Cutaway Illustrations

One of the most underrated types of artwork is the cutaway illustration. The masterpieces that show the GUTS of our favorite mechanical marvels. The time put into these illustrations must be unthinkable to create so many details, and more times than not, fully sketched or painted by hand.

This is my personal favorite type of artwork. I've been sketching cars, gears, and mechanical stuff, for as long as I can remember, as well as done boat loads of actual board drafting... As in paper taped to a board, pencils, t-squares, triangles, eraser shields, and the whole bit. I have built up quite a collection of these type of pictures from all over. Time to start sharing what I've saved... You're going to start seeing a lot more of these here! And maybe I'll actually be able to sit down and start drawing my own again, one day... We'll see!

NOTE: None of these are mine and most of them I don't know who the artist is. If you are the artist of one of these or know who the artist is, please feel free to comment to let everyone know.

Friday Inspiration - Astro Skeleton Clock

his is SUPER off-topic from the usual Automotive inspired posts, but I gotta' post this for the sake of mechanical wonders and pure attention to detail!

A number of years ago, I had the privilege of taking a tour of Mark Frank's clock collection. Essentially a basement filled with historical time pieces from all over the world. He has a website called My Time Machines that covers his collection of historical time pieces and other very cool things.

Since the visit, Mark used his knowledge of tower and skeleton clocks to design his very own time piece. It seems like this thing can do about everything but do your laundry for you! Crazy!

The reason for posting this, you ask? Just check out the details of the construction, the planning associated, and ESPECIALLY the fabrication process shown on his website! Took a well-accomplished machinist to achieve such a masterpiece!

Check out the links and pictures below! Then go build something!!!

The breakdown of the project:
http://www.my-time-machines.net/my_current_project3.htm

The construction:
http://www.my-time-machines.net/astro_index.htm

414.316 MPH - Congrats to Charles Nearburg!

The breaking of a 45 year old land speed record, once held by the Goldenrod...



The first run...

Registering Your Hot Rod - Info for your state

For those of you who are about to, or once have, gone through the process of getting a title and registering your hot rod, here's a link that may help for the future. It is an Index by state of everything that is required.

Hope it helps someone!

http://www.semasan.com/main/main.aspx?id=62843

1908 BMW V12 Fire Breathing Monster!

This is awesome! Amazing car!

Another update... Progress!

Holidays are over... Back to work! Here's a little progress report...

Before finishing up the door pillar:







After...







Details...

Fridays are great Doughnut days...

Tooling Up! Did I mention I like old tools?

New addition to the shop! My buddy Chris was selling this nice little Powr-Kraft (made by Logan for Montgomery Ward) lathe. Almost ready to use! Just need to finish leveling it, replace the v-belt from the motor to the counter-shaft, align the tail shaft, and reinstall the spindle bearing guard and I'm ready to go!

I love old tools and this one will really come in handy!