MechTech

Thanks guys for the advice. - MT

Fellow MW'ers, I need your help with choosing a good CAD software suite. If it does CAD/CAM that would be great too. The TWO major must haves are: 1) Low cost. ($200 and under) 2) Ability to export for machining. If it has the ability to import lineart from other software suites (like MS Office) that would be great for doing signs and other items. I've looked at some software, but because I've no experience drawing in 3D, I'm at a loss for experience with some suites. I do a great deal of 2D drawing so that is no issue skill wise. In fact, I own the Corel Draw suite. Just my lack of experience with 3D software. And since I'm a model builder, the goal is to machine the item on a CNC router. I'm finally going to buy one after waiting years and years (which is also why the software needs to be low cost). I have a great deal of experience using Corel and a laser engraver. It's time to move up to the 3D realm now! Thanks in advance for your help! - MT

Absolutely AWESOME sculpts EXO! I'm really tempted to buy them. I have only one 1/60 Yamato valk v1 though. I'm thinking about it... Excellent work on the spies. You gotta do the spies for "completeists." Oh yeah, and the little kid throwing a fit, just makes you want to flick his butt and put him in line - MT

My secret to realistic damage - real damage! Burn/drill out the blast holes, sit a LITTLE match head or gun powder in it, and hold a lighter next to it. Can't argue with the real deal No sweat on the car. I'm getting a manual X Y table for my drill press. It will make life a lot easier - even if its cheating - MT

It's as hot as Sylvia herself Nice mods to the kit! - MT

I FINALLY got to get some work done on the Sugarfoot. As before, I milled down a larger block of styrene. REALLY simple process. Take your Dremmel milling bit and put it into a drill press with a mini fence on it. Push the block back and forth (safely) making passes and keep moving the fence gradually until the stock block is the shape you want. I'll be getting an X Y table to cheat at this The Sugarfoot has those lines down the side and it would be a major pain to glue strips, so I engraved strips into it. Plus they will survive abuse better when handling. Where I am at so far... I am considering just doing a whole set of ALL these vehicle and selling it, "Insta Macross Ground Ensamble." I have to figure cost. But I will sell one offs too. - MT

Nice projects everyone! I love this thread too. It's a nice mix of reality and sci-fi! - MT

Cody is back at it again. Kids, cover your eyes Great work as usual! - MT

SCHAWEET mod! You have really taken an inside joke and made it cool! - MT

It's about time ahiachris, I thought you died or something That will make the 1/72nd guys happy since they have been waiting years for somebody to do the ground vehicles in resin! - MT

I've been off MW for a while so I'm catching up. The Tommy would look great with these: http://www.brookhursthobbies.com/Product-L...amp;M=&Cat= Or 1/48th scale (they also make them, I have some). I think it would look great. And if you're going to blow it to kingdom come as in the picture, the dimensions on the model are a mute point anyhow. If you do get serious about the car, let me know. I might be able to squeeze it in. I just saw one get blown up watching it with my children tonight. Six wheeled cars are just asking to be blown up anyhow - MT

Hey Neptune. I thought about it, but this is all really part of the Daedalus build. I'm contemplating it for someday. Hopefully one of those guys that have started theirs will finish them (hint-hint you guys). -MT

This kit is crying out for brass turned and drilled barrels. Then they need to point forward and level versus sticking up like a crab's eyes (or Kermit's) I think it looks pretty good personally. - MT

Thank you again guys. The truck is FINALLY done! Here's the winch: I had one small picture to go by, so here's what I came up with. And the whole thing together... While going through the lineart, I saw the barrels in the picture foreground. They are also included in the 1/100 Macross factory, so I thought I'd make one. These will be casted too. I vertically lathed it on my drill press for the most part. That's it for now. The next step will be the M-299 Sugarfoot. - MT

Thank you guys for the compliments. Being snowed in four days was awesome and a big help time wise completing the truck. The truck is done except for the winch part of the crane. Are you kidding me!? Someone is just now telling me I can enlarge the pictures of these! Thanks for waiting so long guys Seriously though, I'm sure many think I'm nuts for choosing such a small scale:D The completed topside portion. I hate "fake" looking bottoms on vehicles so I tried to give it some dignity. Anti-lock brakes are extra I had a leftover spring piece so the steering has a "shock" on it now. There is as much detail squeezed into the crane as possible; molded versions will be extended and retracted. Next to the Imai version which I found has good scale, but missing many critical details (80's mold technology). Truck in action with "bucket". The winch is currently under construction. A REALLY CLOSE closeup. The bucket took most of a day's work to get it accurate. That's it for now. I'm thinking $15 plus shipping if anyone is interested. Molding will hopefully begin in three weeks. - MT

This is one of those threads where you just drool and hope for the best Thanks for sharing guys. - MT

Thank you very much Beltane. The encouragement helps! It does have one affect, keeping the money out of my wallet I'm hoping to get back to it soon! - MT

Excellent sculpting! I see why they are so happy. Does it have to do with the empty wine bottles we don't see!? - MT

That is a good idea. I think it shows that Yamato has been listening to some of its customer's requests. - MT

Absolutely AWESOME work! It was worth the wait. I think the next question is, "when are you going to make resin copies?" It would finance your other hobby projects - MT

You know, it looks like someone could make a vacu-formed kit that would fit over a real helmet. Then you could have the best of both worlds! - MT

I just saw these. If you have this collection, you almost have like one of everything from the Macross continuim! Thanks for sharing. - MT

Looks awesome! The Hasegawa ground crew set goes well with that too. - MT

What do you do when you get snowed in! Work on your models! I shoveled almost three feet of snow off my driveway (can park two cars on its length). The main part of the truck is now done. There's a six foto wall of snow down the edges of my street. The place looks like a giant snow fort. Another foot of snow forecasted for Tuesday! Hmmm, maybe I'll finish it this week The cab and chassis separated. The top will hopefully be molded in clear. Now I have to build the crane parts and actual chassis to connect the wheels. - MT

Boldoza! (sounds like bingo)! That's one thing I bet most of us don't have! If only it was easy to get! - MT