2024-07-20
The Akask sculpture is complete. Several aspects of it are new to me. First, making and incorporating a model based on an existing artifact took longer and caused more challenges than anticipated. The detailed decals were a challenge. The design is of a Canadian Maple Leaf surrounded by 13 drops of red, representing blood, on a white field representing snow. I think this would have made a fine flag for Canada.
Second, the corner mitre reinforcement is not one that I have seen before. It’s simply two dowels of contrasting wood run diagonally through the joint.
Third, although the planet and moon models are of Terra and Luna, the process of turning flat colour images into a 3-D model made them look quite different. Oh well, it’s clearly not a representation of our reality anyway!
So what, you may ask, is the premise? It is that the Avro Arrow programme was not cancelled. This is the seventh generation vehicle, expanded with rocket propulsion to enable surface-to-orbit freight transport. The result might have been a very different, and arguably more positive, world.
2024-07-17
The model is permanently mounted, the clear top coat of epoxy is cured, the edges are trimmed. I have a plan for the frame, which I will tackle later today or tomorrow.
2024-07-14
I’ve been working at a low level on the Akask sculpture. The model is done, with several layers of modelling paint and decals. Yesterday and today I “painted” the moon and planet. I stiffened the epoxy with lots of Fumed Silica powder, so it doesn’t run nearly as much as usual. In a few days I will place the model permanently and perhaps apply a clear top coat to everything.
Last time I as at KJP I picked up a nice 6/4 Maple board. It’s now planed both sides, ready for turning into a frame. I haven’t decided on construction details for the frame yet. I want to integrate a permanent display stand in the back.
2024-03-31
There were quite a few bumps and imperfections in the second epoxy coat, most from the underlying MDF. I sanded them smooth with a 220 grit random orbital sander and some hand detailing. This time I mixed almost 400 ml of epoxy and tinted it much the same as the second coat. Once spread out, I used a brush to randomize the brush marks. A heat gun took care of the air bubbles. There are still a few minor imperfections, but it’s all but impossible to remove them all.
2024-03-29
The shop has been too cool for epoxy work. The last few nights have been warmer, and this morning the shop was about 20.
This second layer of epoxy is mostly black with a small amount of EcoPoxy Midnight.
2024-03-18
The first layer of epoxy is on. I chose to add some black pigment. The first layer always soaks in. This was about 230 ml, with none left over.
2024-03-17
The shop has been a bit cool for productive work. I only have a small roll-away heat pump of 10,000 BTU capacity heating a space of almost 70 sq. m. I aim to have a mini-split system in place this Fall.
Yesterday and today I had the CNC running for a total of almost 8 hours. The Akask piece is 900 mm vertical, requiring a tiled machining approach. The join line has a low ridge, which I will remove manually.
The vehicle model is also progressing. The mould produced a single epoxy model, which I will use for design and testing of the paint plan.
2024-01-03
This morning I decided that the mould was ready to be opened. I have no idea how many layers of rubber are on it, but I went through most of 2 tubs of liquid rubber. The model had cut lines from the utility knife, so I filled them in and am repainting it. The item in the clamps will be a holder for the soft rubber moulds to support them for creating casts.
2023-11-22
I’m not counting the number of coats of moulding rubber. I’ll keep going until there’s at least 1 cm on all surfaces. I have 2 full and 2 part containers of the moulding rubber. I’m doing a layer every day unless something comes up, so it will take a while.
2023-11-16
Some sanding, some spray painting, some more sanding, two more coats of artist’s water-based enamel. The model is almost ready for the first layer of moulding rubber. I’ll give it a few more days for the paint to harden.
2023-10-28
Although I prepared this model months ago, I’ve been avoiding the sanding and finishing. As usual, the first of those steps was much less onerous than anticipated. Next I need to find appropriate white paint. I plan to make a rubber mould for epoxy casts. Those castings will be the actual working pieces for the Akask sculpture, since I will need several for testing orientations.