I thought for the base to simply cut out a matching shape from structural ply. Attached, the strength of the structure is not as stable nor strong as I’d hoped. Christmas break coming up, I’ll have to spend some time contemplating…
Gluing now dry, I’ve given the light boxes a bit of a dry run. The 3 side panels are a good fit, so just attachment and blank removal required. I figure a large cut in the side panel matching the light box opening will give me sufficient space to fit lights, panels, and wiring without being restricted for space. The front light box doubles as initial structural support.
I’m making fairly good progress, and whilst contemplating the base, roof & windows, have put some constructive efforts into the light boxes.
Constructing the stepped corner posts and then adding the ply panelling was not too difficult. Working around and standing the bits up became slightly more difficult as the construction grew in weight.
A tricky bit was aligning up the front doors where they will be attached which are not actually attached to anything so that the TARDIS ends up being square. I’ve left a 5mm gap between the doors for swingability. Lots of gluing and screwing ensues…
The commercial thicknesser and Altendorf panel saw make quick work of precise reproducable part making.
With the time & effort involved in making 2 very noice Vic-ash entry doors, I decided to go for a ply paneling for the sides and rear. I’ll use more Vic-ash for the corners. I thought that the ‘easiest’ way to obtain the detail in the panels was to jigsaw/rout the 4 x 2 rectangles on the top 6mm piece, cut just the windows in the middle 3mm piece and then cut just the windows in the 6mm bottom piece. Hopefully the jig works and all the pieces match. The mammoth task of gluing and clamping was accomplished with heavy brick blocks which are otherwise used by carpentry apprentices as ‘stumps’ for building a house.
For my TAFE free project, I’ve decided to build a 1:1 scale TARDIS. We’ll see if I can improve on my grade 6 art class dalek. The design is based on the 1963 Brachacki version.
