Having found new drawings of the Control Colunm Grip used on Voodoos and T-33, I have a mind to do myself a new one. Here are photos of the old one. This will definitely not be ready for Christmas as it will be a low priority project.
Lou
Very novel projects Lou,I have seen aircraft control columns realise silly prices at aerojumbles,your replicas look good when varnished up.
Barry.
This is actually my third. The first two are mounted in CF101003 which is on display in Goose Bay Labrador. Apparently when they delivered the aircraft to Goose, the aircrew removed the grips for souvenirs and I was asked to carve new ones. I had an actual one on hand so it made life easier. It has so many curving surfaces, it is challenge without the real one to look upon.
Lou
Spent a bit of time on the control stick grip.
Lou
They are great Lou,quite complex shapes to this one as well.
Barry.
The biggest problem is where the contour requires a cut that goes with and then against and with the grain again. It requires changing the angle of the blade repeatedly. Another minor thing is that with laminated blocks, each slice does not necessarily have parallel grain patterns. But then without a challenge, it is not worth getting up in the morning.
Lou
I agree Lou,life is a challenge in itself and tackling the more difficult things is fun on our learning curve.
Barry.
I sat with the misses at the Mall while she sold crocheted afghans. Since I was doing nothing but chatting, I brought along the control grip and did some whittling. Had a few looks, but none had the nerve to ask me what I was doing. Never heckle a man with a knife even if it was only an inch long.
Lou
Photos to follow.
Good for you and yours Lou,I remember the model displays that you used to put on,they were excellent,whittling in public is good,show them what a sharp knife is really for and not just cutting the crusty loaf !
Barry.
Lou I for one have always thought your tutorials were A1. And far be it from me to ever even imagine heckling a man with a knife. Good advice as always.
Cliff.
Getting there.
Lou
Those extra long Exacto knives and saws are useful items.
Barry.
That is an Exacto handle but the blade came with a jig saw set of blades. Can't remember where they were purchased but they have been in the basement a few years at least. This is the first time this long blade has been used. The holding end had to be filed to fit the handle. Works really good as it solid and has very little flex to it.
Lou
Nice work Lou on a complicated shape. Regards Paul J.
Lou I really like a long blade called Stanley 5901,unfortunately they discontinued this many years ago and I managed to pick up a good supply of old new stock at a car boot sale,I understand that you have similar things called garage sales.
Barry.
Over here they are yard or garage sales. Occasionally they are called flea markets. Just someone wanting to get rid of unused stuff. One man's junk is another's treasure.
Lou
Had a few minutes waiting for the misses to get her hair cut so with sandpaper in hand, the control stick received some long neglected attention. Amazing how much you can sand in 45 minutes.
Lou
Nice job Lou, lots of shaping work. I wonder what a Buccaneer stick top would look like? I'll put it on the list. Regards Paul J.
We can probably find out from on line photos. May start a trend here.
Lou
I have noticed that control columns have become highly collectable items sometimes demanding high prices,these are a good alternative.
Barry.
There are cheap plastic one you can find on line but this is for mounting on a waking/hiking stick so it needs to be a bit more robust.
Lou
Stick grip completed however I have yet to find the stick. The last one was a shovel handle but I need all my shovels. Nice project with lots of whittling and sanding. Buttons are dowels and the trim button is a dressmaker's pin.
Lou
Finish is flat black Krylon rattle can over sprayed with clear gloss. Dark red is hand brushed "Dreamcoat" water based craft paint.
Lou
That's awesome Lou! You could have a little business selling those at air shows!
Peter
Thank you Peter, but it takes way too much time to make to attempt selling.
Very realistic Lou,you have put a lot of work into this.
Barry
Very nice job Lou, I like that a lot, very realistic right down to the texturing, well made. Regards Paul J.
Thank you Barry and Paul.
Paul, have you searched for some Buccaneer control stick grips?
Lou
I did Lou, but I didn't come up with anything, I suppose I could ask the chaps at Bruntingthorpe who keep the Buccs running to have a look in the AP's for diagrams. Regards Paul J.
Found suitable walking stick for my latest control handle grip. It was a shovel handle but will do nicely once I sand and varnish it.
Lou