Kuhn Global 'Death Star II'

[PHArchivist]

<div class='quotetop'>(Hand Solo @ Jul 11 2006, 07:10 PM) [snapback]1278760[/snapback]</div>

Wouldn't it be the 'Life Star' in an alternate universe?

Or the Breath Star or...
[/b]

My 6-yearold calls it simply "The Death"

His reasoning...?

Its only half done, so it gets only half the name....

 

[Kuhn Global]

<div class='quotetop'>(PHArchivist @ Jul 12 2006, 05:28 AM) [snapback]1279218[/snapback]</div>

<div class='quotetop'>(Hand Solo @ Jul 11 2006, 07:10 PM) [snapback]1278760[/snapback]

Wouldn't it be the 'Life Star' in an alternate universe?

Or the Breath Star or...
[/b]

My 6-yearold calls it simply "The Death"

His reasoning...?

Its only half done, so it gets only half the name....
[/b][/quote]
LOLOLOL... out of the mouths of babes, eh? Brilliant.

------------

Bob,... OUTSTANDING... :thumbsup :thumbsup

If this is your quick stuff....we may start earlier....decisions, decisions. :confused

 

[Hand Solo]

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If this is your quick stuff....we may start earlier....decisions, decisions.[/b]

I recommend the original timeframe. I'll need time to adapt my shop around this as well as get the materials in order. We're going to need a TON of photoetch. It's my opinion that the detail will look best and closest to the reference using PE. I'm also looking at different thickness of acrylic for the domes. I don't want to use anything too thin because of strength and brittleness....

...And I don't want to go too thick because of scale issues. 1/8" at minimum and 3/16" maximum are the thicknesses that look attractive at the moment.

I think we'll both be better off if I do some smaller commissions first. You'll need the extra time to make your place ready to accommodate the Kuhn Star as well.

 

[Hand Solo]

Here is test 3.

Instead of repainting and scaling down the construction details on the actual test article, I used Photoshop to desaturate those areas and tweak the details.

I think the result looks far closer to what is desired.

 

[PHArchivist]

<div class='quotetop'>(Hand Solo @ Jul 12 2006, 03:08 PM) [snapback]1279310[/snapback]</div>

We're going to need a TON of photoetch. It's my opinion that the detail will look best and closest to the reference using PE.
[/b]

As I read this, the thought of ship railings crossed my mind, likes used on the 1/350 Titanic. Oriented vertically, the ladder-esque nature may work well. And aren't there home kits for producing photo-etched brass items? You may need to make your own.


<div class='quotetop'>(Hand Solo @ Jul 12 2006, 03:08 PM) [snapback]1279310[/snapback]</div>

I'm also looking at different thickness of acrylic for the domes. I don't want to use anything too thin because of strength and brittleness....

...And I don't want to go too thick because of scale issues. 1/8" at minimum and 3/16" maximum are the thicknesses that look attractive at the moment.
[/b]

Was thinking of this yesterday. Can you use both? Make the basic structure from heavier acrylic, but get an extra hemisphere (yes -- extra $$ :unsure ) of thinner stuff for the edges, somehow mating the two...? Or maybe even use a slightly smaller-in-diameter, heavier gauge dome as an inner structural dome, and the lighter one for the actual surface?

<div class='quotetop'>(Hand Solo @ Jul 12 2006, 06:22 PM) [snapback]1279481[/snapback]</div>

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how is Bob going to GET the Kunh Star to you...?[/b]

That's something we're considering. I have to design the thing so that it can be removed from its stand partially and crated. Since I'm also a woodworker, I will be building a crate for it out of plywood and 2 by 4. Kurt is in California. I'm in Washington State and so you can imagine how prohibitive the cost will be to ship this monster, which might weigh between 50 and 75 pounds and the crate, which could weigh over a hundred.

The most cost effective possibility is a special trip by Kurt up here to visit for a few days and then take this back down to Cali in his vehicle...but this is over a year and a half away, so we're more worried about getting started on the thing, let alone shipping.
[/b][/quote]

The bright side is that you could be a LOT farther apart. At least its within automobile striking distance....

 

[Hand Solo]

<div class='quotetop'></div>

As I read this, the thought of ship railings crossed my mind, likes used on the 1/350 Titanic. Oriented vertically, the ladder-esque nature may work well. And aren't there home kits for producing photo-etched brass items? You may need to make your own.[/b]

I very well might need to make my own. The sheer amount needed for this project might well give any supplier coniption fits trying to maintain their stock.

<div class='quotetop'></div>

Was thinking of this yesterday. Can you use both? Make the basic structure from heavier acrylic, but get an extra hemisphere (yes -- extra $$ ohwell.gif ) of thinner stuff for the edges, somehow mating the two...? Or maybe even use a slightly smaller-in-diameter, heavier gauge dome as an inner structural dome, and the lighter one for the actual surface?[/b]

When it comes right down to it, 1/8 should be plenty sturdy. And to thin the edges, I can use a Dremel. Tedious? Yes...but effective.

The central core will bear the weight of the exposed deck structures, so I don't think this will be a large problem.

 

[Kuhn Global]

Ooooooo... I love test 3.

 

[Hand Solo]

<div class='quotetop'>(Kuhn Global @ Jul 12 2006, 12:18 PM) [snapback]1279517[/snapback]</div>

Ooooooo... I love test 3.
[/b]

Just wait until Test 4...

I'm in process on a flat 5" x 5" piece of 1/8" plexi. This is a materials and surface test. It will also be a light transmission test. No surface breakup or construction. That will be Test 6 post vacation.

I'll scan and post Test 4 a bit later on..

 

[Hand Solo]

Surface block test 4:

Link to full resolution scan.

I'm very happy with this test. You'll note that the tones are more subtle overall than the previous test because the surface blocks on the DSII are not as pronounced as the first Death Star.

What isn't so apparent from these scans is how effective all the pinhole light sources are. I wish I could photograph that in such a way as to present it as it really appears...

This is a 5" section of the DSII, so the level of detail here is pretty much what will be on the final SS model.

Here is a zoomed out view of the section to give the overall impression from a distance:

 

[Hand Solo]

Block test 5. Light test simulated.

As before, I've used photoshop to simulate actual conditions. This image is actual size:

 

[REL]

This is great stuff. It's also very cool that you start on it immediately after getting hired.

 

[Hand Solo]

<div class='quotetop'>(REL @ Jul 12 2006, 07:46 PM) [snapback]1279795[/snapback]</div>

This is great stuff. It's also very cool that you start on it immediately after getting hired.
[/b]

Thanks. Let's just say that I have a special enthusiasm for this project. I've only wanted to do it since 1983.

The interim commissions leading up to this project will help purchase the initial materials and tools needed in its construction.

This puppy is gonna take some time, but I'll be lovin' every minute of it.

 

[Hand Solo]

Another little composite I whipped up to test the 'naturalness' of the test...

 

[PHArchivist]

Nice work. And nice blog -- but watch what you're saying about OLD guys. (I'l hit 39 this fall....)

 

[Hand Solo]

<div class='quotetop'>(PHArchivist @ Jul 12 2006, 09:28 PM) [snapback]1279816[/snapback]</div>

Nice work. And nice blog -- but watch what you're saying about OLD guys. (I'l hit 39 this fall....)
[/b]

Hey, thanks.

That's why I say...'older'...

There's a lot of 'kids' on these boards...a lot of 20 somethings..

 

[Boxster]

Nice looking test you got there. :thumbsup

This is going to be sweet and I look forward to your progress.

Will you be adding a colliding SSD?

B

 

[Hand Solo]

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Will you be adding a colliding SSD?[/b]

Only if I want to die....

And thanks for the comp.

 

[Kuhn Global]

<div class='quotetop'>(Boxster @ Jul 13 2006, 10:48 AM) [snapback]1280077[/snapback]</div>

Nice looking test you got there. :thumbsup

This is going to be sweet and I look forward to your progress.

Will you be adding a colliding SSD?

B
[/b]

It's a great suggection if the DSII wasn't sooooooo huge. Bob say it's supposed to be over 100 miles in diameter... so a 5 to 12 mile SSD wouldn't be seen enough I guess. Maybe a peice of rice? LOL

 

[Hand Solo]

Some estimates have the DSII at about 200 miles and up. ( 160 Km plus....).

I think half a toothpick in this scale about covers it...

 

[REL]

Don't forget to add the A-Wing that took it out, of course you'd need a microscope to see that.