"My "Gift Card Shuttles Experiment" For 15mm, Part 2" Topic

This is Part 2 of my experiment on making stuff with a ton of canceled gas station gift cards a friend gave me a while back. The thin laminated gift cards are 54mm wide by 86mm long.

Here are the drawings for a small shuttle that I drew up on index cards, for those who may want to re-create the experiment.

Here is my sketch for the top:

Here's the bottom:

After cutting out the cards according to the drawings above, I went ahead and folded (dashed lines on the drawing) or, in some areas, just bent (dotted lines on the drawing) the cards in the following manner (top portion of the shuttle is on the right, the bottom on the left, seen from different angles):

After sliding the top half into the side "grooves" of the bottom half, I went ahead and glued the sides first (seen here from various angles):

After the glue on the sides is set, glue down the flap in the back first, followed by the one in the front. The result make the nose look a bit deformed at this point, as can be seen here from several angles:

To remedy that initial downward-beak-like distortion, use a pen to gently curve the top of the cockpit section:

So here ya go, the basic hull shape:

If the shuttle looks a little short for 15mm, just gently squeeze the sides of the hull and adjust to the height you want.

After that, the hull is ready to have styrene plates added to the open sides.

So, what do you guys think of this second attempt at making a shuttle hull with just two thin laminated gas station gift cards, a ruler, scissors, pen and super glue?

Comments and critique appreciated.

Dan
PS. For Part 1, see this other thread:
TMP link

Very cool idea. I look forward to seeing how they look with the openings filled in.

Doug

Looking good Dan. What are the end dimensions?

twbih:)

It looks awesome.

Thanks, guys!

Right now, before adding any panels at all, the hull's dimensions are:

W = 40mm
L = 72mm
H = 18mm

Dan

It's a good start …

Very good look to those, and from a simple start point too – to you Dan!

Thanks so much!

Ok. I went ahead and added 2 pieces 18mm tall and 43mm each and slid them to the front and back of the main body section of the craft.

Once there, I outlined the shape of the body on the pieces and cut them to size. Then glued them down.

This is the result, as seen from a few angles:

Next step will be to add the side panels to the cockpit and the rear section.

Like it?

Thanks,

Dan

Genius, pure genius! I missed part 1.

That is briliant!!! I like the shape a lot. Looks like a nice simple transport.

Guys,

Thanks a million.

Does the little shuttle/escape pod look tall enough to you for 15mm?

Or should I increase the height by adding either to the belly of the craft, or the top, or both?

Thanks,

Dan

I think it is good as is and by the time it is finished it will look right -- I don't see it as a luxury type vehicle but one where most people duck to enter and remain seated

UPDATE

Guys,

I added side panels to the back before I realized that I'm not all that great at cutting curves, and would rather cut angles. So I went ahead and added a top and bottom sheet and another in the rear (where the door will be).

I need to cover up my rear side panels. I tried something there, but it didn't really work. So I pulled the bits out and will now cover with another angular piece.

Anyway, here's what the pod/shuttle looks like right now:

These are some of the hole punchers I've bought, following your awesome advice:

I plan to use the punched bits as well as the strips they came from. And I have 3 different sizes for round holes too.

By the way, those 1/2 inch strips were cut from really thin "For Sale" signs.

So, what do you guys think? Any suggestions/advice for what I should do next?

Thanks so much,

Dan
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Looking good Dan. Know I have a couple of those gift cards laying around. Might have to give that a try once I'm done with a couple thousand other projects….
Were those punches in the scrapbooking aisle? Those rectangles would come in handy.
I have that same ruler……..

Thanks so much. And yes. All from the scrapbooking aisle!

There are advantages and disadvantages to both styles though. The long border style punch makes nice parallel holes, but it's a little tough to go through most styrene sheets, even thin ones. The hand-held plier type can go through thin styrene without so much trouble, but I have a hard time making the holes parallel (if I wanted to use the parent strips for something).

While the information is fresh, and you know where those gift cards are, go ahead and make one of your own. That way we can compare how we are at each stage, and can work out the kinks!!!

Dan
PS. I love that little ruler.

Hey Dan my only suggestion is to keep taking pictures! I like the hole punch idea, I am going to have to look at hobby lobby for some.

Thanks for the info. Good to know about the border punch since that was the one that grabbed my interest. I have a round hand-held one that does differnt sizes that I like so that'll be the way I'll go.
I might start one but I have a feeling the re-release of the 1/100 Macross stuff will get in the way. Just arrived on Tuesday… ;)

Even if I mess this up, there is always need for a crashed derelict:

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Dan

These are some of the hole punchers I've bought, following your awesome advice:

Was that at me from the other thread? I am SO on a roll! ;->=

Course, I wasn't talking about border punches; I've been playing with the complex ones for 'engravings' on steampunk-ized Nerf guns.

'You've exceeded the master', by using the simple ones I hadn't considered. Much simpler than trying to evenly punch a row of holes one at a time!

Doug

Yes! You were definitely one of the sources.

Great idea. I had some of those hole punches in the house and was able to get the rest from a local Hobby Lobby (with 40% coupons), so I sat down and started making bunches of punches.

Thanks so much!!! And keep those ideas coming.

Dan