Re: Why Makers & Builders

[RTS <gafa@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

On 4/28/2019 9:08 AM, Bob La Londe wrote:
> I didn't originally plan to post this here on ASA, but ASAers did
> contribute a lot to my path.
>
> Why Maker's and Builders?
>
> Back in the mid 90s atleast partly with help from the Usenet group
> news:rec.crafts.metalworking I made my first "punch" and "die." I needed
> to install some photo beams at a port of entry for a pedestrian counter.
> I designed the "system" using a variety of parts and components, but I
> was concerned about the photo beams themselves. They had something like
> a 5 year warranty, but the lenses were polycarbonate. Each set of beams
> had to be placed in a walkway between counters. My concern was that
> people brushing by would quickly wear the lens as clothing, bags, and
> misc items brushed against the sides of the walkway. I didn't want to be
> that guy who everybody there got to know because I was always there
> fixing it. I had the idea to recess the emitter and sensor so that only
> the most aggressive brushing up against might contact the surfaces. I
> looked all over, but nobody made a recessed electrical plate that I
> thought would work. I took a piece of hot rolled (didn't even know what
> it was called at the time) and cut one pieces with a rectangular hole in
> it to mate with the back of an aluminum electrical blank plate. I
> chamfered the edges by hand with a grinder so it was a decent fit. Then
> I cut a small piece to mate with it about plate thickness smaller all
> the way around and hand chamfered it as well. Then I just mashed a cover
> plate between them with my hydraulic press. (had it for automotive work,
> not machine work) It looked amazingly good. I doubt the guys at GSA ever
> noticed that was a custom piece.  As a new (mostly black box) system it
> had its development issues, but lens wear of the emitter and sensor was
> not one of them. It was in use for years until they went to a new system
> with some big contractor at all the ports.
>
> That was definitely metal working. I doubt it was really machining
> though except in the crudest sense. I take that sort of approach to a
> lot of what I do. I don't have a stick up my butt about being a
> "machinist" "welder" "fabricator" "mechanic". In fact my knowledge is
> lacking really in all of those areas even though now I make my living as
> a niche market mold maker. I can weld. If its important to look pretty I
> do some practice welds and then do the real weld after I've taken a
> break and I am fresh. If it just has to stick I burn it together and
> clean it up with a grinder. I know less about welding than almost
> anybody else in any metalworking group, but oddly enough I have five
> electric welders and an OA rig and I have welded parts still in use
> today with all but one of them. (Just got a new AC/DC pulse TIG a couple
> days ago.) Fabricator is a tough term to define, but I've built and
> converted trailers a welding table wood storage rack and various other
> things to fit needs.A lot of welding there, but various other
> fabrication skills as well. Still I don't consider myself a fabricator.
> I do have people bring me things to make or fix, but I turn down a lot
> of it unless they are friends and they stay to help.  I neighborhood kid
> is as likely as not to ask me for help with a motorcycle that needs some
> work.  What about a machinist... No. Just ask any old manual machinist.
> I'm just a hack, button pushing, shade tree, wannabe by the very fact
> that I never serviced apprenticeship for 3 lifetimes in a steam powered
> line shop. LOL.  As a contractor I made more than a few custom parts for
> communications contracting for applications over the years.  Camera
> mounts, sensor brackets, switching systems, etc.  One local fab shop did
> more than a couple tubing bending project for me.
>
>
> Since I'm no longer a contractor (retired and sold out) what does that
> make me? There is a lot I don't know, but very few projects am I afraid
> to try to come up with a solution. Atleast for myself. I won't always
> take on projects for others. If I don't know I learn how. If I can't
> figure it out myself I ask questions. If I don't have the recommended
> tools I think about it and see if I can find alternatives. If I still
> have to have the tools I put them on the list and when I have money I
> buy them.  The term "Maker" always bothered me. It didn't sound quite
> right, but ultimately I think that's what I am. A maker. I find ways to
> make what I need and I don't worry to much about being true to any
> particular trade. If it works it works.
>
> I'm a member of various groups. Some very specialized around a
> particular piece of equipment like the Yahoo mailing list for the mini
> lathe and others more broad like Home Shop Machinist, so when I started
> my own group (on Facebook) what did I call it?
> Makers & Builders. https://www.facebook.com/groups/MakersBuilders/
> Visit or don't. I'm good either way.


Nicely said,  I kind a feel many "ole duds" that have done their own
business, have been down that road..
Over the past 42 years, I can think of many a custom designs we've put
together for customers..
;-)

--

*Rocky T. Squirrel, esq.*