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The_Blackadder wrote:I reread my comments and rationals for why I built the feet/toes the way I did in answer to Xypus' questions and I don't see that I was at all bothered by the questions or how they were phrased in my replies. I relish explaining the whys and wherefores of what I do and am certainly receptive to another point of view. I'm sorry if it came across that way but one must realize I do occasionally have a warm buzz going for me in the early evening especially on the weekend which is directly proportional to my loquacity (can't believe I spelt that right!)

In reflection I may have seemed a bit terse in my response to Mxwllmdr what with "WYSIWYG" and "B'adder has left the building etc" but I've been aching to use that expression and that seemed a good place of it. I put a lot of thought into my answers and try to write as amusing as I can ofttimes feigning the irascible characteristics of the pseudo persona I have adopted as my sobriquet.

Because I am,

The Black Adder (I wish I could append the BA theme music right here.) TA Taaaa, ta ta ta ta ta taaaaa!

My good sir, I found you neither loquacious nor terse. Though, I must say I do not find loquacity to be a fault. Carry on as you see fit, old chap, as is both your right and privilege.

BTW I still maintain the diagonal braces do not flex otherwise they would hit the disc. They also maintain a rigid base when the Warlord steps into a depression so as not to overtax the flexible components.


Automatically Appended Next Post:

Galorn wrote:

The_Blackadder wrote:I reread my comments and rationals for why I built the feet/toes the way I did in answer to Xypus' questions and I don't see that I was at all bothered by the questions or how they were phrased in my replies. I relish explaining the whys and wherefores of what I do and am certainly receptive to another point of view. I'm sorry if it came across that way but one must realize I do occasionally have a warm buzz going for me in the early evening especially on the weekend which is directly proportional to my loquacity (can't believe I spelt that right!)

In reflection I may have seemed a bit terse in my response to Mxwllmdr what with "WYSIWYG" and "B'adder has left the building etc" but I've been aching to use that expression and that seemed a good place of it. I put a lot of thought into my answers and try to write as amusing as I can ofttimes feigning the irascible characteristics of the pseudo persona I have adopted as my sobriquet.

Because I am,

The Black Adder (I wish I could append the BA theme music right here.) TA Taaaa, ta ta ta ta ta taaaaa!

Thanks very much! but the first season Theme trumpet fanfare in the opening is the one I had in mind.

The_Blackadder wrote:BTW I still maintain the diagonal braces do not flex otherwise they would hit the disc.

In the Epic model the diagonals seem to fit under the disc (well, they also seem to be attached to it by some kind of a hinge, which makes the whole think untrustworthy as an example, but still ).

I will still maintain that rigid diagonals would hamper the movement range of the toes. Try to tilt a complete foot forward and you will see that the diagonals will act like levers, lifting the front toe from the ground and effectively robbing it of the motivational force.

They also maintain a rigid base when the Warlord steps into a declivity so as not to overtax the flexible components.

That is a valid point, but for that alone they would have to be shorter.

I'm starting to think that trying to make sense of some plastic soldier maker's ideas of a futuristic walker machine construction details does not exactly have to lead anywhere

We'll see once I get the diagonal toes attached hopefully a temporary attachment this morning.

The_Blackadder wrote:We'll see once I get the diagonal toes attached hopefully a temporary attachment this morning.

Actually I'd be really happy if it turned out you're right, as your design requires much less work

The_Blackadder wrote:BTW I still maintain the diagonal braces do not flex otherwise they would hit the disc. They also maintain a rigid base when the Warlord steps into a depression so as not to overtax the flexible components.


Automatically Appended Next Post:

Galorn wrote:

The_Blackadder wrote:I reread my comments and rationals for why I built the feet/toes the way I did in answer to Xypus' questions and I don't see that I was at all bothered by the questions or how they were phrased in my replies. I relish explaining the whys and wherefores of what I do and am certainly receptive to another point of view. I'm sorry if it came across that way but one must realize I do occasionally have a warm buzz going for me in the early evening especially on the weekend which is directly proportional to my loquacity (can't believe I spelt that right!)

In reflection I may have seemed a bit terse in my response to Mxwllmdr what with "WYSIWYG" and "B'adder has left the building etc" but I've been aching to use that expression and that seemed a good place of it. I put a lot of thought into my answers and try to write as amusing as I can ofttimes feigning the irascible characteristics of the pseudo persona I have adopted as my sobriquet.

Because I am,

The Black Adder (I wish I could append the BA theme music right here.) TA Taaaa, ta ta ta ta ta taaaaa!

Thanks very much! but the first season Theme trumpet fanfare in the opening is the one I had in mind.

AH hah Found one...

Xypus wrote:Actually I'd be really happy if it turned out you're right, as your design requires much less work

Hmmm! taking the simple route. Something of which the Blackadder has never been accused. This must be some project!

The_Blackadder wrote:

Yada,Yada,Yada,..........

..........................Because I am,

The Black Adder

I wish I could append the BA theme music right here.) TA Taaaa, ta ta ta ta ta taaaaa!

Galorn wrote:AH hah Found one...

Fantastic! Thank you very much.

Not too much to show for this mornings work; the reinforcements for the diagonal stabilizers are installed and the second front toe mount hinge is drying. The stabilizers do not appear to interfere with the toe movement and they appear a close fit to the mounted disc, about a millimeter clearance. I should be starting on the shank of the leg this weekend if the holiday doesn't interfere too much.

lol...for a sec i was quite fooled with the t-hawk...lol...

Wow, you actually gave it suspension. *salutes*

The_Blackadder wrote:The stabilizers do not appear to interfere with the toe movement

That's good news - the idea of 8 hinges on the base of the foot was giving me some serious headache

If you could just indulge me and post a photo of the foot tilted forward as in the process of making a step, so I could see how the toe interacts with the ground with non-articulated diagonals, I would be most grateful. Not that I don't believe your word, I'm just a kind of a Thomas guy, who needs to see everything with his own eyes

What a fun looking project!
A much bigger challenge than I would like to take on in the near future!

Xypus wrote:

The_Blackadder wrote:The stabilizers do not appear to interfere with the toe movement

That's good news - the idea of 8 hinges on the base of the foot was giving me some serious headache

If you could just indulge me and post a photo of the foot tilted forward as in the process of making a step, so I could see how the toe interacts with the ground with non-articulated diagonals, I would be most grateful. Not that I don't believe your word, I'm just a kind of a Thomas guy, who needs to see everything with his own eyes

My dear Xypus,

All this is reverse engineering speculation plus the fact that this monstrosity doesn't/probably won't even ever exist. Whether the diagonal toes flex or not is pure conjecture on your part and my part and any interpretation is equally valid so I am afraid you will have to install the eight hinges to be true to yourself.

Anything less will be a compromise on your part but a few words on compromise and function. During WWI the British made a trench crossing armoured vehicle that came to be known as the tank. the tread length was based on the average width of a trench. Now there was valid reasons why trenches were of a relatively average width and therefore the tanks were a success. Could the trenches be wider and or deeper? sure but the benefits were slim and the dangers of wider trenches was likely more fatal to the trench occupants.

Once again my candor has been interpreted as flippancy. My intent in my last statement was to re-enforce the validity of different interpretation in design. Taking the finished project and trying to make sense of it is what I would call possibly in error, 'reverse engineering.'

"Reverse engineering; the process of discovering the technological principles of a device, object, or system through analysis of its structure, function, and operation."

When I designed Lucie's feet I built them three times to get them right. I am hoping to not have to do this with the current model. The truth be know I just don't know as yet whether they will function as I intend but I don't want to rush installing the diagonal supports until I am reasonably sure they are as correct as the constraints of the design will allow.

Besides I am still toying with the idea that they may extend or retract on the piston like devices under the inboard apron indicated by the two parallel arrows on the 5: oclock position stabilizer so you will have to indulge me with your patience. After all it took me the better part of two years to produce Lucie. GOD two years!

I shall be working on this tomorrow morning.

Don't worry Black, you may sound stern and honest in your replies, but I've not taken anything you said yet as harsh.

I actually enjoy it when you rant as such. Helps my english skills to greatly improve.....

And, incidentally, is likewise increasing my comprehension, as well....

The_Blackadder wrote:Once again my candor has been interpreted as flippancy.

What can I say - WYSIWYG

this is going to take a loooooooong time..

Duly noted on both counts.

With the paranoia of machine shop precision I managed to drill and tap two perfect (with apologies to Werner Heisenberg) holes with a 10-32 tap for my axle shafts. Tack glue them in place and set aside to dry and for photos.

nice. Are you documenting your blue pints for future generations?

Whatever drawings I have made have been posted. I work mainly by eye so there aren't usually any drawings. Besides as I have stated before there is no law (that I am aware of) in copying a model for your own purposes but to share that information in the form of templates with others even for free isn't fair to the original designer; in this case FW, GW, and private citizen DS.

Well said, again, Black...

I pulled a virtual all nighter and managed to apply a bit of colour (gray is a colour) to the mechanical interior of the foot before final assembly. once the rear toe compartment is glued on it will require micro surgery to access the stabilizer components. I did a lot of reinforcing before I sealed it up. Its a good thing I took pictures because painted gray not much of the mechanics is visible.

Black, I envy your skills more than I can say...

Keep it up dude!

Took me a second, because I am slow.....


Good Idea to paint it then assemble it.



Man, sometimes I am so dense. I really almost asked you why you painted that part first........

I should be able to high light the workings with aluminum powder & copper powder after assembly but the basic gray is fine for this area.

It is looking fantastic, Black. can't wait for the next update.....

Not to sound smug, but do you think you'll have it completed within our lifetime? The level of detail is impressive though, what kind of store did you go to for your materials?

Not to put too fine a point on it but finishing it in my lifetime is more the issue in a self absorbed way of thinking.

Speaking of self absorption I cut the lower leg panels today, four rectangular pieces 8 inches by 3.5 inches nothing to show really but for dessert I installed some of the detail on the feet which has to be in place to check the clearance the when I bolt the lower knuckle to the foot.

I also got an idea for making the diagonal more flexible, note the right foot the diagonal toes may rotate in place to work with the front toes refer to the third image..... see if you proceed at you own pace things fall into place.