Lightbenders

Blimp Work

Lightbenders — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 16:21:04 +0000

Lightbenders worked FURIOUSLY to complete a lighting kit for the Blade Runner blimp Jason Eaton is preparing for the 2012 Wonderfest. He’s posted some great photos of his initial install.

Here’s a little teaser video, ~~although the spotlights aren’t running in this shot.~~ UPDATE: New video from Jason with all the lights running.

Scarab Plates

Lightbenders — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 20:56:19 +0000

Curious Goods has been kind enough to work on creating a metal scarab plate for the remote. Here’s the vector art in progress:

Egyptian Sliders’ Timer Test Video

Lightbenders — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 03:52:51 +0000

Video of the Egyptian timer sequence:

Egyptian Sliders Timer

Lightbenders — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 03:02:06 +0000

Exciting progess on a Sliders’ timer!

Sneek peek at some new boards

Lightbenders — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 14:22:27 +0000

Although we have a couple of standard boards, Lightbenders specializes in custom solutions to fulfill your model-lighting dreams. (You do dream about lighting your models, don’t you?) Lightbenders can create boards as big as (or as small as) the job requires. The board on the left has a tiny screwdriver adjustment on the board to allow the user to change the flashing rate of two LEDs. The board on the right certainly seems to be able to fit in a 9mm shell casing … I wonder what it does.

X-wing lighting boards

Lightbenders — Fri, 15 Oct 2010 15:05:41 +0000

These are lighting kits for X-wing models (but they’d work with any space ship, really). Master model maker Jason Eaton consulted with us on the creation of this board. Features include:

On / off switch
8 – 5mm LEDs in a random flickering pattern (red / orange on a movie board, white on a McQuarrie-style board)
2 – 5mm warm white LEDs that are steady on
4 – 1mm LEDs (red, blue, green, yellow) with random blinking effect
All LEDs are high-intensity
All LEDs Connected via cable and pin connector
PCB supports two possible power sources – 9v battery or 9v plug pack (aka wall wart)
Small size: 2″ x 1.5″ x 3″
Professionally manufactured circuit board using fiberglass FR4 stock, soldermask over bare copper (top & bottom), plated thru holes, solder-able finish, and silkscreen
All parts used are first grade, new, manufacturers product meeting the full manufacturers specification.

Of course, we can always customize the LEDs performance to do whatever you’d like! Just contact us.

$85. U.S. shipping included. International buyers, please contact us for an adjusted price including shipping. Ships in 1-2 weeks. Customizable programing available at an additional charge.

(Note: In the videos the LEDs have been placed inside PVC to simulate the engine cans.)

Movie X-wing:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wAmB6UQHw60

McQuarrie X-wing:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ghk50pzOF0g

X-wing board videos

Lightbenders — Wed, 13 Oct 2010 16:03:49 +0000

These are lighting kits for X-wing models (but they’d work with any space ship, really). We stuck the lights into PVC so that we could show what the engine lights would look like. It’s hard to believe, but they are even brighter in person. One of the other things we did is adjust the algorithm for the console lights. Instead of going completely out, they dim. We felt that this better simulates the interior of a cockpit. Of course, we can always customize them to do whatever you’d like!

Movie X-wing:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wAmB6UQHw60

McQuarrie X-wing:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ghk50pzOF0g

Pulse rifle board

Lightbenders — Mon, 04 Oct 2010 23:26:34 +0000

Lightbenders is proud to present our pulse rifle counter board. Designed with the assistance of pulse rifle expert Matsuo, this professionally-designed and manufactured board is the ultimate in pulse rifle upgrades.

Features include:

Small form factor: 1.9″ x 1.15″
Pre-drilled holes match the mounting plates of most pulse rifles
Simulated “short magazine” loading (counts down from 99 to 95 on load)
Magazine counter reset capability
5-second push-and-hold counter reset (for those not using a magazine reset)
10 rounds per second countdown on trigger hold (simulating 600 rps Thompson machine gun)
Off-board on / off switch for maximum flexibility of placement
Professionally manufactured circuit board using fiberglass FR4 stock, soldermask over bare copper (top & bottom), plated thru holes, solder-able finish, and silkscreen
All parts used are first grade, new, manufacturers product meeting the full manufacturers specification.

$80. U.S. shipping included. International buyers, please contact us for an adjusted price including shipping. Ships in 2-3 weeks. Customizable programing available (different countdown number start, different rps, etc.) at an additional charge.

In the workshop: Sliders’ timer

Lightbenders — Wed, 29 Sep 2010 20:51:30 +0000

We’re currently drawing up specs for electronics for the timer from Sliders. Thermalized Plastics, maker of the definitive Sliders’ timer kit is consulting on the project.

Pulse rifle boards coming

Lightbenders — Wed, 29 Sep 2010 20:46:07 +0000

With the help of Matsuo, undisputed master of all things pulse rifle, Lightbenders has designed a functioning pulse rifle counter.

Features include:

Countdown from 95 when trigger is pressed (support for either a relay or a momentary switch)
Powered by a small 3v battery (or a 9v)
Mounting holes that fit the standard pulse rifle faceplate

Like all our boards, this one will be professionally plated and solder masked.