Looking for something that will make 3.5" antenna dish?

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OSOAVIAKHIM
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Looking for something that will make 3.5" antenna dish?

Post by OSOAVIAKHIM »

Hi All,

You guys do a lot of creative use of materials:)...
I'm trying to find something that will make an antenna dish about 3.5" diameter.

Any ideas where something like that can be salvaged?
Tankmodeler
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Re: Looking for something that will make 3.5" antenna d

Post by Tankmodeler »

OSOAVIAKHIM wrote:Hi All,

You guys do a lot of creative use of materials:)...
I'm trying to find something that will make an antenna dish about 3.5" diameter.

Any ideas where something like that can be salvaged?
Well, this time of year, a large diameter plastic Christmas ornament might do the trick. Pick a diameter significantly larger than the 3.5" and, when trimmed down, the difference between a parabola & a spherical arc isn't noticable.

As of the 26th, you'll be able to find them for pennies in home decor shops.

Paul
Last edited by Tankmodeler on Tue Dec 18, 2012 7:18 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Umi_Ryuzuki
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Post by Umi_Ryuzuki »

How about 2.5"?
The bottom of a spray paint can is about that size.

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OSOAVIAKHIM
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Post by OSOAVIAKHIM »

Hi,

I'll be looking for the Christmas balls now - Thanks!

About spray cans - great thing - but I made all other parts to this scale, so 2.5" will not work... but I'm wondering are there any bigger pressure cans around...
Tankmodeler
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Post by Tankmodeler »

OSOAVIAKHIM wrote: but I'm wondering are there any bigger pressure cans around...
If there are, the increased load on the bottom of the can will likely mean that the metal is thicker & harder to cut.

Don't know for sure, but just a thought.

Paul
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TazMan2000
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Post by TazMan2000 »

Go to your local dollar store. You might be able to find something there.

TazMan2000
Tankmodeler
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Post by Tankmodeler »

TazMan2000 wrote:Go to your local dollar store. You might be able to find something there.

TazMan2000
True enough. the ones around here are full of oddly shaped plastic cram that might do the job even though it's supposed to have some other purpose.

Paul
The future is in your hands. Build it!
OSOAVIAKHIM
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Post by OSOAVIAKHIM »

Thanks guys!

Going ball huntin' :) to Dollarama today.
I threw a few lines in AutoCAD figured need 5" ball to get the curve I need - shouldn't be too difficult to find.
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scratchy
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Post by scratchy »

You can also look for a small world globe. There are some that are made out of plastic, and you can pull the plastic film off. I picked one up from Craigslist for a Death Star II project.
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caisson2delta
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Post by caisson2delta »

How about the bottom of a larger type aluminum can. I'm thinking of the quart or so sized can that some types of beer come in. A standard 12 oz Coke can is roughly 2.5 " at the bottom and is concave. Hope this helps.
OSOAVIAKHIM
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Post by OSOAVIAKHIM »

Found it!

A golden :) plastic Christmas ball about 5.5".

Thanks for advice!
chevit2001
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antenna dish

Post by chevit2001 »

I found those hard clear plastic party glasses, like wine or margarita glasses work pretty good. The bottoms have just about the right curvature.. They come in various sizes too. The bottoms can be separated from the top also on most , Come in packages of about 25 or so. WalMart has them as do the dollar stores.
Robert Lillibridge
Springheel Jack
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Post by Springheel Jack »

For small dishes I cut down table tennis balls
Never give in, never give in
never, never, never, never.

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