowing stuff !
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John Everett
Full Member
Member since: January 2012
July, 2016 MoM Winner
Posts: 1,278
Jan 17, 2012 0:53:48 GMT -5
Jan 17, 2012 0:53:48 GMT -5
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Post by John Everett on Aug 26, 2014 2:02:30 GMT -5
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Post by kaytermarram on Aug 26, 2014 8:33:11 GMT -5
Love it, very interesting and the figures are way cool! Top work! And man am I curious how it will end!!
Frank
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Post by dupes on Aug 26, 2014 12:44:24 GMT -5
I liked it before...but I like it now, too! Keep it up!
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Post by deafpanzer on Aug 26, 2014 16:27:19 GMT -5
I plan to be in Columbus... National IPMS... so I would LOVE to see it in person if you are talking about this show.
Figures are perfect for this... more amazing work here!
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