Ospreys (done by frickin' laser beams)

While picking up the labels at Bay Engraving, another idea struck me. Talking it over with Kurt, we decide to try and burn an image of an Osprey into the panel.


The first problem was that because of the wing getting in the way of the suspension arm and the size of the panel, the laser could only reach so far. This limited the placement of the image to the right center, which was ok because it took away any temptation ot make it big and obscure the beautiful grain on the right hand side.

Using one of the old pulls, we experimented with the technique and limitations, and like so many who have become involved building Osp, Kurt is a perfectionist took his time making sure it would come out right.

I picked a couple images, converted them to outline and played with the placement...

Kurt burned a few test images to see which one would come out the best, and played with the resolution/shadowing of the images...

while I obsessed with exactly where it should go and at what angle. 

It was a multi-stop process to make it happen. Kurt appreciated all the hard work we've put in, and while there was an element of risk doing this, he wasn't going to be the one to mess it up.

Finally, the panel was put into place. A scrap piece of veneer was placed over the real panel and burned to verify that everything would work. (Note the QB logo from another job.)

Then he placed and burned a piece of plexiglass over the final location for one last check.

After that there was nothing to do but take a deep breath, start it up and try not to bump the machine while hovering over it.

It came out beautiful, and as usual I was so excited I did not get a better picture. 

A quick run to the airport confirmed how good it looked.

Back to Gordon, first to fix a small section of veneer that had splintered during all the handling. Can you spot the repair?

Thought you might like to see some of Gordon's non-airplane work.

The next to last step, a light coat of natural stain

Before

After. I love how the stain made the grain just pop. The pic does not do it justice. 

A couple days for the stain to outgas, 3 coats of spar varnish, and it should be at Jim's before Sun n Fun.