Wednesday 18 February 2015

Ferris Wheel terrain - part 2

Managed to make some good progress on the old Ferris Wheel. Thanks for all the suggestions. I have altered my design so that two models can battle in each pod and also the wheel should now turn. Big improvements!

So first of all I strengthened each wheel by adding struts.


Again I was using PVA glue so lots of time needed for the drying.

Next I moved on to the Tripod on which the whole thing would be mounted. I decided to give Foamboard a go.



I measured up and drew out the shape that I wanted and strengthened the foot area to give more purchase. Then I cut out my 'A' shape frames.


I added some support at the back by way of skewers. Very effective. I pierced the foot to make sure that the weight would go all the way down and used PVA again down the length of the skewer. Lots of it.

Then I began to contemplate the pods. I had something in mind like a gondela with windows but if I was going to use them for battling I needed something more practical.


I cut out the shapes from foam board and then used cocktail sticks to dowel the sides to the floor pieces. This will make them strong enough to hold the models. I then needed to any the sides onto the  wheel. I came up with the idea of using the metal pieces from clothes pegs. I seems to work.


 By close of play the whole thing is starting to come together. Quite impressive. There are a number of issues however.

1. I want to be able to disassemble for storage and indeed painting .... emmm?
2. I think there will need to be more cross bracing and this is proving difficult with the low hanging and 360 degree rotating baskets ...
3. Will it be strong enough?
4. Why will any of the models use it - should it give access to something up high?

Anyway - I am loving pulling it together.

More to follow.




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21 comments:

  1. Michael Awdry18 February 2015 at 10:39

    You are quite clearly barking mad, but I love it! Clearly by accessing the ferris wheel it will grant access to the Joker's huge dirigible -

    http://www.lead-adventure.de/index.php?topic=23406.0

    Oh go on you know you want one!

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    1. Bullcher Feb18 February 2015 at 11:04

      That is just the most insane piece I have ever witnessed!!!! OMG.

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    2. Michael Awdry18 February 2015 at 13:19

      Now imagine it painted purple and green! ;)

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    3. The Dark Templar18 February 2015 at 13:38

      Clearly someone with far too much time and too many bowls of crunchy nut cornflakes

      Delete
    4. Bullcher Feb18 February 2015 at 13:57

      I had a laugh at the cereal boxes myself. I have always found that they curl a bit when painted and spend time in the heat. They must have found a way around that. So much detail ....

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    5. Unknown19 February 2015 at 07:37

      I was working on a horror game rules set years ago which would have effects based on whether the figures whee in the light or the dark. I came up with the idea to use thin rubber circles to be placed under the lamp posts to show where the light is.

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    6. Bullcher Feb19 February 2015 at 07:50

      That is a good idea. There needs to be something practical or in will be difficult to reconcile when playing.

      Delete
  2. The Dark Templar18 February 2015 at 13:38

    What an amazing bit of terrain!
    The only engineering comment I have is that your side pieces are too acute. If you google ferris wheels you will see that most have side supports much wider – almost a quarter section of the wheel in some cases. At present my worry would be it tipping over if there was significant weight to the far left or right of the wheel.

    Can't wait to see this painted!

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    Replies
    1. Bullcher Feb18 February 2015 at 13:52

      Yip - I think that is likely to be a problem. I am not setting the pods on the ends of the wheel to compensate a bit but ....

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  3. Unknown18 February 2015 at 13:45

    I agree with Mike its going to tip over once the floats are on not to mention a miniature. But I salute your madness with both hands!

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    1. Bullcher Feb18 February 2015 at 13:54

      Why thank you - it is my inner Joker, you know :-)

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    2. The Dark Templar19 February 2015 at 00:50

      I knew the Joker crew was made for you, especially with some of the titan clowns in there lol.

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    3. Bullcher Feb19 February 2015 at 00:55

      He, he. I have ordered the Joker new book of rules and a few more models to build the larger 350 point crew. Reading the last section of rules last night I also noticed the need for Crates and Lamp posts and Sewer markers. Did you ever finish / start your lamp posts?

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    4. The Dark Templar19 February 2015 at 03:06

      Never did get around to the lamp posts as not long after other companies starting making some great ones in resin. The Knight Model ones look pretty cool. I believe each player places D3 of each at the beginning of the game so not very many!

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    5. Michael Awdry19 February 2015 at 03:39

      Do you think we could drill them out and put in small LEDs? ;)

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    6. Bullcher Feb19 February 2015 at 06:53

      lol - I am loving all this stuff with glue and paper but electrics!!! It does look like the game is played in the dark as each lamp post lights up its surrounding area. It can even be shot at to knock it out of commission.

      The Knight Model lamp posts do look good alright.

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  4. Dan19 February 2015 at 01:05

    Woo, so excited to see this finished.

    To avoid tipping you should definitely have a much bigger base as that will be a lot more important than the actual struts, at least the width of the wheel to avoid the centre of gravity ever passing the edge of the base under normal use, you'll also need some sort of break/pulley system to allow the wheel to move and not simply return to the lowest point, rubber bands should provide enough friction if geared well.

    For stuff to climb on, a bonkers ticket booth with accessible roof via the downward side of the wheal would be cool and could be a stepping off point to access other stall roof space, and while the airship above is crazy cool and far to big the idea is sound, a balloon basket for a villainous get away would be just the coolest scenario, making a hot air balloon from a balloon, paper mache and string is simple and effective.

    For extra support remember that triangles are your friend, you should be able to have a second cross strut at least an inch or two up from the most centre one (depending on pod position) and then a pair of diagonal cross braces a bit like in the picture linked below.
    http://thumbs.dreamstime.com/z/ferris-wheel-179648.jpg

    I must thank you, at a time where work is stressing me out this little project of maniac joy is realy cheering me up. At least come the weekend the deadline at work will be over for now.

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    Replies
    1. Bullcher Feb19 February 2015 at 02:02

      Thanks for this - I am loving all those ideas. I agree with the increase in the base size and will get myself into the garage for something suitable ASAP.

      Ticket booth is a cool idea and the balloon is out of this world insane!! but ....

      I agree with your cross bracing idea too. I have just had a look and I have just about enough clearance to do something like that. I managed to get some more struts on last night and the whole thing is getting more stable.

      As for the gearing - well I love the sound of the challenge. I have never done anything like that before but ..... there is always a first - he, he!

      And the trick about deadlines is to breathe - breathe in, then out, repeat a lot - and before you know it the deadline has come and gone ;-)

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    2. Dan19 February 2015 at 03:25

      Like I said its a delight to see, with the added advantage that I can spew out ideas and don't have to finish the project (more likely add a half built thing to the loft of shame.)
      As a flash of inspiration it might be possible to have a rubber band to a second shaft with a break on that shaft, by having the large pulley on the main shaft and a smaller one on the brake shaft, then use a wooden peg for the break.

      As for the but... paper mache hot air balloons are on of the simplest craft projects there is and are commonly made in primary schools, just saying... (evil grin)

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  5. The Dark Templar19 February 2015 at 07:37

    You may need to change the blade in your knife – those foamboard cuts look like a crocodile chewed it ;)

    Foamboard kills scalpel blades so they'll need changing often for clean lines.

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    Replies
    1. Bullcher Feb19 February 2015 at 07:48

      Yip - I broke my blade and then used the scissors - not very crisp at all. I found a new blade last night so am back with the knife today.

      Delete

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