The four signs for the Cultus Lake Boardwalk were transported up to the site this morning. With the help of the crew at the park the installation went very quickly. Ladders were set up and the signs were hoisted into position and bolted into place. The signs added a splash of colour like icing on a fine cake.
Modern way of doing things.
Someone asked me the other day how we did things before we got our modern computer controlled tools. It got me to thinking as I worked on my 'marvellous machine' for the Sign Invitational entry. Today I was building the flywheel. In years gone by I would have cut the pieces from MDF with my jig saw. I would have glued them up and then chucked them into the lathe and done as much as I could there. Then I would have done a lot of hand carving and shaping and sanding to make it look like what I had originally envisioned. I would have gotten to where I wanted but it would have been a very labour intensive process.
Instead I did a quick sketch to get my ideas sorted out... then sat down at my computer to do the design. In about half an hour I worked up a three dimensional model of the flywheel. I built the computer model in two halves which would be machined and then glued together. Once the model was build I designed the paths with one click of the mouse and sent the file to the MultiCam CNC router just as easily. I then put a sheet of one and a half inch thick Precision Board high density urethane on the routing table and turned on the vacuum. The powerful vacuum sucked the piece firmly in place, meaning I didn't have to fuss with clamps. I set home position with a couple pushes of a button and then called up the job. Once the machine was in motion I went to do something else while the machine did the work. Half-way through the job it even did an automatic tool change without my having to watch it. When I came back into the shop the two halves of the flywheel were machined. They fit together perfectly too. Some five minute epoxy and a few screws (put in with a cordless driver) fastened things together permanently. As quick as that the flywheel was ready for a test fit. I still have a little hand finishing to do but it sure is a whole lot easier and faster than the old days.
I definitely like the modern way. I still get to do creative projects using my hands and mind but there is a whole lot less grunting and sweating to get to that point!
Posts and beams
We are down to the last pieces of the NEB's bowling alley project. This week we sculpted the last of the beams and the first two of twelve large posts. While Peter and the crew are busy polishing off this project I am busy in the studio designing the next fun phase of the project... soon to be revealed.
