The Shire:

Isengard:

Eriador

Rivendell

The Mines of Moria:

Mirkwood

The Anduin

Rohan

Morgul Vale:

Mordor:

The Sawdust of the Past

The Making of...

Scenery Workshop:

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BUILDING THE BLACK GATE

Part three: The Towers of the Teeth

© Lotrscenerybuilder 2009


Step 19:

Gluing the middle section upon the tower base is easier said than done. First, the Narchost ribs must be placed exactly in between the Carchost ribs (study the next pictures). Second, the tower must not become a Mordorish version of the Torre di Pisa



We invented a crude device to verify the correct position of both tower sections…



… checking their vertical posture from every angle.



A crown-like adornment gives shape to the architectural connection between the bottom and middle section. Cut out eight copies of the Ringwraith A template and as many of the Ringwraith B template (1mm cardboard).



Next, cut out a 2cm wide strip of 10mm MDF. Use one of these Ringwraith A elements to make eight blocked A-frames as shown in the picture. The red guidelines will help you to position the template onto the MDF strip.



Four A-frames out of eight are shown in the picture…



To install the A-frames we have to cut away some of the MDF from the fins of the upper tower section; mark out the height of the frames on each of these ribs, measured from the top of the base section.



Below the markings, start cutting away the wood of each rib…



…until there's enough space created…



…to insert an A-frame.



To make the A-frames stand side by side you need to chip away a chunk of both 'legs' - on the inner side.



Next, glue them into place.



Check the vertical position of each A-frame with the help of a ruler.



With a cocktail stick, put some filler inside the cavity below the frames.



Use the tip of your little finger to spread out the filler to create an 'arched vault'.



As you can see in the pictures, there's no need for a perfect finish but might want to clear the brickwork joints of filler with a cocktail stick. Next, glue the cardboard Ringwraith A elements in place (use your knife in case they trouble each other).



More filler is going to be used to fill up the empty spaces between the Narchost fins. A filler knife is indispensable in order to mould tight-set surfaces and neat corners. You will have to apply at least two layers of filler as the stuff doesn't dry up smoothly when used in bigger quantities. The picture below shows the 'centre line' between the 'corner-planes' of the Narchost fins and those between the two adjacent Ringwraith elements; that's the shape we want to obtain. You might need a few tries before things look satisfactory to you but, as the saying goes: practice makes perfect.



First layer: the shape isn't perfect and some holes are still showing.



Just wait until the stuff has dried, then have it slightly polished before applying the next layer.



Second layer: it still doesn't look perfect but a fat lot we care: it is supposed to represent Orcish botchery!



When all filler work is done, glue the Ringwraith B elements into place.

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