Speaking from Experience: What can't you build?

WELCOME!

It is hard to believe that it was almost ten years ago I witnessed a CNC router in action for the very first time. I was fascinated and simply had to have one! Although I had been in the creative end of the three dimensional sign business for most of my life I didn't really know what I would do with one of these machines - but I just knew it could do fantastic stuff.

Along with the CNC router I discovered the wonderful material called Precision Board and the glues, primers and other companion products they offer. Since then we have gone through many tons of the material using it in most signs and projects we tackle. This journal will chronicle our many adventures both past, present and future. I'll talk from the perspective of someone who pushes these products to the creative limit on a daily basis. I'll be adding to the stories two or three times each week. -dan

Tuesday, September 12, 2017

What can't you build?

Even though our shop has limited metal working tools there is little we can't accomplish with a little head scratching and ingenuity. I had great fun figuring out how to design, cut and fit the many pieces together to craft the little passenger rail car. In this case I didn't even need a sketch but instead designed as I went, imagining how it would all fit together. Once the vector drawings were done I sent the files to the MultiCam for cutting. The lower sections were cut from 1/4" steel plate and the top seat riser was done from 1/10" thick steel plate.

To keep things simple I used a 1/4 section of 6" steel pipe for the back corners of the seat. It was much easier to weld those pieces in than bend up that tight a radius by far. I bent and welded a piece of 5/8" steel rod along the top to provide strength and provide a rounded edge to make it safer. I have a few more welds and a little grinding to finish this thing off. Then it is time for a test run!