Intro to Fabrication
February 9, 2022Week 2
Make 5 of anything, using multiple processes.
I had many ideas and had difficulty deciding. Eventually what factored into the decision were the materials I could easily access. I wanted to experiment with cutting and shaping candle wax. However, after consulting with Ben I found out that machine tools would melt them and the wax would clog up the dremel. This would slow down my process by at least 5x if not 10x, so I realized this experimentation would have to be saved for another project. Preferably where I’m not making multiples.
I did try cutting one of the candles I had with a mitre saw, but it didn’t go well.
I decided to proceed with my second idea, which was to make a stamp.
I had some hiccups starting - I went to Metropolitan Lumber on Monday morning, but they were closed. Instead, I went to Bruno’s Hardware near ITP, which was sufficient.
Set up a jig on the miter saw to cut the wood into cubes. I used to be afraid of this piece of machinery, but after this week it now actually feels like one of the safest in the shop.
I made 8 in total, 1 of which I had to scrap because the jig had slipped, resulting in a wonky cube slightly too large.
I realized - why would I make 5 of the same stamp? Since stamps are made to make multiples of one thing.
The design I had in mind was abstract - just a combination of lines and a curve - and I was thinking of it as a tool for visual art. So I thought about making the stamp modular by making each block flippable.
Set up this jig to drill the center hole for the dowel:
I had some trouble with wood blow out, even with a sacrificial piece of wood underneath.
Used the dremel to smooth out the hole to fit the dowel.
Not all of them were perfectly even - likely this was due to my drill press jig not being sturdy enough.
Used my water bottle as a jig to bend the wire.
Original design + multiple pieces.
Created a stencil for the other blocks.
I realized I could have drilled a hole through the other axis to add another layer of modularity, but it was too late:
Putting weight on the blocks for it to dry.
