Lamp is nearing completion

This interesting piece of hardware was the inspiration for this project. I don't know what it was originally used for, but it does have the Link Belt brand name and the P.I.V. logo. A little research leads me to believe that P.I.V. stands for Positive Infinitely Variable and probably has something to do with a variable speed motor control.

    

One feature of this lamp is a glowing (lighted) base. A few LEDs imbedded in acrylic should do the trick.  

 

Miscellaneous electrical components and a vintage glass shade will help too.

When its all put together it looks something like this:

Special features to note: Turn the crank to adjust a dimmer switch for lamp brightness.

 The switch on this side turns on the LEDs that make the base glow.

There are a few more finishing touches to put in place before this project is complete, but it is so close that I am anxious to talk about it.

Logo

Thanks to all the people who have provided input and suggestions on the logo design. I'm pretty sure If I keep seeking guidance from others it would continue to change, but it is time to say I have a useable design.

In most cases I think it will be presented with an "aluminum" color on a black background.

Something like this: 

With this decision made I can get a label plate created so the first project can be declared finished.

Link Belt Lamp is Started

 I don't know what this was in its former life. It has something to do with a "Positive Infinitely Variable" speed control manufactured by Link Belt.

For its next life I think it should become a lamp. 

A couple of junction boxes mounted to some acrylic should work as a base.

The lamp will extend over the top of this hardware and to add an interesting look to the base...


LED lights

will glow through the acrylic base.

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.