1:53 scale Saturn V

Thorfire said:

These are fantastic models!

My old printer isn't up to the task of all of them, being too small to do more than 6" diameter. I started having major issues with print quality. I think the proprietary extruder in my original Flux Delta is dying Pushed me over the edge and I ordered a bigger printer this week. Looks like I'll be reprinting to the revised scale.View attachment 379851

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I certainly know the frustrations of debugging 3D printer issues. My only advice is to keep tinkering with it after you get the new one. I had to play with mine off and on over 2 years to start getting acceptable prints again, but the knowledge I've gained is indispensable. I didn't have the option of an upgrade at the time. Now I'm thinking of building my own... after this project

And then you'll have 2 printers!

Files uploaded to Thingiverse. This includes both 1:53 scale parts and 1:52 (actually 1:51.63 as noted earlier). This includes the top of the S-IVB but not the bottom. That's still in progress.

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3513106

Oh, and I've added to the video series on YouTube!

Could you check the mating diameters of the 52 SIVB upper and the 52 SLA Deployable? They seemed extremely tight when I printed them (I should be able to get these to fit with a bit of sanding). Looking at SLA files, there seems to be a diameter mismatch.

Thanks for the heads up! It's late tonight, but I'll look into it first thing tomorrow

Thorfire said:

Could you check the mating diameters of the 52 SIVB upper and the 52 SLA Deployable? They seemed extremely tight when I printed them (I should be able to get these to fit with a bit of sanding). Looking at SLA files, there seems to be a diameter mismatch.

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So as I'm sure you already suspected, the SLA models are incorrect. The 52 and 53 versions are cross labelled. I'll correct those shortly on thingiverse, but you can also go ahead and print the other one if you don't want to wait. I'll double check the other models as well.

In the meantime, work is progressing on the bottom of the SIVB, and I should be uploading a video on the Rocksim model for the flight version today or tomorrow. I'll DM you the information to access the sim file.

Ez2cDave said:

View attachment 381259

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Thanks for this! Believe it or not, I'm using more detailed diagrams drawn by David Weeks at https://www.realspacemodels.com/drawing-sets/148-saturn-v-drawing-set

grandcross said:

So as I'm sure you already suspected, the SLA models are incorrect. The 52 and 53 versions are cross labelled. I'll correct those shortly on thingiverse, but you can also go ahead and print the other one if you don't want to wait. I'll double check the other models as well.

In the meantime, work is progressing on the bottom of the SIVB, and I should be uploading a video on the Rocksim model for the flight version today or tomorrow. I'll DM you the information to access the sim file.

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The SLA or the SIVB models? The SIVB is small relative to the SLA..

These are the correct scaled dimensions for the positions you've indicated

SLA
1:52 2.348
1:53 2.411

S-IVB
1:52 2.357
1:53 2.419

It looks like you've accidentally (due to mislabelling) printed the incorrect SLA for 1:52.

grandcross said:

These are the correct scaled dimensions for the positions you've indicated

SLA
1:52 2.348
1:53 2.411

S-IVB
1:52 2.357
1:53 2.419

It looks like you've accidentally (due to mislabelling) printed the incorrect SLA for 1:52.

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Wouldn't the 1:52 be the larger parts?

Oh FFS. I need more coffee. Yes, the numbers are right but inverted. The correct numbers are:


SLA
1:53 2.348
1:52 2.411

S-IVB
1:53 2.357
1:52 2.419

It doesn't help that I'm working from 1:48 drawings, designing to 1:22, and then converting to 1:52 and 1:53. If I seem confused it's only because I am!

So I guess it's my S-IVB that's mislabeled.

And that boys and girls is the story of how the mars lander crashed because someone converted the units wrong!

grandcross said:

And that boys and girls is the story of how the mars lander crashed because someone converted the units wrong!

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Young guns who didn't learn standards... Ignoring ASME Y14.5 section 1.6 is a good one for mixing up inch and SI units....

grandcross said:

And that boys and girls is the story of how the mars lander crashed because someone converted the units wrong!

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I worked on that program. 1, it was an orbiter, not a lander, and 2, it was a lot more complicated than just a units conversion, although that was the initial root cause (confusion between newtons and pounds-force, actually.)

mikec said:

I worked on that program. 1, it was an orbiter, not a lander, and 2, it was a lot more complicated than just a units conversion, although that was the initial root cause (confusion between newtons and pounds-force, actually.)

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Thanks for enlightening us. It's all too easy to point fingers and laugh in total ignorance. The original headlines were a good example of that.

Yes, that was not an attempt to mock or denigrate. Just pointing out how it's easy to get confused over small but critical details.

It's been a while since I've posted an updated, but that doesn't men I haven't been busy! The stack is growing slowly but surely.



The last two pieces of the SII stage are ready for printing with the printer humming away as I type this. The stage is printed in 4 parts. The first 2 are shown in the image above, and part 3 is on the printer. My printer isn't the best so I have to print at a slow 40 mm/s meaning these parts are taking about 35 hours to print.



The print shown here had an error (the LH2 fill and drain feature in the center of the print) wasn't rotated to its correct position. It was off by a small but noticeable 5.8 degrees. Of course I discovered that 17 hours into the print.

There's a lot of detail that went into this stage. One of the reasons it's taken me so long to post an update was I was having some difficulties with some of the model components, but the FreeCAD user forum has been quite helpful. After a week of frustrated hair pulling, a couple of minutes on the forum solved my problems. There's a lot of details in here!



The files are available now on my Patreon account, and as is the policy will be available on Thingiverse in 4 weeks.

I've been meaning to get a new video up for a while now, and now seems to be a good time to pause for that. The SiC stage will have a few challenges of its own.

Nice modelling there .

Thanks! Each detail on its own isn't too bad, but man there are a lot of them

Other people are much further ahead in their builds than I am, which reminded me I was sorely in need of an update.

For a truly impressive build using these models scaled up to 1:20 scale, see this awesome thread:
https://www.rocketryforum.com/threads/1-20th-scale-3d-saturn-v.158752/

For my build, motor mount and fins are in place. I'm currently gluing plastic to my blue tube. I've run out of adhesive though, so I'm waiting on a delivery that may be delayed due to the high Covid-19 induced volumes. I'll have some video out soon though.

Here's a view with some sections glued, but most just dry fitted.



Given the current state of launch schedules, I don't know if it will fly this year, but I'll certainly try to make it ready just in case.

Dave, I've just recently acquired a 3D printer and found this thread and the files on Thingiverse...BEAUTIFUL!!! I'm the adventurous sort and am planning on doing the 1/52 scale version, mainly for display, but I will build it flight worthy.

A couple of questions first...and they are newbie questions, so please stifle your laughter.

1. What resolution should I print in? I'm wanting to do in in "HIGH" (0.1mm layer height) but for a what I would call "Stand Off Scale" (no offense to your work, it's beautiful) for MY purposes, no competition, I just want a BIG SATURN V...would the "Normal" resolution of 0.2mm suffice?

2. Having not watched the videos yet (which would probably answer my questions without having to bother you with my trivial rabble, is this model intended to be a "skin" for my lack of a proper term, over a 7.51" tube (from below the SLA to the end where the fire comes out?

3. Finished height...around 7'?

4. Projected flying weight? (I know, probably in the video...)

5. Motor size? (Freaking huge, I'd bet...Guessing my 38-240 Loki ain't gonna push this thing up the rail.)

I won't pester any more for a while...at least 3-4 days anyway.

Thank you for the ENORMOUS effort of this bird. It is beautiful.

Jon

Jon, mine is 18lbs RTF. Flies on a K2050T. I printed mine at high res. Took forever, but nice. Use Pro PLA, tougher than regular. I used the blue tube on the inside and was a mistake, split the print when it swelled up due to it being so muggy here in the land of 50,000 skeeter ponds.

JonathanOtt said:

Dave, I've just recently acquired a 3D printer and found this thread and the files on Thingiverse...BEAUTIFUL!!! I'm the adventurous sort and am planning on doing the 1/52 scale version, mainly for display, but I will build it flight worthy.

A couple of questions first...and they are newbie questions, so please stifle your laughter.

1. What resolution should I print in? I'm wanting to do in in "HIGH" (0.1mm layer height) but for a what I would call "Stand Off Scale" (no offense to your work, it's beautiful) for MY purposes, no competition, I just want a BIG SATURN V...would the "Normal" resolution of 0.2mm suffice?

2. Having not watched the videos yet (which would probably answer my questions without having to bother you with my trivial rabble, is this model intended to be a "skin" for my lack of a proper term, over a 7.51" tube (from below the SLA to the end where the fire comes out?

3. Finished height...around 7'?

4. Projected flying weight? (I know, probably in the video...)

5. Motor size? (Freaking huge, I'd bet...Guessing my 38-240 Loki ain't gonna push this thing up the rail.)

I won't pester any more for a while...at least 3-4 days anyway.

Thank you for the ENORMOUS effort of this bird. It is beautiful.

Jon

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Sorry for the slow reply, I been unintentionally ignoring the forum for a while. I've also got fed up with my aging printer and have started building my own CoreXY Hypercube Evolution. Some parts are on hold pending completion. SO, on to your questions...

1. For most a "normal" 0.2 or even a 0.3 would be fine, especially the lower parts. There's not much there that would suffer. The only part I'd be tempted to print in a higher resolution is the Command Service Module, but even that is designed with 0.2 in mind.

2. Yes, watch the videos, but it's also in the notes file on thingiverse. Short answer is I messed up and am using a 48" blue tube coupler. When they give a size it's ID not OD. Should have double checked, but I didn't. Le sigh

3. Yes, just over 7 feet

4. Depends on how you build it. This is not a full on plan so you'll have to decide some details for yourself. David Schwantz's 18 lbs is probably about right

5. I'm putting a 54mm mount in it. Looking to fly on a high impulse K or L. No final decision yet

David Schwantz said:

Jon, mine is 18lbs RTF. Flies on a K2050T. I printed mine at high res. Took forever, but nice. Use Pro PLA, tougher than regular. I used the blue tube on the inside and was a mistake, split the print when it swelled up due to it being so muggy here in the land of 50,000 skeeter ponds.

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Split the print? Wow. Wasn't expecting that! Any video of the flight?

I'm not sure if I should be happy that others are flying my model before me but honestly I'm ecstatic!

My new printer under construction:

grandcross said:

Sorry for the slow reply, I been unintentionally ignoring the forum for a while. I've also got fed up with my aging printer and have started building my own CoreXY Hypercube Evolution. Some parts are on hold pending completion. SO, on to your questions...

1. For most a "normal" 0.2 or even a 0.3 would be fine, especially the lower parts. There's not much there that would suffer. The only part I'd be tempted to print in a higher resolution is the Command Service Module, but even that is designed with 0.2 in mind.

2. Yes, watch the videos, but it's also in the notes file on thingiverse. Short answer is I messed up and am using a 48" blue tube coupler. When they give a size it's ID not OD. Should have double checked, but I didn't. Le sigh

3. Yes, just over 7 feet

4. Depends on how you build it. This is not a full on plan so you'll have to decide some details for yourself. David Schwantz's 18 lbs is probably about right

5. I'm putting a 54mm mount in it. Looking to fly on a high impulse K or L. No final decision yet

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Thanks!!!

I've been creating print files for my printer (Anycubic Mega S) and having to slowly rotate some of the parts (at a degree at a time) to get them to fit in the print area, as well as taking my skirt distance down to 2mm and only one skirt line...then it fits in on the bed.

When leaning towards a display model, I'm thinking about this: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3807721 scaled up to 110.35% (should come out to about 1:52 scale).

Jon

Hi David, what printer are you building? Looks like you are doing a lot of mods to it. I bought Ender 5 Pro to print the Saturn V with. Yup, the print split in several places. Read about blue tube swelling after I had her built. Might work ok if the printed parts were of a floating design some how. I am planning on another one this winter. I will scale it up .1% to fit the LOC tube. I have had great luck with the LOC stuff. But with that being said she flies fine with the blue tube. I do have video, but cannot load them here. Will try to attach a link. Might get to fly her again this coming weekend. I put the 54mm in mine and think that it was the perfect choice. Used a 9' main from Rocketman, beautiful in the sky. Not some much as a scratch on her. Good luck with yours. Glad I came across your files, she is a beauty. Thanks.

Dave, I just subscribed to your YouTube channel...I'm subscriber #97.

Hi @David Schwantz , could you share how you finned your Saturn V?