Custom PONG Build Part 1, Parts EDIT: This one is a challenge! The face card lists this as a Skill Level of 3. The Custom website mentions a Skill Level of 4 but no listed models have that level. This borders on the Master Modeler's Level 4, maybe a level 3 1/2. For a smaller "T" engine kit this build took a LOT of time. ...
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Custom PONG Build Part 2, BT-50 Segment Assemblies
These yellow BT-50 segments feel thin compared to standard brown BT-50 tubing. If the inside diameter is thinner, the fit of the die-cut centering rings would be loose. These fell right through the tubes. They are too thin to be built up. I could have glued a liner of 20 lb. paper on the inside ...
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Custom PONG Build Part 3, Coupler Assemblies
From the last step, set a small weight over the tube, ring and paper until it dries. Run a ring of glue inside the other end of the BT-50 tube. Repeat the last step. Set a light weight over the assembly and let dry.
On a Q-tip spread a coat of medium CA glue over the dry paper ends and ...
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Custom PONG Build Part 4, Coupler Assemblies
With the CA coat on the ends you can lightly sand the paper smooth. Just remove any roughness, you don't want to remove the paper. The paper is helping hold the loose fit rings in place.
With the tip of your knife, cut a "star" pattern in the center hole of the centering ring. Wrap some ...
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Custom PONG Build Part 5, BT-50 Assembly Glue
I didn't mark the lines from the instruction sheet template. The template seemed small and hard to align the tube for marking. I'll mark it later. Looking ahead, there are four dowels that fit between the the two BT-50 tube assemblies. The two supplied dowels are cut in two making four 3" ...
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Custom PONG Build Part 6, Fin and Dowel Prep
Before the dowels are cut in half, I sealed the dowels with varnish. I simply dipped a paper towel in the varnish and wiped it on the dowel. After drying the dowels were smoothed over with 400 grit.
The fins were taped down to a piece of cardboard for primer spraying. Notice the root ...
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Custom PONG Build Part 7, Fin and Dowel Prep
The fins and lug stand-offs are centered between the ends of the BT-50 sections. After all the fin lines were marked the primer was sanded off, not any wider than the root edge thickness. The pencil alignment line was redrawn.
The centers of the BT-50 sections were marked and ...
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Custom PONG Build Part 8, Fillet Fixes
This is a tough model to spray evenly. There are too many nooks and crannies! I did have to go back and smooth out some of the Titebond M&TG fillets.
The ping pong ball is glued in place using a hot glue gun. I did my best to make a clean joint with the glue gun but after painting the ...
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Custom PONG Build Part 9, Stick On Decals!
There is a LOT of stick-on decals in this kit. You are best off cutting these out right on the color lines.
Start with the easiest ones to get a feel for them. Lift the decal off the backing with the tip of your hobby knife. Don't handle them with your fingers. The oils on your fingertips ...
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Custom PONG Build Part 10, Stick On Decals!
This is another tough one - the adapter decal. The straight sides are cut with a blade and straightedge. The arc is cut with scisssors.
Leave this decal on it's backing paper and dry fit it to see how it rolls around the adapter. The black band at the bottom goes right along the joint.
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Custom PONG Build Part 11, Stick On Decals!
You are given four decals that go on the body tube between the fins. There is no way for them to fit around the launch lug standoffs. Instead off cutting and pasting, I left them off. I did put the black bands on the sides of the rear standoffs. It's tight but do-able.
The lower end of ...
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Custom PONG Build Part 12, Center Section Dowels
In Step 2 you are told to glue the BT-50 sections to the BT-5 with 3" of space between them. The two supplied dowels are exactly 6" long. Those are cut in half leaving two 3" sections. If the dowels ended up a little short the dowel ends wouldn't reach the BT-50 assemblies. I glued the ...
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Custom PONG Build Part 13, Dowel Gluing and Trim
The paint at the glue points was scratched off for better adhesion. A small drop of white glue was set on these scratched off points and the dowels slid into place. The glue dot was pushed back and made a rear "fillet". White glue dries clear. I didn't wipe off the excess behind the dowel, it ...
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Custom PONG Build Part 14, Ball Nose
The ping pong ball nose cone had a deep, noticeable seam. The kit ball is on the left. I tried to fill it with a bead of medium CA. After it dried it melted through the ball plastic a bit. After sanding it smooth it thinned the (already thin) wall of the ball. I didn't want to use it now. I've ...
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Custom PONG Build Part 15, Nose Cone Canopy Paint The face card shows an oval canopy on the side off the ping pong ball nose cone. Step 24 says to draw it with a pencil and paint it with gloss black paint. I didn't think that would give a smooth enough surface. I took a gamble and it worked very well.
Go to the Custom Rockets PONG review at ...
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Custom PONG Build Part 16, Nose Cone Canopy Paint
I experimented with an extra ping pong ball before applying paint on the model. This is a permanent marker from Staples Office Supply store. The ball took the marker ink well, whether painted or not. The outside was drawn first. Stay just on the pencil lines, making slight correction to the ...
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Custom PONG Finished
This was the toughest 13mm build I've ever done! Like the face card says it is "Super Detailed!" If you are looking for a smaller challenge, this is the kit. Tall for a BT-5 model, it stands 19 1/2" tall. While I don't like stick on decals these do add a lot to the looks of the ...
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Custom P.O.N.G. at Seattle Museum of Flight
Bill Stine referred my name to Custom Rockets about building a Custom PONG kit for the Seattle Museum Of Flight rocketry display. I had one upstairs, finished and never flown! CLICK HERE The is the same model that was built on the blog. It was to sent to Custom Rockets for consideration. At the ...
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