Build a Slurpee Saucer

[Bone Daddy]

So I stopped in a 7-11 to pour myself a nice tall, cold Slurpee - wild cherry and coke in alternating layers - and much to my delight,
there was a new and improved Slurpee lid.

Improved as in better for making a flying saucer than the old ones which were pretty darn good in their own right.
The difference is in the plastic which is more flexible and feels a bit thicker.

It doesn't take long or much in the way of supplies to transform the lid into a mini T motor saucer:

1 large Slurpee lid (although I've made saucers from all sizes in the past)
1 1.5" or so launch lug
1 1.75" or so piece BT-5 body tube
1 4.5" bond paper centering ring
1 1.35" bond paper centering ring

I use Staples cover stock for the centering rings.

Two circle cutting tools make the build easier.
I bought them at Hobbylobby and/or Michael's.
The scale on both is more of a guide than precise.

Here's the two centering rings.
The larger bulkhead was cut with the bottom tool.
The smaller centering ring was cut with the top one.

The centering rings where cut using successive approximation.
Too big? Make it smaller.
Too small? Make it bigger.
It took a few tries to get the centering rings just right.

The hole for the BT-5 was also cut with the top circle cutter.
On mine the little arrow is set on the 2nd mark on the top scale.

Bones

 

[Bone Daddy]

Here are the two centering rings.

The second photo is a dry fit.
The smaller ring sits in the indentation.
The bottom ring will snap into place it cut reasonably to size.

The centering rings are not glued to the lid.
They are glued to the body tube.
I'm pretty sure that pretty much nothing will stick to the plastic.

Bones

 

[Bone Daddy]

A paper punch was used to cut an opening for the launch lug in both centering rings.

All equipment had to be installed and the crew boarded before the construction could continue.

The launch lug was attached to the BT using a piece of Al angle and Super Glue.
Excess length was cut fluch with a razor blade.
The aft end of the BT is exposed so a wrap tape can be used to secure the motor.
In retrospect, the launch lug could have run the whole length and tape still used to secure the motor......................

Bones

 

[Bone Daddy]

The top centering ring was glued in place using medium body CA.
Exact placement was determined using a 3D laser scanner, Fourier transformation and a double tailed T test
for good luck.

Or

I dry fit the BT with the bottom flush with the top of the bench then carefully pulled it out leaving the top centering ring
in position to glue. You decide which method was used.

The BT was then wrapped with silver trim monokote.
The reflective surface gives the illusion there are more aliens on board.
This is a low budget invasion.

The bottom centering ring was then glued in place with the same CA.

Bones

 

[Bone Daddy]

And that's it.....................

Bones

 

[WillMarchant]

Excellent!

 

[qquake2k]

Now that is clever! I love the alien crew!

 

[Cl(VII)]

Very nice! We stop at 7-11 for a cold drink every month after rocket launching. I think Slurpees will be the drink of choice next time...my kids thank you in advance.

 

[Scotty Dog]

COOL.

 

[Cookie the Dog's Owner]

Very sweet little project.

 

[samb]

Great example of scratch building using non-traditional parts. I count myself fortunate to be able to see these Bone Daddy creations fly in person. :fly:

 

[Bone Daddy]

Thanks everyone.
I went saucer crazy awhile back and built lots of different found item saucers.
The Battle of the Rockets saucer egg loft has me stoked on saucers again.

Hey Sam

But in all fairness, you do tend to duck just before hitting the launch button.
I just tend to move farther away from the launch pad................

Actually bought this Slurpee on the way home from Saturday's launch.

Bones

 

[samb]

...
But in all fairness, you do tend to duck just before hitting the launch button.
I just tend to move farther away from the launch pad................

Actually bought this Slurpee on the way home from Saturday's launch.

Bones

Ha! It may look like I'm ducking but I'm really just leaning into the LAUNCH button to give it a little extra "up". You have a pretty good track record with saucers.

 

[AlfaBrewer]

I need to get off my kiester and build by IHOP take-out saucer to go with Frank's Slurpee saucer. Maybe I can get it thrown together before the Gunter launch.

 

[krusty]

And that's it.....................

Bones

Love it!!!!

Krusty

 

[Bone Daddy]

So Snowden leaked that the invasion will start at Gunter?
He'll be vaporized first.

Here's most of my saucer fleet.

And no, the square tupperware saucer was not a good idea after all.........................

Bones