Google Sketchup is a toy, not a tool. On exporting to CAD format it screws up the scale and a few other details, and you need an actual 1:1 outline of the shape for cutting, plus maybe a tiny rounding of the sharp corners.

On drawing it out on paper I've realised I'm missing a couple of crucial dimensions, I'll need to order some components to find them, so I'll get back to you both, thanks. Our laptop is super slow so I'm not sure I will be able to download QCAD to it, I'll have a go though, it'd be handy to have such a program.

Just downloaded QCAD - looks good (Thanks for the tip)

For anyone interested, I've made it to Germany and am half way between Saarbrücken and Karlsruhe

http://athirstyknightabroad.blogspot.de/

Well done - wish I had the time to do something like that. Good luck

So long as it's 2D you want I'm more than happy to knock stuff up in CAD.

Well done Patrick have been following ya blog.. Sounds like its all going pretty well mate..well it sounds so easier and effortless sitting hear reading about it from behind my iPad!!!

I'll await the next instalment ... Good luck and well done again matey..

Had a few 'sense of humour failures' but on the whole it is! My enjoyment is surprisingly related to the quality of the weather, fortunately it hasn't been too bad - setting off towards Strasbourg in the sun now

Thanks for all the offers of CAD help, I drew a picture (a 'drawing' would have been stretching it) and drove up to the laser cutters with it and asked what they could do, and they very kindly translated it into their CAD program, which has saved me having to burden anybody else with my piss poor sketches and terrible descriptions. Hopefully some interesting new 2cv accessories coming soon!

HFS, WTF, OMFG, FFS, etc