Looking for something that will make 3.5" antenna dish?

OSOAVIAKHIM · Post by **OSOAVIAKHIM** » Mon Dec 17, 2012 6:27 pm

Hi All,

You guys do a lot of creative use of materials:)...
I'm trying to find something that will make an antenna dish about 3.5" diameter.

Any ideas where something like that can be salvaged?

Tankmodeler · Post by **Tankmodeler** » Mon Dec 17, 2012 9:17 pm

OSOAVIAKHIM wrote:Hi All,

You guys do a lot of creative use of materials:)...
I'm trying to find something that will make an antenna dish about 3.5" diameter.

Any ideas where something like that can be salvaged?

Well, this time of year, a large diameter plastic Christmas ornament might do the trick. Pick a diameter significantly larger than the 3.5" and, when trimmed down, the difference between a parabola & a spherical arc isn't noticable.

As of the 26th, you'll be able to find them for pennies in home decor shops.

Paul

Umi_Ryuzuki · Post by **Umi_Ryuzuki** » Tue Dec 18, 2012 12:15 am

How about 2.5"?
The bottom of a spray paint can is about that size.

OSOAVIAKHIM · Post by **OSOAVIAKHIM** » Tue Dec 18, 2012 9:23 am

Hi,

I'll be looking for the Christmas balls now - Thanks!

About spray cans - great thing - but I made all other parts to this scale, so 2.5" will not work... but I'm wondering are there any bigger pressure cans around...

Tankmodeler · Post by **Tankmodeler** » Tue Dec 18, 2012 9:50 pm

OSOAVIAKHIM wrote: but I'm wondering are there any bigger pressure cans around...

If there are, the increased load on the bottom of the can will likely mean that the metal is thicker & harder to cut.

Don't know for sure, but just a thought.

Paul

TazMan2000 · Post by **TazMan2000** » Tue Dec 18, 2012 11:05 pm

Go to your local dollar store. You might be able to find something there.

TazMan2000

Tankmodeler · Post by **Tankmodeler** » Tue Dec 18, 2012 11:57 pm

TazMan2000 wrote:Go to your local dollar store. You might be able to find something there.

TazMan2000

True enough. the ones around here are full of oddly shaped plastic cram that might do the job even though it's supposed to have some other purpose.

Paul

OSOAVIAKHIM · Post by **OSOAVIAKHIM** » Wed Dec 19, 2012 10:30 am

Thanks guys!

Going ball huntin'

to Dollarama today.
I threw a few lines in AutoCAD figured need 5" ball to get the curve I need - shouldn't be too difficult to find.

scratchy · Post by **scratchy** » Wed Dec 19, 2012 11:35 am

You can also look for a small world globe. There are some that are made out of plastic, and you can pull the plastic film off. I picked one up from Craigslist for a Death Star II project.

caisson2delta · Post by **caisson2delta** » Thu Dec 20, 2012 1:56 am

How about the bottom of a larger type aluminum can. I'm thinking of the quart or so sized can that some types of beer come in. A standard 12 oz Coke can is roughly 2.5 " at the bottom and is concave. Hope this helps.

OSOAVIAKHIM · Post by **OSOAVIAKHIM** » Sat Dec 22, 2012 5:33 pm

Found it!

A golden

plastic Christmas ball about 5.5".

Thanks for advice!

chevit2001 · Post by **chevit2001** » Thu Aug 01, 2013 10:24 pm

I found those hard clear plastic party glasses, like wine or margarita glasses work pretty good. The bottoms have just about the right curvature.. They come in various sizes too. The bottoms can be separated from the top also on most , Come in packages of about 25 or so. WalMart has them as do the dollar stores.

Springheel Jack · Post by **Springheel Jack** » Thu Sep 12, 2013 3:37 pm

For small dishes I cut down table tennis balls

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Looking for something that will make 3.5" antenna dish?

Looking for something that will make 3.5" antenna dish?

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