Those Fluxing Tubes!
Last Updated (Friday, 26 February 2010 21:01)
One of the trickier parts to replicate will be the glass tube which contains the relay elements. I have on order from McMaster-Carr several 6 foot acrylic rods. I used 1/2 inch acrylic rods on my B9 Robot Replica and they are great to work with. I have ordered three different types. I also ordered some 3/4 in. dia. acrylic balls.
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1/2 in. outer dia. Solid |
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1/2 in. outer dia. 1/4 in. internal dia.
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3/4 Acrylic Balls |
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I started by sanding a flat spot on one side ofa 3/4 in. acrylic ball. This allowed me to drill a small 1/8 in. hole part way through. Next I placed the drill bit into the hole. This allowed me to hold the ball against my table sander and sand two more flat spots at right angles to the original and at opposite ends of each other. These flat spots should be exactly 1/2 in dia. I then drilled a 1/8 in. hole completely through from one flat side to the other. |
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I glued sections of the 1/2 OD, 1/4 ID acrylic tubes on the flat spots. The lower right side, which is placed into the solenoid base can be cut flush to the same length as the depth of the hole. This will allow it to sit flush in the hole
I'm still playing with the lengths of the different tubes to get the right look. |
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Here I've put it into the hole and set the two soldering posts in place. I added small copper rods for now, but need to get some other steel ones.
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| More to Come! |
