S.S. Death Star?

[PHArchivist]

Glad I got your all's attention, because I NEED HELP with some critical figures.

Before I order the hemispheres, I (we?) need to lock down specific measurements for:
1. Diameter of the superlaser dish
2. Distance from the equator to the lowest point of the dish
3. Overall height of the hemispheres

Regarding #1. I'm hoping MOE can help out, since he built the one currently on display onthe original model... Moe...?

Regarding #3. this pertains to the oblate shape we've all agreed upon. If the halves were true hemispheres, they would be 18" tall. But to make the Death Star wider at the equator, and shorter at the poles, the hemispheres need to be LESS than 18". My guess is about 17", but I'd greatly appreciate a collective conjecture and feedback on this.

The shop I will order from will create the hemispheres to spec (36" in diameter, and whatever height I ask), and they will cut the hole for the dish. hence I need (we need?) to derive this info prior to ordering.

By the way, the overall cost, with dish cut out, is less than $300.

 

[Hand Solo]

Rob, keep us up to date.

Kurt and I are discussing various options at this time. Full scale replicas may not be feasible, but we're looking at working at a reduced scale for ease of handling amongst other things.

 

[PHArchivist]

Rob, keep us up to date.

Kurt and I are discussing various options at this time. Full scale replicas may not be feasible, but we're looking at working at a reduced scale for ease of handling amongst other things.

You got it Bob...

And ease of display. My thing is, I already drilled 10,000 holes in a 9" model. So if I'm even going to think of doing another, I may as well go full tilt. BUT that means it will almost positively be displayed in my garage workshop. Which is nicer than most (all finished, painted white, carpeted), but still -- it'll be in the garage! :unsure See my earlier post about displaying such beasts...

 

[GKvfx]

BUT that means it will almost positively be displayed in my garage workshop. Which is nicer than most (all finished, painted white, carpeted), but still -- it'll be in the garage! :unsure See my earlier post about displaying such beasts...

You could always display it in a fountain.

Ok, I'm not helping...........

Gene

 

[PHArchivist]

:lol

:lol

:lol

Now THAT was funny! Just as long as I se water proof paint!

You could always display it in a fountain.

Ok, I'm not helping...........

Gene

 

[Prop Nut...]

Rob, keep us up to date.

Kurt and I are discussing various options at this time. Full scale replicas may not be feasible, but we're looking at working at a reduced scale for ease of handling amongst other things.

Hey, I say screw ease of handling...."If you're gonna be a bear, be a GRIZZLY!"

I would like to see a Studio Scale D.S. not a lego sized version. And, I'd happily pay what it costs to make and transport one too.

PHArchivist I'm sorry I csn't help with your questions, but PLEASE keep it up. I'll be the first in line to buy one from you. :love

 

[Hand Solo]

Hey, I say screw ease of handling...."If you're gonna be a bear, be a GRIZZLY!"

It has to fit out my doors. :confused 4'6" acrylic spheres are neither light nor easy to handle.

I would like to see a Studio Scale D.S. not a lego sized version. And, I'd happily pay what it costs to make and transport one too.

I hope you have five figures in mind for construction of the item, its armature, construction of the crate and transportation combined. :wacko ( For a Studio Scale ILLUMINATED DS II. ) One about 2.5 feet in diameter will still have a lot of visual 'punch' and won't be....' Lego-sized '. It will be one heck of a lot easier to work with.... and I daresay more affordable all the way around. ( did I just make a superweapon PUN? I daresay I did. )

 

[PHArchivist]

Lee where did this photo come from anyway?

How bout these Kurt......:wacko

lee

 

[PHArchivist]

That might be me. I have the base 3 foot spheres with the trench on a metal stand. Yes it is a trick to keep them holding their shape. Another thing is to get the correct egg shape as the Deathstar is elliptical meaning wider at the trench. I almost canned the whole project a month ago but couldnt do it. Now I need accurate measurements for the Super Laser. Then after R2-D2 and a few other projects it will get moved back to the front of the pile.

By the way, what was the wall thickness you used for your hemispheres?

The supplier I am going to use suggested 1/4, and implied that with that thickness, deformation should not be a concern...

 

[ralphee]

This place Rob, i just found them with a random search and though that pic was a peach!

lee

http://www.projectplastics.co.uk/index.htm

 

[PHArchivist]

This place Rob, i just found them with a random search and though that pic was a peach!

lee

http://www.projectplastics.co.uk/index.htm

It is a very cool pic! Mass produced Death Stars!

 

[Smiling Demon]

Hey Rob, any update on your DS?

 

[Kuhn Global]

Indeed! Rob may be in the same situation as our plans. I can't wait to see how it is coming along.

I must admit that this is one piece that continues to elude being made. There are so many other items that continue to push it back. It will just be a matter of making it happen.

I just commissioned Bob to build the 6 foot McQuarrie Concept SSD, thus pushing back the beastie yet again. Hmmmm

You know what... I think I will have him wait on the Concept and just go right for the SS DS just to get it done! LOLOLOLOL

You guys agree? It is well past time, eh? OK.... no more talk from Kuhn! It shall be done!

 

[yodasan]

I just commissioned Bob to build the 6 foot McQuarrie Concept SSD...

:eek

 

[robn1]

I was thinking, (dangerous, I know :lol). But it would be a lot
cheaper to make the Death Star out of fiberglass. A form could
be made using a screed method, like how Custom Replicas made
the saucer for the 66 in. Enterprise. Lighting would be the same
as with the acrylic, and it'll save a lot of weight too.

Just a thought.

Rob

 

[seven]

I am on Vacation right now in Seattle and saw the Death Star in person. I snapped a few(poor) shots of it quickly that I will post here when I get home and can upload the pics. When looking at it, it appeared to me that all the 'windows' of the DS were etched out. Like they had fully panted it, and carefully by hand removed slits of paint to create the windows.

 

[cobywan]

Did you see all the scratches from the miniature being dropped? It's a sad scar for sure.

 

[seven]

Yes the damage on the front side was sad to see, it rubbed a bit of paint off as you can see it when it's lit up. here are those poor pictures I took

 

[PHArchivist]

The red line (on the right, specifically) is where the paint stops and transist into unpainted clear acrylic, right?

How did the do the trench? is it a clear disc sandwhiched between the hemispheres? Could you really tell?

 

[seven]

Well I ruffed out a blueprint pattern for the death star (assuming the exact width is 3'). From what I can conclude, the model makers did use two perfectly round 3' dia plastic domes, & cut approx. 1" off the bottom of ea. Add a 1/2" gap in between for the trench and BAM, you have your Death Star shape.

The Dims. can be plus or minus. The other view is a cross section of what I can remember of how the interior support looks