Aztek Dummy Update 7/6/18 - Weefiant

[@paulolivier7346]

Lou: love the show. Tip for you and your fans: the dollar store sells remote security alarms with magnetic reed switches. These could make completely invisible lighting switches. With the magnet present, the switch is open. Remove the magnet and the lights com on!

[@modelysar]

When the first Defiant model came out I actually got Michael Okuda on the phone about the scale of the kit. He said the Defiant was the same size roughly as the saucer of the TOS Enterprise. That made the original kit 350 scale which is the same scale as the Klingon Bird of Prey. Of course that was early in the series. Then the writers messed all that up in later episodes.

[@markshobbybench]

Awesome Lou! The painting masks really do the trick.

[@gregmounts7648]

i love your work and the paint colors you use are very cool

[@jhunt5440]

I didn’t have much interest in this kit until watching your vid. I’ll also be picking up your mask set. Great work!

[@SeansModelBuilds]

Jhunt5440 I will use the Coloured Decals for mine. But Lou will be my Painting Guide for the 1400 scale Enterprise-C Saucer Section!

[@Graphixman]

Pretty cool sir! Would love to see you tackle the AMT 1/420 version...

[@Serenityindailylife]

The defiant was about the same size as a bird of prey and the Grissom. I really want a 1/350 of the defiant. It would be awesome. Imagine the lighting and photoetch they could make for it.

[@magicstix0r]

There is a 1/350. It just has terrible fitment and the glowy bits aren't clear so they'd have to be recast in resin.

[@erichawkinsbashkid3444]

Make sure you tell Paul light blocking. about the thin PE parts for

[@outsider238]

That looks amazing Lou! You got it done in record time too. I do wish it was a bigger kit though.

[@SocialSpit]

Very clever! I can’t even figure out which colours of paints to get!

[@SocialSpit]

Actually, after watching everything that you did to make your defiant looks so awesome, I don’t think I will ever be able to even finish this kit. I made model cars when I was in high school, I got about as good at that as you are with this model... but that was 40 years ago... I was hoping I could just buy this, snap it together, slap the decals on. It never occurred to me that it could be painted so well and have lighting installed. I just wanted a little defiant. Maybe one of these days I will be able to paint it as well as you did...

[@johntakacs9441]

Lou, can you please show us more detail on attaching the rod/tube to the ship? This has been my recent dilemma. Another great build, thank you!

[@aztekdummy]

just a drop of ca in the hole and slide the tube in

[@lostonwallace1396]

Eventually, I'd like to see you tackle an older kit, like one of those re-releases from the old Aurora Planet of the Apes kits or something like that. So many of the older kits were built with the seams showing, and colored in globby Testor's paints. :( It would be nice to see some of those Aurora classics done by you, because your skill level would elevate them to new heights, Lou.

[@lostonwallace1396]

I've built and painted a couple of them so far. I'm not a veteran model builder, but I love to do it. I am a comic book artist though, which seems to give me a steadier hand, and that helps me with painting details like eyes, etc. I actually paint using brushes, which I think scares a lot of the model builders I have spoken with. They are much more comfortable with airbrushing than with actual brushing. Here's a gander at a couple of them, Lou. I hope you like seeing these images as much as I relish seeing your builds here on your channel. Love your work, man. Dr. Zaius: www.lostonwallace.com/drz5.jpg and www.lostonwallace.com/drz13.jpg Cornelius: www.lostonwallace.com/corneliuskit5.jpg and www.lostonwallace.com/corneliuskit10.jpg and ye ol' re-released Phantom kit: www.lostonwallace.com/phantomkit11.jpg and www.lostonwallace.com/phantomkit12.jpg

[@SeansModelBuilds]

Loston Wallace The first model kit I got, the old AMT 650 scale TOS Enterprise, I painted by hand. I had not learned about Tamiya Spray Paint yet. Then I took it to Montreal Comic-Con last summer and got it signed by William Shatner.

[@MrChief101]

Looking rather good. I see you're a couple lights short of a Christmas Tree. As for those little 4-in-a-row circular features-- you built a box for them-- I *think* you could have tapered both ends. That might have made it brighter at either end. Also, a dab of black marker-- which winds up being kind'a thin when lit up-- right on the center of the LED.

[@aztekdummy]

i took some foil tape to both ends of the boxes to reflect the light back. the camera makes it look more sourcy than it is

[@MrChief101]

That does seem to be the case in general. Good solution.

[@franco3584]

Hey Lou, what about making Black Vinyl masks for the areas and Clear Parts that surround the LED'S . I did this on my Bandai 1/2 scale BB-8 it worked great . No more light spill and Tulip mess .

[@aztekdummy]

Franco, it's a good idea for the BB8, but the vinyl would have a hard time sticking to all of the tiny sharp contours of the Defiant parts. Black Enamel paint would be a better idea or glued on photo etch. since my parts were already glued in place, I was left with Tulip. Not the best solution, but the best I could do at the time

[@franco3584]

It was meant as more of a suggestion for future lighting builds .

[@alantoms9298]

Hello there. I've enjoyed you channel for a while now, but didn't see this video till I got purchased your masks for this kit. I do have some questions as you have already solved some of the lighting issues. If you did have this info in the video I may have missed it, even after rewatching. 1. What size LED SMD did you use for the bussards ? 2. What size LED SMD did you use for the warp engines? 3. What type and size LED did you use for the impulse engines? Did you just cut off the front of the 3 pronged piece and glue it to the LED? To make it even more complicated I'm adding 3 flashing navigation lights using 0402 SMD and going to add red and green running lights using fiber optics.

[@aztekdummy]

Looking g at the video, it looks as though I used the chip sized sleds for everything.

[@UpDownLeft11]

Beautiful little build like usual 👍. Quick question, what diameter rod did you find fits these 1/1000 kits best for running wire? Local store doesn't have any the fit snugly.

[@aztekdummy]

I usually use 1/4 inch aluminum tube. and if it doesn't fit, I'll epoxy it in place

[@johnatsf1564]

Lou, you're the best!

[@terryforsdyke306]

Thanks for the video, I did find it a bit amusing when you said last time Defiant was used it had a shuttle because Defiant had at least 1 shuttle when it was first introduced in "The Search", where did you think Odo found the shuttle he and Kira escaped in after Defiant was disabled? yes Defiant is a small ship, it cannot be bigger than about 50m, and cannot be smaller than about 200m, when a ships smallest possible size sugests it has 64 times the volume of its biggest possible size you have a problem. I have ordered a few of these, both will be lit, one will be done with decals, the other will be painted, the one which ends up looking better will be the Defiant, the other will probably become the Valiant or I may just make up a name for it

[@timroberts69]

I saw a familiar face in the latest video from Finescale Modeller on their 2nd part video on Wonderfest. That familiar person (I can't put a name to that familiar face) had a familiar model Baby Groot in carbonite. I wonder(fest) who that could have been??? Another great build Lou. Can you please recommend an entry level vinyl cutter and a good vinyl to use? I use your masks where I can, but of coarse, you can't have a set out for every model.

[@aztekdummy]

yeah, that was me... :) they also showed them taking pics of my Starbug in their intro

[@aztekdummy]

about the cutter... I don't know if the cricket cutters are any good or not. you're still looking at 2-3 grand for a base commercial plotter

[@timroberts69]

I saw the Starbug too, but wasn't positive it was your one. I think I saw your Cyclops too on one of the videos. I am totally envious of you being able to go to Wonderfest, I live so far away in Australia.

[@johnleightell8188]

Always click as fast as I see your link come up 😁

[@barrygordon5148]

Just wondering, What about the blinking nav lights?

[@JeffG2101]

Excellent work as always. Do you have a main go-to source for your LED's that you prefer? This gives me some motivation to to light mine when I get it. Thanks!

[@aztekdummy]

www.modeltrainsoftware.com is where I go they have 3 sizes of tiny, prewired smleds

[@jfazar]

What you call the SLEDs, are those the Pico's?

[@aztekdummy]

i mostly use the chip size

[@georgemellis5212]

Good morning, I wanted to ask if you have paint masks for the 1:420 scale Defiant kit. Can the paint masks that you have for the weefiant be scaled up for the larger kit?

[@aztekdummy]

not yet and no. The big Defiant is on the back burner, but all these great kits keep coming out. The geometry is not the same for the two sizes. the smaller one has way more accurate proportions so I can't just scale it up. it's a good starting point, but I would have to "dumb down" the templates to match the curves of the biggun

[@georgemellis5212]

@@aztekdummy Thank you, love your work

[@simoncuk1]

Hi Lou, I love how this turned out. Quick question, I bought a kit from cultTVman. The instructions say to mask both sides of the clear parts, but the nacelle parts only seem to have enough to mask one side. Am I missing any or do I have to reuse them?

[@aztekdummy]

on the misc. sheet, there are two sets of everything... one for the inside and one for the outside.

[@simoncuk1]

Lou Dalmaso Course it does!! It’s been a long week at work, clearly wasn’t paying attention 😂. Really appreciate the reply. Do you ever create any trek masking sets that don’t make it as far as CultTVman etc. I could happily use your kits for everything😁

[@aztekdummy]

I also make masks for the big deboer kits, but those are specialty items that dont sell in big enough numbers for Steve to stock

[@simoncuk1]

Lou Dalmaso Awsome. Well if anything catches my eye on your channel, which it always does. I’ll drop you a message 😃. Once again. Thanks for the reply. I appreciate it

[@fritzthefox]

Have you tried using metallic paint for light blocking? I have had good luck with it.

[@upstatescalemodeling]

Love your videos Lou. Always comes out perfect. I see that you always make maskes for all the models you construct. Do you have a distributor that we can buy your masks or can we buy them direct from you?

[@aztekdummy]

I generally sell thru the big 3 CultTVman, Starship Modeler and Federation Models. I do sell direct on some of the more specialized mask sets - things that wouldn't have the numbers to justify stocking online - Deboer kits and the 650 scale E-E. that type of thing

[@jfazar]

Any idea and when these would be available on said big three? And great build, it was fun to watch! I'm going to be building two at the same time for myself and a friend, your build has been extremely helpful.

[@jipillow1]

Could you paint the interior black to block lights and then a silver/chrome to amplify the light and put a large led in the middle of the warp nacelles?

[@aztekdummy]

you could, but distinct red and blue leds will give a better result than one white bulb in the middle with the clear parts tinted blue and red

[@jipillow1]

Thank you for the guidance . I love watching your videos. Top shelf stuff

[@mr.m2556]

For light blocking, would think that HVAC foil tape would work especially in tight spaces or on flats. What are your thoughts?

[@aztekdummy]

I use that tape religiously. you just have to be very careful to keep any wiring from shorting out on it

[@p.j.c.2.0]

Hello Lou i'm trying out your Aztek Dummy Paint Mask Set for the DEFIANT right NOW and so far i like what i'm working with i used the Mask Set for IRON MAN WAR MACHINE and it turned out better then i'd hoped it would can't wait to see how my DEFIANT turns out by the way do you still make the Mask Set for the IRON MAN Mark 6 Model ?

[@aztekdummy]

I'm sure I still have the file kicking around here

[@p.j.c.2.0]

@@aztekdummy Could you look for it i can't find it ?

[@p.j.c.2.0]

I've Looked and i can't find the IRON MAN Mark 6 Paint Mask Set on the sites where i normally get my model building supply's so i hope you can find the file if you do find it could you make me a Set of the Masks ?

[@philrm99]

Fantastic

[@rasmusklinge]

Did you drill all the way through the rob for the electric wires to the on off switch?

[@prewald]

Have you ever made a paint mask set for the 1:420 Defiant? I would have thought I could find those somewhere?

[@aztekdummy]

nope, not yet. That kit came out before my time. I may go back and look at it again after I clear a few things off of my to do list

[@dbroadwayvfx]

Oof, Round 2. Those panel lines are canyons.

[@aztekdummy]

they are big, aren't they :) especially at 1000 scale

[@ChrisJohnson-ul5ji]

Would you mind listing the colors that you used? Really want to use the same ones. Thanks!

[@aztekdummy]

it's been a whle, so I don't remember all of them. it looks like a fiels blue for the darkest, light and medium blue, sky light gray and a light gray/white mix. plus a buff for the tan spots

[@ChrisJohnson-ul5ji]

Lou Dalmaso thank you Lou!

[@simonwillis1529]

Very impressive Which is your last colour the lightest grey tamiya paints you use this is Off the chain 👍

[@aztekdummy]

It was a mix of flat white with just a pinch of light gray

[@simonwillis1529]

Lou Dalmaso nice one very well done sir 👍

[@wargodsix]

Yea I’d paint where possible myself

[@celticarchie]

What about some aluminium tape for light blocking?

[@aztekdummy]

I use that all of the time, but not with SMLEDS. Because they are wired with wire wrap, you have to be real careful not to short them out on foil tape

[@mr.m2556]

I guess you could cover the SMLED with a clear epoxy to act as a barrier and use foil tape. BTW, the Defiant is my favorite Star ship... thanks for the great build.

[@lostonwallace1396]

They still make MEK? I had heard someone say that it has been discontinued in many stores. Any truth to that?

[@aztekdummy]

around here you can buy it by the gallon. maybe in California it's banned, but not here

[@lostonwallace1396]

Cool. I'll look for it here in Durham.

[@Bradhair]

Was that a Kelvin in the test shot bag?

[@aztekdummy]

I'm sure I don't know what you are talking about ;)

[@Bradhair]

HA! I totally understand!!

[@starsiegeplayer]

What is "tulip?"

[@aztekdummy]

it is the stuff of the Gods. .. it's a fabric paint that you can get at walmart in their craft section. basically it's very thick acrylic paint in a squeeze bottle with a very thin nozzle. Tulip is the brand name "slick" is the product

[@redgreen09]

whell darn it fist that dun looking good like it post see more why hek not if you post