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Clavius Shipyards - Project: XD-1 Discovery :: Resequencing... :: XD-1 WiPs :: Tom's Zed Pod

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Topic: Tom's Zed Pod (Read 335 times)

Model Man
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Tom's Zed Pod
« Thread Started on Jan 26, 2008, 4:55pm »

I guess that since we are going to have a minor family of pods on our hands, that their own section is warranted. If these get as complex as I think they could, then each one is going to have its own personality!

[image]

Pod 1:
I did in fact glue two parts together after I had sorted the whole kit out. The bottom of the pod to its front.

[image]

Front to back would not have worked as well. This now gives one hemisphere a base to fit into instead of a wall.

The mistake I did make was to file down the flash along the perimeter of the halves while they were apart. Each now has a couple minor flattened areas that will need to be resurfaced.

[image]

There are very delicate, paper thin ports on the rear half. There is another fine piece on the front. The pods are solid enough, but must be handled with care.

[image]

I don't want to glue the halves together until I figure out if Paulbo's designs can be translated downwards. I don't expect that the parts could be squeezed through the sides.

Arms.
They are both cast in metal with a single connector. Once the dremel is going again, I can slice those apart. A display notion I had was to have a pod or two holding the antenna above the base, with a possible third pod holding the module cluster.

However, the arms are molded into their upright position. Slicing all the joints necessary and then re-assembly would be tricky. Does CA work on metal?

[image]

Lighting.
Drilling the headlights goes through the densest parts of the resin overall. Adding three more interior lights (2 red, 1 white) should not be difficult. There is a sizable interior and I bet lights can be snuck into the panels and places. Power would have to be run out the bottom, naturally.

Ideally, I would print out interior designs on transparent inkjet vinyl and let the black mask everything off and the colors do the talking. A tri-color led could be good, better if you could fit several and change their timings w/ an IC chip. I wil research which one. It should cost a dollar or so from an elec shop (Not RS!)

The Pod is small enough that any interior inaccuracy will not matter much. The whole interior should have a glow in addition to the red lights as well. if some white light permeates the black ink of the panels, then so be it.

Any way to fake a pilot?

Now... Where to put the notes on the kit's base?

...

« Last Edit: Sept 18, 2008, 2:03pm by Model Man »

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Dave
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Re: Tom's Zed Pod
« Reply #1 on Jan 31, 2008, 7:54am »

Does CA work on metal? ....... Yes
or use a duel Epoxy-resin

« Last Edit: Feb 16, 2008, 12:50pm by HAL 9000 »

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Model Man
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Re: Tom's Zed Pod
« Reply #2 on Feb 14, 2008, 11:51pm »

Thanks Dave.
-------------------------
Taped all the pieces up and it looks nice and tight. There's good room inside and good angles from the viewport. With an open door, the whole int. would be visible and readable.

[image]

I started by slicing the arms off their metal tree. It took a long slow time w/ a steel cutting wheel on the dremel. The piece got very hot, fast. so I had to let it cool. Once off, I dulled the edge on the slice and the arms slid perfectly into the Pod's housing.

A big note:
I had thought of having a pod carrying the dish with another pod or two in the area once the CMKP's were here.

However, to get the arms into a position where it would look like it is carrying the dish would require numerous cuts. The elbow must be squared, the arm at the elbow must be cut and repo'd, One of the hands has to be cut and even one claw of the two. Even with a solid weld, they still have to support the weight of the dish. So it is a no go...

Rather, I am thinking of slicing the door open, hoping for an astro figure and setting up Dave or Frank going for the dish...

In terms of electronics, I am thinking I may send the brass tube into one of the thruster units on the ear muff rather than the bottom. If it were the bottom, I would want a gimble of some sort rather than a tube going in at a weird angle. The thruster idea keeps the tube out of sight from many angles and gives a natural setup angle for the door to be facing the antenna and the astro in between...

[image]

The interior is a requirement! Paulbo's plans printed out on clear vinyl, and a couple int. leds = wow! It also needs a window of some sort.

All told, I see for leds:
1 or 2 red int.
2 or 1 white int
1 or 2 tricolor blinking int
4 white ext. This could be split to 1 w/ fiber optic possibly...

To minimize interior clutter w/a full interior piece, I am going to put all the resistors at the far end of the brass tube inside the wall mount. All the lights will be wired to a single bus and down the tube as a single pair of wires. A switch will be needed on the wall mount as well.

As with the 1/6 pod, you have to do the interior before you can do the exterior...

I'm thinking of categorizing these guys as their own model kit on my website. They are a tough nut to get right!

« Last Edit: Sept 18, 2008, 2:04pm by Model Man »

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Model Man
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Interior
« Reply #3 on Feb 15, 2008, 5:18pm »

Wow.
I scaled Paulbo's plans.

[image]

First importing them into photoshop I upped their scale by 5. From 72dpi to 360. I put them all together in one big file, I then scaled their image/image size to 20%. I also changed their levels to make the lines pure black and printed.

They are soooo small now!!! I will cut them up this weekend and see how off in size they are. I will then experiment with other sizes next week if needed. Next would be purchase and print the panel layouts from Paulbo. Those would go on clear vinyl sheets for lighting. I also need to buy his decals and scale those down too...

« Last Edit: Sept 18, 2008, 2:04pm by Model Man »

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moonbus
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Re: Tom's Zed Pod
« Reply #4 on Feb 18, 2008, 4:01pm »

I can't wait to see a picture.
Count me in for 4 of em
Thanks

« Last Edit: Feb 18, 2008, 4:02pm by moonbus »

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Model Man
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Re: Tom's Mobo
« Reply #5 on Feb 19, 2008, 4:44pm »

Your wish is fulfilled, Moonbus! After dying in early December and worrying about re-initiating the RAID w/ a new mobo, my computer is now fully armed and operational! Pix are now posted throughout my WiPs!

« Last Edit: Apr 27, 2008, 10:36pm by Model Man »

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