Saturday, August 31, 2013

The End of an Era

GOAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! No, I'm not watching soccer. However, I did reach my GOAL in completing Opus 3 by today!!! I'm very happy how it came out. To continue where I left off...

I assembled all the boxes for the Great and Pedal chambers. At the same time, I started preparing and painting the pedal pipes. I did something a little different this time. Instead of one solid color for the pipes, I decided to combine both nickel and aluminum simultaneously. The nickel was dominant and the aluminum was held at a further distance. I guess that would mean no set of pipes would be exactly the same. Either way, I got them all pretty close.

Sunday, August 25, 2013

I Can See the Light...In More Ways Than One!!

After a little battle with a virus, I got back to Opus 3 today and plan/need to complete the project by Saturday the latest! It is possible. Phase 1, the middle section, has been completed...including the lighting!!! I must give a HUGE thank you to my dad who installed and wired the lights. Though he taught me some things about wiring and electricity when I was a younger man, I have forgotten much of it. I'm full of many things...electrical engineering (even something as simple as this) is not my forte. Here is how it went.

A PC board was placed on a tangent side of the swell box lighting fixture. The lights were then installed and wired together.

Friday, August 16, 2013

Efficient, Changing, Designing, Adapting our Mentalities

Opus 3 is in FULL SWING! Yes, it's been some time since my last post. However, Opus 3 is a reality and it's all starting to come together. Lots have already been done. With that, where should I start? Well, like I've said in the past, from the ground up! Locating dowel holes were used to position the bottom base to the principal base. There are also two holes for screws, coming from the bottom, to hold down and secure the model.

Monday, July 15, 2013

Opus C...What is Opus C?

I had to keep this one a secret, but I made another model at the same time as Opus 2. I've called it "Opus C." Why not "A" or "B"? I chose to label this one Opus C for two reasons. One, it's just a Console. Two, it is a birthday gift to a very close friend of mine whose name starts with the letter "C." Now, for the design.

Sunday, July 7, 2013

Here We Go Again!

Made some good progress for Opus 3. I think the smartest way to construct this model is from the ground up. Sounds logical, right? I was tempted to start with the pedal towers. However, I think it would make more sense starting from the foundation, and that's exactly what I started doing.

Tuesday, July 2, 2013

Roll Out the Red Carpet for Opus 3!

Sound the trumpets! Roll out the red carpet for the official revealing of my next model. I'm about 99.9% confident that this will be the final layout of the model. Here are some prospective 3D models and information about what Opus 3 is all about!



Sunday, June 30, 2013

Round Two...Check!

Yes, Opus 2 has been COMPLETED! I'm impressed with how I was able to complete this model in such a short amount of time. Granted, it's a "skill 1" compared to a "skill 5" model like Opus 1. Still, it had it's good moments and bad moments. I've learned a few more things while building the keyboard that I will make use of in Opus 3 and any models from here on out. Some pictures:



Sunday, June 23, 2013

Almost There...

Even though this weekend was a busy one outside the model world, I still managed to make some great progress. The pedal board was the main focus. That includes painting all the keys, it's base and assembling them. At the present, the pedalboard is assembled but there may need to be a few touch-ups that need to be done before calling it 100% complete.

Sunday, June 16, 2013

Happy Father's Day!

It is only fitting that Opus 2 is nearing the finish line around father's day as this model is a gift for my dad. Amongst a fairly busy weekend, I managed to get a few things done. First would be cutting, gluing and painting the skins for the two pedal towers. Currently, it only has one coat and will need to be lightly sanded and given one or two more coats. Afterward, the pipes can finally be glued in and both towers will be 100% complete.

Sunday, June 9, 2013

It's Natural to have Accidents...

Now I don't mean spilling your drink, breaking a vase or wetting your bed.......but to the keyboard manuals which I worked on this weekend. First things first...

Micheal's STILL did not have any 1/16in square rods that I use for the keys and accidentals. So, I thought...what would MacGyver do? I have some 1/16 think stock. With that, I set my guard up on the table saw to, your guessed it, 1/16 of and inch and started ripping! I made more than enough for this model and for Opus 3 (which I cannot wait to unveil!) However, the problem surfaced when it came to size.

I normally cut the pieces to size with a wire snipper while the desired length it pressed up against a square. However, the snipper puts a dent in the rod. I mean, it works and give these consoles some "character." However, how can I do away with that? Well, to not beat a dead horse, it required a sharp knife, patience and about twice the time. The ends were better, however, the lengths were never quite the same. (Hence twice the time) Still, it got done and I'm pleased with how it came out. I still need to touch them up.



I was very happy when the post arrived on Saturday as the molding was finally delivered! With this, I was able to knock out the molding for the pedal towers. All I need now is some more material to make the top skins. (...and paint them, of course...)





Overall, happy with how things are coming. Opus 2 is nearing completion. However, as the next few weeks are fairly busy for me, I won't be able to devote the entire weekend to the model. However, I'm thinking by mid July, it will be finished!





Until next time...

Sunday, June 2, 2013

Rock On!

Opus 2 continues moving at a quick pace. This weekend was devoted to painting and assembling the model. A new addition was a base for the console, which will also have the pedal board and the bench attached to it.





The molding should arrive within the next week or so. After the molding is attached, both pedal boxes will be finished. The pedal board still needs to be made and I need some more 1/16in square rods for the accidentals!!

Until next time...


Monday, May 27, 2013

Back at it!

Opus 2 is here and what an amazing start I've gotten this weekend! To recap on the design, it is a fictional rock organ that will be made for my dad. It has it's inspiration from the Hammond organ models, i.e., the Hammond B3 and the like. However, instead of Leslie speakers, there are two boxes of pipes.



On this Memorial day weekend, I had three days to work on it. It all started on Saturday morning where I cut all my stock, excluding the 1/8in think stock. This is due to using a larger table saw which made it much easier to cut all the stock. The blade on it, however, is way to big for such thin wood. I left that for the Dremel table saw that I used for Opus 1.

Before I get into the construction, let me make a brief tangent to the stops. As you see above (sort of), the model will have 6 organ stops, which will be identical to the ones I used for Opus 1. Here is a video of me making a stop. Not the best quality, but you might get a better idea of how I made those suckers.



Now, on to the boxes. With the stock cut, they were very easy to put together. At the same time, I took the pipes (which had already been turned) and carved the mouth into each of them. Unlike Opus 1, these pipes vary in length and the mouth are all on the same level.







I then went ahead and attempted the sides. This required the use of the jig saw. I'm happy with the result, despite a shaky hand...





With that, I was on a role. So I continued onto the bench. It's a simple design. The only new challenge with this bench is the rounded edges all around the perimeter of the seat. I did this with the rotating sanding jig (technical term), which is part of the Dremel jig saw.



With that, the weekend came to a close. LOTS of progress with just three days of work. There's an old saying that I always heard growing up, "If you don't get better at doing something over and over again, then something is seriously wrong!" Thankfully, I don't think anything is wrong with me (in regards to the model, that is...) thanks to the past year's work with Opus 1. I've learned SO MUCH designing and making a model such as that, that any other model of this genre should be slightly easier.





Until next time...

Sunday, May 19, 2013

Fin

SOLI + DEO + GLORIA

YES! I can now say that Opus 1 is OFFICIALLY 100% COMPLETE!!!!! It has now been mounted on the wall and looks great! First...the photos...











Now that Opus 1 is finished, I have two more organ models up my sleeve before I have to call it quits per se. I will save next weeks post to discuss and show progress on Opus 2.

However, this post is dedicated to Opus 1! The whole reason this blog was created! This model represents an entire year of thought, work, sweat and pounds of saw dust! More so, it will forever symbolize this (academic) year. A leave of absence from the vocation I love so dear. Much has been accomplished and yet I have still so much more work that must be done.

I could not have done this without the help of my father. With his help, expertise and tools, this model would not be where it is today. On the note of construction, I thank those co-workers that both taught me how to use a lathe and allowed me to say an extra hour after work "whittling."

Lastly, to all of you who have been with me from the beginning through this blog. Thanks for taking the time and interest in this hobby of mine. I would have never thought that, other than the US of A, the second two countries who have view my blog the most would be Russia and Germany. With that, I say Spasibo (Спасибо)! and Danke!


I close with a quote from Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI during the blessing of the new organ at Regensburg's Alte Kapelle (September 2006).

"The organ has always been considered, and rightly so, the king of musical instruments, because it takes up all the sounds of creation [...] and gives resonance to the fullness of human sentiments, from joy to sadness, from praise to lamentation. By transcending the merely human sphere, as all music of quality does, it evokes the divine. The organ’s great range of timbre, from piano through to a thundering fortissimo, makes it an instrument superior to all others. It is capable of echoing and expressing all the experiences of human life. The manifold possibilities of the organ in some way remind us of the immensity and the magnificence of God."


Thanks again and may God bless you all!

Sunday, May 12, 2013

I Cannot Believe My Eyes

I regret to say that the model is not yet anchored to the wall for display. However, that is the next step. OPUS 1 IS 99.99% COMPLETE!!!! Let me explain...

First, the molding needed to be finished, glued and touched up.....check!
Second, all the parts needed to be screwed together to make it easy to assemble.....check!

Mounting screws holding the Ruckpositiv to the shelf



The only thing that I ran into is how to attach the Oberwerk to the console base? Last time I wrote about this, I would be gluing it after everything was assembled. However, if I ever have to take the model apart to transport, it will be very hard to remove that mid section if the Oberwerk was attached permanently. A solution...straps.



Yes, four straps (two on each side) will be screwed into the console base and the Oberwerk in order to better secure the Oberwerk without permanently fixing it in place. These will be put in place next weekend when the organ is mounted to the wall.

SO, at the end of the day, it was a family effort to set up a table to put ALL the pieces together. Taking a picture with the model laying down required a latter, but I managed to get some interesting shots. With that, I leave you a series of those photos.

Opus 1

Weird shot...yes, it's been rotated a few times.





Tune in next week for my final post for Opus 1! At the same time, you will find out the plans for Opus 2! Things are moving in the right direction! Until next time...

Sunday, May 5, 2013

To Infinity and Beyond

Everything is coming together nicely and Opus 1 is nearing 100% completion. I expect next weeks post will be pictures of it mounted in place, on display for all to see. Like I said in the last post, the weekend was dedicated to preparing the shelf/choir loft. At this point, the shelf is all stained and ready...


...I would say the corbels are also ready. Although, maybe one more coat of sealer...




...and the molding is almost finished. I need to do around 2 coats of sealer followed by another round of the ivory/white combination.



So, what remains? I need to secure the brace that has been glued to the Ruckpositiv and paint it. This brace will be used to mount the Ruckpositiv to the shelf. I would also need to paint it red as well.


Following this...
  1. The corbels can be screwed in place to the shelf
  2. The shelf and corbels can be aligned and mounted to the wall
  3. The molding may be glued to the shelf and any touch-up jobs may be done at that time.
  4. The keydesk base can be screwed into the shelf. Afterward, the Oberwerk may then be glued to this piece.
  5. Once everything is securely fastened and in place, the Hauptwerk can be placed on top of the Oberwerk, the two pedal towers are placed next to the center piece...
...and then you have a complete Opus 1!! It is amazing that a year has come and gone.

I've recently stumbled onto a phrase that is not commonly used here in the US of A. The word is Gap Year and, according to dictionary.com, can be defined as, a year's break taken by a student between leaving school and starting further education. Synonyms may include sabbatical, time off, time out and a year out. In my vocation, it may be called a leave of absence.

Call it what you will, but this year has certainly been a gap year and this model will forever symbolize this year of my life. It has kept my mind on this year and the personal goals that I set for myself back before I started this project. It has become a new hobby and I have learned a lot! However, the year is coming to and end. Though I cannot publicly announce what is the next chapter in my life, I can say that there will be enough time to potentially build TWO MORE ORGANS before this gap year officially ends.

I will go into more detail in later posts when I start them. However, to give you an idea: Opus 2 will be a fictitious "rock organ" for my dad. I spoke of this in a previous post. However, the design has completely changed. Opus 3 is a large chapel organ around 10in wide and 18in tall with 51 pipes. To put that into perspective, Opus 1 has a total of 171 pipes. Pictures and my usual rants about the history and designs of both will come in time. Until then, I thank you for checking out my organ blog and seeing the fruits of my labour.

Until next time...

Sunday, April 28, 2013

A Secure Foundation

Let's asses the situation. This weekends goals:

  1. Finish Ruckpositiv (glue skin, touch up paint, etc...)
  2. Cut shelf to size
  3. Cut choir loft molding to size
  4. Experiment and different color stains for choir loft molding and corbels.
  5. Stain shelf
For this week, I certainly got more of the set goals accomplished as compared to last week. All but number 5 has been done plus a little more. Let's take a look...

One thing I've forgotten to mention in the last few blogs concerns the base and the Oberwerk. Initially, I was going to use a latch to secure these two "modules" of Opus 1. However, after some thought, I've decided to glue the Oberwerk to the base/keydesk area. Before this is done, a few things need to be accomplished.

I cut up a piece of 2x4 and placed them in each corner of the base. I also threw in some of the wood left over in there as well, making the base "a secure foundation." When the shelf is made, this base will be screwed into the shelf. The screws will be screwed into these four corner blocks. After this is done, I will then permanently glue the Oberwerk to the base/keydesk module.

The four blocks will be used to mount this base to the shelf.

The finished Ruckpositiv (L), Oberwerk (C) and Hauptwerk (R)


Now that the Ruckpositiv is finished, this means that the organ as a whole is now 100% complete. What remains is all that needs to be done to the shelf and mount all the pieces together. Let's start with the preparations for the shelf.

I went ahead and cut the shelf to size, that being 24 inches long. Next came the preparations to cutting the 1.5 inch deep notch for the Ruckpositiv to fit into. After taking the appropriate measurements, out came the jig saw. With some instruction from my dad and practice on a test piece, the notch was cut out successfully and no blood was shed or finger lost! (I still cannot believe this!)

After some sanding, pilot holes will marked and drilled for the two corbels, the mounting brace for the Ruckpositiv as well as the four holes for the base/keydesk.

Ready...aim...FIRE!

Great Shot!


In the midst of all this, I went ahead and started staining some test pieces. With same strips of pine as the shelf, I stained one of them the pewter color that will be used predominately on the shelf. However, on another strip, I primed it with polycrylic first before using the pewter. As for the molding, I stained one the pewter color and the other "outside white." Next week, I will continue working with various staining methods until I have what I want for the "choir loft." The three solid stain colors I will be utilizing are the two just mentioned, pewter and outside white, along with ivory.




At the end of the day, I went ahead and dry-fitted everything together. I leave you with a montage of photos. Next week will be strictly devoted to figuring out my staining methods for the choir loft and applying those methods to the actual pieces.








Until next time...