I have been working with my new lathe, and thought I’d show you some of the progress on my prototype gas connector. (in this case, the multi-water connecotor) So with out further delay… the pictures: 
I have wanted to try my hand at turning some LS fittings with a lathe for quite some time now. Well Christmas came a little early this year, I got a small metal late. So as I start my fourth (or is it fifth?) suit, I begin by turning in aluminum, the LS or Gas connectors. I started small with the UDC valve connector and moved on to the Multiple Water connector. Neither is complete yet, but here are some progress photos:
Not much time to write just now, so here are a few more pictures…
Also, soon to come: I am preparing to start a new Apollo suit.
Yep, Thats the suit that Armstrong was in on the first Lunar EVA!
I finished making two UD valves. Here is one of them on a photo of the real thing. Its hard to get scale from these closeups, but assuming Ulli’s hands are roughly the same size as mine, I should be in the ballpark. And hey, as far as I know, nobody else making suits bothers with these details.
Sorry for the long gap between post. But I find myself working on several different projects at the same time, and not finishing anything that I can report.
I would like to ask a question of my readers (Yes, Both of you ;-} )
Would there be any interest if I could supply a reproduction Apollo Bubble helmet, professionally cast from a mold of my real helmet bubble?
The only source I know of that sells a reproduction, gets $3800.00 for one.
I was thinking of pricing somewhere around $1500 if I get enough interest. Of course I would have to sell several to cover my cost at this price.
I spent some of today making a couple pressure relief valves, one for my suit and one for a friend. Here are a few pictures. They are turned from some scrap plastic I had left over from some castings.
Here is a picture of the real thing:conradsuitpressrelief.jpg
The worst thing about putting on one of my suits is: by the time you get everything zipped, Velcroed and snapped. The helmet and gloves on, you are so hot the helmet steams up and the perspiration is pouring off of your forehead into your eyes. The padding and foam I use to create the pressurized look is so insulating you could die of heatstroke in the arctic.
My answer is the same one the guys at Hamilton-Standard came up with years ago. Cold water running through small tubes next to the skin.
I purchased some “net” fabric with holes just slightly smaller than the tubing I had. I the “threded” the tubing in and out of the shirt I had sewn. I divided the shirt into 4 “zones” . Each arm is one, and then the front and back. A small pump pushes ice water from a 1/2 liter bottel to a “header” that sends it to all 4 zones then back to another header and back to the bottel.
This should help me “keep my cool”. I’ll let you know the next time I put the suit on.
I finished the detail under the UDC flap today. And I finally sewed the name tag on the front of the ITMG. So I thought I’d put up a couple of pictures.
Here is a photo of the UDC flap open on Ed Mitchell’s flown suit from Apollo 14 for comparison.
Well it had to happen, I just spent an hour removing gas connectors, glove disconnects and other assorted attachments between the ITMG and the inner suit. Then I removed the ITMG for the first time in weeks.
All this is necessary so I can move a pocket and add some details, including the name tag, and the injection port under the UDC flap.
I managed to acquire some thick black rubber to use as the glove disconnects restraint bands. I had black zip ties there, but was not happy with the look. So when I re-assemble the suit it will look better.
I will be checking and re-checking the details while I have everything apart. And adding some small details I have put off. (such as the velcro for the Lunar Overshoes) And just generally tidying up.
Update: The aluminum template worked fine for the pressure gage, I now have a good fit between the lens and the body for a realistic look.
This weekend between other projects I have been working on a second prototype of the pressure gage. I know, most of it is covered with a piece of the ITMG. But I think I need to keep the detail up.
I think I have almost got it. The problem has been the template I was using to rout out the gage face area was made from plywood. It seems the bit on my dremel would burn and deform the edges making the cut irregular.
To remidy this I got the drill bits and files out and made one out of aluminum. I will cast some new blanks tomorrow and see if I can get a better fit on the lense.
One another note, After looking at some pictures of the suit, and just looking at the suit its self, I have decided the pocket on the left thigh needs to go outboard and down a tad.
So I am working up the fortatude to disasyemble the ITMG from the inner suit, and then remove and re-attach the pocket. I hope to get that done this week.
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