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I
didn't have the actual satellite to measure from, but obtained
some drawings. For each printout, I found a known dimension,
compared it to the printed size and then worked out the value
to multiply the printed scale to 1:40 scale. This allowed
me to scale any detail directly off the paper. Using a scanner
and a printer, I could have scaled the prints to the model
size and then marked the wood directly; however, to ensure
small detail precision, it was better to refer to the larger
drawings.
I couldn't show every detail; however, some could be half-shown
by carving outlines on other pieces rather than making and
gluing separate bits onto them. The smallest parts were two
domes about 2mm in diameter. The problem when working with
tiny parts is they tend to shoot away when parting them off
and end up hidden in the wood shavings. Even my miniature
chisels are too large for working with such bits; instead
I used small screwdrivers that I ground into shape as parting
and scraping chisels. They require regular sharpening, but
the wear on them is minimal since they're used for making
only a few cuts on the smallest parts. The model also required
two communications antennae—disks 12mm in diameter, each
with a pattern of concentric rings on one side made using
a 16 tpi thread cutter.
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The dome is the smallest turned part of this model,
shown during parting off.
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Concentric
ring pattern made using the thread cutter.
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model's two small star-tracking cameras have baffles on
them, and those needed drilled tapered holes. I have some
tapered drills, but none small enough for this task. Instead,
I used the center tip of a 10mm bit to drill the holes
freehand into the spinning dowel. I tapered the outside
using a small skew chisel and parted it off. The turned
part was combined with a square piece and surrounded by
a few triangular and square pieces of walnut to create
the satellite's thermal screen. |
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Drilling
very small tapered holes.
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