happy hopping wrote:I have 2 problems w/ Al.
It's too heavy and can pull the rest of the connected part off (parts connected to the thruster)
It's Al so you can't paint metal easily if you decide not to have Al color inside, say you want some part of that thruster be another color. If it's resin or plastic, it's obviously a lot easier.
Yes, please only comment if you actually KNOW what you're talking about. The aluminum parts add minimal extra weight to the connected parts - I've used them as a replacement of the stock plastic thrusters, mounting them in poly joints, and they are fine - no pulling off of anything. As shown in the FichtenFoo link, you can also come up with your own custom connection, using simple magnets and a metal ball, as a form of custom metal ball joint. Also, aluminum is EASY to paint - clear paints adhere fine to it, and gives you a great effect, as KOG pointed out.