Anakin’s PodRacer

Tom
Great project JD, good luck!

JD
Thanks Tom! This is going to be a real challenge! I have already made progress in stripping the enamel in a process I now call: The Ultimate purple pond. What used to take 48 hours now takes about an hour with minimal effort, and is non-toxic. I'm super excited!

Chris Greathouse
I liked Anakin's Podracer the best (with a few cheats) in the Podracing game for Nintendo 64. 😄 And overall still one of my favorite games.

JD
Omg N64? Let me tell you that Mission Impossible and Goldeneye got me through some tough times!

Tom
😄 looking forward to following along JD. I've not built cast kits before, but grew up with cast model toys. Very well organized workstation, nice! 🙂

JD
By casting, I'm referring to replicating parts using a casting, or mold making process. Btw, that's a rare glimpse of neatness...I usually work in a dystopian whirlwind of chaos!

Chris Greathouse
I think that Goldeneye got a lot of people through tough times. One of the Greatest Games.

Tom
+1 for Goldeneye, I went so deep into that game. Never could repeat it with their sequel, Perfect Dark.

JD
Materials finally came in...Well, here's me learning how to cast parts...

Chris Greathouse
Do you have your wand and spells ready? Casting can be difficult 😛

JD
I expect my first spell to be a disaster, and turn me into a grumpy old man....oh wait..

Chris Greathouse
That's how we learn... we fall, we get up. 😛 Good luck.

JD
"Failure the greatest teacher is". -Yoda

Black Baron
I'm interested to see how the casting goes. What did you use to remove the enamel?

Tom
Great project JD, watching the casting with awe 🙂

Tim Heimer
Casting seems to intimidate people, follow directions, take your time, start with simple things, use common sense and think things out. The more you do the more you realize how simple it is. The liquid molding and resins go bad after a year or so and will produce poor quality objects. 2 piece molds are the hardest for me but then I don't need them as much. For what it's worth!

Torsten
That's interesting, I'll watch 🙂

JD
First impressions...(pun intended) I need more practice, but I'm encouraged. The Milliput takes about 8 hrs to dry, which is a bummer, only then to discover I have to start over. The thermo plastic is interesting, It's softer then a typical glue stick,but you need considerable finger strength to separate the 2 halves. I may try to do an injection of resin next time, but I think I need air channels to prevent pressure in the mold, causing flash to squeeze out.
Ain't learning fun? 😎
@ Black Baron, I used Super Clean in what some refer to as the 'Purple pond" but I've added my own spin on the method. And btw, your Ed-209 build is killer!
scalemates.com/profi..s&album=48474#70

JD
Thanks Tim, your input is greatly appreciated, I welcome all tips and advice.

JD
Well they're not perfect, but I think they will clean up well. I'm pretty stoked! I think I'll be able to begin the build soon...

Tim Heimer
Too cool!

Starbase101
Forgive the naivety, but I am wondering why you cast the parts instead of just using the kit parts? I guess I missed a backstory, the kit is secondhand and some parts were missing so you had to cast replacements? What are the clear/blue blocks? I've never seen those before. Seeing your parts come out of the mold to the voice of young Anakin saying, "It's working!!!"

JD
Thanks Mike, that made me smile..😄 The real back story is that I attempted this kit back in '99 but messed it up so bad I ended up throwing it away and was totally discouraged. I came across this kit again a few years back and found it in a similar state; someone had also tried, failed and gave up. It struck a nerve... so I resolved to restore this model someday, but knew I had a lot to learn first. I hope I've reached skill level 2 as recommended on the box lol!

JD
The molding compound I'm using is identical to Blue Stuff, which is a thermoplastic that becomes like silly putty in boiling water, then gets stiff again when cooled. As far as I know it's used specifically to mold small parts. Funky stuff...

Black Baron
@ Tim Heimer. Thanks for the advice. I've been looking at Smooth-on products but the project with the need to do some casting won't be on my bench for years. So not going to get the supplies ready as they might go bad while waiting

Tim Heimer
Glad to help! learning the hard way can get costly.

Ralf Topeters
Hey what a killer project. You have some of a backpack put on there.Casting is something I'm way too afraid of to try it. I'm excited to see the outcome of it. Best of luck with everything.

JD
A bit of progress...no big deal.