Wooden Space Shuttle

[Shep]

Lately I've been getting more and more orders to make kids toys. (1/2 of them are from my wife.)

I've even started my own website to help showcase some of my work. (see signature below.)

This past Saturday I spent the majority of the day working on a batch of toys. The latest beeing this wooden space shuttle. It's all pine accept the wings, which is masonite. The entire shuttle/fuel tank/boosters come apart. They are held together with screw heads, which are recessed into their mating partner with drilled out holes. Friction holds them together pretty well.

Pictures were not linking. See the link below for pictures.
http://shepardwoodworking.webs.com/a...lbumid=9868784

[dbhost]

Over my many years living in the area, I have heard the aerodynamics and flight characteristics of the shuttle are somewhat akin to flying a brick, but I must admit, your take on it is as close as I have seen. Very interesting. Soon it will be nothing more than a footnote in the history books. What a shame...

[cabinetman]

That space shuttle is cool...very clever. Is it to scale?
.

[Shep]

That space shuttle is cool...very clever. Is it to scale?
.

Nah, I'm just a good guesser. Looks pretty close though.

[lrogers]

That is way too cool. I have a grandson that would love that! UMM, I may have have to "borrow" that idea!

[chopnhack]

Pretty cool shuttles, shep! Are the mating holes key hole style slots?

[Shep]

Pretty cool shuttles, shep! Are the mating holes key hole style slots?

I thought about doing key hole slots, but instead just drilled simple holes that were one size smaller than the screw head diameter. Since it's made out of pine, the pine has a little give to it that allows for a nice friction joint. I don't think it will have the same hold a couple years down the line, but I figure it's meant to be taken apart by a kid anyways.