Slide of the Month Extra: Manned Maneuvering Unit (MMU)

 

November 2023

Time to make: 1 hours

Finishing: 1 hour

 
Thingiverse

Original design: MaxGrueter

The Manned Maneuvering Unit (MMU) was first craft to allow untethered astronaut space walks in 1984 during the  STS-41-B mission. On it's final mission on STS-51-A the MMU was used to capture the Palapa B2 and Westar 6 satellites and return them to the shuttle bay for return to earth for repair. Interestingly, the first planned device, the Astronaut Maneuvering Unit (AMU), was planned for Gemini/MOLE project using a rocket power propulsion. It was aboard Gemini 9A but because of difficulties during Gene Cernan's EVA the testing of the AMU was cancelled. Deke Slayton suggested in his autobiography, Deke!: U.S. Manned Space from Mercury to the Shuttle, the reason it was developed for the MOLE program was "they might have the chance to inspect somebody else's satellites". 

A very interesting 3d print to make as I needed lots of supports to successfully print it. When it was done, I first painted it with flat white Krylon fusion paint that sticks well to PLA plastic. Next I painted the visor with gold hobby paint. All the logos and stripes were done using water slide paper and I finished it off with a couple coats of poly

Slide of the Month Extra: Philmont Lady Bull

November 2023

Time to make: 2 hours

Finishing: 1 hour

Original design:  Philmont/Bill Macfarlane




The Lady Bull patch, discontinued in the 1980's, was for female advisors who completed a trek at Philmont. Like the Black Bull, the Lady Bull was to be sown on the red wool leaders jacket. If the tail was placed over the shoulder the leader wearing the jacket had hiked the Tooth of Time or Mt Baldy.

Well I had done the Black Bull, so why not do a piece of Philmont history with the Lady Bull. Carved from pallet pine, painted with hobby paints, and sealed with a couple coats of poly. 

Slide of the Month - Boot

November 2023

Time to make: 1.5 hours

Finishing: 1 hour

 
Originally found at boyslife.org

(No longer available)

 
Original design:  Jeff Springer











A bunch of years ago I was in Texas, it seemed like everywhere I went there were cowboy boots being advertised. Not a picture of boots but actual boots in case with the name of the store and the price. Kind of weird when standing in line at a roller coaster or at a bus stop. 

Carved from maple, it was a quick slide to make. I painted it with hobby paints and painted the star with a paint pen. A couple coats of poly finish it off.