HOW TO BUILD THE SATELLITE OF LOVE
by Jack Theakston
Note: Due to the fact that my scanner is broken, it will be hard
to explain some of the concepts, but I'm sure I will get around
those with the pictures I have gathered so far. As soon as I get
my scanner fixed, I will put up better photos.
Introduction
In January 1999, I decided to build the SOL in my spare time. I
think I came as close as the real one as far as the main
construction goes. I remind you, these may not be the actual
instructions as Best Brains uses, but I'm sure they're pretty
close. These instructions are for the three-and-a-half foot
model, but they can be modified to make whatever size you deem
necessary(go ahead, be a maverick and make the 8 foot model! See
if I care!).
Things you'll need:
Five of six sheets of foam core
Hot glue or some really fast setting glue
Scissors and optionally an X-Actoª or similar brand knife
A ruler or T-Square(a real big one preferably)
A Protractor
1" or 1 1/2" inch standard PVC piping
A 1 or 1 1/2" T connector(Depending on what size you choose
Testorsª or Krylonª Gray Primer Paint
Duct tape
A hollow plastic ball large about 1 1/2" or 2" big
Model kits of your choice and a little toy satellite dish
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Instructions
The SOL looks complicated from outside, but the construction is
very easy one you get the hang of it. It's construction is
basically four soccer balls made of hexagons and pentagons hooked
up by two decks and a pipe.
You will need to cut with the foam core:
-58 Hexagons that are 2" on each side(but cut a couple more in
case one gets messed up)
-44 Pentagons that are 2" on each side(Same thing goes for these)
-12 Elongated rectangles measuring 22" by 2"
Step One: "It's like paper clip chains, once you start at them,
you can't stop"-Joel, 101-The Crawling Eye
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Now that you've traced and cut out hexagons and pentagons, you
can start attaching them. I preferably would suggest hot glue,
but any kind of quick-dry foam glue or putty will do. As stated
before, the ship's main rooms have a distinct soccer-ball
appearance. If you have the "Amazing Colossal Episode Guide" turn
to the main page with the two page spread of the SOL and text on
it(that would be the first page, I believe.) If you don't have
the episode guide, here is a screen grab from Season 1 that I
have traced over for your convenience(fig. 1).
Notice the pattern? In case you haven't, It is one pentagon with
five hexagons in a fixed angle to form a dome like structure. Now
that you start to do this, you will see a pattern:
Pent
Hex
Hex
Pent
Hex
Hex
Pent
There is always two hexagons in between the pentagons.
Soon, you will have the main construction. Do not complete the
whole globe! follow these instructions closely so that you will
not mess up!:
From the top(which should be a pentagon, glue this pattern:
Pent(top)
Hex
Hex
Pent
STOP!
This is as far as the construction should go down to. When you
reach the bottom, you will notice that there is still several
hexes that will have to go in, but can't because they will go
past your limit. Take one of the hexagon pieces and cut them in
half from one corner to the other. Notice before you glue the two
sections together that the bottom has now taken on a pentagon
shape? The SOL's floors seem to be pentagon shaped as well on the
show. Before you do anything else, line the joints with duct
tape.
Make another soccer-ball construction just like the first and
place them face to face in an exact mirror image so that the
half-hexagons match each other and the pentagons meet only at the
tip. If this is not clear, and I don't blame you, since pictures
do tell a thousand words, here is a poor, but quick explanation
summed up in a 5x5(fig 2):
Repeat the procedure for the other side and build two more
structures and connect them.
STEP TWO: "THIS MAKES THE HALLWAY TO OUR THEATER LOOK GOOD" -Crow
1013 Diabolik
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Now that you have the two "Sections", cut out the rectangles and
glue or tape them together into a hexagon-shaped tube. Since you
still have 6 rectangles left over, make another tube. Now, look
for a spot on one of the soccer ball constructions right above one
of the cut in half hexagons. This section should be a hexagon.
Remove it with a knife or by hand. Then, insert on of the tubes
only about a half inch into the open area, and then fix it in
place by gluing it. Just as if it were a mirror, do the same to
the bottom construction.
Now would be a good time to prepare the PVC tube of the center.
Cut the PVC into two parts:
-16 inches
-2 inches
Now connect the PVC with the "T" connector and glue into place.
Glue the Ball onto the piece that is jutting outward and let set.
Now, take a knife or drill and cut a circular shape big enough
to fit the PVC into one of the sections where the hexagon is
split. This should be in between the two hexagon tubes. Now,
remove the proper hexagons and drill the hole where the other
side of the PVC goes, connect it, glue it, and VIOLA! The main
construction is finished!
STEP THREE: "THE MASTER WOULD NOT APPROVE!" -Torgo 424:MANOS, the
Hands of Fate
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Take a look at some pictures from BBI!
Above pictures is the real SOL model from BBI. Now all you
have to do is decorate your satellite with whatever parts you
have lying around that look good. If you are going to build the
pre season-7 ship, keep in mind it does nothave as many pieces
on it as the latest version. Connect the satellite dish right over
the manipulator arms(the T connector
with the ball). Now take out that gray primer and spray away! I
like to use Testorsª Gray primer because it has that bluish tone
the ship seems to have. If you are doing the Joel-era ship,
remember to put the Gizmonic logo on the rear and front pentagons
as seen in figure 1. If you do not have the Gizmonic "G", you can
find it at www.gizmonics.com, Joel's official web site. Please
keep in mind that if you are going to sell your SOL model with
the Gizmonic logo on it, you have to talk to Joel about it first
since he has trademarked it. If you do get into trouble though,
please do not hold me responsible for your own actions (even
though I have heard Joel is very nice about it and will pretty
much let it slip)! The only problem left is to find something to
do with it! I'll leave that up to you, but personally, mine is
hanging over my workshop as sort of a knick-knack that I always
get a kick out of seeing. Impress your friends and please, send
me photo's and more tips, and things that I missed!
You can contact me at tomservorobot@yahoo.com.
Back to the Satellite of Love!