This page is designed to illustrate how prices are arrived at. We'll do this by providing a fully itemised example for two models: Polar Lights' 3ft long Enterprise 1701-A, and Revells Voyager. Many people think that our prices are way too high. But, when you see what goes into a fully specified model, the prices are comparable to what you pay any professional tradesperson. These models are closer to sci-fi art than they are to most peoples idea of a model. In some cases, we reproduce some of the look that had to be achieved through cgi and special effects on a movie set, such as backlit signage on the Enterprise and spot floods on Voyager. The level or craftsmanship also extends to colour matching and level balancing of the lights: off-white, tungsten corrected room light l.e.d.'s for example, and also the paint finish, with accurate Aztec patterns and panel detail. There are no secrets involved - that's why we show each step of making each model in graphic detail. All it takes it a lot of hard, tedious work and attention to detail - and a workshop with about £3,000 worth of equipment at your disposal. That's why most people who tackle models on their own run aground - they underestimate the resources required to tackle a job to this level of detail. The workshop link below will show what I mean. If you e-mail me, I'm happy to provide a Maplins or RS parts list for any of the models I build and light, but remember, we don't sell parts or kits of parts. The reason for this is quite simple: we only charge cost for materials! The examples below are set out as follows. Costs are split up into parts and labour. Within of each of these two categories, costs are further subdivided into basic build options - room lights, navigation lights, spot lights, etc., and extras. The extras include such things as pulsing warp cores, moving shadows in lounges, and two or more colouyrs for things like the warp emitters - warping (blue) and charging (lilac), for example - the sort of options that will make a model stunning.
Polar Lights 3ft. Enterprise 1701	Revell USS Voyager	minimum workshop requirements

Polar Lights 3ft. Enterprise 1701 read the model article Basic components

build options category description item price number sub total basic kit kit basic Polar Lights kit £ 28.99 1 £ 28.99 basic construction balancing balast lead shot £ 20.00 0.25 £ 5.00 basic construction construction consumables styrene cement £ 2.29 0.75 £ 1.72 basic construction fixing consumables mdf alignment jigs £ 9.89 0.5 £ 4.95 basic construction internal light dams plasticard £ 8.00 0.1 £ 0.80 basic construction l.e.d. framework plastic 'I' beam, sheet and spar £ 1.99 1.5 £ 2.99 basic construction moulding & casting epoxy resin £ 17.45 0.08 £ 1.40 basic construction moulding & casting epoxy putty £ 3.99 0.15 £ 0.60 basic construction spray consumables solvent cleaners, gloves, respirator filters £ 10.00 0.75 £ 7.50 basic finish fixant decalfix £ 1.99 0.1 £ 0.20 basic finish paint primer paint £ 4.99 2.5 £ 12.48 basic finish paint topcoat black satin paint £ 4.99 1.5 £ 7.49 basic finish paint laquer £ 4.99 0.5 £ 2.50 basic finish paint acryllic paint £ 1.50 7 £ 10.50 basic finish AZTEC pattern & superdetailing masking tape £ 1.29 3 £ 3.87 basic finish surface tone matt varnish £ 1.99 1 £ 1.99 basic lighting arboretum overheads pure white 0.5lm l.e.d. 3mm £ 0.87 6 £ 5.22 basic lighting Bussards ultraviolet l.e.d. 5mm 50mlm £ 1.49 2 £ 2.98 basic lighting cabins warmwhite l.e.d. 1W Luxeon £ 3.45 6 £ 20.70 basic lighting control 2 pole switch £ 0.79 11 £ 8.69 basic lighting deflector blue l.e.d. 50mlm 5mm £ 0.98 8 £ 7.84 basic lighting exterior spots pure white 5lm l.e.d. 3mm £ 1.25 6 £ 7.50 basic lighting fusion dome blue l.e.d. 3mm £ 0.93 1 £ 0.93 basic lighting impulse exhaust orange l.e.d. 5mm £ 0.47 2 £ 0.94 basic lighting level balancing variable resistors £ 0.47 17 £ 7.99 basic lighting lightproofing reflective tape £ 2.99 0.25 £ 0.75 basic lighting navigation green l.e.d. 2mm ceramic £ 0.47 4 £ 1.88 basic lighting navigation red l.e.d. 2mm ceramic £ 0.47 4 £ 1.88 basic lighting planetary and long range sensors pure white 5lm l.e.d. 3mm £ 1.25 8 £ 10.00 basic lighting shuttle bay overheads pure white 3mm l.e.d. 50ml £ 0.87 6 £ 5.22 basic lighting shuttle bay tractor emmitter blue 3mm l.e.d. 50ml £ 0.87 4 £ 3.48 basic lighting strobes optic guide £ 1.00 1 £ 1.00 basic lighting strobes programmable sequence/interval strobing circuit £ 12.75 1 £ 12.75 basic lighting strobes pure white 5lm l.e.d. 3mm £ 1.00 8 £ 8.00 basic lighting torpedo tubes red l.e.d. 2mm ceramic £ 0.87 2 £ 1.74 basic lighting warp core blue l.e.d. 3mm £ 0.93 2 £ 1.86 basic lighting warp plasma vents peach l.e.d. 3mm and light guide polymer £ 0.87 2 £ 1.74 basic lighting warp: warp blue l.e.d. 1W luxeon £ 3.89 4 £ 15.56 basic lighting wiring loom verroboard £ 1.29 1 £ 1.29 2nd light colour lighting deflector: idle white l.e.d. 1lm 5mm £ 1.35 1 £ 1.35 2nd light colour lighting impulse: idle white l.e.d. 5mm £ 0.78 2 £ 1.56 2nd light colour lighting warp core programmable sequence/interval strobing circuit £ 12.75 1 £ 12.75 2nd light colour lighting warp core stacked blue l.e.d. 3mm flatenned £ 0.93 10 £ 9.30 2nd light colour lighting warp: idle lilac l.e.d. 25lm 5mm £ 1.12 8 £ 8.96 build options category description item price number sub total basic kit kit basic Polar Lights kit £ 28.99 1 £ 28.99 basic construction balancing balast lead shot £ 20.00 0.25 £ 5.00 basic construction construction consumables styrene cement £ 2.29 0.75 £ 1.72 basic construction fixing consumables mdf alignment jigs £ 9.89 0.5 £ 4.95 basic construction internal light dams plasticard £ 8.00 0.1 £ 0.80 basic construction l.e.d. framework plastic 'I' beam, sheet and spar £ 1.99 1.5 £ 2.99 basic construction moulding & casting epoxy resin £ 17.45 0.08 £ 1.40 basic construction moulding & casting epoxy putty £ 3.99 0.15 £ 0.60 basic construction spray consumables solvent cleaners, gloves, respirator filters £ 10.00 0.75 £ 7.50 basic finish AZTEC pattern & superdetailing masking tape £ 1.29 3 £ 3.87 basic finish fixant decalfix £ 1.99 0.1 £ 0.20 basic finish paint primer paint £ 4.99 2.5 £ 12.48 basic finish paint topcoat black satin paint £ 4.99 1.5 £ 7.49 basic finish paint laquer £ 4.99 0.5 £ 2.50 basic finish paint acryllic paint £ 1.50 7 £ 10.50 basic finish surface tone matt varnish £ 1.99 1 £ 1.99 basic lighting arboretum overheads pure white 0.5lm l.e.d. 3mm £ 0.87 6 £ 5.22 basic lighting Bussards ultraviolet l.e.d. 5mm 50mlm £ 1.49 2 £ 2.98 basic lighting cabins warmwhite l.e.d. 1W Luxeon £ 3.45 6 £ 20.70 basic lighting control 2 pole switch £ 0.79 11 £ 8.69 basic lighting deflector blue l.e.d. 50mlm 5mm £ 0.98 8 £ 7.84 basic lighting exterior spots pure white 5lm l.e.d. 3mm £ 1.25 6 £ 7.50 basic lighting fusion dome blue l.e.d. 3mm £ 0.93 1 £ 0.93 basic lighting impulse exhaust orange l.e.d. 5mm £ 0.47 2 £ 0.94 basic lighting level balancing variable resistors £ 0.47 17 £ 7.99 basic lighting lightproofing reflective tape £ 2.99 0.25 £ 0.75 basic lighting navigation green l.e.d. 2mm ceramic £ 0.47 4 £ 1.88 basic lighting navigation red l.e.d. 2mm ceramic £ 0.47 4 £ 1.88 basic lighting planetary and long range sensors pure white 5lm l.e.d. 3mm £ 1.25 8 £ 10.00 basic lighting shuttle bay overheads pure white 3mm l.e.d. 50ml £ 0.87 6 £ 5.22 basic lighting shuttle bay tractor emmitter blue 3mm l.e.d. 50ml £ 0.87 4 £ 3.48 basic lighting strobes optic guide £ 1.00 1 £ 1.00 basic lighting strobes programmable sequence/interval strobing circuit £ 12.75 1 £ 12.75 basic lighting strobes pure white 5lm l.e.d. 3mm £ 1.00 8 £ 8.00 basic lighting torpedo tubes red l.e.d. 2mm ceramic £ 0.87 2 £ 1.74 basic lighting warp core blue l.e.d. 3mm £ 0.93 2 £ 1.86 basic lighting warp plasma vents peach l.e.d. 3mm and light guide polymer £ 0.87 2 £ 1.74 basic lighting warp: warp blue l.e.d. 1W luxeon £ 3.89 4 £ 15.56 basic lighting wiring loom verroboard £ 1.29 1 £ 1.29 basic packing crate protective crate 12mm thick, 80cm long 35cm high 40cm wide mdf, black satin finish £ 12.87 2.2 £ 28.31 basic packing crate protective crate shock/tip resistant custom contoured styrofoam locking cradle £ 14.56 0.15 £ 2.18 basic power 2.5A 6V regulated d.c. supply regulated p.s.u., IEC plug/socket £ 26.97 1 £ 26.97 basic stand stand including switches 9mm thick, 30cm long 25cm high mdf, black satin finish £ 11.99 0.85 £ 10.19 basic wiring base 6V in 2.5mm jack £ 1.29 1 £ 1.29 basic wiring loom adhesive pad £ 1.79 1 £ 1.79 basic wiring loom cable £ 1.00 3.25 £ 3.25 basic wiring model/base connection 30 pin D plug/socket £ 1.48 2 £ 2.96 £ 299.83

optional extra components

build options category description item price number sub total 2nd light colour lighting deflector: idle white l.e.d. 1lm 5mm £ 1.35 1 £ 1.35 2nd light colour lighting impulse: idle white l.e.d. 5mm £ 0.78 2 £ 1.56 2nd light colour lighting warp core programmable sequence/interval strobing circuit £ 12.75 1 £ 12.75 2nd light colour lighting warp core stacked blue l.e.d. 3mm flatenned £ 0.93 10 £ 9.30 2nd light colour lighting warp: idle lilac l.e.d. 25lm 5mm £ 1.12 8 £ 8.96 light dimming lighting deflector: dimmer standard variable pot. and graduated knurled knob £ 3.89 1 £ 3.89 light dimming lighting impulse: dimmer standard variable pot. and graduated knurled knob £ 3.89 1 £ 3.89 light dimming lighting warp: dimmer Luxeon digitised dimmer. and graduated knurled knob £ 12.87 1 £ 12.87 option packing crate paint primer and laquered top coat of your choice £ 10.00 1 £ 10.00 special lighting backlit ENTERPRISE sterm sign pure white 5lm l.e.d. 3mm £ 1.25 4 £ 5.00 special lighting lounge movement lighting colour changing l.e.d. £ 1.25 1 £ 1.25 special lighting thruster ports orange l.e.d. diffuse slab £ 0.87 10 £ 8.70 £ 79.52

labour charges for assembling basic components

build options category description item price number sub total basic labour circuit board 2x30pin D's, resistors, switches, power jacks £ 10.00 4 £ 40.00 basic labour internal structure l.e.d. support framework, bulkheads, recessed socket £ 10.00 9 £ 90.00 basic labour kit modification additional engineering, re-inforcement, bulkheads, balast and conduits £ 10.00 24 £ 240.00 basic labour kit modification filling and making good surface £ 10.00 6 £ 60.00 basic labour packing crate construction £ 10.00 2 £ 20.00 basic labour packing crate cut and set custom contoured styrofoam cradle £ 10.00 1 £ 10.00 option labour packing crate prep, prime and paint packing crate for use as stand £ 10.00 4 £ 40.00 basic labour painting priming, AZTEC masking and colour coats £ 10.00 20 £ 200.00 basic labour stand construction, priming and painting £ 10.00 2.5 £ 25.00 basic labour strobes assemble programmable sequence/interval strobing circuit £ 10.00 1 £ 10.00 basic labour lighting installation and resin potting of all basic l.e.d.'s £ 10.00 12 £ 120.00 basic labour wiring loom wiring for all basic curcuits and switches £ 10.00 16 £ 160.00 £ 1,015.00

labour charges for assembling optional extra components

build options category description item price number sub total 2nd light colour labour deflector: idle install additional l.e.d.'s, wiring, balast resistors £ 10.00 1 £ 10.00 2nd light colour labour impulse: idle install additional l.e.d.'s, wiring, balast resistors £ 10.00 1 £ 10.00 2nd light colour labour warp: idle install additional l.e.d.'s, wiring, balast resistors £ 10.00 1.5 £ 15.00 light dimming labour deflector: dimmer additional wiring and installation of graduated pot. £ 10.00 1 £ 10.00 light dimming labour impulse: dimmer additional wiring and installation of graduated pot. £ 10.00 1 £ 10.00 light dimming labour warp: dimmer additional wiring and installation of graduated pot. £ 10.00 1 £ 10.00 special labour backlit ENTERPRISE sterm sign additional wiring, switch, preparation of hull £ 10.00 3 £ 30.00 special labour lounge movement lighting placement of ducted light guide stubs £ 10.00 2 £ 20.00 special labour thruster ports flush surface placement of l.e.d.'s and drilling £ 10.00 10 £ 100.00 warp core pulse labour warp core casting l.e.d. stack £ 10.00 4 £ 40.00 warp core pulse labour warp core assemble programmable sequence/interval strobing circuit £ 10.00 1 £ 10.00 £ 265.00

Total cost: £1,659.35

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Revell USS Voyager read the model article
Basic components
build options category description item price number sub total basic kit kit basic ERTL kit £ 22.99 1 £ 22.99 basic construction balancing balast lead shot £ 20.00 0.15 £ 3.00 basic construction internal light dams plasticard £ 8.00 0.1 £ 0.80 basic construction l.e.d. framework plastic 'I' beam £ 1.99 1 £ 1.99 basic construction moulding & casting epoxy resin £ 3.99 1 £ 3.99 basic construction moulding & casting epoxy putty £ 3.99 0.25 £ 1.00 basic construction fixing consumables mdf and styrene for jigs £ 10.00 0.5 £ 5.00 basic construction construction consumables styrene cement, glues and screws £ 10.00 0.5 £ 5.00 basic construction spray consumables solvent cleaners, gloves, respirator filters £ 10.00 0.5 £ 5.00 basic finish fixant decalfix £ 1.99 0.1 £ 0.20 basic finish paint primer paint £ 4.99 0.5 £ 2.50 basic finish paint laquer £ 4.99 0.5 £ 2.50 basic finish paint acryllic paint £ 1.50 7 £ 10.50 basic finish pattern & superdetailing masking tape £ 1.29 2 £ 2.58 basic finish surface tone matt varnish £ 1.99 1 £ 1.99 basic lighting Bussards red l.e.d. 5mm 50lm £ 1.49 4 £ 5.96 basic lighting cabins warmwhite l.e.d. 1W Luxeon £ 4.75 3 £ 14.25 basic lighting deflector blue l.e.d. 50lm 5mm £ 1.35 2 £ 2.70 basic lighting impulse exhaust orange l.e.d. 5mm £ 0.47 2 £ 0.94 basic lighting intercoolers yellow l.e.d. 5mm £ 0.47 2 £ 0.94 basic lighting level balancing variable resistors £ 0.47 10 £ 4.70 basic lighting lightproofing reflective tape £ 2.99 0.25 £ 0.75 basic lighting navigation green l.e.d. 2mm ceramic £ 0.47 6 £ 2.82 basic lighting navigation red l.e.d. 2mm ceramic £ 0.47 6 £ 2.82 basic lighting shuttle bay overheads pure white 3mm l.e.d. 50ml £ 0.87 6 £ 5.22 basic lighting strobes optic guide £ 1.00 1 £ 1.00 basic lighting strobes strobing circuit (Vellmans kit) £ 12.75 1 £ 12.75 basic lighting warp: warp blue l.e.d. 1W luxeon £ 3.89 4 £ 15.56 basic lighting control 2 pole switch £ 0.79 11 £ 8.69 basic lighting wiring loom verroboard £ 1.29 1 £ 1.29 basic power 1.5A 6V regulated d.c. supply regulated p.s.u. £ 17.99 1 £ 17.99 basic wiring base 6V in 2.5mm jack £ 1.29 1 £ 1.29 basic wiring loom adhesive pad £ 1.79 1 £ 1.79 basic wiring model/base connection 15 pin plug/socket £ 1.48 1 £ 1.48 basic wiring loom cable £ 1.00 1.6 £ 1.60 basic base mdf box with pillar, 25cm high 9mm mdf £ 11.99 0.25 £ 3.00 £ 176.56
Optional components
build options category description item price number sub total 2nd light colour lighting deflector: idle white l.e.d. 25lm 5mm £ 1.35 1 £ 1.35 2nd light colour lighting warp: idle lilac l.e.d. 25lm 5mm £ 1.12 4 £ 4.48 light dimming lighting deflector: dimmer standard variable pot. and graduated knurled knob £ 3.89 1 £ 3.89 light dimming lighting warp: dimmer Luxeon digitised dimmer. and graduated knurled knob £ 12.87 1 £ 12.87 £ 22.59
Labour charge for basic components
build options category description item price number sub total basic labour internal structure l.e.d. support framework, bulkheads, recessed socket £ 10.00 6 £ 60.00 basic labour wiring loom wiring 12 circuits and approximately 50 l.e.d.'s £ 10.00 5 £ 50.00 basic labour circuit board 2x15pin D's, resistors, switches, power jacks £ 10.00 1 £ 10.00 basic labour kit modification engine hinge assembly modification, balast and conduits £ 10.00 4 £ 40.00 basic labour windows punching and making good approximately 250 windows £ 10.00 12 £ 120.00 basic labour windows making and inserting approximately 250 acryllic windows £ 10.00 16 £ 160.00 basic labour painting priming, masking and colour coats £ 10.00 8 £ 80.00 basic labour base construction construction, priming and painting £ 10.00 2 £ 20.00 £ 540.00
Labour charges for optional items
build options category description item price number sub total options labour installation extra l.e.d. positioning and switches £ 10.00 2 £ 20.00
total cost: £759.15
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typical workshop requirements

about 10 square metres enough space for storage and to set things out to dry while getting on with other things impossible to estimae: I'm lucky enough to use a large converted garage at double that storage racks and drawers if you can't find stuff, it's as bad as not having it £ 200 compressor a decent compressor will quickly recoup the expense of canned air, and works far better £ 220 compressor reservoir compressor is no good without one for small jobs £ 150 airbrush Aztec double action minimum £ 85 selection of airbrush heads for various spray patterns £ 75 Dremell drill for drilling and cut-off wheels in the mm scale £ 25 Dremell bench saw essential for precise angled cuts of plastic stock £ 35 selection of mini drill bits drills, arbours, wheels, cutters, burrs £ 45 Dremell power supply variable power and multiple outlets £ 50 hand tools scalpels, Xactos, saws, files, reamers, scribers, tweezers, snips, pliers, etc. £ 250 bench power supply for testing circuits £ 65 digital voltmeter for testing circuits £ 35 hot air gun for heat shrink £ 20 glue gun for wires tacking and battery packs £ 35 band saw wood, mdf, pcb and styrene trimming £ 150 chop saw for accurately and quickly making frames and jigs £ 180 table saw for accurately and quickly making panels for bases £ 210 effective vacuum cleaner good particulate filter and high capacity £ 130 respirator and filters respirator and organic/particulate filters, properly replaced, one per person £ 45 volatiles storage cupboard essential for fire safety £ 125 solvents essential for cleaning and thinning £ 40 acryllic paints large stock £ 35 spray paints large stock £ 65 epoxy resin large stock £ 30 polyester resin large stock and wide range £ 80 moulding and casting rubbers for modifying kit parts £ 60 soldering iron soldering £ 25 wire wiring looms - at least 6 colours (I use 24) £ 20 assorted electrical components resistors, switches, jacks, clips, pcb sheet £ 30 assorted standard l.e.d.'s wide range of colours, diameters and output levels £ 200 assorted Luxeon l.e.d.'s wide range of colours, diameters and output levels £ 200 assorted Luxeon digital components constant supply modulesm digital dimmers, lenses, heat sinks £ 150 first aid kit health and safety essential, including dated eyebath £ 60 high density fluorescent lighting high intensity shadowless flood lighting, selectable for photography £ 150 assorted construction consumables lollypop sticks, mixing cups, disposable brushes, benchcoat, cutting mats and 100 more! £ 50 styrene stock - extruded large stock £ 60 styrene stock - sheet large stock £ 60 mdf stock large stock £ 60 total cost (excluding the garage!) £ 3,505 back to top