It was inevitable. Last year, I began a serious delve into kicking my design skills on the computer up a few more notches. I mean, I've spent years (decades really now) working with digital art, and all this time it's primarily been for the crazy idea that eventually, I'll be able to do things more efficiently in the studio. I've got about 300 hours of direct applied time in class (3D) and I noticed how the previous skillsets made this come together more fluidly.   It's worked most of the time, and if anything I've been taught a bit more patience. Well, alot. See, my craft involves dedication, plain and simple. Having a quirk that has me constantly applying overboard personal critique leads to many projects you haven't seen. I had to stop doing that because in the long run I beat myself up before and by the time I...

Needed to make a pair for an A6, so a few feet of 1/8" X 1" flat stock, scrap 1" 3/4 and some 2 1/4", with some black 1/2" pipe I was able to weld up these in a few hours. Most of the time was spent measuring and determining the width and placements of the rounded side fingers. They are held together with a 5/16" bolt and some washers for spacer between the sides. I purposely left this a bit loose to allow some play since without any, the units fit very snug to the crucible and you do want to allow for expansion. All I have left to do is add a chain and hook about 3/4" up the handles so it can be locked while lifting but easily taken off to release the crucible, and a couple larger washers added/welded on top of the handles to prevent...

I frequent alot of various places on the internet. The collective. The HIVE. Today, like just about any other day I was doing my "social network newspaper" thing and came across a situation that well, happens alot. I can probably be vague but this time, no. Not alot anyways.   One of my newer (like a decade newer, remember time doesnt hold the same meaning for me as some of you) pet genre's I follow for inspiration and creative outlets, " Steampunk " has this thing that happens from time to time and to the casual observer you'd just write it off as typical high-school politics. Same people, same implied offenses, and the same societal mud slinging and calls-to-rally. I was the one years ago who made the mistake of thinking for a minute that any group could be bereft of such pettiness. (sigh)   I've since become accustomed to...