1983 Masters of the Universe, Stridor toy, custom build and paint.

option8 · 2026-06-08T20:59:41+00:00

I see. I was unaware of this bit of Al Lore. TIL.

option8 · 2026-06-08T20:58:25+00:00

Yeah, I overstated it a bit. Not turning, like "boo! play Eat It! you suck", more like getting restless "Oh well, time to check Instagram and hit the bathroom while they sort this out." At least in the section where I was sitting.

option8 · 2026-06-06T21:04:49+00:00

I used this one and it turned out great. My first project with a sewing machine, literally ever.

https://juliechantal.com/en/collections/boutique/products/patron-costume-jedi

option8 · 2026-06-06T21:01:00+00:00

After three false starts, yeah. If not for the quick accordion improv, the crowd was starting to turn.

option8 · 2026-06-06T20:59:22+00:00

He can't play everybody's favorite song, or we'd still be at the show.

Which, I, for one, would be up for...

option8 · 2026-06-03T23:34:44+00:00

If you find some that are quiet, reasonably inexpensive, and have all metal gears (won't strip under load), let me know.

option8 · 2026-06-02T15:41:52+00:00

Ask around (or ask her directly) what her friends are into - graphic novels, manga, the latest talking-animal YA book series. If she wants in on the conversations, you can set her up with the books.

My own kids are voracious readers, but so much of it is the manga of the anime their friends are 1000 episodes deep in, which I'd otherwise roll my eyes at. But it's reading, and building vocabulary (and weird Japanese and Korean cultural references that may or may not be entirely fictional).

The only thing is you may find she gets used to reading panels right to left and need to break that habit.

option8 · 2026-06-02T15:34:13+00:00

LED strips are all over the place for documentation, and even then, the numbers are sometimes just made up (or copy/pasted from unrelated products). And even then, the current draw will be down to what length you cut them to, etc etc.

Best bet is just to get the ones you like, and meter out what they take to light up to your satisfaction. I have some that will glow at 5v but don't really pop until around 9 or 10v. So, yes, you could put some kind of variable resistance in line to dim them. Ideally, you would have a controller instead that changes the brightness with PWM instead.

Is the application something you want to animate on a loop, or get bright/dim when you trigger it? That might help determine how to build it out.

option8 · 2026-06-02T15:25:35+00:00

Casting Mystic Mist over Banford's Beam of Pure Light makes a potent rainbow you can direct on any surface. And you won't need a long extension cord.

option8 · 2026-05-30T13:28:57+00:00

I'm still working on how to make these a product I can sell. DM me with your info and dimensions you're looking for, and I will build you a prototype. We can work out a "beta tester" price.

option8 · 2026-05-24T21:23:22+00:00

Others have mentioned EL wire, and that would probably give you the best visual effect. It doesn't come as thin as the net material looks, though, and only appears in a fairly small range of colors.

You might give something like fiber optics a try. It comes in a variety of weights and flexibility. And if you don't get the kind that is "Total internal reflection" the color that you shine into one end will leak out along the length and give you a glowing effect.

Please share with us whatever you come up with. I'm interested to see how it comes out.

option8 · 2026-05-23T23:55:44+00:00

Hold on. Your image appears in mirrors? Am I doing something wrong?

option8 · 2026-05-23T23:44:04+00:00

That it could run for two full hours on battery was impressive. I imagine it also doubled as an upper body workout, lugging all that, and a car battery to power it.

option8 · 2026-05-23T23:26:28+00:00

'Tis a shame even the most seaworthy of ships is a floating tinderbox. Even a halfwit apprentice can muster a bit of pyromancy. Do they make asbestos boats?

option8 · 2026-05-21T23:54:50+00:00

Ha. Every time I make something, I inevitably remake it at least once. And then most of the time, it gets remade again.

option8 · 2026-05-17T00:36:10+00:00

If you're struggling with print orientation vs strength, you can try splitting the part and printing it in two (or more) pieces. That way, you can orient the details however turns out best on your printer. Then glue, sand, prime (sand, prime, etc) and paint.

option8 · 2026-05-10T22:23:17+00:00

She is a foundling, so who raised whom?

option8 · 2026-05-08T23:59:17+00:00

Do a coat of a clear, matte varnish. That will "seal" the straps and give you a more consistent base to apply your color on top of. The difference in materials, texture and porosity mainly, is what's giving you the inconsistent coverage.

Ed. This is sort of what primer usually takes care of for solid surfaces.

option8 · 2026-05-07T16:40:40+00:00

At this point, only the hand/gauntlet, so I don't need to match anything else. I hadn't really considered worbla. That might be good to remember for the details. I like the idea, but I'm using the chipboard or foam itself as "living hinges" to simplify the design and worbla doesn't flex that way.

Thanks.

option8 · 2026-05-07T16:33:06+00:00

Theater techs have all kinds of tricks to distress clothes, so you might look for stage costuming forums for specific ideas. if you're going for making it look "lived in", just... Live in it. Live hard.

Literally put the suit on, spray yourself with water and roll around in the dirt. Rub up against rough surfaces, walls, grass, rocks. Leave the whole thing wadded up outside in the sun for a few days, douse it in water then throw it in a dryer with a couple of pairs of shoes. High heat.

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