Installing the last titan panel

[chopperguy99]

When it came time to install the last panel on the titan, I laid a piece of clear mylar over the side, and trimmed the edges flush with a razor blade. I then taped it down to the edges and made marks on the mylar with a sharpie where I wanted the holes (middle ply). I then untaped the mylar and laid it on the side panel, poked through the mylar where my marks were with a screw, and had perfect marks where to drill. In a perfect world, I would have drilled both sides at the beginning per the plans, but I knew as a newbie, as well as using a circular saw and a jigsaw, there would probably be major splitting when I screwed the last panel on. Worked great. Will use the same method on the next one.

[LelandCrooks]

That's a really good one.

[luiscp]

Does you have photos of your build Titan .thanks

[fender3x]

This is a great idea. I'd like to try this in a week or so when I get to the last panel... Where did you find the mylar sheets?

[Bill Fitzmaurice]

This is similar to the technique for making a pattern for vinyl flooring, which is done with roofing shingle underlay ('tarpaper'). You could do this with tarpaper or kraft paper as well. Good idea.

[fender3x]

I am getting near this point, and did not find mylar sheets at HD...any thoughts as to where to find this... or the tar paper or kraft sheets?

[Sydney]

Did not find mylar sheets at HD...any thoughts as to where to find this... or the tar paper or kraft sheets?

Kraft Sheet (probably cheapest)
Depending on weight & size of roll (Staples/Office Depot or art Supply like http://www.dickblick.com/zz115/03/
I have found tar paper & 40lb roll roofing @ Lowes & HD (these places do not carry all items @ all store location )
Some plastic film sheet used by drafting supply house might work.
And shops that do counter tops & cabinets use materials for making templates.

[fender3x]

My mother always said you should give the lazy man the job...

Just did my 2nd side panel...I was going to use the "cheat sheet method" but in the process realized that there was a somewhat simpler way to do this for my T39 build. This requires that you NOT install the bottom reflector before putting on the last side (which is the way my plans have it, but not the way everyone does it in pics round about... )

(1) Mount the 2nd panel using screws and clamps but NO GLUE. The idea is to pull everything into place as if the last panel were about to be glued on, but not to glue it.

(2) Trace the outside edges of panels 6, 7 and 9. You need to reach inside with a pencil to do this, but there is enough room. Should be even more room on a T48

(3) Reach through the access panel and trace the inside edges of panels 2, 4 and 3.

(4) Remove the panel and measure 1/4" in the appropriate direction from the traced line to mark where the pilot holes go.

I mounted and removed my 2nd side twice without glue just to make sure everything lined up consisently. I traced the first time with a pencil and the second side with a highlighter pen just to make sure that everything was lining up the same way both times. That may be overkill, but I was really happy to see that it did.

This approach seems to have worked perfectly for me, even without the "cheat sheet." I think this should work with either of the Titans.

[jskrypek]

I did the same and it worked great. Before you get to the last few panels screw on the side and bottom while leaving the back off. You can reach with a pencil to mark the exact location of at least one side of all the interior panels. Easier than using a trace sheet or drilling guide holes at the beginning of the build.

I like doing things the easy way but only my wife calls me lazy. I keep telling her I'll get around to it after I finish the Titans.

[UNDERTONE]

When you've finished the titans, you'll have to say "when I've finished my next pair of titans"

[bgavin]

For Titans, I position the side plate in place with two screws. I make pencil markings for all the plates I can reach from the mouth and inside the driver chamber.

With the side removed, I use a 1/2" piece of scrap alongside that line, and scribe the other side of the panel. I then drill in the middle for my screws, and it works every time.

The only time this doesn't work is when there is an intermediate panel between the chamber and outside. The Table Tuba is one example. In that case, two measurements is sufficient to locate the interior panel.