Thread: Gatto's VW Beetle... Extremely slow W.I.P.

Nope, nothing on the beetle, thank goodness... I was trimming the toothpicks down on the back of the dash, so I was holding the dash fascia, but I had my middle finger under the bottom.
When the knife hit, I dropped the dash and it went under the bench. Such is my committment, I was holding the wound closed with my thumb, while on my knees searching under the bench for the dash with the other hand...

Oh b****r hope it does not stop with the build. The worst part is getting blood on the wood a right pig to get off. I know, as I am on blood thinning tablets and have only to nick myself and it goes everywhere. always got plasters in the shed mainly to stop staining the wood

Originally Posted by Yonnee

The VW has claimed a victim. An 11 hour day on Friday after a very draining day at my Great Aunt's funeral the day before, I probably shouldn't have gone out to the shed let alone be playing with a knife...
...but I did, and I wasn't concentrating...
Attachment 235974

I hope you've learned your lesson and think yourself lucky that a bandade fixed the loss of blood & not an ambulance, emergency dept & operating theatre....[aka nine fingers]
Then the little VW Beetle would of been on hold for some time not to mention earning.
I hope now all has settled down and a full recovery is pending.
Cheers, crowie

Thank you all for your concern... the model's fine!

I've managed to do some more to the VW with only 9 active fingers. I had already clear varnished the dash a week ago, so I finished trimming the toothpicks/knobs (more carefully this time), and glued it into place.
VW Beetle w.i.p 105.jpg

The next thing to start on was to figure out how I was going to cut the next pieces of the model that have the plans on two adjacent sides.
VW Beetle w.i.p 106.jpg

I asked the question in another thread, but didn't get many responses, so I decided to have a go at the two suggestions provided.
Instead of gluing the pattern on (they only give you one side too...), I measured, marked and scored the outline of the top pattern with a knife. I also scored the pattern on the bottom of each piece as well. This turned out to be quite useful when final rough sanding as the top section was removed once the curve was cut.
I then started by cutting the straight tapered section first.
VW Beetle w.i.p 107.jpg

The suggestions were to stick the offcut back onto the original piece to do the next cut. This was because the curved cut needed to be square with the front face with the pattern, which it wouldn't be if the offcut wasn't there.
VW Beetle w.i.p 108.jpg

Once both were cut, rough sanded, a trial fit was assembled to see what it looks like... (the front roof section is just sitting in place at this stage)
VW Beetle w.i.p 109.jpg VW Beetle w.i.p 110.jpg

The one thing that intrigues me is the width of the assembly forward of the firewall is already wider by a couple of mm, and yet I haven't included the different coloured filler piece that's supposed to go in the middle, adding another 3-4mm to the width. I'm pretty sure I haven't stuffed up the measurements as I've checked them against the plans 2-3 times...

So I'm thinking of doing away with the centre filler piece, as it only serves to mimic the chrome strip...
69 beetle - 3-4 front view001.jpg

Any thoughts...??

It's starting to look like a Very Wobbly now.
Regards

Looking good Yonnee.
How about gluing the two bonnet parts together then re cut along the glue line with a bandsaw just stopping short of breaking through as the trim does not go right down to the bottom and fitting a piece of wood into the kerf cut. Hope this makes sense

Its a Citreon, LOL

Originally Posted by Yonnee

The one thing that intrigues me is the width of the assembly forward of the firewall is already wider by a couple of mm, and yet I haven't included the different coloured filler piece that's supposed to go in the middle, adding another 3-4mm to the width. I'm pretty sure I haven't stuffed up the measurements as I've checked them against the plans 2-3 times...

So I'm thinking of doing away with the centre filler piece, as it only serves to mimic the chrome strip...
69 beetle - 3-4 front view001.jpgAny thoughts...??

G'Day Yonnee, I'm not sure if this will help or I've miss understood the question.
What about using your "carving knife" to run a line down the join and infill it with a length of stainless steal mig/tig wire?
Cheers, crowie

Originally Posted by scotty60

Its a Citreon, LOL

ROFL... A 2CV Citroën would be WAAAaaayyy down on my list of models to do...

Yonnee, Have been watching with interest for weeks , it's looking good. About the front bonnet , why don't you reduce each half to allow for a centre strip of timber in a contrasting colour, even allowing for the little "D " handle. Every bit of extra detail will improve the looks. I have made some little door hinges for my Rolls, if you want to open a door I'll make some for you. John. ( The hinges are 8mm wide x 12mm flap , 1mm brass pivot.)DSCF1051.jpg
I would like to know who the NERD was that changed the manage attachments.

Heres an original 60's vw that turned up at a mates open house today so you might be able to do a roof rack or stripes down the side or even some eyes??
IMG_8751.jpg

Originally Posted by nine fingers

Yonnee, Have been watching with interest for weeks , it's looking good.

Thanks mate.

About the front bonnet , why don't you reduce each half to allow for a centre strip of timber in a contrasting colour,...

That's exactly what the plans dictate, and I've made a piece to go in there, but the front's already too wide as it is without adding another piece. I might assemble it dry and have a look at the two. The other problem I have is that the piece of Mahogany I've run through the thicky down to 3mm is not exactly dead flat. I wonder whether a piece of veneer might even be a better option as its thickness would be more subtle, and in keeping withe the width of the original stainless strip. I might keep an eye out at the Woodwork Show next Saturday... If I do go with a filler piece (and even if I don't), I know I'm going to have to sand off the mating section of each centre half to reduce the width... but not too much!!

I would like to know who the NERD was that changed the manage attachments.

You do realise the icon button for the attachment is dual purpose? If you click on the left side of the icon, it opens up the window that allows you to upload/manage your pictures. When you've finished uploading (clicking the 'done' icon), then clicking the right hand side of the attachments icon (the triangle) will open a drop down box with the list of attached photos and allow you to either click on each photo to place it in the spot you want, or "insert all" the put the whole lot in. If you don't do this second step, then the pictures will appear as a thumbnail window at the end of your thread.

Originally Posted by scotty60

Heres an original 60's vw that turned up at a mates open house today so you might be able to do a roof rack or stripes down the side or even some eyes??

LOL... I've seen a couple of photos of my Dad's old girl with those roof racks... I think he might still have them under the house...