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...

Getting Closer...

First thing's first...let's see how well I've stuck to this weekend's goals:

1. Finish all molding detail.
2. Create, paint and glue skins where needed.
3. Experiment with different staining techniques on a scrap piece of wood.
4. Cut shelf to size.

The result if a BIG FAT F! That is to say I've done 50% of the above, the first two to be specific. Still, don't need to panic just yet.

I did run into some more snags when I was piecing together the large molding. Needed to create another small filler piece or that "key stone" piece was not going to fit. Plus, I also made the necessary shortening to one of the small molding pieces that fit around the right "pointed pipe" section. With this, all the molding was painted and glued to the model. Next came the touch up process, which has not been finished.

After putting some home made putty in a few of the cracks, I sanded the molding, trying my best to make it look like a unified whole. I've said it before and I'll say it again...the molding is a pain...but a necessary pain. I've certainly impressed myself with my "molding skills." However, it's not perfect. I guess all the imperfections and learning curves with this model will add to its character.

Once the molding was in place, I went ahead and traced the patterns for the skins. There were four to be made. The top left, the top right, the very top and the back skin. I wouldn't normally need a back skin. However, with the Ruckpositiv's unique position in this model, it needed the magic of a skin.

Molding all attached, sanded and ready to be touched up. Very top skin being glued.

Back Skin Cutout

At the present, all three top skins have been glued on. The back skin has been painted, but is not affixed to the model yet. A few more coats of touch-up paint still need to be applied to all the molding as well the skins. After all this is done, I will be able to call Opus 1 complete! The only thing left would be the shelf.

So, this will be the proposed goals for next week:

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

Good things are on the horizon. Until next time...

Determined

Certainly, I am determined as Opus 1 comes to a close. Let's go to the calendar to see how this weekend compares to it's set goals:

1. Purchase all that is required for constructing and staining the loft.
2. Glue the remaining pipe shades in place
3. Cut all molding, large and small.
4. Paint and affix all molding. (time permitting)

I can say that I have met my expectations and have completed all four tasks at hand, including the time permitting number four. Let me start from the top!

All the materials for the shelf/loft have been purchased. This consists of the two corbels, the shelf itself and the stains that I will use to decorate the loft.

One of two corbels that the shelf will be mounted to.

1.00 x 12.00 x 48.00 pine board to be used as the shelf.

Of course, the shelf will need to be cut to size as well as the slot for the Ruckpositiv will need to be created. I didn't bother taking a picture of the stains. I will write more about that in the coming weeks. Like many aspects of this project, using the stains to make this shelf similar to a choir loft will be a challenge in and of itself!

I will combine numbers 2, 3, and 4 all into one. Yes, the remaining pipe shades were glued onto the Ruckpositiv. As this was done, I started to cut the large molding followed by the small molding. I forgot how much I hate molding but the feeling came back very quick. The smaller molding, which there is much more of on this division as compared to the large molding, was particularly painful to be it kindly.

Top right molding

Bottom molding

First, I was able to make use of some of the scrap pieces from previous sessions within this model. By the time I was done, I just had enough to complete all the small molding. Everything in between was the usual nightmare that comes with this feature of the model. It adds a nice touch. However, it is a serious pain creating every piece!

By the end of the day, I managed to paint all the molding, including the large molding (not shown). As far as affixing them to the Ruckpositiv, I'm about 80% done. I ran into some snags with the bottom molding. Plus, once everything's on, I will certainly need to putty some areas, sand and touch-up the paint.

I thought I would have the entire division done today. Still, I'm happy with the overall progress made. As for next weekend, I propose the following goals:

1. Finish all molding detail.
2. Create, paint and glue skins where needed.
3. Experiment with different staining techniques on a scrap piece of wood.
4. Cut shelf to size.

I think the above four goals are do-able for next weekend. We're in the final stretch. The pain of anticipation has crept in but the finish line is in sight.

Until next time...

Ludicrous Speed

According to my itinerary, today should have been as follows:

1. Fit and glue flat and pointed pipes of Ruckpositiv
2. Finish pipe shades for at least the center pipes of the Ruckpositiv.
3. Start to cut the small molding.

Well, I completed number one. As for number two, not only did I finish the pipe shades for the Ruckpositiv center, but I've finished ALL the pipe shades!!! As for number three...no, not today. Either way, the Ruckpositiv is really coming together and Opus 1 is that much closer to completion.

I first situated all the flat pipes into their respect holes. After dry fitting them in, I went ahead and glued them in place. Afterwards, I was able to glue the "pointed pipes" in place. Thanks to the triangular brace that I glued at the bottom, these pipes were able to hold their shape.

As always, I was multitasking. After creating a pipe shade template for the flat pipes, I started to cut them out. Also, at the same time, I put the final touches of paint on the center shades.

Things then started to come together. Once all the other pipes were in place, the center pipes were glued into place. After drying, both grills were clamped and glued around the pipe guide. While this was going on, the pipe shades for the flat pipes were getting sealed, primed and painted. Afterward, you guessed it, they were glued into place. By the end of the day, I was able to finish the painting process for the other pipe shades, those associated with the pointed pipes. However, I did not have time to glue them in place.

Indeed, many items have been accomplished today. Instead of creating a new itinerary, I shall list next weekends goals:

1. Purchase all that is required for constructing and staining the loft.
2. Glue the remaining pipe shades in place
3. Cut all molding, large and small.
4. Paint and affix all molding. (time permitting)

I'd like to turn our attention to the shelf / loft and shed a little more light on what I'm thinking for the last stage of Opus 1. Like I've stated in the last post, I was going to wrap the large molding around the shelf to make it look like a choir loft. I ordered another 8ft of this molding and when I opened the box, a gift (of sorts) was inside. Attached to the molding I ordered was a larger, a little more elaborate and sealed molding. It's 1.5in tall and 3/4in at its widest. This will make a perfect ledge for the choir loft. (O felix culpa!)

Surprise Molding

Projected "Loft"

The subject of this post sums up the progress made this weekend...Ludicrous Speed. The term comes from the Mel Brooks film Space Balls. I'll let the clip do the explaining. Until next time...

I Can See the Finish Line!!

Today marks the end of a race of sorts. After 40 days and 40 night, today we celebrate Christ's Resurrection! With that said, Happy Easter!! As far as the finish line for Opus 1. Well...that, too, is on the horizon. I think I'll take this post to both update the status of Opus 1 as well as layout a game plan for the remaining project.

Since the Ruckpositiv was built, painting is the next step. For the primary color (red), I painted all the areas that will be seen. I also painted the inside "cubby holes" black to accentuate the pipes. Since the Ruckpositiv will be suspended, the bottom needed to be unified. So, I went ahead and created a skin for the bottom, painted it and then glued it to the base of the Ruckpositiv.

I even had some time to start looking into the pipe shades. From what I can tell, the same designs that I used for the Hauptwerk will be able to be used for the Ruckpositiv. I was able to cut out the bottom shade for the center pipes.

As far as the display for this mammoth project, a shelf will be made that will hold both the model as well as be used to mount the Ruckpositiv. I've alluded to this in the previous posts. The shelf will try to emulate a choir loft. The dimensions, will be 10in wide by 24in long. As far as the width, I'm not completely sure at the moment. Depends on the wood I can get. It will be anywhere from 1/2in to 1in thick. A 1.5in rectangular hole will be cut on the front center edge to allow the Ruckpositiv to be mounted. I will make use of the large molding around the shelf to give it that "lofty look."

This shelf, or loft, will be supported by two large corbels. These measure approximately 4.5 x 5.5 x 9.5 inches. Both will be stained, rather than painted. I will try, with any luck, to create a "faux marble" look with both the shelf and the corbels. The loft will be a combination of white, gray and a sort of ivory color. As far as the corbels, I really haven't decided. The marble columns supporting the loft at St. Bavo appear to be a deep green. I might lean toward something in that department.

As for an itinerary, I would say it would look something like this:

April 06 and & 07

1. Fit and glue flat and pointed pipes of Ruckpositiv
2. Finish pipe shades for at least the center pipes of the Ruckpositiv.
3. Start to cut the small molding.

April 13 and 14

1. Glue center pipe shades onto center pipe fixtures and then secure into the Ruckpositiv.
2. Continue with molding detail. At the very least, have them all cut and painted. (large and small)
3. Work on the remaining pipe shades
4. Purchase all that is required for constructing and staining the loft.

 April 20 and 21

1. Finish shades. Seal, prime and paint. Affix to Ruckpositiv.
2. Glue molding to Ruckpositiv.
3. Create, paint and glue skins where needed.
4. Experiment with different staining techniques on a scrap piece of wood.

April 27 and 28

1. Construct the shelf and glue molding around the edge of the shelf.
2. Stain the shelf.

May 04 and 05

1. Make any final touches that need to be done.
2. Photo shoot.
3. DONE!!!!

I planned this project to be complete by the beginning of May. I would say I'm doing very well as far as schedule. This project has been very self rewarding. I'll give my big list of thanks when I'm completely done with the project. However, I thank you, the reader, for taking the time to look at this blog. From the viewer who may stumble across this blog to the faithful who check back every now and again on my progress, I thank you both. It's been a fun ride!

BUT...there is still more to do, as I listed above. Until next time...

Victimae paschali laudes

Easter Sequence

Let Christians immolate praises to the passover victim.

The lamb has redeemed the sheep:

Innocent Christ has reconciled the sinners to the Father.

Death and life contended in a miraculous battle:

the Prince of life, who died, reigns alive.

Tell us, Mary, what did you see on the road?

"I saw the tomb of the living Christ and the glory of his rising,

The angelic witnesses, the clothes and the shroud."

"Christ my hope is arisen;

into Galilee, he will go before his own."

We know Christ is truly risen from the dead!

To us, victorious King, have mercy!

Amen! Alleluia!

It's Raining! It's Pouring! This Model is Never Boring!

Yes, there was quite a bit of rain today which prevented me from completing all that I wanted to get done. At any rate, progress was made, albeit minimal. The general construction of the Ruckpositiv box is now complete. All the "flat" pipes have been painted.

I created the "V-shaped" pipe support and went ahead and glued them in place. They are now ready to be sealed, primed and painted.

At this point, the box can be painted. I'll need to start drawing up some pipe shades and cutting them out. As far as the molding, I have enough of the small molding to finish the model. Unfortunately, and just my luck, I do not have enough of the large molding. I'll send out for that sometime this week.

In regards to the shelf, I plan on purchasing those components next weekend. I do intend on staining the shelf along with the corbels that will be used to hold the shelf to the wall. At this rate, completion of Opus 1 is looking like the beginning of May, which is exactly how I planned it! Let's hope I can keep my own "deadline."

Until next time...

I'm Back!

I'm happy to say that my hands were back on Opus 1 this weekend. This consisted of gluing the pieces together. Since I managed to finally get a bigger piece of wood, I was able to create the back panel. I also started spray painting some of the pipes.

The following are a series of photos of the Ruckpositiv construction:

Here are a few of Opus 1 as it stands at this point.

With all that said, and all that has occurred since my last post, I think a little Bach would be appropriate right about now. In particular, Komm, Heiliger Geist, or Come, Holy Ghost.

Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love.
Send forth your Spirit, and they shall be created. And You shall renew the face of the earth.
O, God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit, did instruct the hearts of the faithful, grant that
by the same Holy Spirit we may be truly wise and ever enjoy His consolations.
Through Christ Our Lord. Amen.