A k9 build

[galafray]

i have recently started to build a full size k9 from the episode "school reunion" here are a few pics of the progress so far:

[galafray]

[rocket]

Ah K9 the perfect pet.

Looks like a good start.

[galafray]

today we just done the roof of k9's head doesn't sound hard but took a long time to get it right as we wanted it curved. there is an overhang of the roof but we will sand that off later. any way here are a few more pics of the work we did today:

[ripintime]

Nice! how did you make it curved?

[galafray]

thanks
we dampened the peice of wood first to get it less britle the we glued the top of the wood and screwed it then we put glue round the sides and bent it round then held it down with clamps

[ripintime]

cool

[galafray]

DISASTER!!! i don't have any pictures. but as soon as i took the clamps off the glue hadn't set properly and the top panel came off.    
galafray 

[cyberstephen]

Galafray,

unless you had already done so, it may well help to soak the wood you plan to use for the top panel for a few days and then clamp it round a former which bears the same contour that you're looking for for the top of the head.

To me, this sounds more likely to be the reason why the panel came off- it probably wasn't so much a case of the glue not setting but the wood fighting the need for it to stay put and then springing back off.

Although I don't have a workshop now, I've used the waterbath method before to soak plywood before bending (easier than steambending) and although it involves a bit more hassle in having to build a former, it's deffo worth doing because the head looks wrong if it lacks that slight curved panel.

Hope this helps!

Stephen

[galafray]

thanks
if we can't  get it to stay this time (we reinforced it with more screws and glue) then we will definetly try your idea. fingers crossed though (i might leave if two or three more days to set rock solid.)
thanks again

[Organic Mechanic]

You could also try "curffing" (cutting a pattern of shallow, evenly spaced, lateral slots the width of your table saw blade) the underside of the piece before moistening it. This will make it MUCH easier to bend to shape, and far less likely to spring free.

[cyberstephen]

That is a very good suggestion actually, Organic Mecahnic. I'm sure that would work right enough.

[galafray]

thanks for the suggestions but we actually managed to curve the wood already. 
updates soon

[galafray]

just a little update today. we cut the lettering out of metal for K9's side panel

they may look like paper but they're actually metal.
we will file these down possibly later today because the edges are really sharp!

[Scarfwearer]

They look pretty good!
How did you cut them? And from what metal?

Crispin