Work is slowly continuing on the square frames.
While the vast majority of them follow the same subtle stepping pattern (cross chocks, floors, and first futtocks are 10", second futtocks are 9 1/2", top timbers are 9" - all actual sizes) there are 6 frames that have 'offset' top timbers. Some of the offsets are small, but others are rather substantial.
In order to create the offset accurately it was simply a matter of custom fabricating spacers of the required thickness:
A closer look at the offset:
While I am able to split the thickness of the chocks for the normal 1/2" step that would create a very narrow overlap zone for these offset frames. To that end I inserted some faux chocks:
And now roughly shaped:
There is still some work to do here but my research has not yet revealed what to do with these offset areas now that I have the faux chocks in place...
There are also some special frames that have 'bent' top timbers (cast frames). On a scratch build these would simply be created from dimensional stock - but the kit uses a layering technique.
(Yesterday I received my order of boxwood so theoretically I could now build these cast frames from scratch - but I thought I would give the kit design a shot to see how it would look.)
Here is the addition of a layer of wood (about 2 mm at scale) on the forward side of one of the frames:
And now roughly shaped:
So far, so good.
Next, I'll need to remove the same amount of wood (2 mm) from the aft side to create the bend. I would show you that attempt but I'm working tomorrow morning and I have some preparations to complete so model building will have to wait for another day.
I hope I'm getting all these frames right! It's quite a lot of work without really knowing if things are being done properly...
Thank you for visiting!