How To Communicate With An Alien Artifact or . . .

Step 2 Constructing the Mothership Fuselage

Let's have a break from breathing the solder fumes and prepare the tin. I am indebted to SteveAstroUK for introducing me to the method I describe here. Without his advice, this project would be nowhere near as neat.

You will need the following :-

• Altoids. The great thing about buying an Altoids project box is that you get Free Mints with it - Take these out first.
• A bench drill with a small bit (I used 1.5mm) and a step drill bit.
• A piece of scrap Veroboard (20 x 14 holes).
• Marker pen and double-sided sticky tape.

1) Mark the hole matrix on the veroboard, put strips of double-sided tape on the other side and stick this centrally on the top of the tin. Clamp everything firmly, but not so hard as to distort the tin.

2) Using the small bit, drill pilot holes through the marked points. Use a sharp bit at a slow drill speed for this, and apply only very light pressure. The veroboard holes allow you to centre the bit exactly before you drill.

3) Use the step bit, again at slow speed, to enlarge the holes to 6mm (1/4 ").
My step bit came from eBay - 15 quid (25 dollars) for three size range bits.
Again, use a slow speed and very light pressure.

4) Turn the lid over and place on a piece of scrap wood with a hole drilled slightly larger than the LED holes.
Very Carefully lower the step drill so the 8mm (3/8") step takes off the swarf from the rough side.
Don't drill into the lid itself.

You should now have an Altoids tin with a matrix of 12 perfectly aligned and perfectly clean holes which your LED array will fit into first time.