More research

Well I got some more info. 26 gauge Sheet metal will weigh 800 lbs. Masonite will weigh only 500 lbs. At this point I think sheet metal will be too fragile before it is assembled but I'll wait until the prototype ( made of masonite) is finished.

Going to work with Big Jawn to look at engineering issues. Did the first bend test and the masonite will actually bend like I said it would.

Been working with my model trying out different ways to assemble and raise this monster.

1)Assemble all the layers flat on the ground and gradually hoist them up as they are bent into shape.

2)Assemble sections and hoist each section into place

3) Need some more ideas.

Wart drawing

I am making warts to place along the dorsal rails of the caterpillar, I am calling the roof the caterpillar because it will look like a worm from a distance. They will have a LED center light and 3 fiber optic clusters. and they will emerge out of holes cut through the roof skin . Scale to be decided probably 10 inches in diameter and 6 inches tall.

What about Galvanized sheets

Again up late problem solving and working on the construction model, trying to figure how this thing can bootstrap itself into being. haven't figured it out yet. But as I was pondering the model I realized that this thing , if made of wood, will be a pyros wet dream. Spent some time reconciling myself with the possibility of it being maliciously burned and then, Ding! "What if I made it from sheet metal?" It would look great and fasten together easily and securely and not burn. I didn't factor the cost of sheet metal into my budget but it might work. more research.

Lots of Thinking

Well as I finish up some huge work projects I basically only have time to think about what I will be doing. Here it is 4:52 AM and I can't sleep, basically pouring over in my head about the metal parts that will hold each section together. I found a local sheet metal fabricator and they can do some simple cad drawings to produce plasma cut sheets approx. 8" X 24" but they aren't very skilled. Wish I could find a more skilled group. Ordered some fiber optic cable and it just arrived. Eager to try some experiments.