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You can make a Death Star as a tiny ornament, a papier-mâché party piñata, a concrete vase, a floating display, or even a geodesic sphere reported at 23 feet across. Make’s 2015 roundup presents seven separate concepts—not a single set of instructions—so choose a project by scale, display location, materials, and the amount of fabrication you can safely manage. Read the original roundup and any linked instructions before buying materials: Make’s “7 DIY Death Stars You Can Build” was published in November 2015, and availability and instructions may have changed.
Seven projects at a glance
| Project | Reported scale or base | Main materials or mechanism | Purpose | What is not established |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inflatable Death Star | 12-foot beach ball | Beach ball converted into an inflatable sphere | Large decoration or photo prop | Current instructions, inflation method, cost, and safe anchoring |
| Death Star ornament | Small ornament; exact size not stated | Detailed graphics and LED lighting | Tree or shelf decoration | Component list, tested difficulty, and build time |
| Death Star piñata | Size not stated | Papier-mâché | Party centerpiece | Construction sequence and safety guidance |
| Death Star vase | Size depends on the mold | Concrete cast in a Death Star-shaped ice-cube mold | Functional or decorative vessel | Mold dimensions, concrete mix, curing details, and present availability |
| Death Star clock | Size not stated | Clock-shaped Death Star; mechanism and materials not specified | Wall or desk display | Movement, wiring, legibility, and instructions |
| Levitating Death Star | Based on a levitating globe | Modified magnetic levitation display | Floating desktop display | Compatible globe models and current instructions |
| Giant house Death Star | Reported 23-foot geodesic sphere | About 2,000 feet of PVC pipe and two parachutes, as reported | Occupy-able experimental structure | Engineering verification, permits, wind rating, and construction plans |
All descriptions and dimensions in this table come from the 2015 Make roundup; they are not comparable test results or current product specifications.
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1. Build a 12-foot inflatable Death Star
Caleb Kraft’s concept starts with a 12-foot beach ball and turns it into an enormous inflatable Death Star. The beach ball supplies the sphere, while the characteristic surface details create the recognizable silhouette. Make links to a separate post for the construction process; consult that post directly for the pattern, attachment method, inflation requirements, and display precautions.
This is best suited to a lawn, event space, or large studio where the inflated sphere can be protected from sharp objects and secured against movement. The roundup treats space-battle posing as optional decoration, not as a construction step.
2. Make a detailed Death Star ornament
The ornament is the smallest idea in the roundup. Its appeal comes from precise surface graphics and LED lighting rather than sheer size. The source also warns informally that the build looks harder than expected, but it supplies no component list or tested difficulty rating.
Plan the painting and wiring as separate stages: establish the panel lines and trenches first, then add lighting only after the finish is stable. Because the original description does not identify LEDs, power requirements, or the ornament’s substrate, verify those details in the linked project before selecting paints, adhesives, or batteries.
3. Turn papier-mâché into a Death Star piñata
This project uses papier-mâché to form a party piñata. An Imgur album documents the build, and the roundup jokes about defeating it with a pool-noodle lightsaber. That joke is not safety guidance: use an appropriate, supervised striking area and follow the venue’s rules for hanging and breaking a piñata.
Rank #2
- Figure perfectly sculpted and replicated
- Able to produce scenes from the anime/movie
- Product bears official Bluefin Distribution logo
- Skill level: Intermediate
For a painted finish, let every papier-mâché layer dry completely before adding the equatorial trench, dish, and panel markings. The roundup does not provide dimensions, a tested hanging method, or a materials schedule, so those choices must come from the original album and your event requirements.
4. Cast a Death Star vase in concrete
HomeMade Modern’s project uses a mold made for Death Star-shaped ice cubes to form a concrete “moon.” Of the seven ideas, this is the clearest mold-based path: the mold supplies the geometry, while the concrete provides the weight and stone-like finish.
Before purchasing, confirm that the mold’s dimensions and material are suitable for casting, not merely freezing. Follow the concrete manufacturer’s mixing, demolding, and curing directions; the 2015 roundup does not establish a particular mix, reinforcement, sealant, or current listing. Treat the finished piece as decorative until you have confirmed that its interior, drainage, and seal are appropriate for live plants or water.
5. Make a Death Star clock
The clock project uses a Death Star-shaped face, but the roundup does not specify its movement, hands, power source, materials, or dimensions. Its joke—that the display may make it difficult to distinguish 4 from 5—highlights a practical design issue: dramatic surface detail can compete with readability.
When adapting the idea, reserve a clear zone for numerals or markers and check the hand clearance before fixing the face. Use the original instructions, if still available, to identify the mechanism and mounting method rather than assuming a particular clock kit.
Rank #3
- Despite being palm-sized, this model is bigger than those from the previous vehicle model series!
- Thanks to BANDAI SPIRITS' advanced molding technology, the overwhelming details of the Death Star II are compressed into a diameter of approximately 61mm!
- The product box will have a Bandai Namco warning label, which is proof that you are purchasing an officially licensed product
6. Convert a levitating globe into a floating Death Star
This concept modifies a “normal” levitating globe so it appears to be a floating Death Star. The magnetic display base does the levitating; the visual transformation comes from the added surface treatment.
Compatibility matters more than the paint scheme. The roundup points to an Instructables article but does not establish which globe models remain available, how much added weight the base can support, or whether the modification changes the magnetic balance. Confirm those limits before attaching any shell, coating, or printed details, and keep the original levitation electronics protected from paint and solvent.
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The largest example is attributed to Colby Powell: a geodesic sphere reported at 23 feet, using about 2,000 feet of PVC pipe and two parachutes as its covering. Make says the creator had heard of no larger example, while acknowledging that a “largest in existence” claim would require proof. Treat the dimensions as the roundup’s report, not as an independently verified record or engineering specification.
This is an experimental structure, not a casual weekend decoration. A 23-foot sphere introduces serious questions about wind, joints, anchoring, access, fire performance, occupancy, and local permits. The roundup does not provide structural calculations, plans, load ratings, or construction safety procedures. Do not enter or invite others into a structure at this scale without qualified engineering review and compliance with applicable building and event regulations.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How to choose the right project
For a quick visual accent
Choose the ornament if you want fine painting and lighting in a compact display. Its exact parts and effort are not stated, so confirm the original build before committing to electronics.
Rank #4
- This collection-size model kit recreates iconic starships and vehicles from the Star Wars universe in a compact format with finely detailed molding. It reproduces the famous Death Star trench run scene from Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope. The set includes Luke’s X-Wing (Red 5) pursued by Darth Vader’s TIE Advanced x1 and two TIE Fighters
- Collection-size model kit featuring multiple Star Wars starships, small scale with highly detailed sculpting
- NO GLUE: All of the parts can be easily put together without any glue. EASY COLOR RECREATION: The one and only technology that enables four colors to be available in one set of parts, which we call it “runner”. RELIABLE HIGH QUALITY: We strive to use our experience and technology to deliver high-quality products to our users around the world
- Recreates the Death Star trench run scene from Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope, and includes Luke’s X-Wing (Red 5) and enemy chase formation
- The product box will have a Bandai Namco warning label which is proof you are purchasing an officially licensed product
For a party
The papier-mâché piñata delivers a recognizable shape without requiring a permanent object. Plan for supervised use and allow drying time between layers.
For a tabletop object
The concrete vase offers a physical mold and a substantial finish. Check the mold’s casting suitability and the cured concrete’s intended use.
For a conversation piece
A levitating display provides motion without the footprint of an inflatable or structure, but the added shell must stay within the globe’s balance and weight limits.
For a large event or installation
The 12-foot inflatable is the more straightforward large-scale concept because the beach ball supplies the basic form. Secure it appropriately and follow the linked build’s material and inflation instructions.
For an architectural experiment
The 23-foot geodesic sphere belongs in the category of engineered temporary structures. Treat permitting, design review, anchoring, and occupancy as prerequisites, not optional finishing steps.
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Quick Recap
What the 2015 roundup does—and does not—tell you
- It documents seven distinct concepts ranging from an ornament to a reported 23-foot sphere.
- It identifies several starting points: a beach ball, an ice-cube mold, a levitating globe, papier-mâché, and PVC pipe with parachutes.
- It does not provide consistent budgets, build times, difficulty scores, complete bills of materials, or verified safety guidance.
- Linked instructions, product availability, and material suitability should be checked before construction, since the source dates from 2015.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
