Progress in the studio

I still have a lot of sorting and organizing to get done, but I've made some progress since the last posting.

These plastic bins suit my organization 

A few more layers for these shelves are on the way

Most of the peg board will be cover with more shelving but leaving some of it exposed will be helpful 

Small Discoveries

With a studio space rented and ready to set up,  a workbench is one of the essential things to put in place. Harbor Freight sells a bench that looks pretty good.

It looks better in the picture than it does in  person. It certainly did not feel sturdy enough to justify the $160 price.

I discovered a Habitat Restore that I had not been to before. They sell donated items to financially support Habitat for Humanity. I would rather hand them my money than Harbor Freight anyway, so I was pleased when I found three drawer stacks and a section of counter top.

The whole setup for only $50 

When assembled it is strong enough to hold an anvil and everything else I can imagine stacking on it. 

+++++++++++++++    

Then I discovered that not all microwaves are alike.

Since a microwave oven is a good source for a synchronous motor, I snagged an old discarded microwave. When I started dismantling it I discovered it didn't have a synchronous motor but it did have ...

... a nice assortment of contact switches  

... permanent magnets on a turntable

AND ...  a speed reduction direction change gear box.

With these little treasures, its okay with me that I didn't find a synchronous motor.

I Have Space

I have rented a room called "Studio 1710" in the same building that Cyberia is in. It is much smaller than what I thought I was looking for, but with all the tools just down the way, that greatly reduces the space I need. This is at least a starting place.

On my first inquiry, I was told the 200 sq. feet would cost $200 per month plus electricity. After some very easy negotiating, we settled on $150 per month with electricity included.


A plain rectangular room with peg board walls is hardly worthy of a picture, but you can count on seeing one when I get some shelving and inventory in place.

Learning piece #1 nearing completion

I'm pretty excited about the way this has turned out. Many components are different than the original image in my head, but in most cases it was a change for the better.

It is still in need of some finishing touches and those are coming soon..

I've noticed old motors, steam boilers  and the like often have a label kind of like this one:

If I can produce something like this I think it would be a nice addition.

This video was a bit rushed, but being a kinetic sculpture it seems important to show it's kinetic nature.

Making Adjustments

From this point

I imagined the saw blade tripping a lever to transfer the motion to a counter. To that end I assembled this piece.

When I added it to the assemblage it did not give me the "teeter-totter" result I was looking for. After a good bit of trial and error I finally decided to abandon the lever. It's a little tough to throw away a "good" idea and find another one to replace it. The new idea became making the connection from the saw blade to the counter with a spring.

I'm kind of pleased with the way it's looking

Pictures from Cyberia

My project bench

Pottery Kiln and Mig Welder and Plasma cutter.

3 in 1 sheet metal machine 

Metal lathe and one of the milling machines

The wood working area

Large format CNC machine under construction

Laser cutter

A couple of 3D printers

 and a bench just full of interesting.

Estate Sale

Step 1. Cut an interesting shape using a plasma cutter.

Step 2. Decide that shape is not sufficiently appealing and that a rusty saw blade would be a better choice.

Step 3. Find an estate sale where circular saw blades are available.

Step 4. Go shopping at the estate sale. Leave behind only  $10

Step 5. Come home with two saw blades and plumbing plugs

and aluminum tubing 

and spray paint

and baby food jar full of set screws

and copper wire brackets

and shrink tubing

and switches

and many many more things.

Frankly, it was a surreal experience. It was kind of like looking through my work shop after I abandoned it. The shop was similar to mine down to the drill press that had funky wiring.

Step 6. Put a saw blade in salt so it will rust up quickly.

Step 7. Wait for rust to happen.

After a couple of days setting in salt, it took on an interesting mottled appearance. It looks more interesting than the orange rust coating I was expecting.

Drilling the hole that would allow me to add a bearing was more difficult than I anticipated. The blade was very hard steel.

  

Small step for me, giant step for ???

I am now a member of Club Cyberia!

The next item  to use on "Learning Piece #1" wants to be cut out with a plasma cutter.  My membership should provide access to the tool. Next step will be to get some instruction on how to use the cutter.


Other accomplishments today include getting the bearings secured into the connecting rod.

And, a bearing secured in a drive wheel.

Maybe it will all make sense when the components are mounted.

A Banner Day for Parts Acquisition

 A "quick" stop at the Salvation Army store netted me this pile of goodies.

I don't know the original purpose of the aluminum tubing and the brass fittings they came with, but they are definitely interesting enough to re-purpose. One of the anniversary clocks seems too nice to dismantle for parts but that is a decision for another day. Admittedly the Risk game is not about building parts. On the other hand, it is the version with cast metal figures so there nay be some potential there.

With so many clock parts on hand, I was thinking I should get working on another clock project. Within hours of that decision, I was gifted with three of these clock faces. A little smaller than my original clock project but a very good size to work with.

And... to top things off...  the miniature bearings I have been waiting on arrived.

The search for space took a new turn today.

I recently visited a "maker space" called Club Cyberia. The social environment was less artistic and more techno-geek than I was expecting. On the up side, that means I fit in pretty easily, but on the other hand it doesn't provide an obvious connection to the artistic community that seems to be available in other places.

Club Cyberia has lots of tools available, including CNC machines, a laser cutter, 3D printers etc.

I learned today that  there is a 200 square foot studio space available in the same building that Cyberia is in.

It is a little small, but the price is right and it is beside the Cyberia tools, so it is kind of tempting.

I don't want to move every couple of years, but I can visualize this being a first step.  

It could be a launching point for "moving on up" or at least an opportunity to discover whether my constructionist ideas are build-able.  

Sometimes the question answers itself

I'm still puzzling whether it is better to buy interesting items because of their potential or wait until there is a need and search for the items. Perhaps there is not a universal answer to the question. My supply inventory is as big as it needs to be right now, but some opportunities are too tempting to walk away from.


This little peach discovered today for only $25.00.  

It is a commercial grade model 185K.

These packages were on clearance at 90% off.

Turns out that when an idler pulley became necessary for this project

 it was good to have them on hand.

This project has stalled a bit because some parts (bearings) I ordered have not yet arrived. Perhaps this is another clue that "on hand" inventory has its advantages.

Recent lessons learned

Small but useful bits of information:

 - Rub 'n Buff adheres nicely to textured plastic. 

 - Rub 'n Buff doesn't stick to aluminum pop rivets at all.

 - Brass pop rivets are a bit pricey but may become useful anyway.

 - Don't put too much torque on a plastic drive shaft.

 - Buying a V belt at an auto parts store is a little confusing if you don't have a part number.

 - When adding a video to a blog make sure you select "video" from the menu.

One more working element

In Motion

It has taken longer to get this project moving than I had hoped, but it is in fact moving.

There are several more elements to be added, but I was anxious to share this much action.

Penrod Arts Fair

I was able to attend the Penrod Arts Fair today.  I spoke with some wonderful artists and enjoyed seeing many interesting and excellent pieces.

Sure, there was all kinds of different art there, but these are the pieces my camera went for.

Just a coincidence ???

1. Attempting to paint outdoors in unfavorable weather conditions has been entirely unsuccessful.

2. The maker space (which will include a paint area) that I hope to participate with will probably not be opening until May of next year.

These two facts lead me to the conclusion that I need to install a painting booth / vent hood in my basement. I decided I could probably build one if I could find a "squirrel cage" fan without spending much. If I could find a disused furnace fan it would draw more than enough air to keep odors out of the house.

Within 48 hours of having these thoughts, I'm driving home and spot an old furnace set out at the curb. I loaded it up and hauled it home.

 Step one of the vent hood is complete.

The furnace is dismantled and in addition to the fan I found a synchronous motor,  a few contact switches and some other interesting bits.

Step two of the vent hood is complete.

The Circle City Industrial Complex

Just for fun lets start the story in 1909.

The first automobile race held in Indianapolis was in 1909. It was five miles long.  The average speed was 57.4 m.p.h. and the winner was Louis Schwitzer.

The story by the History Channel  

Louis Schwitzer was more of an engineer than a driver. He was responsible for significant improvements in cooling, hydraulics and the development os the turbocharger.  In the 1920's this building was constructed and became a significant part of the auto industry  in Indianapolis. It was known as the Schwitzer Building.

More details from Hemmings collector car magazine

The building has been through a lot of changes in the last 90 years.

It continues to be changed, redesigned and renovated. There are exciting things in the works for this building.  It may even include a little bit of space that will suit me.

A leasing agent gave me a tour and I am excited about the possibilities. I took this blurry picture, of some space on the second floor that will soon be converted to studio space and could even become my studio space.