Today’s focus was on starting to build the discs that would allow the central column to rotate.
The central column is 4.75″ square (a roughly 6.75″ diagonal), so we decided to cut an 8″ disc as well as a 9″ disc which would lay over it.
These were both cut out.
With the discs cut, a central square was cut into them into which the central column would slide.
Adjustments were made to ensure these slid onto the central post and with that done, the two discs were stacked and glued together.
A hole was then cut into the top of the base into which this set of discs could be dropped.
Surprisingly, the discs dropped right into place the first time. The hole was cut about $\frac{1}{8}$” too large so we’ll probably add some PVC tape to help tighten it a bit, but as it is, it slid quite easily.
Next time, we’ll be focusing on the bottom of the base, creating a hole for a nib on the central column to fall into, so to prepare for that, we capped both the top and bottom of the column and created a 3″ disc that was affixed to the bottom.
Looking forward, we’re also going to need to stain, paint, and seal this instrument as best as we can since the idea is to take this to events like Pennsic and Gulf Wars to both teach classes and use. My intention is to have a tarp which can be staked down to put over this in case of inclement weather, but in the event that I can’t get to it in time, and the ever present humidity here in the midwest, we’re wanting to waterproof it as best as possible.