Joe's Big "G"

[bwayne64]

Well Guys,
Here comes another Studio Scale Nova Class Carrier, the famous Battlestar Galactica. Finally building the 'ole girl, after 24 years of prepping, I just got my glue, and plexi. I'll be building this and the Cylon Tanker at the same time. Everybody should know, I'm probably the slowest builder you'll ever see, So the updates will be widely spaced. I'm also a super perfectionist, bordering on obsessive, compulsive, But there are pills for this, so I'll have to add them to my shopping list. So let the madness begin, LOL.


   

A big sheet of plexi


   


Had to get the .118 inch stuff, only a 64th smaller then 1/8, so should work alright.



   



Here's the armature tubing, had to buy 20 ft of the stuff so I should have plenty,



   



More stuff



   



To be continued, and continued, and continued, Cheers,

Joe

[darkimmitator]

All right !!! Another battlestar .Let the the progress pics begin !!!!!

[JAWS]

WICKED MUN! Good to see your on the bench Joe. We're all here rideing with ya mate. So kool to have all you guys here building. have fun the stress will come....

[Wombat]

Thats great news there Joe,i shouldn't say about time,but frak it,about time!! LOL

Mate,i'm very happy to hear and see you final start this build over there.There is so much Battlestar activity at present this is all encouraging and very motivating for the rest of us attempting the build.Just keep your eye on th end prize and you'll be just fine.
You think ya slow??LOL.I'll be eating your dust in no time i think!!

Keep us posted,as often as ya can!

[bwayne64]

Thanks Guys,
Just having guys like you to build with, is worth all the future pain and agony, LOL. I've been setting up the shop here for all the kicking and screaming about to ensue, Had to sell the dog, and any small children. Don't want any thing around that I might kick. No seriously, It is going to be fun. I'm starting in middle of the G, the easy part. I still have to get my connectors made for the armature. Then I'll know how to cut the openings in the center bulkheads. I need a darn milling machine and lathe. Not gonna happen, so I'll have to go old school. Still working on the 3D Cylon tanker. I need to finish that bugger, so I can use it to build the real deal. That nose section is so funky. I don't have any measurements on the original model, so I'm having to extrapolate. I'll be close, but not exact. Oh well, finally getting there, have a good one,

Joe

[427 Cobra]

(05-01-2010, 12:31 PM)bwayne64 Wrote: Thanks Guys,
I need a darn milling machine and lathe. Not gonna happen, so I'll have to go old school.

Joe

What do you need done with a lathe? If the part is small enough, you can use a drill. Milling - you can do that too, if you have routing capabilities. By the way, I have Plaskolite. This is what I use for my X-wing build, and it'll be what I use for everything from now on! Strong stuff, and very cheap too!

[bwayne64]

(05-05-2010, 09:36 AM)427 Cobra Wrote:

(05-01-2010, 12:31 PM)bwayne64 Wrote: Thanks Guys,
I need a darn milling machine and lathe. Not gonna happen, so I'll have to go old school.

Joe

What do you need done with a lathe? If the part is small enough, you can use a drill. Milling - you can do that too, if you have routing capabilities. By the way, I have Plaskolite. This is what I use for my X-wing build, and it'll be what I use for everything from now on! Strong stuff, and very cheap too!

Hi Cobra, sorry don't know your given name, I actually need the mill and lathe for the work on my armature. I'm doing it myself, and could use the machine to speed the process. Glad to know the plaskolite is good, first time I've used it myself. I got the only kind they had at the 'ole home depot. I was gonna order it, but with shipping I could buy two pieces locally, Cheers,

Joe

[427 Cobra]

(05-06-2010, 10:03 AM)bwayne64 Wrote: Hi Cobra, sorry don't know your given name, I actually need the mill and lathe for the work on my armature. I'm doing it myself, and could use the machine to speed the process. Glad to know the plaskolite is good, first time I've used it myself. I got the only kind they had at the 'ole home depot. I was gonna order it, but with shipping I could buy two pieces locally, Cheers,

Joe

Sorry, Joe - I go by Cobra Chris. I have machining capabilities for small runs. What do you need as far as metal work?

[bwayne64]

Hi Guys,
Sorry I haven't had anything to post. I've been real busy with real world stuff, Still waiting for material for the armature. I did have a chance to do a few renders of my armature design. There's a render of my fancy Aluminum Formers. There will be two of these, to support the bay arms. That's if I can get them cast and machined. I have the design, I can throw them in later if I can't do them right now. I hope to have something real to show soon. Just been swamped here. Cheers,

Joe




   



   



   



   



   



   

[JAWS]

Holy crap Joe! Thats seriously wicked work. So jelous of your abillity to draw this stuff up in 3D like this. i gotta do a course or something in this stuff. That is some extremely fancy work your putting into this build mate.

[bwayne64]

Jase, thanks a lot man. Glad you like it, I had a lot of fun making those bulkheads in 3D. I just hope I can get them machined the way I want them. I want to be able to bolt the Bay support arms to the outside of the body. And not have to weld or connect them to the center tube. I also didn't want to have a hole though the center tube for a top mount. That's what the two threaded hole's in the center box are for. I'll be able to pop off the two dome's on the top, and attach a top mount through there. I'll be making the top mount in 3D first as well, In my over engineering fashion, LOL. When ever I can't build on the real thing, I go into Lightwave, and make something I can see. As for learning this stuff, Newtek has a great forum on Lightwave. If you ever decide to get a copy, there's a ton of info on there. And I'll be glad to share anything I know. I'm no expert, by a long stretch. But I can fake it with the best of em, Cheers,

Joe

---

(05-06-2010, 11:39 AM)427 Cobra Wrote: Sorry, Joe - I go by Cobra Chris. I have machining capabilities for small runs. What do you need as far as metal work?

I'll definitely keep you in mind. I have to try to do this on my own at first. At least until I pull out my hair, and run screaming from the shop, If I can't get r done, I'll be the screaming, bald guy running to ya for help, Cheers,

Joe

[Wombat]

Holy shit there Joe!!
Mate that thing looks bloody incredible,a bit to fancy to be skinning with a Battlestar body don't ya think?You betta make two so you can display one on it's own. LOLThat looks ta be a piece of work right there bud!!
Wow,it looks very impressive Joe,but it also looks and sounds like it could be a lil expensive still although you'll have more of an idea about that than me.Honestly,it looks very impressive mate,but you should in my book get a quote to have your pipe welded up still.It might not be that expensive to get done,but it needs to be right and you don't need the head fucks i had with mine either.Whatever is cheapest and works is the way to go in my book.

But Joe that really looks impressive that design mate!!

I'll be looking forward to seeing you finally get a backbone built up and for you starting the actually building of the body section.It's been way too long in the planning stages and you'll be loving it once you start putting it all together!

[JAWS]

Joe I tend to agree with Phil on the costs involved. I honestly think you'll be financially better off getting your pipe welded up as we did. As awsome & professional as your design is I think its going to be more costly. Its your build mate & we totally love what your doing so just throwin our two bobs worth in the mix.

[bwayne64]

Hey Guys, Thanks for the kind words. The fancy formers are just an idea, not sure is I'll be putting those in. I do want the ole girl to look pretty on the inside too, when I pop the hood, As for welding, I really want to be able to take this thing apart, when and if it needs remodeling. And the aluminum tubing is a bear to weld, without warping. I'll get it done, either way. I'm not fast, but I am precise, Cheers,

Joe

[Wombat]

Joe,thats all that matters mate!In all honesty though,it doesn't really matter what it looks like,it just needs to be able to do the job and,if it's a bit rough then the bonnet can stay shut in my case.

I understand the problem with welding and aluminium,but it can be done by people that actually know how to take care and make the right jig's to keep it all straight.I'm not really sure why you think you'd ever need to do much remodelling as you said.I think from your drawing that you've done this build of yours will be spot on or that close to it that only you are gonna know.Still,it's your build mate and you do exactly what you want with it my friend!!But do it soon cos,i wanna see some action out there from ya bud!!

[427 Cobra]

Yeah, what he said! Actually, slow and steady wins the race, Joe. I'm not getting a lot of my own work done, as I have a lot on my table right now. At least even if you're slow, you'll get it done eventually, which is better than never!

~ Cobra Chris

[JAWS]

No race. We're just rebuilding the fleet the Cylons took from us.

[bwayne64]

So say we all,

[darkimmitator]

Yeah and I think the Scorpion shipyards is located in Australia !!!! LOL

[bwayne64]

Yea tell me about it. I've always loved that country,and now there's even more to love, What is it now 4, or is it 5, SS Battlestars over there. Thats just the ones we know about. Great time to be building a Battlestar,



Joe

[Wombat]

Well even though theres a couple that are just starting out down here if you include both Jase's and mine then i think it works out to about 1 in every 4000000 Aussies have one,or there abouts.

[bwayne64]

Thats a good ratio. You can never have too many Battlestars. Just ask the 12 colonies,

[bwayne64]

Had a small, and I do mean small update, I found an part I built a while ago. I'll probably redo it in thicker plastic. It looks OK, but could be a little beefier. Even though they don't actually hold the bays up, they do need to resist flexing, that might pop off a kit part. Anyhoo, just so you guys don't think I might never build this thing, Cheers,

Joe




   



   


   


   


   

[Wombat]

We'd never think that you was being slack over there,Joe!Would we guy's? Guy's??

Gee mate,that looks great and i hear you about the flexing an all as well.That looks pretty beefy in the picture's though.I don't think you'd have too much of a problem really.Myself,i'd probably hold off building up anymore till you get the body and bay's done,then just build the arm's to fit whatever you end up with there.I know the way you plan thing's out it should all fit but to me it'd be betta to be able to check em on your build as you are building em up,just to be sure.

That does look good though,although as you and everyone else know's already,i really don't know what is right or wrong.To me that looks sweet!!

[JAWS]

Good to see you playin around but I agree with Phil & wait til you get the guts all built upo before worrying to much about this stuff. I rekon your going to be rebuilding stuff all the time on this project. Just like us idiots.

[bwayne64]

Yea I hear ya. I built this after I got the first Adam's prints. I never intended it to used, just a mock up. I agree the bays need to be built first. So I can get the connection angle right. I think I'm goin to use at least 1/16 thick styrene for all the parts. I used some .030 inch stuff on that arm, and it's feels a little weak. Oh well thats what mock ups are for. Cheers,


Joe

[Richard_2001]

(05-27-2010, 07:43 AM)bwayne64 Wrote: Yea I hear ya. I built this after I got the first Adam's prints. I never intended it to used, just a mock up. I agree the bays need to be built first. So I can get the connection angle right. I think I'm goin to use at least 1/16 thick styrene for all the parts. I used some .030 inch stuff on that arm, and it's feels a little weak. Oh well thats what mock ups are for. Cheers,


Joe

Joe,

The construction method looks good I think it will be much better with .060 or .080 styrene sheet as well, you want these to be heavy enough to resist flexing to prevent kit parts from popping off during a move for construction or display.

Yeah mock ups really help finding trouble spots

Richard

[bwayne64]

Thanks Richard,
I got 3 big sheets of .060 just for this build. I might get some .080 for the large panels, if I don't use plexi for them. I don't really like sticking dissimilar stuff together. They might expand at different rates and come apart. I thought about using VHB tape to connect my formers to the skin. That stuff is super strong, but flexible. I figure things can move around and not break lose. Cheers,

Joe

[Richard_2001]

Joe,

Your welcome! I have been trying to build my 3D mock up with as few different sizes of skin as possible to economize on material purchases.

So far I have limited it to .125 .060 and a small amount of .080 in the chin area, sticking to the 2 sizes means you can buy in bulk of those and small amounts for the odd size or two. I am not too concerned over the acrylic - styrene expansion rate differences as my replica has a pretty constant temp basement to reside in, but I have considered an all styrene skin to save on laser cutting charges.

Richard

[bwayne64]

(05-27-2010, 10:19 AM)Richard_2001 Wrote: Joe,

Your welcome! I have been trying to build my 3D mock up with as few different sizes of skin as possible to economize on material purchases.

So far I have limited it to .125 .060 and a small amount of .080 in the chin area, sticking to the 2 sizes means you can buy in bulk of those and small amounts for the odd size or two. I am not too concerned over the acrylic - styrene expansion rate differences as my replica has a pretty constant temp basement to reside in, but I have considered an all styrene skin to save on laser cutting charges.

Richard

Richard,
Yea I wish I was having my stuff laser cut, that would be sweet. Not in the budget for me, I'm pretty much putting styrene anywhere there's a lot of scribing. I hate scribing acrylic. So for the main body box, I think I can go acrylic. Except for the top, which has a lot of scribe lines. My shop gets pretty hot in the summer here, But I'm hoping to have an office area soon, that will be ac'ed. I'll display the girl there, if I ever finish it, LOL. Cheers,

Joe

[Richard_2001]

Joe,

having styrene where scribing is is a great idea.

Lets see Mike N is coming up on 11 years, I have invested about 9, Charles A has in about 12, so there is no real rush to complete anything

Richard

[bwayne64]

(05-27-2010, 12:05 PM)Richard_2001 Wrote: Joe,

having styrene where scribing is is a great idea.

Lets see Mike N is coming up on 11 years, I have invested about 9, Charles A has in about 12, so there is no real rush to complete anything

Richard

Yea tell me about it. I actually made a cardboard mock up when I was in the military in 1986. What is that like 24 years ago, LOL. So I'm in no big rush either. Other than getting it done before I die, Cheers,

Joe

[JAWS]

Hahahahahaahaha thats funny Joe!

[Wombat]

Exactly,theres no rush but you do wanna own and be able to admire it for a bit in this life time,right?
Man,you guy's just researching for that long is bloody incredible.I think you'll all have em that close that ya's should just start building!If it needs some workings along the way so be it,but i'd think you'll have things worked out pretty much that anything that sticks it head up will only be miner.As that Nike ad use ta say,JUST BLOODYWELL DO IT!

OK they left out the BLOODYWELL. LOL

[LastBattlestar]

(05-27-2010, 12:05 PM)Richard_2001 Wrote: Lets see Mike N is coming up on 11 years, I have invested about 9, Charles A has in about 12, so there is no real rush to complete anything

Hey, I started building years before Charles- get it right! He'd laugh about it. I did base mine on his and Jim's blueprints to start things off. Man, we started chatting about Battlestars around 1997-98 when I was asking around for blueprints. I'd been building my Monogram-based 4 foot battlestar at that time. Then Charles informs me that he's going to a hobby show on the weekend where there was rumoured to be a 6 foot Galactica on show. A WHAT???!!! That was Jim's, still under construction. Damn, I'm an old grand daddy in this Battlestar business and still haven't lost the passion!

Mike

[bwayne64]

It seems like Charles and Jim C are the ones responsible for all this madness, Grab the torches boy's, and let's go get em. I remember finding Charles site Starship Builder back in like 99. I had no idea that anyone had actually built one of these things. Then I saw Jim C's model. I still have a binder with all his pictures in it. I lost my mockup when I moved from Fort Campbell, back to the real world. Seeing what people were doing, got me going again. It's been an off and on thing for a long time. My plan was to get all the kits I needed to get started. Now with all the great casting goin on, at least I won't have to find every last kit. It's a great time to be a Galactica builder, Cheers,

Joe

[Richard_2001]

(05-28-2010, 01:52 AM)LastBattlestar Wrote:

(05-27-2010, 12:05 PM)Richard_2001 Wrote: Lets see Mike N is coming up on 11 years, I have invested about 9, Charles A has in about 12, so there is no real rush to complete anything

Hey, I started building years before Charles- get it right! He'd laugh about it. I did base mine on his and Jim's blueprints to start things off. Man, we started chatting about Battlestars around 1997-98 when I was asking around for blueprints. I'd been building my Monogram-based 4 foot battlestar at that time. Then Charles informs me that he's going to a hobby show on the weekend where there was rumoured to be a 6 foot Galactica on show. A WHAT???!!! That was Jim's, still under construction. Damn, I'm an old grand daddy in this Battlestar business and still haven't lost the passion!

Mike

Sorry Mike my bad! All I had to go by was the "LastBattlestar's Galactica: 10 years in the making" thread on RI for a date about when you started I have more time as well 3 years rebuilding a monogram on and off then deciding to scratch a totally new monogram sized model which never got to the detail stage and that morphed into a 6 footer which I actually made the first purchase for in 2001. So I can trace back to 1997-8 as well Sometimes the dates get fuzzy as to when something actually started I am sure Jim's first replica started a lot of "Man I want one of those too's" in a lot of people.

Richard

[LastBattlestar]

The main thing I recall is my current G bare shell being featured in the final 1999 Cult TV Man's 'On the Bench' edition. My four footer was parked next to it, so yeah, the 1997-8 date is correct. I remember first getting dial-up internet (at $4.95/hour!) and discovering Charles' previous 'StarShip Builder's Guide' forum which is where we got to know each other. I too got the re-release of the Gal kit and drew up 1:1 plans on big sheets of paper. I clearly recall thinking 'that doesn't look right!' Who would have dreamed we could pick any detail part we want and have it delivered to our front door way back then? It sure was hard back in the olden days.

Mike

[Richard_2001]

Mike,

you are correct about finding reference and figuring things out in the old days, but it was much easier to detail the Galactica back then because there were not very many pictures where you you could make out the detailing, so you could use whatever you had to greeblie the beast and it would look good! Take a good look at Jim's first replica and compare it to his latest commission for a nice comparison of the differences of then and now detailing.

Now it cost a fortune to get the correct kits and even with the CR casting bonanza it is still out of reach for a lot of people that don't do the project over decades. SS building teaches patience and perseverance all right!

Richard

[Wombat]

So Joe,i'm a bumpin tonight.Whats new on the G front mate?
Anything happening with it my friend?

[LastBattlestar]

Looking good Joe. But I would advise you guys delaying your builds to get into gear. It takes a serious amount of time and effort, so if you want to get it done in your lifetime, start yesterday! An hour or two a month will see you finishing some time in 2132. Phil and Jase started out slowly, but now they have their confidence and are moving along nicely with great results, but they have to put in the time.

I build sporadically, but it would probably average out to a couple of hours a week, maybe. I'm 11 years in....

Get into it Joe, no excuses!

Mike

[JAWS]

I'll bump in too & say where you at buddy on this build of yours? Push Push Shove Shove! Lets go jump on Richard now....

[bwayne64]

Thanks for the bumpage guys. I've had a few real world issues, that are holding up my modeling stuff. I hope to be back at it soon. I hate not having more to post. I really want to be in on the group build. Oh well , hopefully I'll have something to show soon, Cheers,

Joe

[Wombat]

Hey Joe,you don't need to want to be in on the group build,you are already mate!You just ain't quite at the same stage some of us are with our build's,thats all.We look forward to seeing that creativity at work when ya do get the chance.Real life issues,thyey suck normally but we all go through em at times.Hope it all works itself out there,you can take ya mind off things with the build when ya feel ready.Hopefully that will be soon bud!

[bwayne64]

Looky what I just got. I feel like I'm getting some Wombat luck, And for only 37 dollars ! I almost didn't bid on it, cause the kit number was OT 5-1-1800 not 2800. It looks right part wise, and at that price I couldn't resist. I hope to get jumpin soon. My health issues just won't go away. Most days I don't feel up to doin anything. I'm still trying to get a room built in the shop. I need some AC ! It's been getting to over 100 degrees F, with 80 and 90 % humidity. I guess a lot like Australia, And feeling bad at the same time is just too much. I do as much as I'm able too right now. I really want to finish this thing, I've been working on it since 1985. I'm enjoying the builds here though. I'm living vicariously through you guys. I'll be right there with you soon I hope. Cheers,

Joe






   

[darkimmitator]

Excellent score there Joe .Excellent price as well !! Hope you feel better soon and hope to see some battlestar updates soon as well .Congrats on the d51 find !!!

[JAWS]

NIIICE score Joe. Its amazing how rare these things are but we're pickin em up cheap! Congratulations & welcome to the club.

[Wombat]

Joe,the most important thing is you get yourself well again there.You can't do much if ya feeling crook,that is priority number one mate!Once ya good again I,like the rest of us,look forward to you starting that dream finally.You are another a long time in the planning and it's about time ta show off some of that in the practical build.
Not sure you got my current luck with that score,if ya had it at present you wouldn't have got it.But that is a good score and for that price you should be buying a lotto ticket also.You might just be on a roll!

[bwayne64]

Thanks Guys, I never thought I would get one of these babies, certainly not at this price. I actually bid 70 dollars max . I was shocked when it went through so low, I picked up a 1/12 Tamiya JPS for around the same price a few weeks ago too. Phil, I should try the lottery ticket, who knows, I might get lucky. Now if I can just find a decent doctor, cheers,

Joe

[427 Cobra]

It's good to see you're still among the living! I've been busy working on a couple of side projects that have me definately sidetracked, but after I get those done - it'll be smooth sailing back in the saddle again.

~ Cobra Chris