Dan.gerous 2,696 #1 Posted July 2, 2020 As some of you know I am a seafarer and spend half my life away from home. We all work a shift pattern and it's not uncommon to struggle to find anyone to talk to, they are asleep or working while you are free. In the modern era it's even worse, we used to spend a lot of time in the ships bar - they have banned drinking now. People just seen to melt away into cabins and watch endless movies to entertain themselves. I have a bit more imagination than that and like to try and keep my mind active - I once made a life size cow out of cardboard boxes just for something to do.... Anyway, lately I have been building things out of wooden stirring sticks - we have a lot onboard for the passengers. A couple of weeks ago a challenge was issued to see who could build the coolest thing. Out of a crew of 36 there have been 5 challengers - not many creative types then! My project is to build a 360 excavator, will post progress for you as it comes together. So far have built the tracks and undercarriage. If anybody on here wants to join in your more than welcome 😁 13 8 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ed Kennell 35,797 #2 Posted July 2, 2020 Better come aboard for this one John. @wallfish 1 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 63,152 #3 Posted July 2, 2020 Awesome!! @JCM and @PeacemakerJack too. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PeacemakerJack 10,671 #4 Posted July 3, 2020 This will be fun to watch...thanks for inviting me to the party Eric! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wallfish 15,924 #5 Posted July 3, 2020 7 hours ago, Ed Kennell said: Better come aboard for this one John. @wallfish Aw man, You know I'd love to get on board with some little wood stick building. I love doing that stuff but unfortunately available time is a huge problem. That thing looks great so far @Dan.gerous Does it have to be made of drink stirring sticks? I could submit a previous project and say I'm doing it now. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dan.gerous 2,696 #6 Posted July 3, 2020 2 hours ago, wallfish said: Aw man, You know I'd love to get on board with some little wood stick building. I love doing that stuff but unfortunately available time is a huge problem. That thing looks great so far @Dan.gerous Does it have to be made of drink stirring sticks? I could submit a previous project and say I'm doing it now. The rule onboard is stirring sticks, but you are allowed other bits and bobs to make it work and look good. I'm pretty flexible for you guys ashore 😊 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dan.gerous 2,696 #7 Posted July 3, 2020 Working on the upper body and engine casing. It's so fiddly and not easy with the ship moving about! It's a bit rough and ready, but should clean up ok. 6 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dan.gerous 2,696 #8 Posted July 3, 2020 Mock up of the cab, engine compartment filled in, needs sanding. Bedtime, more tomorrow.... 5 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dan.gerous 2,696 #9 Posted July 3, 2020 A little bit more progress, will sand this up and send it to the paint shop before the next phase. Engine housing will be yellow and cab will be black. Thinking of adding a louvred section to the top for engine cooling. 1 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 63,152 #10 Posted July 3, 2020 Looks great so far. I like the louver idea. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dan.gerous 2,696 #11 Posted July 3, 2020 11 minutes ago, ebinmaine said: Looks great so far. I like the louver idea. Not sure how exactly, will sleep on it and see what I can conjure up. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ed Kennell 35,797 #12 Posted July 3, 2020 Now Captain, don't get so engrossed in this excavator build that your vessel ends up on a sand bar. 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dan.gerous 2,696 #13 Posted July 4, 2020 8 hours ago, Ed Kennell said: Now Captain, don't get so engrossed in this excavator build that your vessel ends up on a sand bar. If only I was the captain! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dan.gerous 2,696 #15 Posted July 4, 2020 Quick update, finally decided how to build the digger arms. This is the first side of the main arm, it will be cut down a lot before it's finished and will be box section. Also added a bit of style to the side of the cab and sanded down the engine compartment. 2 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dan.gerous 2,696 #16 Posted July 4, 2020 We now have an exhaust made from a ball point pen and a length of clear tubing. Digger arm is now three dimensional and has its mounting plate. Need sleep been getting about four hours a day as spending all my free time messing about with this! More tomorrow 😊 3 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dan.gerous 2,696 #17 Posted July 5, 2020 Looking sexy with the freshly painted black cab, the sliding door works and the dipper arm is roughly mocked up. 2 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stormin 9,975 #18 Posted July 5, 2020 I was wondering what you were going to use the nails for. Good idea! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dan.gerous 2,696 #19 Posted July 6, 2020 8 hours ago, Stormin said: I was wondering what you were going to use the nails for. Good idea! Might swap them out for some small bolts, can adjust the pressure on the arm to stop it flopping about then. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cvans 1,009 #20 Posted July 6, 2020 That's coming along nicely!!!! Does anyone else onboard know what your building or is this a secret? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pullstart 59,733 #21 Posted July 6, 2020 I’m guessing you’re a shoe in for the win, Dan! I need to find my way through my kid’s rooms one of these days, they have been building out of popsicle sticks. Jada figured out a water solution to bend them and had a bunch of rings made up. I am not sure what she’s doing with them, but it’ll be pretty good I’m sure. She’s somewhat of a paper folding genius and loves LEGO building too. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dan.gerous 2,696 #22 Posted July 6, 2020 1 hour ago, Cvans said: That's coming along nicely!!!! Does anyone else onboard know what your building or is this a secret? I had to show them as they were lacking inspiration and giving up. I think it scared half of them! I know as a fact they are all aiming for second place.... Mind you I have a history of going over the top with these sort of projects. We had a fancy dress for Christmas onboard two years ago. I hand sewed a complete Oscar the grouch costume for myself and made a fully converting transformer costume for my youngest daughter (we did the yellow car, bumble bee). Won every prize available for the costumes 😁 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dan.gerous 2,696 #23 Posted July 6, 2020 24 minutes ago, pullstart said: I’m guessing you’re a shoe in for the win, Dan! I need to find my way through my kid’s rooms one of these days, they have been building out of popsicle sticks. Jada figured out a water solution to bend them and had a bunch of rings made up. I am not sure what she’s doing with them, but it’ll be pretty good I’m sure. She’s somewhat of a paper folding genius and loves LEGO building too. Pictures please 🤨 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dan.gerous 2,696 #24 Posted July 6, 2020 Just now, Dan.gerous said: Pictures please 🤨 We used to get a few of us together for beers, each person design a BBQ of Lego bricks. Then the winner would get it built in the yard that afternoon out of my pile of real bricks. Had some fun doing that and you got fed at the end on your own creation. 2 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dan.gerous 2,696 #25 Posted July 6, 2020 Found a video of the mostly completed transformer costume - that was more technical than a wheelhorse rebuild! https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10215834418907952&id=1069495256 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
