Building The Death Star - PRODUCTION

[bluelight]

Hi tried to do some photoshop on your original DS pics.. I overlaid photos and shadowed areas show that your hole (red shadow) should be smtg around 15-25% larger than the original. Knowing that camera distance and angle were different this is just a tentative mesurement.. IMHO it shouldn't be a big deal! I would leave it as is

cheers

 

[PHArchivist]

Hi tried to do some photoshop on your original DS pics.. I overlaid photos and shadowed areas show that your hole (red shadow) should be smtg around 15-25% larger than the original. Knowing that camera distance and angle were different this is just a tentative mesurement.. IMHO it shouldn't be a big deal! I would leave it as is

cheers

That's really helpfull - so the white circle then is the original dish?

The hole in mine is 9 1/8"

I experimented with both 8 1/2" and 8" paper cut-out templates, taped to the dome. I didn't get around to posting the images, but the 8" was closest. I think 7 3/4 may even be better.

I'll do a template at 7 3/4, snap a pic, and post all the images. I will be cutting a new hole for sure, though. Mine is just too big. But it will make a great access hole in the back!

 

[bluelight]

That's really helpfull - so the white circle then is the original dish?

yessir!


Looking forward to new pics! and BTW Fantastic Idea using the larger hole for maintenance purposes!

cheers

 

[PHArchivist]

Here is an 8" diameter template:

 

[JPolacchi]

I don't mean to change subjects,but would the dish size for the "Star Wars" Death Star be the same as the one made for ROTJ?The two are differenmt models and wasn't everything bigger in size?

 

[bluelight]

Here is an 8" diameter template:

This time is spot on!:thumbsup

 

[Junk Pilot]

What size are you domes again?

 

[PHArchivist]

This time is spot on!:thumbsup

Sweet - and you can tell visually just by looking at the separate pics that the template photo has the white circle off center tot he left just a bit, as shown in the overlay.

Your overlays have been a great help!

 

[TridCloudwalker]

How do you plan on constructing the equator trench?

 

[vaderdarth]

That looks better to my eye. The size is alot better. Placement looks good too.....I'm assuming you'll be bringing the equator closer to the circle. If not it may need to come down a couple millimeters.

Dave

 

[PHArchivist]

The placement of the paper template is accurate. The dish is 1.5" above the equator.

Understand that on my domes there is no trench yet, so its harder to tell if the position of the template is properly juxtaposed with the equator.

This brings up an interesting point. Per the overlays, the overall shape/dimensions of my domes match the original nearly dead on. However, mine is not separated yet for the trench (the domes are not attached to each other yet), which will add a 1/2" in height.

So...

My domes are 16 5/8" but I should really have taken 1/4" more off each one to allow for the 1/2" separation for the trench. So I think that a more accurate measurement for the domes would have been 36" x 16 3/8"

 

[PHArchivist]

How do you plan on constructing the equater trench?

Just like the original - the domes will be separated by 1/2" via an internal bracing structure, and a backing plate/strip of clear acrylic will be adhered to the inside of the domes at the equator.

 

[vaderdarth]

sweet, that is exactly how I'd approached the trench. I figure that's how they did the original. Lookin forward to more progress.

Dave

 

[Jedi Dade]

I think that you've just uncovered a build order dependency... Build your trench before cutting your dish... If you're off you'll probably catch it that way... just a bit of advice from soemones who's screwed up more then once

Jedi Dade

 

[PHArchivist]

I think that you've just uncovered a build order dependency...

Absolutely. And there are plenty of those dependencies, no doubt!

The acrylic backing strip for the trench is 2" wide, so 1" above and 1" below the true equator. The dish is 1.5" above the equator, so there will be clearance.

However, the strip will clearly have to be installed prior to closing off the domes.

 

[PHArchivist]

All right, maggots...!!

Here's the latest. For those that know the original, you'll know what you're looking at!

 

[vaderdarth]

Nice!!!

 

[zorg]

very interested in the progress so far. whats the wall thickness of the dome material?

id like to try a DS myself but getting domes that big in the uk is nearly impossible. by impossible i mean without getting my wallet repeatedly gang raped and left for dead in a ditch.

looking forward to the updates.

-z

 

[PHArchivist]

The wall thicness is 3/8". Though I'm not 100% positiive of the original, I really feel that 1/2" is too thick. The 3/8" feels just about right.

The wooden ring currently is just test fit in place. It will attach to the central support tower (hopefully tonight or tomorrow). The ring looks like a cog wheel to allow light to pass through (otherwise there'd be a dark band where the wood is when lit).

 

[Ham Salad]

This past Friday I picked up the two acrylic domes to begin building the Death Star.

Where'd you get the domes?