Sky9pilot wrote on May 25^th, 2022 at 2:11pm:


Thanks Tom - light is made with Micro Kristal Klear as seen in the third photo.  Put a drop down, let it dry, then color it with a Sharpie.

Mike

alfakilo wrote on May 24^th, 2022 at 10:14am:


Yes, I found this much simpler than vacuum and plunge molding, and cheaper too!  Most canopies I get on the first try with the heatshrink, but it's only a dime to do another one...

I also have shrunk the film over wingtips and cut out clear covers for navigation lights - makes for a nice scale detail.  I haven't yet tried painting the shrinkwrap - if it'll take paint it would be useful for fairings and scoops.

Mike

I've used shrink-wrap bags to make canopies (very similar to what Tom did in his videos).  Here's a link to what I bought:  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B077YJRN85?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_dt_b_asin_title.  Amazon sells larger bags, if I were buying again I'd go larger to enable making bigger canopies.  This size is fine for peanut and walnut-scale models.

Binder clips help solve the three hands problem.  Makes a nice canopy, and much lighter than plunge or vacuum-formed canopies from .010 K&S clear sheet.  Plunge-molded canopy on the model in the picture was 1.3g, heatshrink canopy over the same mold came out at .4g.

As Tom said I'm not sure these would work well for spinners - they're pretty easily crushed.

Mike

Has anyone tried using shrink wrap film to make canopies, spinners, ect? I saw this technique on a Maxfliart YouTube video and gave it a try. So-so results so far. I'm still trying to find a way to hold the plug while shrinking the film with a heat gun. Sorta need three hands!!