Perseverance. Camaraderie. These are the ties that bind us to each other, and to our projects in-hand. As always, many thanks to all who continue to persevere here.
Small update. They’re all small these days, but chipping away.
I will say that it is always remarkable to me that no matter how scrupulously I draw something, and use straight edges to scribe the lines into plastic, while also accounting for the half-width of the blade-to-point (and the half-width of the drawn line) - there are always WILD discrepancies from the drawings, in the cut parts.
It is essential, IMO, to make the actual parts fit the initial drawing, because the pattern/drawing is based directly on the actual deck camber; minuscule discrepancies in angle-to-post will create gaps between panel and rail that are much more difficult to remedy, given my sub-assembly approach to building these breast rails.
Here are my panels laid as carefully over the drawing as I can, after they’ve been parted on the lines with a razor-sharp chisel:
View attachment 558318
One has to account for the shortcomings of phone-photography - which does not provide a truly flattened perspective in close range, however, it is evident in the picture above that there are overlaps, and angle-to-post inconsistencies that would make a final glue-up far less than ideal.
My advice to anyone that reads this will be to trust the quality of the initial pattern that you make. Base all of your geometry on that. Shape your parts as closely as you can. You will have FEWER surprises on assembly.
Part of what is happening here is that I am paring to a line with a really sharp chisel through soft plastic that is less than 1/16” thick. I am squaring that chisel intuitively by eye. I am careful to always leave less than 1/32” for my final paring cut to the line. And. And, yet. The chisel will still drift to an out-of-square cut.
I say all of this to say, that fitting these small panels to a drawing:
View attachment 558316
is a process of consolidation; of checking and re-checking against the drawing; a little from the lower left corner; a little from the top right. Oh, and the central panel does require some actual camber along the top and bottom surfaces. A very little here, and a very little there, and eventually I have arrived at a reasonable bet for sub-assembly:
View attachment 558317
I will note that the central “Soleil Royal” badge is, in actuality, 1/64” off center. I point it out only to highlight that this is what the eye can perceive. In this instance, it is a consequence of process and bonding.
I’m using C/A to bond BONDO to plastic. The window for placement is limited. I managed to get the top/bottom spacing right. In the end, after all is said and painted, and posts are in-place - the discrepancy will hardly be noticeable. There is too much else for the eye to focus on for it to matter.
Next, I will make the knee/post supports.
On what I think is a helpful side-note:
I wish good mental health to all. On a personal note, I am finding it harder and harder to remain grounded. Take a breath. Visit a friend, in person. And, take faith that better days will prevail. At some point, they will. These are my steps forward.
If any of you feel similarly, please know that you are not alone. Take care of yourselves, MSW/SOS.
BTW, I am not on any kind of brink or ledge. I have too much to live for, and plastic Soleil Royal is the least of it. I am simply acknowledging that what is happening in the world is really stressful; I think, to the vast majority of people.
Things will probably still get worse for a while, but they will eventually get better. I think this way because the MAJORITY of people, and what they need and think still matters. It does, and it always will.
I like to think that there is a path forward where the modern “information age” actually limits potential bad outcomes.
I’m going to go with that! There is always an open ear, h’ear for anyone “having a moment.”
Take care of yourselves, friends.
