A new working design sketch, showing the modified neck.
The actual head of the monster was pretty easy, designed to look a bit equestrian, but also following the crane design from Ingrow Station. A box (matching the dimensions of the one on the base of the neck), and a couple of bits of ply cut to shape with some additional holes cut out with forcner bits, to take lengths of broomstick (which would represent bits of the mechanics for supporting the chains and cables, eventually)
The neck was a different problem altogether. It needed to be lightweight, and not too long, so it would fit in the car. The initial plan was to use washing line poles which would be collapsible, and thus extend to be quite long. It could then be reinforced with wooden formers to hold the poles in place, and other detailing, and disguised with tarpaulins.
However, with the head built from wood, suddenly the washing line pole idea was out as it would be too weak. I toyed instead with lattice-work garden trellis, but it was too costly.
The only, depressing, option, was to build it myself at work after-hours from scrap…
A strong basic framework was built, then a second built as it way too short on its own.
The interior girders were very rough and ready, on the basis that it would be draped in material in the end and not really visible.
To attach it together, it was designed to fold over with two very big, strong sets of hinges on the top surface. Folded over though, it would slot under the frames in the car...
The cross-section of the neck was sized for the neck, which had an additional baseplate screwed on underneath, to help support the considerable weight of the neck and head.
No comments:
Post a Comment