Building The Death Star - PRODUCTION
- Thread starter PHArchivist
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PHArchivist
Master Member
A factor of ten.
The model will have around 20,000 holes. I'm at about 6,000 now.
EDIT: I guess that applies to POSTS, not views.
PHArchivist
Master Member
Been considering this...
I would not re-build the entire dish. Extracting the dish would introduce so much trauma to the model, and generate so much more work - not ony rebuilding the entire dish, but detailing the edges as well.
But I AM beginning to thing about cutting out the center circle. Not the smallest disc right at the very center, but the next one out.
If I can find a fine cutting tool (think like a serated Exacto blade), and cut along the raised ring, then I can remove that section and sand down all the raised elements I cannot otherwise efectively get to. Then I can replace these raised elements with adhesive strips (much thinner than plastic).
I'd then back the now open hole with a larger section of dished styrene to provide support for the removed-and-now-correct center circle. Glue it back it, recreate the raised ring with adhesive strips to cover the seam an bam!
Maybe...
PHArchivist
Master Member
Here's what I am talking about. Its an earlier shot of the dish, but you get the idea. Once the area within the red circle is removed and separate, I can then sand flush all the raised detail, then lay in strips of adhesive paper to re-create the detail.
Note (and recall) how the overall dish is actually two dishes, one smaller one laid in over the larger main dish.
A concern would be how well bonded the smaller dish is. If if is bonded well right at the center, but not well bonded around the cut-line, it may raise up, warp, or do other funky things. I may be able to mitigate this by glueing it back down around the cut-line though.
These two areas would be tricky. I'd probably have to cut right through the overlapping pieces, then putty over the seam and simply repaint the two individual pieces.
And the original for reference:
Note (and recall) how the overall dish is actually two dishes, one smaller one laid in over the larger main dish.
A concern would be how well bonded the smaller dish is. If if is bonded well right at the center, but not well bonded around the cut-line, it may raise up, warp, or do other funky things. I may be able to mitigate this by glueing it back down around the cut-line though.
These two areas would be tricky. I'd probably have to cut right through the overlapping pieces, then putty over the seam and simply repaint the two individual pieces.
And the original for reference:
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WAIT!
Before you cut anything out, consider this; use a #17 or thinner type Exacot blade to push under the detail to lift it. I have been in similar situations when I need to remove raised strip detailing from a finished pattern. IMO, you're contemplating heart surgery for a small cut. Start at the outside edge of the strip and gently push towards the center of the dish. Once you have the outside edge started, push from the side of the strip, the full length, gently rocking back and forth to get under the strip. At the edge on the inner dish, come down at the 90% angle to keep from chipping the edge you wish to preserve. Even of the strip beaks in pieces, you can get the remaining pieces the same way. Even if you gouge here end there, you will be sanding the surface down anyway. Wrap the outside edge of the dish to protect it against sanding.
After over 25 yrs. of pattern making, I have had to do this before to save a lot of 're-doing'.
Just consider the possibilities you have already mentioned, and this may be more appealing. You are going to have to lift the strip off of the surface any way, you won't just start 'sanding away' to remove those strips, right?
Just my 2 cents :cool
Can't wait to see the finish!
Regards,
Scott
Before you cut anything out, consider this; use a #17 or thinner type Exacot blade to push under the detail to lift it. I have been in similar situations when I need to remove raised strip detailing from a finished pattern. IMO, you're contemplating heart surgery for a small cut. Start at the outside edge of the strip and gently push towards the center of the dish. Once you have the outside edge started, push from the side of the strip, the full length, gently rocking back and forth to get under the strip. At the edge on the inner dish, come down at the 90% angle to keep from chipping the edge you wish to preserve. Even of the strip beaks in pieces, you can get the remaining pieces the same way. Even if you gouge here end there, you will be sanding the surface down anyway. Wrap the outside edge of the dish to protect it against sanding.
After over 25 yrs. of pattern making, I have had to do this before to save a lot of 're-doing'.
Just consider the possibilities you have already mentioned, and this may be more appealing. You are going to have to lift the strip off of the surface any way, you won't just start 'sanding away' to remove those strips, right?
Just my 2 cents :cool
Can't wait to see the finish!
Regards,
Scott
PHArchivist
Master Member
Good points... And do rest assured - contemplating is the key word! 
EvilRocketeer
Master Member
Check out "On the Laam" Episode #5
It features our very own PHArchivist and his death Star!!!!!
YouTube - On the LAAM w/ Amanda Avery - Ep 5‏
It features our very own PHArchivist and his death Star!!!!!
YouTube - On the LAAM w/ Amanda Avery - Ep 5‏
voice in the crowd
Sr Member
WOW that thing is just amazing. I have watched the build up intently on the forum but seeing it in true perspective with other things around it is just amazing.
I want one - yesterday :lol
Cheers Chris
norlemann123
New Member
I think I mentioned that I did leave the lights on for 24 hours a few weeks ago. Thank the maker that the styrene dish didn't melt.
Oh, and by the way...
Wow! That is HOT!! I want tha' one!
Rob, dude.
Do not go backwards. Ever forward. You can change the center of the dish any time in he next 10 years. You don't have to do it now. Wait for the 3d Laser hologram DS beam projector to come out first...
BrianM
Do not go backwards. Ever forward. You can change the center of the dish any time in he next 10 years. You don't have to do it now. Wait for the 3d Laser hologram DS beam projector to come out first...
BrianM
PHArchivist
Master Member
Ah the words of the naive...
I couldn't have been much farther from the truth.
Bottom half is done, working on the band. Then on to the top half. Over 8,000 so far.
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:thumbsup Go, Go, Go, Go!!!! :thumbsup
SteveNeill
Sr Member
Wow! I feel tired just looking at it. I have it easy with the big Enterprise. I doubt there's 50 windows.
Steve
Steve
Redeye Jedi
New Member
Wow man..just wow.
PHArchivist
Master Member
I gotta post up ore pics. The entire lower dome is lit.
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