The Temple of Love: Building a Sisters of Battle Cathedral pt 7

Some more work done on the Cathedral!

The two flat roof sections are roughly cut out

A sheet of 3mm foamcore is scored and folded to make the pitch of the roof

Foamcore braces are cut to secure the roof

Pins are used to hold them while the glue dries

I decided to go with foamcore for the roof because it is both light and sturdy and can easily be cut. PVC sheet is more flexible (but does not crumple or crease; if the roof were damaged I would have to start over) but has less strength. Foamcore joints made with PVA are very strong, and while the foam needs to be protected from solvent glues and paints, superglue can be used on the card surfaces.

Practical geometry! To cut the wedge out of the PVC pipe which would allow it to sit on the roof, I had to put my thinking cap on. The section cut out is a projection on a curve, so it not only stretches but the rate of stretch increases. The way I did it was to trace the triangle and measure its height at regular intervals (first picture above). Then, I traced the circle, bisected it, and drew parallel lines at the same regular interval (second picture above). By putting the pipe on this drawing, I could mark where the intervals intersected (an ever-increasing distance apart) and then it was a simple matter of using a square to measure the appropriate distance, drilling holes which I joined (last picture above). I then used a cutting disk on a rotary tool to cut along the lines.

A shot taken from the rear of the building with the roof in place

A series of pictures showing all the different components in place. It was at this point, seeing them all together, that it was obvious the skull on the dome does not work. Something else needs to be considered . . .

To make the roof removeable, I made strips of 1.5mm plasticard with the conical decorative pieces glued on the top. I drilled holes in these to fit over the pegs in the lower walls.

Strips of PVC window molding were mitered to length and superglued in place to not only bulk out and add interest to the braces, but also provide strength.

The gray PVC sheeting below the white plasticard strips was protected with tape and Milliput and 5-minute epoxy (neither of which damage foamcore) were used to attach the pitched roof to the strips. When that dried, it required only a little bit of jiggling to remove the whole roof assembly. I drilled the sockets the pins go into a little wider, which made putting it back on easier.

Using more Milliput and epoxy, I glued the lower circle of the lantern on and let it dry. I then cut out the section of roof inside it, giving me an open view all the way up. The first picture shows what it looks like with the upper lantern in place, the second what it looks like from the floor (with a selfie lens; I think those things might fish-eye a bit).

So, that is where we are right now! Next stop; balconies and so forth! Let me know what you think!

=][= Danforth Laertes