I was proud of a particularly nice weld. It lay between each hunk of steel, puddles so tight and smooth that it looked like metal bred with liquid silk. I wanted to show it off, so I pulled off my helmet, which had no doubt left strappy sweat marks trailing through my hair, and went to where my brother, face contorted, was setting up the CNC mill. I watched the wiggler approach the shaft for a moment, then stop. I took my chance.
I asked my brother “Are you grumpy?”
He replied “I’m always grumpy. What do you need?”
“I just wanted to show you a weld that’s pretty special looking.”
As we walked over, he asked, “Does it glow in the dark?”
“It can if you give me twenty minutes. I do have that spray paint.”
He stood over the bench and examined the part. “Huh. That’s pretty nice.”
I would never expect higher praise from him.
Tag Archives: metal
An experiment in plasma
This little guy was one of the first things I made with my new plasma cutter.
Redesigned Murphy Bed
A typical Murphy bed design is incredibly large, requires you to drill holes in the wall and floor, and operates with a number of large springs. I redesigned the Murphy bed in a sleek, modern package. It is entirely self contained- no holes to drill. There is a bench available when it is in the upright position. The lift assist is performed by gas shocks, leaving the area under the bench free for storage.
It is currently on display at GRMakers and will be attending Grand Rapids Makerfaire.
To be machined away…
This is some fairly complicated aluminum welding. There is a machined channel through each piece, so the weld is between a part that is an eighth of an inch thick, and almost three quarters. The weld goes completely around the part, including a really tight inside corner followed by a curve. It must have fantastic penetration because the reinforcement is machined away and the hinge must be seamless.
Exposed
This is a very early prototype of a sculpture that I’m working with a group on for Artprize.
Skeletal
This is an in-progress shot of a key rack design that I drew, produced in cad, plasma cut out of steel, and welded. I intend to have it powder coated black, then spray paint the skeleton white and then go over it again with a coat of glow in the dark paint.
Extensions
This is more CAD work- cardboard aided design.
There is no fear of gaps. Gaps just guarantee solid penetration.
Walking it around. This is TIG welding at around 200 amps.
Starting to look like something…
And it works! What a beautiful world!
TIG welding towards oblivion…
If you can build a bridge over it, you can TIG it. This piece is entitled “Grasping.” It’s interesting to see what people find in it. Dancers, chicken claws, a hand, or my personal favorite, a dejected snowman sitting under a tree.
Freshman year of high school
I carved the main design out of foam, made the teeth out of steel, and spray metallized the whole thing with zinc. The foam did not appreciate being melted so violently, which is why there are supremely lumpy areas.
Making a fixture
I’ve been known to design, fabricate, and dramatically over weld fixtures.
Rexicorn 