[MOC] Kage Goomba's TIE Defender (TIE/d) - Ready for QA/Testers (fully built in real life)

[Sine qua non]

Maybe use a stand design similar to the new Zenith Escort Cruiser set found on Brickmoon. May not look clean but I assume would help the heavy balance issue that you are facing with the Tie Defender. 

Edited May 29, 2022 by Sine qua non

[Kage Goomba]

25 minutes ago, Sine qua non said:

Maybe use a stand design similar to the new Zenith Escort Cruiser set found on Brickmoon. May not look clean but I assume would help the heavy balance issue that you are facing with the Tie Defender. 

Beautiful ship - stand in question isn't going to work in this case due to toppling concerns - but it gives me some ideas in terms of design options.

I've reinforced the stand even more than what I've displayed - hopefully it will work and I can redesign a more polite stand. Should have redone instructions done today and ill get parts ordered.

[Kage Goomba]

Ok instructions have been revised - new parts list attached.

found some nasty bugs in the Stud.IO manual tool - reported it (Page lock isn't working) - others may be memory leakage or other weirdness.

Noted the updates in the first post - ill order parts and cross my fingers.

3rd times the charm - right? XD

[Kage Goomba]

So good news bad news.

Good news is - the stand is holding and the panels are holding - albeit the hinges are a tad bit soft - likely due to wear and tear.

Bad news - the weight its putting on the cockpit ball is causing it to stress too much - need something to hold the body firm to keep it from tilting.

This may take some thinking.

[Kage Goomba]

So I fiddled with the stand - posted pics - need to sit back and think on how to stabilize it - and then its done.

So close - I can taste it.

 

<See first post for pics>

Edited June 5, 2022 by Kage Goomba

[icm]

Nice to see it all built, congratulations on getting to this point. But since you mention it, yeah, the cockpit ball does look a little janky. The intent is to support the cockpit ball with a cradle built into the display stand?

[Kage Goomba]

15 minutes ago, icm said:

Nice to see it all built, congratulations on getting to this point. But since you mention it, yeah, the cockpit ball does look a little janky. The intent is to support the cockpit ball with a cradle built into the display stand?

Yes.

The initial notion is to put a brace on the spine that cockpit ball is attached with to the main body - but that may not work so well

Def. a brain teaser to be sure.

[Sine qua non]

Just trying to think outside the box here and it probably won’t help. Just trying to imagine a better weight distribution for the cockpit ball to rest/sit/connect on  

Maybe try using a LEGO Plate 6 x 6 Hexagonal with Six Spokes and Clips with Hollow Studs (64566) under the cockpit ball or strategic points with a spread (4 of these maybe?) of LEGO Black Plate 2 x 2 with Rod Frame Octagonal (Studs with Cut Edges) (30033)

 

[Kage Goomba]

41 minutes ago, Sine qua non said:

Just trying to think outside the box here and it probably won’t help. Just trying to imagine a better weight distribution for the cockpit ball to rest/sit/connect on  

Maybe try using a LEGO Plate 6 x 6 Hexagonal with Six Spokes and Clips with Hollow Studs (64566) under the cockpit ball or strategic points with a spread (4 of these maybe?) of LEGO Black Plate 2 x 2 with Rod Frame Octagonal (Studs with Cut Edges) (30033)

 

Think you could toss something together as an example? I think I get what your getting at - but I'd need to think on it more.

[Kage Goomba]

11 hours ago, Sine qua non said:

Just trying to think outside the box here and it probably won’t help. Just trying to imagine a better weight distribution for the cockpit ball to rest/sit/connect on  

Maybe try using a LEGO Plate 6 x 6 Hexagonal with Six Spokes and Clips with Hollow Studs (64566) under the cockpit ball or strategic points with a spread (4 of these maybe?) of LEGO Black Plate 2 x 2 with Rod Frame Octagonal (Studs with Cut Edges) (30033)

 

Don't think its going to work now that I've thought about it.

The Body is tilting against the cockpit - even if it was standing on a platform - something needs to brace it.

But I eagerly await your reply/examples as it may be the thing I need or inspiration to get the solution.

[Kage Goomba]

May have had a notion.

 

The Lift Arms on the main core body - extend them out to the cockpit ball giving it a lip - the core body structure is very strong overall.

Then put a "peak" that's raised enough on the stand for the model to slot itself into.

I don't have a diagram/design to show off - but if this is making sense - this might do the trick.

I lose the decoration on the bottom - but you won't see the bottom anyway.

Thoughts? Stay tuned for pics when I get back from my errands.

[Kage Goomba]

She's up and holding thus far - I'll post more details soon - wow - very exhausted now.

First post has pics. Enjoy the glory of this beauty of a ship.

[Kage Goomba]

So after staring at it and once again improving the stand - which is getting more and more complex - I'm finding that the panels need to be redone - the hinge plates are a total annoyance.

 

In its current form it works - but I just don't feel comfortable about a design that a kid or a cat could ruin with a slight nudge.

Got some ideas on how to get around that - but its going to take time. Instructions and parts lists are on pause until I get that idea sorted out.

If someone wants it ill be happy to work something out - but for now I really want to make sure this thing is stable.

Also determined the chin can be removed to lessen part count - but if you mess up or nudge - that chin will save you hours of pain.

So I'm a bit torn.

The "fingers" will keep the model level and alleviate stress. Did some tests but I don't have enough bricks to make it work - was thinking of going transparent but cost would be stupid high and honestly its ok. It's just a "TIE Rack" really. :)

You can also see the "perch" up top that the model sits on.

Also had to add "Feet" to strengthen components of the stand as flexing could cause things to fall off.

I'm sure we have folks who would rather see this stand shrink - I think for now I'll make sure it "works" then if anyone wants to improve it - be my guest - I just want pics to prove it ;)

Edited June 7, 2022 by Kage Goomba

[ForgedInLego]

You might want to try a "rock and lock" system to attach the stand (think AK magazine). The back of the stand would have a hook that the defender slots into before resting the beginning of its neck on the edge of the stand, locking it in place. Because the defender's center of gravity is so far forward, this may cause some unfortunate bending, but it should hold.

[Kage Goomba]

3 hours ago, ForgedInLego said:

You might want to try a "rock and lock" system to attach the stand (think AK magazine). The back of the stand would have a hook that the defender slots into before resting the beginning of its neck on the edge of the stand, locking it in place. Because the defender's center of gravity is so far forward, this may cause some unfortunate bending, but it should hold.

Pretty sure I got it nailed in terms of balance - however that could be considered a replacement stand for the future.

I'm more worried about the hinge plates on the panels right now.

Its a very awkward design for a starship to be sure - likely why not many MOC's exist for it (that are legitimate)

I'm looking at Liftarms for the panels to remove hinge plates - but the angles may not be perfect or all that great - but at least if you have a kid running past or slam a door your model won't fall apart on you.

[Mandalorianknight]

Looks awesome, man! It's been nice seeing this develop even just through the title of the thread changing. You've clearly put a lot of effort into this, and it definately paid off. 

 

Now for the otana...

[Kage Goomba]

23 minutes ago, Mandalorianknight said:

Looks awesome, man! It's been nice seeing this develop even just through the title of the thread changing. You've clearly put a lot of effort into this, and it definately paid off. 

 

Now for the otana...

Yes - I've not forgotten the Otana - not by a long shot.

I'll need to redo the model to get it broken into proper sub-models - feel like I've learned so much about Stud.io that I need to go back and redo some aspects of the Otana to ensure its clean cut and mirrored properly.

[Kage Goomba]

So going to need more time before I wrap up instructions/design.

Thanks to the fella's at the Technic boards - someone pointed out (stupid me) that the hinges I'm using (well technically there from that idiot who designed this fraudulent model in the first place) - that there are single stud width variation of it.

So I just removed them and replaced them with those and now its gone from 7 fingers to 14 fingers....effectively doubling the hinge grip/friction on each panel.

Going to order the parts and pray freverently that this will solidify the structure that it will hold and not just "collapse/give" on a minor quake like a kid or a pet running by.

[Kage Goomba]

Parts arrived - ill try to get the hinges swapped out tomorrow and hopefully have good news to share.

[Kage Goomba]

(these events just happened)

<Standing next to roommate with TIE Defender on display - nervously looks at him - he nervously looks at me>

<stomps foot hard>

<stomps it again>

IT WORKS!

Finally - its stable.

the extra hinge parts resolved the problem.

I'll start cleaning up instructions and parts lists.

Finally - reached a good release point.

[Kage Goomba]

Instructions almost done - up to 526 pages out of 713.

Updated original post.

[Kage Goomba]

And done - changes posted/updated.

 

Phew.....now to wait for feedback.

And to find a spot to park this beauty - tempted to Light it up too.

[icm]

Congratulations on finishing this very challenging project! I look forward to the Otana whenever you can make that happen, that’s going to be a real masterpiece.

[Kage Goomba]

21 minutes ago, icm said:

Congratulations on finishing this very challenging project! I look forward to the Otana whenever you can make that happen, that’s going to be a real masterpiece.

going to build yourself a TIE/d ?:)

[Kage Goomba]

The Vendor I bought my decal from wants to see about making a version of it for this design.

So we'll have to see what they come up with. :)