Modeling Health 401

[topgun56]

With all that light how do you keep from losing the small parts in the glare?

[stringbags4ever2]

To Topgun:

Methinks that is the reason why Micromark, et. al., sells their ever-pupular catch-all apron, precisely so that small parts that tend to go flying, at least toward you, will end up in the collecting pouch on the apron. Aha! Another use for my mother-in-law's apron!! And to think I only wear it when I'm preparing Thanksgiving dinner. Hmmmmm....

[StephenLawson]

To Topgun: And to think I only wear it when I'm preparing Thanksgiving dinner. *Hmmmmm....

Hopefully thats not all you wear :

[NeilE]

maybe its for the best that's all he's wearing of Grandma's..... 8)

All the best

Neil

PS You're Grandma isn't named Dymphna is she?

[NeilE]

With all that light how do you keep from losing the small parts in the glare?

Topgun;

basically the room I work in isn't that well lit in the first place and is quite a large room so the light is somewhat diffused. I find it provides a reasonable amount of light overall. I haven't lost a part yet since I've used this system.

The only problem is the heat from them during summer is slightly uncomfortable when we are hitting 40 C +. Also with the Lamp on the flexible arm, I like to use it when needed for close work, otherwise it is drawn back from my cutting board as I don't want it to warp anything with the heat of it.

HTH

All the Best

Neil

[topgun56]

Ever notice how the small part doesn't drop down or fly towards you? It always flies away from you.

Then 2-3 days later I find the cat playing with it. Or in the kitchen after stepping on it in my socks.

[StephenLawson]

Greetings Topgun56: From The Laws of Modeling 101;
1. Every modeler's desk comes with a black hole beneath it, that swallows parts. Only on rare occassions does it see fit to spew one back at you.
a. Only the highly scratchbuilt parts or ones that have
no replacements will fall into this black hole.
b. the porbability of dropping a part is inversely
proportional to to the size of the part.
c. The closer the match of a part and the floor, the
greater the probability of dropping the part.
d. A dropped part will bounce to the most innaccessible
area of the room. (this also allows you to mark the
boundaries of your black hole.
(Note: A dropped X-acto knife will visit your foot before
obeying d.)
e. As soon as you quit looking for the missing part you will
probably step on it.

[StephenLawson]

author=Neil_E says:
'Stephen; I would concur with Pete, its to enhance the chances of getting very small parts in the right place when normal eyesight fails.

I guess they would accentuate flaws given the magnification but it up to the modeler to correct these or be relaxed enough to ignore them if they are not crucial and not overly visible to the naked eye...'

Very good Neil_E & PeteLH. Optivisors enlarge the image so we can get better fit to the pieces were putting together. Flaws can be minimized. Aim small - miss small. (She was a great gal by the way)

'...I found optivisors to feel a bit odd and unwieldy to wear but that is my my personal preference only.
I am concerned about their overall affect on eyes given they are not prescription lenses.'

(The visiting prof. whispers)Pssssssst Neil, your supposed to wear your prescription lenses with the optivisor. That way your RX is magnified and there's even less chance for your eyes to be strained .

Next we move on to The use of Accelerants: There are several types. The most common are:

1. Over the counter types. These are composed of Triethanolamine or other similar amines. They usually carry the label 'Suspcted Carcinogen' Just a little tip. If there has been cancer in your family or you smoke Don't use these over the counter types. Its too risky. My youngest son (13 today- will be pronounced 'cancer free' in June this year, after 7 long years of struggle.) I have done some serious studies into this, I have used the accelerant in the past and what I learned is I'll never use it again.

2. When used with Cyanoacrylate estre type glues, Baking Soda / Micro Balloons are converted to a level of a minute toxic gas for about .0154 of a second in a well ventilated work area. I have used such 'welds' for nearly 25 years and I have yet to have a joint fail. Within 5 minutes is hard as nails.

Fumes need to be avoided and NEVER directly inhale from an open container such as Testors acrylic paint remover or thinner. Roughly 2% of the population are allergic to its fumes (I am one) It will close your eyes and cause possible respiration concerns. Its effects could take about 16-20 hours to pass through your system.

Caution is the Name of The Game Folks. When ever you try a new chemical try to get a copy of the MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) and follow all directions. I use simple paper masks when I feel the need. For further reading I heartily suggest, Finescale Modeler Finishing School Lesson #6 for your homework. Ask your self do you know the hazards?

Pop Quiz: What makes a substance Toxic?

[Barker]

Stephen, believe it or not, I have a bit of educational background on this one.
Food is toxic to our body, as is just about everything else.
What makes a substance toxic is if your body has no chemistry to deal with it, literally, it does not know what to do with it.
If it cannot successfully pass the substance all manner of mischief ensues.

Toxicity is anything that overwhelms your body's ability to deal with it, either outright or cumulative.

[Michael]

Pop quiz: If using an optivisor magnify's the flaws while you build, why use one?

Answer:

My eyes grow dim I cannot see
I have not brought my specs with me
I HAVE not BROUGHT my SPECS with me.

Also it allows you to find minor imperfections, pinholes, etc. that escape the naked eye, thus allowing you to smear more putty onto your model, so you can take more pictures to show everybody just how much work you really put into the sucker.