My Stargate build took a different turn today. My original plan was to build a frame out of PVC and then build the Stargate onto the frame.
I quickly realized the PVC frame was going to be problematic since I intend for the Stargate to break down, not because I want to take it to conventions but because I do want to move it around the house and possibly place it outside on Halloween. I was creating the initial frame this morning and quickly realized the frame was going to be constantly coming apart and if I permanently glued it down then I wouldn’t be able to break it down.
It also didn’t help that the angles of the PVC pipe fittings were not the right angles I needed for the Stargate, I really needed something like 40 degrees but unfortunately in PVC that doesn’t really exist. I do know that I could have used some techniques to heat and warp the PVC to make it a circle and to change the degree of the fittings but I also feel like that would be too much work when there are plenty of other options to accomplish what I need without all the extra effort.
After thinking through a few different options this morning I finally decided on utilizing a large stash of foam core boards that I already had on hand. I used my pattern to cut out what I needed and used some of my already cut PVC pipes to reinforce the interior of each section.
I decided to break it up into 4 sections and each section will attach to the next section using nuts and bolts. The bottom of the Stargate will have 8 PVC pipes coming out of the bottom and will attach to more PVC to keep it upright.
I already put together 2 out of the 4 sections and should have the other two sections put together tomorrow. The sections are glued together with hot glue and I will reinforce them a little more to ensure it’s stability. I’m very please with how it’s looking so far. I only made it 4 1/2 inches thick.
As I’m working on the Stargate I am continuing to 3D print all of the details. The next big step will be to reinforce the Stargate so it could stand up on its own.
