Jases Battlestar Galactica

[Richard_2001]

(03-06-2010, 10:05 AM)jasonwright.1972 Wrote:

(03-06-2010, 09:51 AM)Richard_2001 Wrote: Jason,

I am under a NDA with Charles (anyone that bought his plans is) I will ask him about it and get back to you. He has been pretty good about most things so it is not hopeless.

Richard

I forgot youve used Charles's plans. I am bound by the same agreement. I was just going to cross refernece as you said you had done some tweeking here & there. All good. Im sure I can get something pretty close with all the reference we have

Jason,

If you also have his plans then I can at least get you the info even if we can't post publicly he has said before plan holders can share info no problem.

Richard

[JAWS]

Okkly dokly thats alright then. Its hard not to step over some of these lines sometimes. There seems to be many boundaries within this hobby/art/sport sometimes...............

[JAWS]

Well been busy this morning. Worked from 2am-6pm(only got rained on once...) got home walked the dogs 5k's, came home took the kids for a scooter ride at the skate park. Was a lil wet & whilst showing my daughter some techniques to keep momentum I fell off her scooter & think Ive broken my middle toe! Damnit!!!! Hurts. Anyway been in the garage all morning & will probably be there till late tonight. Heres what Ive been up to. Mind you they do look impressive from a distance but they need some attention with clean up & theres a couple that will just be scrapped. ive fixed the molds with extra breather lines & all is pretty sweet. These & some other parts will be on there way to a burrow far far away. Updates later.

[Richard_2001]

Jason,

Looking good mate! You have come far pretty fast!

Richard

[Wombat]

I'll echo that statement by Richard.

Looking real good there bud,and i'm looking forward to getting a look at your works first hand soon.
I most definitely will be putting em to good use here when i get to that stage whenever that might be.
Cheers for keeping us updated on your progress there.

[JAWS]

Thanks guys. Like I said they look real good from a distance but do need a little attention as most resin casts do. Overall Im quite happy as it is a conciderable task. A little more tweeking of the moulds & I should be at the 98% I'd like to achieve. Ive moulded the F16 & am about to do my second cast. I didn't put enough resin in the first one & only got half the part....................

[427 Cobra]

Think ILM,Jase.....Think ILM. How many of their casts came out perfectly? Um........not too many that I can think of! Remember the X-wings? They could write a book on the inconsistencies between these alone! Just make these good enough for your satisfaction. The ILM guys just renamed the ILM shop Apogee when working soley for the ILM shop managers,and not Lucas himself. Same guys - same mistakes.

[LastBattlestar]

That stainless armature looks amazing Jase! You guys building precision models would have a heart attack if you saw the interior works of my Galactica. It ain't pretty, but it's not what's inside that counts!

So, you can't talk dimensions at all, even if you've tweaked things yourselves?

Mike

[JAWS]

Not in open threads mike. All discussion has to be through private PM's.

[JAWS]

Ok back at this. Haven't really concentrated on any of my builds lately & Im yet to bloody finish one. My compardr'e has been hard at it & has achieved great thing whilst mine still sat with wrapping on pieces Its time to try & make some headway before Im left for dust. Started working on getting the engine side panels on today. Have been cross referencing with Charle's, Richards revised & the Pappas photos which has been a headache. It all comes down to millimetres & what you can live with. Anyway has been a good come back with the trench wall piece getting lined up & secured.
   
Looks ok
   
Put the engine plate up to have a good check & seems to be pretty straight.
   
Start on the trench floor & ceiling
   
Using wood & clamps to brace after glueing. The Weldon works great.
   
Check alignment again with engine plate
   
Looks ok. Will come in line with side walls & slope attached
   
Start the outer walls
   
Looks ok & onto the slope...
   
Decided to bevel the edges & am going to use the Dremel with the blade sharpening attachment. It has the right angle so should do the job
   
Bottom slope with bevelled edges to help with a snug fit. Beware to wear eye protection & a shirt. I didn't have a shirt on & got sprayed with hot acrylic. Yep, learnt the hard way again
   
Lower slop attached to side wall
   
Looks okly dokly
   
Both slopes attached to outer side walls. Have left attaching the slopes to the engine box last so I can push them into place with some bracing & weight.
   
Both slope attached to engine box Will let sit to make sure its all sealed & tight. Do't want it poppin on me.
   
Just got to thin the upper outer wall & lengthen the upper slope as its a bit long & short in the wrong spots. Big thanks to Wombat for his hard work & help in making this as easy as possible. Phil has put in plenty of time adjusting pieces to be more accurate & helping me with mine.

[bwayne64]

Thats a cool idea Jase, using the blade sharpening attachment. She's looking great man. I need to get mine going soon. Still debating weather to use plexi or styrene for my base. I know plexi will be stronger, but not as easy to work with. Right now I'm concentrating on the Cylon tanker. Just got my Plexi sheet, waiting on my Weld On glue. So the Weld On 16 is working good for you. I was thinking of getting some # 4 as well. Just to try the thin stuff too. Again, looking good man, Cheers,

Joe

[JAWS]

Thanks but had to rip it apart. When I joined the bottom sloe edge to the engine box it pushed the side wall up & trench wall down No choice but to crack it apart & start again.
Parts snapped off
   
Parts snapped
   
Sanding to clean up glue
   
Rejoining to be straight
   
Aligning with use of engine back plate
   
   
Shoulod come together well now those trench walls are perfectly lined up.

[427 Cobra]

I'm sorry about the misalignment,Jase. This looks great with the acrylic shapes. I just wish we lived a lot closer to each other. I have all the tools, and experience to help. It's just that there's so much work to be done on all sides right now. I need to put some speed on the X project right now.

Remember,when I said in my X-wing thread that acrylic gets hot,and it will throw tiny hot pieces at you? I wear safety goggles whenever I cut this, and I always wear ear protection. This way, the only thing I have to worry about is this stuff getting on my hands, and arms. I made a special saw blade for my Moto-tool, but it still throws stuff when it cuts. There's just no way to get around it!

[JAWS]

Thanks. Yeah I remember now you mentioning that Well dropped the kids off & got straight back to it this morning. Want to get the lower section fixed up & in place so I can then take the engine plate & upper slope piece to work for some modification Then will be onto the waist which is apparently quite a headache & said to be the hardest part of the ship to get right. Totally looking forward to that

Trench floor & lower outer side wall attached with lower slope
   
There is a 1mm gap either side in the trench wall & outer lower side wall to the engine plate.
   
Using the engine plate to make sure the trench floor is horizontal & lines up
   
Both sides looking goos
   
Cutting some 1mm styrene to 'shim' up the trench wall & lower side wall
   
Trench & side wall 'shimmed' (just learnt this term & meaning, luckily )
   
Much better now, can move on to upper slope & trench ceiling.
   
   

[bwayne64]

Jase,
What did you use to glue the styrene to the Plexi. Did you use the Weld On for that , Cheers,

Joe

[JAWS]

(03-22-2010, 02:58 PM)bwayne64 Wrote: Jase,
What did you use to glue the styrene to the Plexi. Did you use the Weld On for that , Cheers,

Joe

Joe yep just used the Weldon. Seems to have done the job.

[Richard_2001]

Jason,

Looking good so far there! I like the progress in detail pictures most everyone else only posts the completed structure and beginning greeblie stages of the Battlestar builds.

Richard

[427 Cobra]

I was going to suggest shimming it up instead of tearing it apart. I was thinking that this was 1-2 mm off from the outside too. Adding material to it won't hurt its' structural integrity. The original Galactica was covered in styrene. I just wish that all the small fitting, and cutting didn't take so long, but there's just no way of getting around it if you want accuracy. Remember guys - speed is nice, but accuracy must come first!

[JAWS]

Thanks guys. Your words are greatly appreciated. Unfortunately Im going to drag all of you along through this build. I love to take lots of photos cause that what I wished all the other guys did with their builds. If what I do helps someone else then thats what its all about. Will have more progress tomorrow. Should have this section finished actually & start work on the waist.
Need to shim the edge of the engine lid 1mm aswell.
   
Trench ceiling s on
   
   
Aligning with the engine plate. May look off due to the distortion from the acrylic but trust me its all lined up perfect now.....
   
   
Waist parts ready for assembley. The section that comes directly off the engine box to the waist will be scratched up with styrene. That will prove to be a challenge I believe
   

[Wombat]

I've been absent for quite a bit with things going on on the home front here but i like your posting that you've done going through all the steps of building this up mate.As long as you don't have to tare it down as many times as i did to mine you'll be sweet dude.It really takes shape when you get those side panels on not to mention the sloped front that was driving me a little crazy trying to get things to work how they should with what we have been working with.This is some of the problem,we gotta just remember some things will be a little different to say Charles's plans as we aren't working from them really.They are just a bit of a guide in our case's with our build's.All we can do is work with what we have and remember that if we do a half decent job it should look pretty damn killer just like the one we know of does.
anyway,i'm very pleased to see you getting your teeth into this area,and them templates i've sent you will hopefully make the sloped front section a little easier for you also?It really looks good when you get the waist and engine section together as one piece i can tell ya.

Keep up the good work there mate!

[dbhs]

Looking very slick, Jase. I like how the plexi edges seem polished by the laser cutter. Very nice.

[darkimmitator]

Coming along nicely Jase !!! I am begining to think the twelve colonies have relocated to Australia !!!! There seems to be an abundance of Battlestars showing up there .It's either that or that is where the Scorpion shippyards is located !!!!! Keep the updates comming Sir ,I need the inspiration : as well as the tips and reference ,LOL

[JAWS]

Should be building rather than posting but feel its important to share ups & downs for anyone else crazy enough to want to do this...

Upper side wall & slope to do
   
Cutting strips off 1mm styrene sheet to 'shim' engine lid
   
Strips cut
   
Strips in place
   
DAMNIT!!!
   
Good Ol Weldon!!!!!
   
Found out with internet search "Cutting Acrylic" that can cut acrylic like styrene by soring line repeatabley. The Blutac is there to stop the ruler from moving when cutting a line. I really hate that & Blutac work great.
   
Use clippers to snap pieces off if hasn't seperated
   
Most came off neatly
   
Becareful this stuff is the next thing to glass & snaps in sharp shards
   
Sand sharpness off edges with sand paper
   
Can see first attempt didn't score enough times & snapped uneavenl
   
Lined up with 'repaired' engine plate.........
   
Two side walls. Can see first one a little rough, will need filler. The Weldon should actually fill the snap gap
   
First on
   
Edges bevelled with Dremel Blade sharpenning Tool. Not perfect but does the job.
   
Second side wall on with wood to sure up horizontal & vertical
   

[427 Cobra]

What you need for cutting long passes on acrylic is one of these, Jase. I usually cut acrylic by hand with the Moto-tool. I draw a line where I need it to be cut, then use the Moto-tool with the blade that I made from a fender washer to cut as close to it as possible. Then, I cut it down further with 60 grit sandpaper to the edge with a sanding block to ensure a perfectly straight line. Then I sand it ultra smooth with 320, and 600 grit. That's only because I'm too lazy to use a router, or the Moto-tool routing attachment in the picture below.

[JAWS]

Um, I actually have one of those that fits my Dremel..... Might learn how to use it then......

[427 Cobra]

This thing is excellent! It's a true lifesaver for jobs that are too small for a big router. I use this when I have a long cutting job that requires perfect accuracy, and I don't want to sand by hand with the sanding block forever. This also has an attachment that allows you to cut out circles if you want to make your own speaker boxes.

[bwayne64]

Hey that's what I'm using on my Tanker. I thought I bought the last one of those things, LOL. It does work great with that tiny bit I'm using. Darn Jase, sorry about that engine panel. That stuff is brittle. Once you get it primed and all greebled up, you'll never know it. Looking good man,

Joe

[DarthDuck]

Aw fuck!

"You guys" who tackle these huge capitol ships have so much more dedication and perseverance than I do?

It's shaping up great and I'll look forward to further progress and the eventual commissioning ceremony!

[Wombat]

Any more progress there Jase?

Looking good so far bud,well except for perhaps the lil backplate issue.But as i Joe mentioned,a lil glue putty and paint and you'll never even know it happened.Well we'll all know and razz ya for the rest of ya life,but no one else will be any wiser to the fact!

Keep at it mate!!

[427 Cobra]

(03-28-2010, 12:52 AM)bwayne64 Wrote: Hey that's what I'm using on my Tanker. I thought I bought the last one of those things, LOL.

Joe

I wouldn't know about that, but I've had mine for about fifteen years now. I love it! I don't usuallly have to break this out for models, but you never know when you'll need it. It's also great for etching out details, and for cutting intricate patterns that aren't possible by hand.

[JAWS]

Small update until tomorrow as Im off for the day & going to be solely concentrating on this build all day. Tomorrow I will be picking up my acrylic & styrene supplies. i just have the upper slope to fit which is actually a pain in the butt as it has to sit flush with the engine cover that is or should be removable... May pick up some new tools tomorrow also at Bunnings which I think is the equivilent to Walmart.
ok so the waist is started
   
engine box is shimmed & now sits fush with engine plate
   
all even & flush, finally
   
just the upper slopes to attach
   
got some 4mm acrylic cut from some scraps at work but needs alot of trimming to fit. Will probaly just get it cut & bevelled at the suppliers.
   
   

[Wombat]

Excellent stuff dude!!

Very clean work mate,mine was looking like a bloody pig before the primer went on!

[JAWS]

Yeah but she's a prize pig matey. Lol

[427 Cobra]

I love how you guys are so exited about your projects! That means that these are going right, and according to plan. I'm glad to see that this will make you guys have a more complete collection. This will make a hell of a conversation piece when friends come over. I just hope one of these will make it into a museum someday.

[JAWS]

Thanks Cris. Your words are always apreciated. Today was a day off from work as I worked on one of my RDO's. Unfortunately my daughters sick, but fortunate I am home so she can stay home to keep an eye on me. Had to get some supplies today & thankfully coming to the end of a month full of bills, bills ,bills..... Have a little money to get some stuff so went shopping.

Ok so I got a half sheet of 3mm styrene to start constructing the waist. Also got some new upper side walls cut at the plastic supplier & 2 new upper slopes as I extended the slopeidge on the engine plate as Phil did which reduced the side wall. Anyway 2 newbies all nice & undamaged. I also picked up a Dremel Plainer attachment to plain the edges but this is not suitable & wasn't needed... I'll keep it as it will come in handy sometime, but should have bought the Bench Router instead. Also got some new #16 Weldon so should have all I need to tackle the last part of the engine box & move on.
   
   
Replacement side walls & slopes with the old side walls already cracked off
   
The Dremel Plainer for future reference
   
Ive used the old side walls as upper supports for the slopes. Did the trick & added some needed support on that section.
   
First slope on.
   
Looks ok & lined up
   
Both slopes & side walls on. What a relief... just so happy this is over with & can move on.
   
Looks good & the lids on too!
   
First stage finished
   
Its all pretty straight & squared with just some edge sanding to smooth off the glue
   
   
   
My 3mm styrene sheet for the next fase which is apparently the hardest of this build...
   

[JAWS]

Have started playing with the waist & my good mate Mr Wombat sent me some templates he made when he was doing his. Theyre not straight trace & cut but a great help to get started. Your a champ Phil & an inspiration. A true Aussie. So heres a couple of picks with the templates knocked up to get an idea of whats next. Some minore adjustments & I think my buddies done me another good deed. Im off work for a week next week with the kids for school holidays & hope to get up there with Phil to be more help as he's been with me. Can't thank the guy enough & that of Richard2001, Charles & everyone else for their input. Yep I guess Im pretty stoked right now. Just a relief to get this far I guess

[427 Cobra]

Looking damn good, Jase! It's about time we get to see some more of this, and hopefully everyone else is building right now, and not just lurking. Most of us are gone from the board, and I try to help when I can. I'm just caught up in my own work,as well as that of others. I'll post some progress hopefully soon! Thanks for keeping up with the photo posting, and giving us an inside look into your world.

~ Cobra Chris

[JAWS]

Thanks Cris. Ive tried to keep the outside as clean as possible for the scribing, so its got a nice smooth finish. haven't done scribing before like Phil but Im sure with a couple of practices we'll be ok. Just settleing down after completing that section & thinking about the waist now.

[Wombat]

Wow Jase,thats looking bloody great there my friend.
It really wont be too long and i'll be playing catch up to you instead i can see.
Those templetes will help a little but like i mentioned and you understand,they are just to give you an idea how things will be.Some need adjusting and also need to have the plastic thickness taken into account with there sizing depending on how you attempt to assemble that area.I only used the 3mm plastic for the big top and bottom panels along with the waist top and bottom.All those side panels i did with 1.5mm on mine which seems OK when all glued up properly.

Anyway,you are well on your way now,it felt good i bet just getting that engine box section together?It'll feel the same again when you get the waist and that box section all joined together i found also.This build will be like that along the way i'm finding,least this end i am.


Keep at it mate!!

[JAWS]

Thanks mate. I wouldn't be here without you thats for sure. Very happy Im on it & making some progress. Having next week off should give me some productive build time & the bills are nearly out the way for a few months so that will geive me some kit money! Thanks mate.

[Richard_2001]

Jason,

Looking very good so far!! I like how this is coming together. A little thing though: it looks like Phil's templates are taller than yours will be when built, so be careful when you change height that the centurion deck part still fits. The trench part of the waist slopes down toward the front it is not level.

I built the damn waist the most in mock-ups as it is very very tricky.

It should be smooth sailing after that for a while on the build until you get to the head.

Great work!

Richard

[JAWS]

Thanks Richard. yep there not simple trace & cut templates, just something to get an idea of whats required. Trying to get going with that now. Just got home & some mail arrived. Had a surprise from an ebay purchase of a Roco 215. Bought 1 & got 5 So stoked! My Wostok arrived also & is in excellent condition. So have had a really good afternoon.

[LastBattlestar]

SCORE!!!

Mike

[Wombat]

^
Sure was,a bloody damn good score he got with that deal!!

[Richard_2001]

Jason,

Score Plus!!!!!!!!!!! Those are hard to get!

Richard

[JAWS]

Yep that made my week after getting the box done & this nice surprise.

[JAWS]

Ok what a day & honestly a Traumatic night working on this waist section Seriously this has honestly done my frakn head in this afternoon & evening. Only in the last hour did I actually make any progress

3mm styrene cut for waist lid & belly
   
I am cursed... This thing jumps off the table any chance it gets. I just can't get over it. Breaks into mpore pieces every time. Im starting to think its telling me something...
   
Roof & belly on the waist. Finally getting somewhere
   
After hours of just doing my head in the front slope is cut & positioned to mock up. Needs some sanding etc but is ok. At least for now.
   
Mocking up the waist corners with 5mm styrene. Its cheap & sits straight so thought Id use it.
   
Ok the top sections sort of done. Looks ok to me from cross referencing everything & everyones input etc but its still in the planning stage so give me your feedback & don't hold back
   

Ok out of time. I gotta get to bed or I'll be awake 40+ hours & won't achieve anything tomorrow....

[JAWS]

Shoulda gone to bed but just had to get this done. so I can fine tune it tomorrow evening.

[427 Cobra]

This is looking damn good, Jase. Just remember - slow, and steady wins it. As long as you keep going on it, and don't give up. It might take you as long as it's taken me on the X, but keep your eyes on the prize - don't lose sight of what's most important. A little at a time, and not rushing it will ultimately win in the end.

[Richard_2001]

Jason,

Total bummer about the rear plate breakage, but the waist looks pretty good it just needs a tweak to make it better

the 257 blade plate should be a reactangle not a trapazoid it is angled down toward the front so that part is good

like thus:



Noce job on the rest though it is looking great!


Richard