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Please note: Woodworking is an inherently dangerous activity. The non-woodworking techniques described here aren't all that safe, either. Sharp tools, powerful motors, big lumps of wood, chemicals, fumes, etc. can cause you serious bodily injury or even death. These pages are NOT meant as a substitute for instruction by a qualified teacher, just as an illustration of how I do certain things. I take no responsibility for any mishaps you may experience during a fit of inspiration. You've been warned.
Photo 14
In this case, I'm leaving the struts that would normally join the Launch Escape System to the Command Module as a solid mass. You could probably do something with carving if you were so inclined, but the connection would be very fragile at this scale.
Photo 15
One of the five engines. The tenon on top fits into a hole in the base of the rocket.
Photo 16
One of the four engine covers that mount to the surface of the rocket base. Joining these to the rocket involved making a flat area on one side of the cover and a corresponding one on the side of the rocket. I left the engine cover attached to the waste block so I could hold onto that while sanding the flat area on the belt sander.
Photo 17
This is what the engine covers look like after making the flat area and cutting off the waste block.
Photo 18
I marked off the area to be removed on the rocket based on the final shape of the engine cover. I used a very sharp chisel to remove the bulk of the material, then sandpaper and a small, flat block to remove the rest back to the lines.
Page last updated 7 August 2009