Re: Space 1999 Eagle Transporter Build Club UPDATED NOV 3RD (PIC HEAVY!)
Hi, only you!
That's looking really interesting! I can see major advantages to the method you're using. Can't wait to see it evolve from this stage!
Update time!
Our friend greylocke has inspired me to attempt the drill-lathe method!:thumbsup
I picked up some more of those lovely :sick plastic goblets from the dollar store, figuring I'd mess up at least one of them while trying to lathe them into shape. If I don't mess up, I'll even have enough to perhaps build a booster unit for my Eagle if I choose to later on! :love
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I'm going to used one of them just to experiment with. I carefully drilled a center hole on the bottom of the glass, so it won't wobble ridiculously when spinning on the drill. That's critical!
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I inserted a bolt through the hole, and secured both sides with a washer and nuts. The bolt will insert into the drill chuck.
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I cut away the excess plastic with my band saw. That was pretty easy. I then tried it out on the drill, and it spun pretty smoothly with almost no perceptible wobble. So far, so good. I then put the plastic back on the band saw and cut away a little more of the edge.
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I clamped the drill into my vice, careful to make it snug, yet not so tight it would crack the drill casing. I then tried it out. Mostly with a file, I ground down the remaining rough edge along the bottom, controlling the drill speed with my finger on the trigger (this is why I mounted the drill upside-down, so I'd have better access to the trigger!). I can already see I'll have to devise a way to keep the drill more steady, as there was a bit of up-down movement from pivoting in the vise. That's okay, that's why I wanted to experiment with this one. I did get a bit carried away with too much speed and pressure, and a few hairline cracks formed along the edge where i assume the plastic heated too much and too unevenly. Even if this happens later on, I don't think it'll affect the finished product, but I want to play it safe.
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Since it basically seems to work, I'll have to secure the drill better. For now, I contented myself with cutting away the extra plastic (and drilling the bottom holes) on four of the glasses.
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Fun interlude: it was enjoyable to break away the melted edge of plastic after coming off the band saw. It reminded me of the childish joy one gets from breaking the little air beads on bubble wrap (except in this case there was no little 'pop' sounds!).
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Now I have four basic shapes awaiting my perfecting my improvised drill-lathe!
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While visiting a friend who happened to be packing up his things in preparation for ice fishing this winter, I happened to spy upon a few items in his tackle box, items which prompted me to go shopping in the sporting goods department...
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One never knows where inspiration will pop up, and for about $1.83, I picked up six fishing floats, four of which will become those round fuel tanks on the back of my Eagle! They come in a bunch of sizes, and these 1 1/4 inch ones will do quite nicely. I removed the inner spring mechanisms, and realized they even have pre-determined center holes on each side, which I will need!
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