Trussed up!

All work and no play makes Victor a dull boy so I took some time out to make a flying visit to Yosemite National Park.

Yosemite National Park

Then it was back to the shop for more welding!
The bottom layer of Big Stumpy is not quite complete. The structural framework has been constructed but the sub-frame that supports the bark is not yet complete. While I was away someone had laid out the framing for the bark supports. It now needed to have trusses placed across to give the subframe structural integrity. This involves:

• measuring the distance of the space to be spanned, 
• allowing some extra for take-up once a curve is put into the strut,
• cutting the truss with a giant set of shears,
• putting a curve into the strut by passing it through the rolling mill, and
• welding the strut into place.

Giant metal shears!

Welding the trussing struts

There has been some considerable thought and debate  about the incorporation of a bench on the outside of Big Stumpy. Finally a plan was settled upon. It fell to me to do the work which involved considerable free-form bending and trussing with extra strengthening struts to create a bench that can "hold the weight of three hippies".

Proposed bench

My instructions

Finished product (front)

Finished product (side)