Building The Death Star - PRODUCTION

[PHArchivist]

How do you plan on doing the windows? Dremel and a small bit?

You know... You often read about the original and how the "scratched" the paint.

I will be using the same technique I used on my smaller model - a micro-drill bit chucked into a finger-spun chuck. But this time I'm looking forward to not having to drill all the way through the substrate (since the styrene on the small model was opaque).

The small 9" diameter model took 10,000 holes to cover 75% of the surface (yes - I counted them!).

Should we start a pool on how many this mother is going to take?

 

[feek61]

Spotted Fever.

I've opted to fill the screw holes and sand to a smooth, matching contour, as opposed to the caps they used on the original.

OH MAN!!! That is REALLY looking great!! The raised detailing looks wonderful and correct looking. I really have enjoyed following your progress in this thread. The only complaint is you need to post more photos.

This may be a stupid question but what are you going to do with it when you finish?


Will

 

[PHArchivist]

This may be a stupid question but what are you going to do with it when you finish?

Weren't you paying attention? I'm gonna store it in Van Nuys.

 

[Newbie Doobie]

Yes someone shared that shot earlier in the thread. At least to me, its too poor of a resolution/size to really tell what's going on.

The trench - where it is clear - has a lot of physical and visual elements going on that are visually deceiving. The trench itself and how it appears when clear, the band of clear acrylic that forms the back wall of the trench and extends about an inch above and below it, even the internal armature plays with your eyes.

What I really DO wonder about is that black strip in the photo that runs laterally from the edge of the duct tape (DUCT tape!?) to the edge of the paint. I'd really like to know what that is. It does not appear on the model today.

Now that you mention it,I bet that this is so that they knew where to position the camera,so that it wouldn't expose the unpainted edge during filming.

 

[Robiwon]

Should we start a pool on how many this mother is going to take?

What do we win if we get it right?

 

[tgreco]

I'm guessing about 45,000

figuring it's 4 times the diameter, and adding in an addition 10% (+/-) for bulk

 

[PHArchivist]

I'm guessing about 45,000

figuring it's 4 times the diameter, and adding in an addition 10% (+/-) for bulk

Its funny - I've had the exact line of reasoning, guessing 40,000 to 50,000.

 

[PHArchivist]

This may be a stupid question but what are you going to do with it when you finish?

I all seriousness, due to the size, it will remain in the garage. At least, that is if I sway to the whims of wives and sweethearts (may they never meet!)...

 

[Mike J.]

What was with the extra, non-functional screw holes?


-Mike

 

[PHArchivist]

What was with the extra, non-functional screw holes?


-Mike

Good eye. Wooden ring for the upper dome that back-fired by increasing rigidity and "disallowed" the two domes to flex and press fit together.

 

[Laffo]

I think you should set up the tripod and snap a picture every couple of thousand windows, with the lights off, so it can be animated as a progression.
It's only gonna happen once man.
Laffo.

 

[ddocvjm]

If it took you five seconds to drill one window, it would take you 62.5 hours to drill 45,000 of them!

 

[vaderdarth]

lookin good!!!!

 

[PHArchivist]

If it took you five seconds to drill one window, it would take you 62.5 hours to drill 45,000 of them!

It will only be one or two seconds each - literaly just a couple of twists. So only 20 or 30 hours!

 

[darth_myeek]

Should we start a pool on how many this mother is going to take?

Drill bits? I am guessing 140.


PHa,
I am really impressed with the schedule you are keeping. I agree with not drilling all the way through. The "lights" will be brighter.

-DM

 

[PHArchivist]

I think you should set up the tripod and snap a picture every couple of thousand windows, with the lights off, so it can be animated as a progression.
It's only gonna happen once man.
Laffo.

I like that idea - reminds me of The Towering Inferno when the lit the building.

 

[Newbie Doobie]

To those wondering,I see that there was an upper ring inside the deathstar in the pic with Ralph Mcquarrie. Rob,I wouldn't bother with drilling,just scrape the paint in small sections,so that it'll let in light,but not glaringly so! Maybe this will make it look more realistic? :confused

 

[PHArchivist]

Not much to report (or show) today. I've now sprayed two coats of primer (three full cans) and it is still only about 50% light fast.

 

[TridCloudwalker]

Not much to report (or show) today. I've now sprayed to coats of primer (three full cans) and it is still only about 50% light fast.

Get thee some silver on there, brother! Or at the very least, some black. Duplicolor has a fantastic black primer. You may also want to look into their ceramic engine paints. Very thick, but no runs or orange peels.

 

[ckwanwoo]

Great work~!
I can't wait to see the compeleted DS