Modeling in Wood #2: Motor Cycle ,The Frame

Frame

When building a model you must keep in mind what the finished project will look like. Wood selection is very important unless you plan on painting or some other means of coloring your toy. I don’t like to do anything other than some spray lacquer. So I use the color of the wood as my palette.

Today I started my frame for the motor cycle. I needed a very dark color of wood to do it justice. I also had to take into account that the parts for the frame are very small and odd shaped. So a tight grain, dense material would also be needed. I went to out local exotic woods dealer, and in trade for my soul, a small piece of ¾” Wenge was traded. This wood is not cheap, but what the heck, I don’t need too much anyway.

To construct the parts for the frame is really pretty easy. The plans show both top views and side views in full size to make life a lot easier. The main frame part is cut from ¾” material, as is the backbone. The swing arms are cut from ½”. And the center post is ¼” square. To cut the pieces you can mark the wood using the full size views. There is many different ways of doing this, but for this I will only tell of my method. I photo-copy the views needed with my all in one printer. Then cut them out with a pair of scissors. Using a glue sick I apply them to the material that I have already cut to a block on the table saw. Now all you have to do is go to the band saw and remove everything that is not frame. When dealing with odd shapes, sometimes it is necessary to cut the side view first. Then tape the cutouts back where they came from to cut the top view. Look at the following picture to see what I mean. Any of the paper that is left on the piece can be removed with a heat gun and a scrapper.

This picture shows the frame pieces cut out and ready to be sanded. (I really hate Sanding) and then assembled. In the back you can also see the wheels from yesterday. Note they now have the disc brake and hub attached.

This model is not an easy build. But I am going to keep on it. Next I guess will be to complete the frame and start the springer front end. Till next time.

Click for full view

-- Brian's Table Top Toys http://home.mountaincable.net/~bgraham/