Spartan Royal Mansion Sign for member on another forum

[lawrence]

I was PM'ed by a Member of another forum asking if I could make him a sign. It would be for out in front of his 33' Spartan Royal Mansion Trailer. I said yes and began researching his trailer a bit. It is a very cool 1940's-50's era company that used airplane technology to make trailers out of aircraft-grade aluminum and the designs are VERY sleek. To create the trailer itself, I turned to the 2d and 3d software.

I took a side view picture he sent and used the new 2d drawing tool "import tracing image" to use as a baseline for the pattern. The "smart spline" tool really made this an easy task! After the trace I used the 3d tools to replicate the sleek shape of the trailer itself with the puffing tool. I then turned this into a pattern and sent him several layout options.

After he and his wife chose an option, I carved it into a piece of gen. Mahogany. The fonts are as follows
- Main name/year/length - Crillee Bold
- Spartan - Bosnia Wide (the "S" is a Z flipped over to more closely match the company logo)
- Royal - Embassy BT
- Mansion - Gothic E

http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u313/ldr_klr/Carvewright/Spartan Sign/Capture1024x768.jpg
http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u313/ldr_klr/Carvewright/Spartan Sign/outline11024x768.jpg
http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u313/ldr_klr/Carvewright/Spartan Sign/P11208761024x768.jpg

The Spartan logo itself was created by taking a pic I found online, making a DXF with coreldraw, importing the DXF into the designer software, creating a pattern, and using the pattern-- it was a genuine challenge as this was the best logo I could find.
http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u313/ldr_klr/Carvewright/Spartan Sign/022-01-121024x768.jpg

[badbert]

What a perfect sign for that classy old chassis. Great job Lawrence!

[lawrence]

I am concerned about cupping so I attached blocks to the back which are held in place by screws in slots. This will allow for wood movement while at the same time prevent cupping
http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u313/ldr_klr/Carvewright/Spartan%20Sign/P11208971024x768.jpg
http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u313/ldr_klr/Carvewright/Spartan%20Sign/P11208961024x768.jpg

The entire piece was stained with minwax mahogany gel stain and then wiped down to create dark areas in the details.
http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u313/ldr_klr/Carvewright/Spartan%20Sign/P11208901024x768.jpg
http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u313/ldr_klr/Carvewright/Spartan%20Sign/P11208911024x768.jpg

I will topcoat the whole thing with Epifanes varnish after the stain cures for a few days. Though it requires reapplication annually, it should help the piece maintain color even in an outdoor environment.

Thanks for looking and thanks to LHR for creating such great dxf, 2d, and 3d upgrade packages for the designer software-- they really did help with this project!
Your comments, suggestions, and critiques are appreciated as always,

V/r
Lawrence

[SharonB]

That trailer looks ready to roll. Great job on the modeling process.

[Ike]

I am concerned about cupping so I attached blocks to the back which are held in place by screws in slots. This will allow for wood movement while at the same time prevent cupping
http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u313/ldr_klr/Carvewright/Spartan%20Sign/P11208971024x768.jpg
http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u313/ldr_klr/Carvewright/Spartan%20Sign/P11208961024x768.jpg

The entire piece was stained with minwax mahogany gel stain and then wiped down to create dark areas in the details.
http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u313/ldr_klr/Carvewright/Spartan%20Sign/P11208901024x768.jpg
http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u313/ldr_klr/Carvewright/Spartan%20Sign/P11208911024x768.jpg

I will topcoat the whole thing with Epifanes varnish after the stain cures for a few days. Though it requires reapplication annually, it should help the piece maintain color even in an outdoor environment.

Thanks for looking and thanks to LHR for creating such great dxf, 2d, and 3d upgrade packages for the designer software-- they really did help with this project!
Your comments, suggestions, and critiques are appreciated as always,

V/r
Lawrence

Lawrence........WOW WOW WOW WOW.....did I say WOW!!!!! You did a great job on design and it well laid out!!! WOW WOW WOW WOW!

Ike

[fwharris]

Lawrence,

Great job in designing this and way to go with using the new design tools!!

[TerryT]

Nice. It is of the quality we have come to expect of you!! Way to go!

[ladjr]

Nice job Lawrence, Was it before the Air Stream or did the Air Stream come after.

[mikemi]

Great job on the sign Lawrence. http://forum.carvewright.com/images/icons/icon14.png I guess I am going to have to save a few more pennies and buy the new software.

Mike

[mtylerfl]

Lawrence, thank you for sharing the photos and describing your process. This will help inspire a lot of folks I'm sure! Great example of using all the tools at your disposal to achieve a very professional result (tools = the machine, the variety of software, and of course, your creative mind and experience!). Thanks again!

[b.sumner47]

It's sure is nice to see something gone bye, and made ready for a turn again, Now a piece of art, Lawrence. I have a feeling that they will compliment one another for awhile to come. Great Work. Thanks for sharing with us.


Capt Barry

[lawrence]

Wow, thanks for all the words of support guys. LOML says my head won't fit through the door and y'all need to start pointing out flaws ;)

Seriously though, I do appreciate it.

I've heard the comment made that though the new software is selling well, not many folks are posting projects that use it. I highly encourage y'all to play around with it. I think you'll discover that it is VERY powerful and once you get the hang of it, very easy to use. The 2d software made tracing the curves on the trailer as easy as pie (it took about 5 minutes to do all the traces) and the 3d software's only limitation is my inability to comprehend the nuances of the "merge" function from the original designer :roll:

At any rate, thanks again and I hope to be able to post a picture of it in front of the real thing if the owner sends me a picture.

V/r
Lawrence

[badbert]

Lawrence please ask the owner to post a series of pics for that beauty. I am an RV enthusiast. The craftsmanship they put into those old RVs is a perfect example of what "Made in the USA" used to mean. I for one would love to see some more pics for that classic.

[lawrence]

Here are some Bert- it really is a beauty. I LOVE the fridge :)
Wonderful Trailer (http://s250.photobucket.com/albums/gg274/johnswoodshop/TCT Fall Gathering 2011/?albumview=slideshow)
Lawrence

[chebytrk]

Very cool pics! Like stepping back in time...

[rcdages]

Lawrence, that is one wonderful carving and ptn makeing.

Super job. You have the touch.