- Apr 5, 2013
- 14,493
- 11,156
Really, I'm not kidding. Are they made by "Fiskar"?I've been trying to read the name of the scissors you use.
T-65 X-Wing by uhu02
- Thread starter snake7
- Start date
Frankly, I don't know. No brand on the scissors, only stainless steel stampingReally, I'm not kidding. Are they made by "Fiskar"?
- Apr 5, 2013
- 14,493
- 11,156
They look like a brand called "Fiskars". It's hard to find good scissors. I have really fat fingers, so getting a scissor with right size holes is not easy. I have a few of them and they work well for a while. No way that I know of to put an edge back on them as they are riveted together. Thanks for the reply.
Since the topic of scissors came up, I figured I would explain how I cut all my parts for this build.
I barely use scissors at all. I only use them to rough-cut part sections away from the main sheet to make them easier to handle. For actual part cutting, I exclusively use hobby knives.
I barely use scissors at all. I only use them to rough-cut part sections away from the main sheet to make them easier to handle. For actual part cutting, I exclusively use hobby knives.
- My main knife: An old-model OLFA AK-5 with a KB-5 blade. This handles almost all of my standard cutting.
- For thick cardboard/laminating: I switch to a sturdier OLFA AK-1 with KB-4 blades when I need more power for heavy parts.
- For tiny precision cuts: I use an Excel knife loaded with X-Acto #11 blades, which is essentially equivalent to using an OLFA AK-4 with KB-4 blades.
I've finished the basic assembly for the wings. Of course, they will get their laser cannons, engines, and some additional small details later on, but for now, this major phase of the build is complete.
When putting these together, pay close attention to the inner edge beam to ensure it aligns perfectly with the opening for the laser cannon mount.
Also, because there are so many similar but slightly different parts in this section, I highly recommend marking the back of every single piece with its part number. Doing this will save you a lot of headache later so you know exactly what goes where when it's time to glue.
The inner panels come designed with a long positioning tab on one side to help mount them inside the wing. However, I found it easier to mark their exact placement on the model first, cut off these long tabs entirely, and then glue them in place.
When putting these together, pay close attention to the inner edge beam to ensure it aligns perfectly with the opening for the laser cannon mount.
Also, because there are so many similar but slightly different parts in this section, I highly recommend marking the back of every single piece with its part number. Doing this will save you a lot of headache later so you know exactly what goes where when it's time to glue.
The inner panels come designed with a long positioning tab on one side to help mount them inside the wing. However, I found it easier to mark their exact placement on the model first, cut off these long tabs entirely, and then glue them in place.
- Apr 5, 2013
- 14,493
- 11,156
The way you told me you cut your parts tells me you have very strong hand, and great eye acuity. These pictures you are posting are showing perfect build execution. I'm very jealous, but only in the best way possible. You lift up the forum.
Thanks again for your warm feedback
I've started assembling the main fuselage.
My smooth-sailing relaxation mode with this build hit a bit of a speed bump due to a few unexpected alignment issues, so I really have to stay focused and think several steps ahead now. Because this model consists of so many intricate parts, small design oversights can pop up here and there.
Everything went smoothly until I reached part 189 (the cockpit floor). It slotted into place perfectly on its own, but when I tried to install the rear cockpit wall (part 179), I realized there wasn't enough clearance to slide it through. Tip: Before gluing part 189 into place, trim about 0.5 mm off its rear edge.
Next came an issue with parts 190 and 191. Unlike the main fuselage walls (173 and 174), these pieces lack cutouts for the main wing pivot axes. Without these cutouts, you won't be able to insert the wings all the way into their slots. Because I caught this after assembly, I had to carefully carve out those notches directly on the model. Pay close attention here if you're building this!
I dry-fitted the wings to test the fit and range. Positioning them was a bit tricky, but once in, they hold their stance well. I will likely need to make a few minor adjustments later so they close completely flush in the rear.
To help with this dry-fitting process, I decided to leave part 186 off for now and will install it later.
I've started assembling the main fuselage.
My smooth-sailing relaxation mode with this build hit a bit of a speed bump due to a few unexpected alignment issues, so I really have to stay focused and think several steps ahead now. Because this model consists of so many intricate parts, small design oversights can pop up here and there.
Everything went smoothly until I reached part 189 (the cockpit floor). It slotted into place perfectly on its own, but when I tried to install the rear cockpit wall (part 179), I realized there wasn't enough clearance to slide it through. Tip: Before gluing part 189 into place, trim about 0.5 mm off its rear edge.
Next came an issue with parts 190 and 191. Unlike the main fuselage walls (173 and 174), these pieces lack cutouts for the main wing pivot axes. Without these cutouts, you won't be able to insert the wings all the way into their slots. Because I caught this after assembly, I had to carefully carve out those notches directly on the model. Pay close attention here if you're building this!
I dry-fitted the wings to test the fit and range. Positioning them was a bit tricky, but once in, they hold their stance well. I will likely need to make a few minor adjustments later so they close completely flush in the rear.
To help with this dry-fitting process, I decided to leave part 186 off for now and will install it later.
I so greatly enjoy watching your threads and seeing how you address the issues that you run into with each template and build. This thread is a prime example of such.
KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK!
KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK!
Long time no update, but there has been a ton of work happening behind the scenes—I've finished assembling all the interior systems!
Actually, I took so many photos during this phase that I had to curate them a bit to keep the post manageable. Here are the individual sub-assemblies of the interior components:
I worked my way from front to back:
Primary sensor array and enemy sensor jammer
Sensor computer
Flight computer and communications antenna
Cockpit
At this stage, I couldn't resist doing a little scratch-building for the joystick and control pedals—because how can you have a cockpit without them!
(By the way, just like with the cockpit floor, I had to slightly trim the edges of the side panels here as well so everything would seat properly).
Targeting computer screen and fire extinguishing system (?)
Proton torpedoes bay
Acceleration compensator and life support
Power generator, cargo bay components, and droid socket
Hyperdrive systems
And finally, here is everything installed into place inside the fuselage frame:
A couple of closeups on the cockpit with the scratch-built stick and pedals:
Actually, I took so many photos during this phase that I had to curate them a bit to keep the post manageable. Here are the individual sub-assemblies of the interior components:
I worked my way from front to back:
Primary sensor array and enemy sensor jammer
Sensor computer
Flight computer and communications antenna
Cockpit
At this stage, I couldn't resist doing a little scratch-building for the joystick and control pedals—because how can you have a cockpit without them!
(By the way, just like with the cockpit floor, I had to slightly trim the edges of the side panels here as well so everything would seat properly).
Targeting computer screen and fire extinguishing system (?)
Proton torpedoes bay
Acceleration compensator and life support
Power generator, cargo bay components, and droid socket
Hyperdrive systems
And finally, here is everything installed into place inside the fuselage frame:
A couple of closeups on the cockpit with the scratch-built stick and pedals: