For a balanced look, it's important to keep all parts to scale and the amount of detailing consistent—if some parts are very detailed and others very coarse, the completed project won't look as good. If some things end up too small or aren't detailed enough, simply change them to suit.

I cut the larger parts using the table saw. The wings and the main antenna panel had to be exactly to size and thickness since the people who designed and built the real satellite would be handling the model. The same precision had to go into the sanding as models tend to be lifted up to the eye for detailed inspection. I started with 120 grit and slowly worked my way up to 600 grit for a fine finish. The final coat was a shellac rub; the smoother the wood is sanded, the shinier the rub will become.

Larger panels cut on a table saw, and the slots cut with a bandsaw.

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