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To Save A Model-My USS Endeavor-Repairs Completed!

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  • Member since
    July 2005
To Save A Model-My USS Endeavor-Repairs Completed!
Posted by Admiral Grasshopper1 on Tuesday, January 22, 2008 7:14 PM

Hello I need help in what I should do here. I have had many problems with the nacelles being to heavy,at least I think that is my problem. The Nacelles have drooped very badly(see pics).

I want to find a solution to this problem without too much work involved. Please do not think I am too lazy to fix this, I am not. I do not want to damage the nacelles or the decals that are on the pylons.

I was thinking of removing the Nacelles from the Pylons and straightening them with heat from a hair dryer first, which by the way I have done many times with the Nacelles attached with the hair dryer, it lasts for about a month then as you see droopy again.

After I straighten them I was thinking of installing long heavy duty paper clips that are cut and made into steel rods and drilling straight down into the Pylon and sliding the rod into place. I do not know if this will even work. I really need some help here. All advice is Most Appreciated, Thanks In Advance.

Anyway here are the pics of what it looks like now:

USS Endeavor JT Graphics PL TOS Conversion

USS Endeavor JT Graphics PL TOS Conversion

USS Endeavor JT Graphics PL TOS Conversion

  • Member since
    April 2005
Posted by ddp59 on Tuesday, January 22, 2008 8:00 PM
are the struts completely hollow &  do you have access into the secondary hull?
  • Member since
    July 2005
Posted by Admiral Grasshopper1 on Tuesday, January 22, 2008 8:22 PM
The Pylons are resin, If I take out the piece from the secondary hull I would have access.
  • Member since
    January 2006
Posted by KirkTrekModeler on Tuesday, January 22, 2008 9:39 PM

It would appear that your pylons are more the problem than the nacelles. Obviously weak and insufficient to support the weight. I suggest pulling the nacelles off of the pylons, scraping the pylons and using something stronger to hold the nacelles. You could use coat hanger wire inside of the existing pylons, if they are hollow, but make sure to J.B. Weld them into place.

Does that help? 

 

  • Member since
    December 2007
  • From: Louisville, KY.
Posted by Cosmic J on Tuesday, January 22, 2008 11:58 PM

Wow. You have my sympathies. I've built a lot of resin kits, and I've never seen it warp that bad. Is this a recast, by any chance?

Here's what I would do:

A) Straighten the supports by heating them in hot water, or w/ a hair dryer.

B) Carefully, carefully drill a hole in either the hull or the engine nacelles (depending on which will cause the least irrepairable damage) all the way through, and into the engine support. Use a pin vice and go sloooow so that you drill straight down the center of the support, all the way to the other side.

C) Run a length of brass or steel rod through the hole. Make sure it's long enough to support the boom, but not so long that it interferes w/ the rod you need to put in the other side. You can then fill, sand and repaint over the drill sites.

 You may also want to drill a hole into the engine nacelle forward of the boom (on the top or bottom maybe), and but some small lead fishing weights ito it, to balance the nacelle both forward and aft of the boom. Fill and sand just like the other holes.

Good luck - JC

  • Member since
    July 2005
Posted by Admiral Grasshopper1 on Wednesday, January 23, 2008 7:16 PM

Repairs In Progress

Well I have taken many members advice on how to fix this and combined a lot of the info and here is what I am doing to save this model:

I started with separating the Pylon from the ship with the dremel:

 

I used this huge heavy duty paper clip which is very hard to bend and I figured it would hold the weight of the Nacelle, I cut it with the dremel:


I took the dremel to cut on the outer part of the Nacelle so I could place the rod I made from the paper clip:


After I was done with both sides I used Bondo to seal up the sides of the Pylons on each side:


I got lucky I found some of the paint I used for this, I still had a very little of this left in one can I used so I will be able to touch this up when I am finished with this.
I want to thank everyone who has helped me thus far and I am hoping this looks as good as it did when I finished it the first time.

And believe me when I run into this problem again I will use rods next time before assembly is completed.

  • Member since
    July 2005
Posted by Admiral Grasshopper1 on Wednesday, January 23, 2008 10:36 PM
Well I have the Pylon finished and I have it Painted and Remounted and Puttied and Sanded and Painted on the Secondary Hull. I am letting it dry overnight. I will post more pics tommarrow. So far it looks Good, and it looks like I should not have the Droopy Problem anymore, I hope.Big Smile [:D]
  • Member since
    January 2006
  • From: California
Posted by SprueOne on Wednesday, January 23, 2008 10:50 PM
cool dude, I just saw this thread tonight and now I'm watching and waiting on this one too.

Anyone with a good car don't need to be justified - Hazel Motes

 

Iron Rails 2015 by Wayne Cassell Weekend Madness sprueone

  • Member since
    July 2005
Posted by Admiral Grasshopper1 on Thursday, January 24, 2008 7:59 AM
Repairs Completed:

Well I have completed the repairs and It looks Great. I think this turned out better than I expected. Only time will tell. Enjoy the pics today and I will post more pics of this after 30 days of sitting on my shelf. I want to Thank Everyone who replied to this and gave suggestions they really helped me fix this Model.

http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m311/saiyagohan/USSEndeavor7.jpg

http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m311/saiyagohan/USSEndeavor8.jpg

http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m311/saiyagohan/USSEndeavor9.jpg

http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m311/saiyagohan/USSEndeavor10.jpg
  • Member since
    January 2006
Posted by KirkTrekModeler on Thursday, January 24, 2008 10:45 PM
Excellent Job! that's the way you do it! Pity that type of thing isn't figured into most garage kits.
  • Member since
    December 2007
  • From: Louisville, KY.
Posted by Cosmic J on Friday, January 25, 2008 3:36 AM
Big Smile [:D] Cool [8D] Party [party] Make a Toast [#toast]
  • Member since
    December 2007
  • From: Louisville, KY.
Posted by Cosmic J on Sunday, January 27, 2008 4:27 AM
 Shock [:O] I just thought of something...you did remember to extend the supports all the way into the secondary hull, right? Otherwise the resin might sag where the boom and the hull come together...
  • Member since
    March 2003
  • From: Newport News VA
Posted by Buddho on Sunday, January 27, 2008 12:28 PM
Most excellent looking repair on your ship...Admiral!

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