Darcy, That is likely the pattern I will use anyway. My own "twist". I may take some pics along the way. I enjoy it.
Where I work, there are quite a few "artists" and lordy some of them are strange. Sure makes me wonder sometimes....
As for the guard, I envision to make the front guard separate from the rear guard. I think I can drill a hole in the ball for the tail of the rear guard to fit into and solder it while it is all mounted and tightened in place. Then I can disassemble it and finish it. That is my general plan, but I may run into a snag and have to do it differently.
I have to prepare my little brain for this one although it should work if I get my plan worked out first and follow it.