Coruscant Landing
Platform Shelf
I've had an Idea for a Coruscant Landing Platform ever since I got a Naboo Royal Starship. It was to be my first Display to hang from the ceiling and as you can see I'm still to make that leap.
The size and weight were an issue and where to put it once completed. I thought of an alternative slender but strong Bracket system and it was back to the wall.
The building background was the kicker to go with this Idea.
For wider projects I really like MDF. I've only used 3/4" up to this point but went to 5/8" to save on weight. This project begins with dissecting a 4'x8' sheet of MDF with a Skill Saw into managable sizes for the Tablesaw.
The Main landing area is 36"x 18" with a side wing of 24"x 8".
The ends for the main board are to be rounded off. That cut is made on the Bandsaw. Then the Edge is shape sanded on the Stationary Belt Sander then Hand sanded with a Palm grip Sander.
The wing or mouse ears as I call it is elongated to proved a better display area for figures. It is also cut out on the Bandsaw and shape sanded on the belt sander.
The top part of the edge is cut to a 45 degree angle on the Router Table.
The main support frame is made from 1x pine.
The board that supports the wing also attaches to the main platform. 45 degree angles are cut on the Mitre Saw at the front corners the pieces to support the ears.
The support boards for the wing are then routed to a 45 degree angle.
This base board will connect the platform support frame to the shelf brackets. A rabit edge is routed in for a snug fit.
The main shelf brackets are made from 3/4" plywood.
A 2"x4" will be used to attach the brackets to a wall. Notches are cut for the brackets to sit in for extra strength.
The ends of the bracket support are shaped on the Stationary Disc Sander. Then Screw holes for wall mounting are predrilled on the Drill Press before attaching the brackets.
The placement for the holes to mount the base board to the brackets are layed out and drilled. A spacer block is used to keep the brackets straight when predrilling the mounting holes.
After checking for stability and balance the front wing is attached.
The background building is as it's center the 2x4 bracket support with 3/4" MDF "wings" on either side. A hole is marked and drilled with a Forstner bit and the design is layed out before spitting it into two halves on the Table Saw.
The halves are then cut out on the Bandsaw.
The edges are shape sanded on the Belt Sander and Oscillating Spindal Sander. Next a V-groove it routed to split each half into two panels.
The building wings are screwed into the bracket support to form the background building.
The ends of the "ears" are straightened for docking transports.
Before painting, a oil base primer is applied to the edges which are more porous. A latex paint will be used as a primer and final paint on this project.
Adding the Curb all the way around the platform would be very time consuming and not nessessary to the over all look of the project so I made one long and two short sections. They will make good places to mount the light posts.
Molding the curbs in would add to the look so it's time to get out the good ol' Bondo. Spray primer is used after sanding.
Wood beads are used for the light fixtures. After priming and white paint holes are punched into masking tape to paint the tops and bottoms of the beads to match the posts.
1/8" Dowl rods are used for the lamp posts. The fixtures are hot glued to the posts after priming and painting.
A hole is drilled for a marker post at the corner of each of the transport docks. These are basicly a 1/8" dowl rod mounted into a 1/2" dowl rod.
For a little extra safety, blocks are glued then brad nailed to the inside of the platform frame for the addition of set screws.
