X-Wing Starfighter

I made this X-Wing out of Maple burl with a few Walnut inlays. It's 9" long, it has a 10" wing span, and is 5" tall.

Step 1: Rough Turning the X-Wing Body

I'm starting out with a 10" X 3 1/2" X 3 1/2" piece of Maple. Turn this piece down to the basic shape, roughly a 9" X 2 1/2" cylinder.

Step 2: Laying Out the Ship's Hull

I used the indexer on the lathe to lay out the basic shape. I put a center line down both sides, and then went up 1/2" on each side. Do the same for the bottom, 1/2" down from the center line. The windshield is 6" from the nose, and 1 1/2" X 1/2"

Step 3: Carving the Ship's Hull

I tapered the nose cone, and used a woodworking chisel to take off most of the wood. After getting the shape defined, I sanded it with a DA with 100 grit sandpaper.

Step 4: Inlaying the Windshield and Wing Windows

I cut out three pieces of Walnut to inlay for the windows. The windshield is 1 1/2" X 1/2" The two side windows are 1 1/4" X 1/2" tapered to a point. I traced around all three pieces, and carved them out with a chisel. Glue them in flush to the hull. After the glue dries, sand till smooth.

Step 5: Cutting the Mortise for the Wings.

I used a high speed cutting wheel to cut the 4 mortise for the wings. 1 3/4" X 1/8" each

Step 6: Making the Wings

I cut the wings out on the band saw 4" X 2" X 1/4" taper the wings down to 1" at the tips. I used double sided tape to hold all four wings together, while I sanded them. I cut a tenon on the band saw on the 2" side of the wing 1 3/4" X 1/8". Drill a 1/8" hole in the 1" side "tip" of each wing. A drill press works best for this.

Step 7: Back of the Thrusters

You'll need four of these 2" X 1/2"

Put a small tenon on one end 1/4" X 1/4" this will be used to glue the front and rear thrusters together.

Step 8: Front of the Thrusters

You'll need four of these 1 1/2" X 1"

Use a 3/4" forester bit to drill in 1/2" on the front end. Put a 1/2" collar on the front end, and taper down 1/8".

Step 9: Back of the Cannons

You'll need four of these 1 1/2" X 1/2"

Drill a 1/8" hole in the front of each one. I put a small tenon on the back side of these as well for detail 1/4"X 1/4".

Step 10: R2D2

I just turned R2's head to mount behind the cockpit 1" X 3/4" My wife painted it after I sanded him.

Step 11: Front of the Cannons

You'll need four of these 5 1/2" X 3/8"

Tapered down to 1/4" About half way down the cannon. At the point it's 1/8"

Step 12: Drill a Off-center Hole in the Thruster

There are two pieces to each thruster.

Dill a slightly off-center 1/4" hole about 1/4" deep, in each of the four front pieces on the back side.

Step 13: Drill a Hole in the Rear Pieces of the Cannon

There are four rear cannon pieces.

Drill a 1/8" hole 1/4" deep in the center of each of the rear cannon pieces.

These holes are for the 1/8" dowels that will be used to mount the cannons to the tips of the wings.

Step 14: Glue the Thrusters Together

Glue the front and rear thrusters together.

Put a small bit of glue in the 1/4" hole, and glue the rear tenon in.

Step 15: Glue the Cannons Together

Glue the front and rear cannon parts together.

Place a small bit of glue in the 1/8" hole, and glue the front tenon in.

Step 16: Drill a 1/8" Hole in the Thrusters

After the glue dries on the trusters, Drill a 1/8" hole in the center of each of the four thrusters about 1/4" deep.

Step 17: Glue on the Cannons

Glue a 1/2" X 1/8" dowel in the hole you drilled in the back piece of each cannon.

Glue it to the tip of the wings in the 1/8" hole you drilled.

Step 18: Gluing the Thrusters on

Glue a 1/2" X 1/8" dowel in the front of the thrusters. Place on the wing, and mark the dowel position on the hull. drill a 1/8" hole in the hull to mount the thruster. Place a small bet of glue on the dowel, and glue in.

Step 19: Apply the Finish

I used Howard beeswax and Orange oil, but you can use any finish you like.

Step 20: I Hope You Enjoy This Project

The final step is to glue in R2D2 I put a bit of glue on the bottom, and set him in.