Here we GOOOO!

Today is the day.
We started the real work. We got organized with

• MIG welding machine
• 5183 welding wire

• router to chamfer

• Circular say

what else? No more I think.



So we started with a frame on lofting floor to see if it matched the lines.

It did with very good approximation. Although the plasma cut has given a constant slope to all the cut margins, but well within acceptable limits.


Step number 1 was to chamfer all web frames ends for future butt welding

Step number 2 was to insert the reinforcement pipes in the holes of the frame webs.
We counted 100 50mm holes for which we had the appropriate pipe.

Few more of different sizes for which we will have to generate the pipe from the plate.


Cutting of the 100 50mm 5 cm long from 5 meters of pipe.

We then smoothed the outer and inner borders of these 100 pieces.

We also had to clean the inside of the holes as at the starting-ending point of the plasma cut there was a small irregularity.

Finally the lightning will give life to the creature

Tomorrow we will complete the pipes and arrange the supports for butt welding.
We are very happy for the good start. No problems with welding till now!

Checking the aluminium

17.06.2011 Opening the package

Here we are: we have a hard day of work to check that everything is OK with the delivery.

First we place on the wall all the construction drawings by Robert

Then we start from the lofting floor.

It is nicely cut on 6 panels of MDF

Provided with a locking mechanism.

Now let's look for the frames!

Every piece should be numbered as in the drawings.

But in fact the coding is not exactly the same so we must sometimes recognize the pieces by the shape.

The progress of the work is very fast.

The the web frames are stocked separately.

A lot of waste but finally everything is checked

Ad after 6 hours of work we have finished!

But....

2 pieces are missing!

and

I mailed to Robert and to Alumar.
We shall see.

Aluminium Delivered

15.06.2011 Aluminium Delivered

As expected the truck ha delivered the 5 tons of aluminium on time.

Now we are really committed. I feared this moment. I thought I would have commented: "Shit what did I do"

This did not happen. In fact seen these huge packages 6 meters by 3 reinforced my idea that IT CAN BE DONE!

We fixed an appointment for next friday to unpack

The Beginning

08.06.2011The Beginning

Here we are. David  has come to meet with Luciano, the weldeing expert, and visit the facility.

We checked that space and machines were adequate for the job.

And briefed Luciano on what was going to happen. We discussed of the steps necessary to complete the project, studied the drawings from Dudley, Robert and the web site from Brian Russel.
We also discussed on the necessary administrative steps necessary to obtain CE certification.

I have produced a little manual in italian summarizing the info from these different sources.
At the end we were alla satisfied.
Now we wait for the arrival of the aluminium.