Interest DaveP's V2 and V3 run - 2024

[Halliwax]

Hello there.

Please excuse the lack of update this weekend.

I am in the process of putting one together, and there has been some significant progress since the last one!

I've just not quite had the opportunity to properly document where things are up to.

I'm also very close to one particular milestone which I wanted to include. This should be completed tomorrow.

So, I'll be posting the update a little late (mid-week) if that's ok with everyone?

I'm working to a strict set of deadlines, whilst also dealing with some personal stuff that is impacting the amount of free time I have available at the moment.

Without going in to too much detail, my mother is back in the hospital and I'm trying to get over to visit her as often as I can (which is a 3hr round trip).

Work is still very much moving forward though and an update should be landing in the next couple of days.

Please bear with me. Thank you all so much for your support and for your patience.

All the best and MTFBWY!

Dave

So sorry to hear about you mom Dave. Family is the most important, sending positive energy your way. Stay strong

 

[jorgealberni]

Hello there.

Please excuse the lack of update this weekend.

I am in the process of putting one together, and there has been some significant progress since the last one!

I've just not quite had the opportunity to properly document where things are up to.

I'm also very close to one particular milestone which I wanted to include. This should be completed tomorrow.

So, I'll be posting the update a little late (mid-week) if that's ok with everyone?

I'm working to a strict set of deadlines, whilst also dealing with some personal stuff that is impacting the amount of free time I have available at the moment.

Without going in to too much detail, my mother is back in the hospital and I'm trying to get over to visit her as often as I can (which is a 3hr round trip).

Work is still very much moving forward though and an update should be landing in the next couple of days.

Please bear with me. Thank you all so much for your support and for your patience.

All the best and MTFBWY!

Dave

Dave - Just wanted you to know that you, your Mom and your family are in my prayers. Cheers, Jorge

 

[DaveP]

So sorry to hear about you mom Dave. Family is the most important, sending positive energy your way. Stay strong

Dave - Just wanted you to know that you, your Mom and your family are in my prayers. Cheers, Jorge

Thanks so much guys! You're too kind. I really do appreciate you taking the time to send these!

.........

As promised, here is this week's update. A little later than usual. Apologies once again....

Following on from my previous update, I'm happy to report that all clamps were indeed finished and that these are now at the platers!

I've been informed that these will be completed before the end of the month as they shut up shop for two weeks from August 1st.

I'll be concentrating on getting everything else done in time for them arriving back here.

Since getting the clamps sent out I've been mainly concentrating on getting the aluminium parts detailed, ready for chemical darkening. Aside from the addition of a small "ding" to the booster, the majority of this work revolves around the pommel section.

My interpretation of the V2 Pommel damage is based on this reference:

To my eyes it is fairly heavily pitted. In order to replicate the pattern of the damage, I stretched out the oval shape in the reference photo across a circle to remove the perspective and then traced out the details. I then cut this pattern as a vinyl stencil to apply to the bottom of each pommel. This helps to keep them as consistent as possible. I use a rotary tool to engrave the details, before softening everything with emery cloth and then wire wool.

The majority of the work is now complete on these, with all engraving having been done. I am still in the process of softening the edges and adding the smaller details and scratches, including the circular milling marks. Here's a finished one (Before having been darkened):

I expect to have all of these finished tomorrow and hope to apply chemical darkening to the parts that require it on Friday.

This will mean that the following/final week will be dedicated to painting!

I have made a point of getting several smaller jobs completed this week too. D-Rings are done! Whilst these are one of the last things to be installed, I needed to get some made for the DIY kits. I figured I would just power through and get them all done to save me from having to come back to them later. So, these are all made up and ready to install.

They may be small, but they can be quite time consuming in large numbers. Each one is cut to length by hand, deburred and formed, with multiple operations for each one.

I also took the time to extract the boot studs for the "mystery chunks" too. I've tried various methods to extract these in the past. My new favourite is to drill holes around each stud, before pulling them out with a pair of snips. The soles on these are incredibly tough, so the holes make extracting them much easier!

These are now soaking in white vinegar to remove the zinc plating. Once this is stripped I'll get each one trimmed down ready to be installed.

Everything is starting to come together, and I'm looking forward to getting the parts for the "current day" commissions darkened by the end of this week!

Stencils are all cut and I have been weeding these out in between jobs too. In fact, I'll be returning to these this evening, once I have this update posted.

I am still very much aiming to have this batch finished by the end of next week! There's certainly a lot left to do, but if I can keep to the deadlines I've set for myself between now and then, I believe that it can be done!

I am still trying to visit my mum in hospital as often as I can too. It's certainly a difficult time. Please rest assured though, that I am doing everything I can to stay on target!

Thank you all so much for your concern and for your messages of support. I really do appreciate it.

I'm going to leave it at that for this update. I have the next couple of days planned out and a goal set for the end of this week, so I'll be back with another update soon.

Thank you all once again for your support and patience.

All the best and MTFBWY!

Dave

 

[PadawanLoLo]

Goes without saying, focus on your family mate. We always appreciate these updates, and fully admire your dedication as well but there are no comparisons to what moms bring to this world and the place they hold in our hearts!

Take care of you mate. We will all be here when the skies clear!

Beautiful work as always. <3

 

[Sithslayer]

PM coming Dave.