Smooth Operator
(BluuGnome version of the Fiddlestick)
Making your own?
Making your own Smooth Operator
The Smooth Operator (BluuGnome version of the Fiddlestick)
is made from Polycarbonate. If you decide to make
your own Smooth Operator using polycarbonate, be
sure you actually get polycarbonate (Lexan). Polycarbonate is
categorized as an unbreakable material and is very strong and impact
resistant. There are other clear plastics like clear
cellulose, clear PETG and Acrylic (Plexiglas). Acrylic
(Plexiglas) is the most popular of these and is
easily confused with Polycarbonate. Acrylic will snap under
load (not bend as polycarbonate will) and is not safe to use acrylic
as a Smooth Operator.
Standard wood working tools can be used when working with
polycarbonate (Lexan) so you can make your own Smooth Operator at home.
When I fist started playing with the idea I would buy polycarbonate
sheet from a plastics distributor then make the Smooth Operator in the
garage. Some aspects of polycarbonate make it difficult to work with
at home and I found it easier to have the plastics company make them
for me. If you live in or near a large metro area you will
likely be able to find a plastics supplier / fabricator in your
area. They can sell you the polycarbonate or they can just
make them up for you.
Below are a few pictures that may be useful if you decide to make
your own Smooth Operator or have one made for you. The dimension
drawings may not display clearly in some browsers. To download
the original image of any of these, right click it then select save
image as to down load to your computer.
This is a finished Smooth Operator. The surfaces have been
roughed up with sandpaper so it will show up in pictures better.
The Smooth Operator shown here has holes that are slightly larger
and shaped a little differently than the finished design.
This was one of the prototypes as I got closer to a finished
design. The dimensions in the images below are all of the
current design.
This is a skewed view of the dimensions drawing to give visual
perspective on the drawing.
Dimensions may not show well in some browsers. To download the
original image, right click the image and select "Save Image As"
to download. 
This is drawing of the top view with dimensions.
Dimensions may not show well in some browsers. To download the
original image, right click the image and select "Save Image As"
to download. 
This is a drawing of the side view to show the thickness.
Dimensions may not show well in some browsers. To download the
original image, right click the image and select "Save Image As"
to download.