zapster
Don't Mind Me..
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« on: March 07, 2010, 12:32:44 PM » |
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Here are some pics of the "Big Cat" that has been ongoing for a few years now..
The foiling is complete..
Mrs. zap used some tracing paper to transfer the pattern to the foil overlay..
We drilled holes in the eyes for some inserts that we will use for the eyes themselves..
This project will have a custom wooden frame with back lighting for all the detail to show..
The eyes are gonna be COOL!!!!
We will use Elmers glue to hold the eyes in seeing that it dries clear..
The pics tell the story so on with the pics!!
...zap!
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zapster
Don't Mind Me..
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« Reply #1 on: March 07, 2010, 12:34:36 PM » |
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Now about those eyes...
...zap!
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Graham
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« Reply #2 on: March 07, 2010, 02:49:39 PM » |
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T'is a fine wee kitty!!
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mich4u33
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« Reply #3 on: March 07, 2010, 08:55:18 PM » |
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Very cool!!!!
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gws732
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« Reply #4 on: March 07, 2010, 09:24:47 PM » |
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That is going to be one cool cat.
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Sundrop
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weshpa
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« Reply #5 on: March 07, 2010, 09:46:21 PM » |
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Looks like an awesome panel.
Looking foward to seeing the completed pc.
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Hammer and screwdriver will fix anything.
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Audrey
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« Reply #6 on: March 08, 2010, 09:49:43 AM » |
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Awesome. What patience you must have for such an ongoing panel.
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~Audrey~
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zapster
Don't Mind Me..
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« Reply #7 on: March 08, 2010, 10:27:48 PM » |
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Thanks Everyone.. I finally found the exact person that I want to do the frame with the lighting.. He does custom furniture and has used our glass in a few headboards and such... Did not know where he went after the fire... http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/multimedia/x1132402456I worked in a machine shop in the same building back then... Mrs held classes downstairs... It's a LONG story... But I found him and he has agreed to make the frame onse the piece is complete.. Your turn.. Anyone have any ideas about what to use for backlighting?? ...zap! |
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DoOver
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« Reply #8 on: March 09, 2010, 12:35:01 PM » |
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Anyone have any ideas about what to use for backlighting??
This is a great panel and cant wait to see what the final product looks like. No idea about backlighting but am curious to see what comes up. I have an idea for a backlit panel too. Two questions: 1. What is the eye made of and how will it be attached? 2. What is the gray overlay stuff? Thanks Don |
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zapster
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« Reply #9 on: March 09, 2010, 09:52:04 PM » |
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Two questions:
1. What is the eye made of and how will it be attached?
2. What is the gray overlay stuff?
Thanks
Don
The eyes are topaz stones from a bracelet that the Mrs got from her brother.. It broke so we use what we can for whatever.. Held in by Elmers glue..Dries clear... The gray stuff is the penciled in tracing paper that was used in between the original pattern and the foil overlay.. Refer back to post 1 ...zap! |
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« Last Edit: March 09, 2010, 09:53:36 PM by zapster »
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Tod B.
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« Reply #10 on: March 10, 2010, 11:16:37 AM » |
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Zap:
About lighting, are you looking for a specific effect, size or shape?
Otherwise, try whatever you have around the shop and go from there.
- Tod
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zapster
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« Reply #11 on: March 10, 2010, 07:19:00 PM » |
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Tod..
I think this weekend we are going to go to Home Cheapo or Blowes with some of the glass colors..(NOT THE PIECES!!) and hold them up to different lights and see what happens and with a little mind bending imagination...Who knows..
We have to take into concideration that these will be incased so...
It's gonna rain from Friday to Monday so what the hell..
She had planned on doing all the soldering this weekend and we are waiting for the zinc frame material to come...
Once that shows up then it's my turn to do the framework..
...zap!
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Tod B.
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« Reply #12 on: March 11, 2010, 09:49:29 AM » |
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Sounds like a good plan, Zap. I hope light selection is fun & easy! Keep us posted. - Tod
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zapster
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« Reply #13 on: March 11, 2010, 09:44:51 PM » |
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Hi, This is Mrs. Zap. I wanted to show and explain one more thing I'm doing to my cat that is experimental (at least I have not seen it done before). The paws and nose of my cat, I cut thin grooves in the glass with my saw. Then foiled the back with smooth side up, holding in place with a slightly larger piece, sticky side down. Once I solder this, it will produce a line of solder in the groove, but not above the glass. Then I will peel off the backing to produce a smooth look. I tried this on sample pieces with different methods and this worked the best. Here is a pic of the paw ready for the solder. I'll show a final view when it's finally done.  Mrs. Zap |
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zapster
Don't Mind Me..
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« Reply #14 on: March 13, 2010, 04:28:54 PM » |
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More progress..
The soldering has begun!
Pics below..
The panel should be done today..The front anyway according to Mrs zap..
...zap!
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zapster
Don't Mind Me..
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« Reply #15 on: March 13, 2010, 04:37:29 PM » |
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As we continue.. We are going to use .035 5356 Mig welding wire for the whiskers and such.. It is the perfect scale size for this project.. But with any wire on a spool.... It will stay in the coiled position after cutting and.... It will drive you NUTS if you try to straighten it out by hand..  So here is what we do to avoid going nuts.. It will work on any kind of single strand wire on a spool... You will need a small vice and a drill that will grab the wire... Just put one end in the vice the other in the drill and spin away for about 3 seconds.. Could not be any easier! Pics below will show all.. That's our tip of the day.. ...zap! |
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zapster
Don't Mind Me..
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« Reply #16 on: March 13, 2010, 04:39:47 PM » |
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last set...
I forgot to mention that you need to just pull the wire straight from the vice with the drill before spinning..
Try it!
...zap!
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annabelle
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« Reply #17 on: March 14, 2010, 08:46:24 PM » |
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Absolutely beautiful panel! Nice work! annabelle
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zapster
Don't Mind Me..
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« Reply #18 on: March 28, 2010, 04:50:51 PM » |
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Well just when you think its done..
Crap happens.
Mrs zap got the panel all soldered and the patina applied..
The patina brought out cracks in the "Experiment" with sawing and filling the paws with solder..
Don't do it.
It did'nt work..
The cracks turned red...
She said "If it was just going on a wall and not for sale I'd leave it...
"But with the backlit frame it's going into the paws have to go"
So go they do.
Nothing like repairs on new stuff..
She will just overlay foil this time..
Pics below..
Somewhat in order..
Pic#1 is a drawing of the frame sent to us by the gentleman that will be making it..
#2 is the "Done" panel..
#3 is the cracks from the removed pieces...
#4 is Grinding action..
...zap!
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Evelynfc
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« Reply #19 on: March 28, 2010, 05:55:52 PM » |
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Mr. and Mrs. Zap,
This is an amazing panel and you are doing an excellent job. Sorry your experiment with the paws did'nt work and I'm sure that foil overlay will look just as good. I know, from experience, how frustrating it is to make repairs on an "almost" finished panel. Can't wait to see the completed backlit project.
Evelyn
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Evelyn
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