Re: Why Makers & Builders

["Bob La Londe" <none@none.com99>]

"ABLE1"  wrote in message news:2cpxE.469358$MH.227087@xxxxxxxx...

On 4/28/2019 10:08 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.

Hi Bob,

Nice resume' it sums you up good.
You might call yourself a "Maker & Builder" that fits.
You are also a doer.  So many people are just bumps on logs
and can't think for themselves.  You don't have to make a Million
Dollars a minute to know you have accomplished so much more than all
the others in just a few minutes.

You and I as well as the other regulars here in ASA must have that same
bit of gene that makes us the way we are.

I for one say that:
"I am the guy that puts 'stuff' together and makes it work"

You like a challenge are motivated to find a solution to that challenge.

I like doing "one of a kind" custom systems.  When it comes to needing
brackets or mountings that can't be found off the shelf.  I will draw up
what I need in my CAD and take it to a friend that has the materials and
welder to put it together.  Had to make a hang over the roof camera
mount a while back to get the right angle.  Cool stuff!!

As for your Facebook page.  Sorry, I won't be going there.  I am NOT
a Facebook person.  It is just not something I want to do.  If it works
for you, great!!  Maybe I am just too old fashioned or something.
Or just plain O-L-D!!!   :-)

*** No worries.  I wasn't really a Facebook person either, but all my
younger cousins are on so its often its how I keep up with what they are
doing.  I'm the oldest of myself and all my cousins, so...  I didn't really
start "doing" Facebook though until it started generating sales.  Business
page, groups, and even just direct personal followers.