Here's a few for you...
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Grand National Roadster Show... just some of the details
A person could spend a month just taking pictures of details on cars at this show and still feel unfulfilled. I only had a day, but I'll take what I can get.
Here's a few for you...
Here's a few for you...
Grand National Roadster Show... just some of the cars
One of if not THE biggest show of the year, in Southern California, is the Grand National Roadster Show. I love this show! It's my all means my favorite. There's a diverse selection of cars to see, something for everyone, and LOTS for myself! Everything from the back yard builder up the the more ridiculous over-built billet-barges you've seen in your life. I appreciate it all, even if it's not all to my liking. Well... okay... some I didn't appreciate, but no need to post it here.
Too many to post, so here's just a random selection of what I saw.
Too many to post, so here's just a random selection of what I saw.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Maybe It's Not Always About the Fastest Time...
...Maybe sometimes it's simply about paying ATTENTION to time.
Inspiration can come from bizarre places for me. It's obviously no secret I'm a sucker for gears, cogs, and mechanisms. I state it here almost every other post. But how about detailed and artistic craftsmanship when creating a machine that's intended to be useful. There was a time when machines were not only useful and functional, but were also works of art. Where have THOSE days gone?
It's really a shame that a lot of times we have to look to history to show us artistry in mechanisms. In most cases today, creating a machine that was once beautiful and detailed, would now cost 3-fold what it would have cost in that era and take far too long. Delivery dates would be unacceptable for something that simply "serves its duty" and doesn't have to look nice. The end-users ultimately wants to pay less and that's understandable. In the shop it doesn't have to be this way, though!
Anyone ever think about old clocks? Anyone ever notice the amount of detail associated with clocks and time pieces? INCREDIBLE! Everything from the tiniest of gears, to jeweling and engine-turned surfaces. The materials themselves were beautiful. Polished brass or copper, porcelain faces, hand finished chassis. Every functional piece still had thought put into it.
So what's my point? Are you guys paying attention when building your cars and/or other crazy machines? Just because it's function doesn't mean it can't be beautiful! There were actually engine builders that would metal finish and/or engine-turn the INTERIORS of their automotive power plants, even though it would never be seen unless it was dissassembled. Yes, crazy. But the time spent showed dedication to perfection. Functional parts can look beautiful too, and the inspiration can be found in some unique places.
A few years back, I made a trip to Paul Frank's collection of tower clock movements in the basement of his Chicago home. I was fortunate to get a wonderful tour and see some of the most incredible time machines from all over the world. Every one of them boasting some of the most amazing craftsmanship I've ever laid eyes on!
Just some visuals to think about when you're in the garage fabricating parts.
Inspiration can come from bizarre places for me. It's obviously no secret I'm a sucker for gears, cogs, and mechanisms. I state it here almost every other post. But how about detailed and artistic craftsmanship when creating a machine that's intended to be useful. There was a time when machines were not only useful and functional, but were also works of art. Where have THOSE days gone?
It's really a shame that a lot of times we have to look to history to show us artistry in mechanisms. In most cases today, creating a machine that was once beautiful and detailed, would now cost 3-fold what it would have cost in that era and take far too long. Delivery dates would be unacceptable for something that simply "serves its duty" and doesn't have to look nice. The end-users ultimately wants to pay less and that's understandable. In the shop it doesn't have to be this way, though!
Anyone ever think about old clocks? Anyone ever notice the amount of detail associated with clocks and time pieces? INCREDIBLE! Everything from the tiniest of gears, to jeweling and engine-turned surfaces. The materials themselves were beautiful. Polished brass or copper, porcelain faces, hand finished chassis. Every functional piece still had thought put into it.
So what's my point? Are you guys paying attention when building your cars and/or other crazy machines? Just because it's function doesn't mean it can't be beautiful! There were actually engine builders that would metal finish and/or engine-turn the INTERIORS of their automotive power plants, even though it would never be seen unless it was dissassembled. Yes, crazy. But the time spent showed dedication to perfection. Functional parts can look beautiful too, and the inspiration can be found in some unique places.
A few years back, I made a trip to Paul Frank's collection of tower clock movements in the basement of his Chicago home. I was fortunate to get a wonderful tour and see some of the most incredible time machines from all over the world. Every one of them boasting some of the most amazing craftsmanship I've ever laid eyes on!
Just some visuals to think about when you're in the garage fabricating parts.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Killer 32' Five-Windows
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Monday, January 25, 2010
Whatchaworks Does CAD and Cutting
For over a decade now, I've been helping people with CAD design for brackets, header or intake flanges, tabs, plates, and/or any other parts they may need a little help getting off of their napkin and into their fabrication project.
All parts are designed using 3D CAD software and then are transferred to machine related software for Water-Jetting and Laser Cutting. Can provide a finished product if desired or just the CAD files.
Design and execution assistance also available for any complex parts you may need to have machined in a CNC Mill or CNC Lathe.
If you would like additional information on what's involved, shoot me an email at: scootermcrad@yahoo.com.
All parts are designed using 3D CAD software and then are transferred to machine related software for Water-Jetting and Laser Cutting. Can provide a finished product if desired or just the CAD files.
Design and execution assistance also available for any complex parts you may need to have machined in a CNC Mill or CNC Lathe.
If you would like additional information on what's involved, shoot me an email at: scootermcrad@yahoo.com.
Monday, January 18, 2010
Uhh... almost done??
Apart for final detailing. Time to start thinking seriously about paint supplies!
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