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.

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.

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!

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:

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.

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.

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...

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...

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...

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!