#021 04 Tybee Pier - Flat Top

Let's check on the patient tonight and see how she's doing...

 We remove the Popsicle Rick Handy Cheap Weights and she is flat as a pancake!  Perfect!  The patient will live!

It will sit up straight again.  But before we do any more work on her, let's leave her for 24 hours and check to see if the warping doesn't come back.  Sometimes it does.

#020 04 Tybee Pier - Damage Control

Yeah!  We're finally back working on the Dixie Donut!  Tonight dispare and repair!

The question is: rebuild or repair?  This is for an AP award, so it must be good.  Most of the structure looks ok so maybe we can just straighten it up.  Its worth an evening's work to see.

 We'll need some toothpicks and glue.  I keep a supply of ketchup cups and a big bottle of round toothpicks in the supply drawer to my immediate right.

 Upon further investigation, we find that the top of the pier is racked slightly, meaning that it twists from right to left and is warped.  Not good.

 I carefully removed all of the loose or almost loose boards and pilings.

 The pier won't sit level on the table.  We'll have to unwarp it.   Mr. Sulu, unwarp factor 5.

 I'm going to use my handy dandy weights that were given to me by the legendary Popsicle Rick as a birthday present.  I can't tell you how often I use these things!  There tin cans with Sakrete in them.  Heavy and very cheap.

 I'll also need the alcohol sprayer.  You can't use water because the glue is water based.  This penetrates the wood better.

 I soak the pier in alcohol and get it really wet.  This way the model gets flexible.

Then we'll take the weights and press the model down to flatten it out.  I hope this works!  If not, there will be a pier building party next weekend!

Working on Section #1 - Set Up

It is time to get to work on the modules again.  First thing I have to do is to get #1 set up.

 It has been sitting in the corner like a big pink lump.  I want to set it up and begin the trackwork.

 The leg extensions slide on easily. 

 I rest the module on its side while the legs go on, and then I tilt it up and set it on the spare legs.

 The spare leg is held in place with very strong pinch clamps.  It is pretty stable.

The pier takes its place on the module.  Next step is to put Module 2 up and get the track started.