Thanks to the positive response I received from my previous floppy disk art Instructable (itself inspired by a floppy disk Starship Enterprise and Klingon Bird of Prey), I decided to follow up with two new models: The Millennium Falcon and an X-Wing!
I had been feeling bad for posting models only of villains, which is mostly because I dislike all of you. Now you have a chance to make some heroic models also. Granted, these models are scaled smaller than their dark-side counterparts, but I believe this was a conspiracy on the part of the 3-1/2 inch floppy designers. Why else would they have etched microscopic pro-Imperial rants on the edges of the floppy media. If you don't believe me, take a floppy under a microscope.
On the subject of floppies...
According to my sources (Wikipedia) there were over 5 billion floppy disks in use in 1996. That's almost 7,000 Tb....in increments of 1.44Mb each.
For reference, 1.44 Mb will hold:
If you stack them one on top of each other it will reach from here to someone that is tired of stacking up floppy disks. Those that are not in landfills are now mostly used ironically, or as coasters.
Still, that is a lot of floppies out there waiting to become nerd art. If you don't have any on hand try looking in the corners of your local computer lab, IT room, or creepy old shut-in.
If you are so excited that you really need to make this project so much you actually can still find them at your local office supply store. That's right, they still sell them! Of course, the whole point of floppy disk art is cashing in on the irony that you have hundreds of them sitting around unused. Here is your hipster link then: “Great for storing and transfering[sic] data in a non-networking environment.“
You will need a total of 3 floppy disks for this project.
I had been feeling bad for posting models only of villains, which is mostly because I dislike all of you. Now you have a chance to make some heroic models also. Granted, these models are scaled smaller than their dark-side counterparts, but I believe this was a conspiracy on the part of the 3-1/2 inch floppy designers. Why else would they have etched microscopic pro-Imperial rants on the edges of the floppy media. If you don't believe me, take a floppy under a microscope.
On the subject of floppies...
According to my sources (Wikipedia) there were over 5 billion floppy disks in use in 1996. That's almost 7,000 Tb....in increments of 1.44Mb each.
For reference, 1.44 Mb will hold:
- About a minute and a half of music
- One high quality digital picture
- All of my homework and personal files from 1985 through 1993.
If you stack them one on top of each other it will reach from here to someone that is tired of stacking up floppy disks. Those that are not in landfills are now mostly used ironically, or as coasters.
Still, that is a lot of floppies out there waiting to become nerd art. If you don't have any on hand try looking in the corners of your local computer lab, IT room, or creepy old shut-in.
If you are so excited that you really need to make this project so much you actually can still find them at your local office supply store. That's right, they still sell them! Of course, the whole point of floppy disk art is cashing in on the irony that you have hundreds of them sitting around unused. Here is your hipster link then: “Great for storing and transfering[sic] data in a non-networking environment.“
You will need a total of 3 floppy disks for this project.
- The Millennium Falcon model is more complex and so I have included a 3D model. The PDF has an imbedded 3D model while the CAD file can be opened with Autodesk 123D.
- A free copy of Autodesk 123D can be downloaded here: (http://www.123dapp.com/123d#download123D)
- I also have the 3D model available for viewing in the Autodesk 123D gallery here: (http://www.123dapp.com/AssetManager/Index.cfm?stgaction=getProduct&subaction=preview&step=1&inttype=4&intproductid=606047)
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Signing UpStep 1: Required Tools
To complete this project you will also need the following tools:
It has been said in the lore of floppy disk folk art that a diagonal cutting pliers or scissors are needed but this is a bold lie designed by the Diagonal Cutting Pliers Manufacturers Association. Floppy disks are generally made from thin, cheap metal. By repeatedly bending the metal at a set point you will fatigue it and form a crack. I like this method because it generally gives nice straight line cuts and doesn't need new tools. Feel free to cut pieces with cutting tools but I will be using that money to pay for my butler's salary.
If you do want to use cutting tools, try taking it up another notch and use a rotary “Dremel” cutting tool.
- Needle Nose Pliers
- A second one makes things easier
- Hammer
- Finishing Nail (the ones with the small heads)
- A block of relatively soft wood
It has been said in the lore of floppy disk folk art that a diagonal cutting pliers or scissors are needed but this is a bold lie designed by the Diagonal Cutting Pliers Manufacturers Association. Floppy disks are generally made from thin, cheap metal. By repeatedly bending the metal at a set point you will fatigue it and form a crack. I like this method because it generally gives nice straight line cuts and doesn't need new tools. Feel free to cut pieces with cutting tools but I will be using that money to pay for my butler's salary.
If you do want to use cutting tools, try taking it up another notch and use a rotary “Dremel” cutting tool.
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http://www.instructables.com/id/Firefly-Class-Starship-and-Random-MQ-1-Predator-/
I do love Firefly...
I think you could modify advanced version the X-Wing lower panel to make a Firefly...so we'll see.
And thank you for making me feel old ( joking!) , I will now assume the fetal position and whimper for the rest of the evening. :) :( :)
http://mymiddle-earth.net/groups/crafters-of-the-knittermark/forum/topic/patterns/?#post-762
I will most likely be posting your stuff again, quite creative.
I went with the premade rubber band ball which seems about the right scale to teh floppy disk hub.
-BLUEBLOBS2