It's already my most favorite case ever... Somehow I always try to imagine what his next step will be.... every time it's even better then I expected.
thats what i would call symmetry! its hard to get two flat panels the same, cant dream of the tedious procedure to get two riveted panels mirrored! >.<
Thanks for the replies everyone. I've been thinking about the hinges for quite a while now, and I think I've worked out a scheme that allows the doors to open in the way I want without any fouling. But before work can start on these, the top panel needs to be made up. As with the front and rear sections, the top needs to be removable as one complete unit. This is because all these sections will be painted, and in the case of the front panel, access needs to be available for fitting and servicing the radiator. A frame needs to be made to hold the two sections that will cover most of the top. To aid in working out what is needed I quickly made up a rough model (in aluminium) of what I envisage the top will look like. I also needed to test how the sheet will follow the compound curves up there and whether this can be accomplished without rolling the sheet. A cardboard template was made first. Then the shape was cut from 1.2mm sheet. The bends required were made on the bench and with the brake. And then I can see that the part can be made to fit this area and bend in the required way. I can also work out how a supporting frame needs to be made. You can see here that this piece fits over the central main tie beam and this is not was is needed here. So the top will be made in two parts. The important thing is that my idea will work and I can see how the frame needs to be made. So after some thought I decided to use some left-over plex from Na'ir. I'm thinking this will be strong enough to contain the top even though this will be under tension. Using the files I normally use for alu made the filing very slow, so I tried using a wood rasp. This required a fair bit of force to use but cut through the plex very quickly. I could then clean up with the finer files. And thats the first part done. To get the angle on the top edge, first I used a marker to cover the surface so I could see how the filing was progressing. Care needed to be taken here as this angle changes towards the back. So constant checking was needed to get this right. Then the front and rear members were made up. And that's the basic frame. And then the holes were drilled and a little mounting plate made for the rear. Here it is mounted to the main central tie. New panels were marked out and cut. Then a straight edge was used to get the bend lines. It's important to do this in place because the front is much narrower than the rear, so these lines must follow the correct angle. And screwed in place for the final trimming (these parts are slightly oversize). Back soon.
How you can have no scratches with no protection on your plexiglass ?! You know the expression "who's your daddy ?", in my case I already find my daddy -> can I call you dad ?!!
Superb creating Attila, very nice top, goes excellent with the rig. This is why you inspire me & am sure many others so much, regular tools forming irregular awesomeness, over the time I've viewed your creations you have opened my eyes & imagination more than I thought it could, you helped uncap some limits I thought were there. rep Bet the hot tub is totally awesome after a hefty filing session, much needed upgrade.
