Making something convincingly look well used is more difficult than making it pristinely shiny. Today we began testing the techniques we will use on the trade show booth. I carefully painted on three coats of paint on a shelf and then took the sander to it. Once I had scuffed the corners and edges I added a little acid to the bare metal and quickly got the rust I was looking for... then polished that off a little too. The result was a shelf that looked like it's had years of hard service - just what we were looking for. I still have to add some dirt and grime. Then we do the same on a much larger scale over the entire display booth. It's going to be fun!
Row, row, row our boat
Yesterday, we began another good sized piece for Scallywag Bay in Trinidad. The row boat will be the place to get ice cold drinks and frozen ice cream treats. It will move easily with a pallet jack and so we built a sturdy base to accommodate that. The basic framework is done and a good start on the pencil rod sub structure. Another couple of hours and we'll be ready for the galvanized mesh. We still have to build the removable (for shipping) mast and a tarpaulin roof. Then comes the sculpted concrete skin.
Be safe!
The shop is often noisy. Sparks fly when we cut or grind. Some surfaces are hot after cutting or welding. That's why we insist on the appropriate safety gear at all times. Today, as Peter worked on the coin mechanism for his Sign Challenge project he wore the right gear. The mechanical man donned his eye protection as well.
