Day 15 - Starting on Shoulders

(Originally posted on July 28th, 2013)

I was puzzling on how to make the rounded base for the shoulder section.  I scoured build diaries, the NSD plans, the builder's workbook, but I couldn't find any reference to the nature of the circumference for it.  So, I followed AdamSt's diary again.

First, I flipped the skirt upside-down and placed it on a piece of cardboard, and traced around it.

Then, I measured the distance between the outermost width of the completed shoulder (with all bands attached), and marked those onto the cardboard.  From the NSD plans, it almost looks like the front is a perfect semicircle, so I started to draw one, the cheap way I learned in elementary school—pencil and string.

Alas, when I tried to draw a scaled-down version of the outline for the innermost (non-banded) layer of the shoulder cladding, it also overlapped the skirt top, which it actually ought not.  So it isn't perfectly semicircular, after all.

So, I would up guessing most of the arcs, and making sure that they were within the skirt outline.  I kept checking AdamSt's cardboard outline as I went, to make sure I was at least kind of accurate.

Then, I cut it out—well, half, since I want it to be somewhat symmetrical; I'll just flip it over when I'm ready to trace this onto the 1/2" plywood.

I think one of my main hesitations is the eventual placement of the gunbox (and, to some extent, the inner arc of the wide front shoulder slat).

From what I can tell, the gunbox is pretty much an arbitrarily placed component; depending on the arc of the shoulder base, the sides of the gunbox become flush with the shoulder material at various lengths.  This, of course, affects the length of the lower HDF bands, and where they meet up with the backs of the gunbox.

Hopefully this isn't too noticeable.  Probably would have to line one person's NSD up with mine to see any differences in gunbox placement.  At least, that's what I'm hoping.

(Originally posted on July 31st, 2013)

Another small update: I drew the outline of the shoulder base onto the 1/2" plywood.  I'm still hesitant to cut it out without a bit of review by members here.

Also, my hemispheres arrived!  With a bit of Dremeling, I test fitted it into an oil seal that I bought as a plug for an eventual silicon mold.  Gave me shudders!  A small glimmer of the finished beast!

Oh, and guys, I am so happy to report that not only is my dad bringing the router over, he's bringing two and told me to take my pick.  They're both heavy duty ones, according to him.  Not only that, but he has two 45° bits!  YES!

In addition, he asked if he should bring over his table saw, scroll saw, miter saw, drill press, and shop vac!  I said, "YES, PLEASE!"

So, I'm stuck at the moment until all that arrives, which won't be until Friday, which is also the day I take off for vacation.  I'll try to enjoy the time off, but I know I'll be chomping at the bit to get back to work when I arrive home next Monday!  Arrgh, the anticipation!

Anyway, hope to hear from a few of you about the shoulder outline. Have a great rest of the week, my fellow aficionados!