peter brock and design and fabrication

 

You might think that I'm posting this because of the VW bus. I was really interested to hear all of Pete Brock's discussion of design and fabrication. There is so much history here.

brooke duckart

Check out this awesome video of Brooke Duckart! Brooke was a film student at UWM and during her time there she took a Metals class with Tia Dale and then took my first Rhino course taught at UWM in Winter 2012. One summer when I was just starting the DCRL, I helped her with a stop motion armature. It was cool to see her name during the credits of Kubo and the Two Strings. Check out this video Laika just released and her latest work on Etsy!

tank

I need a tank...

heavy metal mammoth

My former co-worker Curt Walker making a Heavy Metal Mammoth.

taylor studios walkthrough

I worked at Taylor Studio after graduating from grad school. I worked there for one year and then left to teach at UWM. I have to admit this place opened my eyes to the kinds of jobs that my schooling and life had trained me for. I never did the same thing twice while working here, so every day was different. I was able to build things that were larger than I might have been able to afford at the time and I always felt challenged by the projects as they always included several problem solving opportunities. Did I mention I worked with some of the most supportive and talented people? If you've never had to make something under budget, and in a certain amount of time, and with the highest possible quality and finish, then I think you should check out this place. You'll get to work with people that know the tricks of the trade who get things accomplished. Curt shown welding in this video (at :40) is probably one of the most talented large scale sculptors I have ever met;and  he's definitely one of the most motivated people I have ever worked with. He was able to make the most of very little and I always looked up to him and his talents. I was able to travel to different parts of the country for install jobs, learn from my co-workers, and project managers, and grow as an fabricator, artist, and designer. Jason who narrates this video was one of my project managers and he was so supportive during my year of employment there. It's good to see how the company has grown (also, good to see the sandblaster that I built from scratch is still there; left side at 3:15). I'm glad to have had this experience and I hope that my students have similar experiences for professional growth.

welding: scott raade

Shop Teacher Bob linked to this following artist/craftsman Sott Raade and his welding skills. Crazy awesome!! It makes you want to go practice for ten years so you can even feel like you have the right to approach him with a simple question. RESPECT! 

It also makes me want to sink into a hole when I hear art instructors talk about welding and compare the process to "hot glue but with metal". I think we might want to admit to our art students that there's a bit more to welding than that. Just saying'...

clear irons website launch

If you've been reading this blog for a while, you'll remember my great friend, Eric Larson. 

Eric and I met at the U of I and where he was getting his dual major in Industrial Design and Metals. He was even in one of the Metals classes I taught as a grad student and we both enrolled in one of the best classes I ever took in school, that covered welding (in the Agriculture Department). But we've been great friends ever since school and he is probably one of the people who I know directly that "really gets it" when it comes to work ethic, design, making, functional objects, etc. He's always been someone who I respect greatly for his talent, his heart, and his ability to learn. As some of you may know, he and I worked together for the first couple years when I first moved to Milwaukee as we both built some hot rod VW's and some Single Cab VW trucks. Over the years we have worked on several side projects and I can't even count the number of times that we got together to make something. I don't know what it is exactly, but Eric is a joy to work with. I can honestly say that I have had some of my most productive moments when we've been working together. As I said, "he just gets it". 

Well anyway, Eric has worked in the Industrial Design field ever since graduation, and he has learned the ropes by working several years for DiMonte Group and growing in his design skills, Solidworks skills, and working as project manager for several big name clients. He has really developed into a great business man as well as continuing to grow as a designer and maker. I was stoked a few years ago when he said that he was going to make the leap and start his own business called Clear Irons. Eric has been killing it lately with his new business and consistent work with Paratech as well as wheelchair design work for ADI. 

Eric recently hired a super talented guy (Robby Sachs) and they've been working on the new website as well as rolling out a line of products that you can purchase from their store. Eric recently launched the new website and he has several things happening over there that my blog readers will be interested in. You have to go check out the great work they have for sale in addition to their design and prototype work.  Also, bookmark the site as you'll want to be sure and follow their work as they are utilizing CAM software to run their beautiful Haas CNC milling machine to make new tooling and prototypes. Make sure to follow Eric and Robby on Instagram as I know they will have frequent updates there.

Eric's been busting his tail to make the business happen so I'm thrilled to see the progress he's making. I haven't seen him as much as I used to, as life has just been speeding out of control for us both. I miss working with Eric out at the Seward Speed Shop or on The Farm; we most definitely miss Eric's family too, as his Mom and Dad have always been special to my immediate family. I miss our super awesome conversations and working together, but I love that I can always keep tabs on what Eric's up to and how he's using his skills to make a difference. Super inspiring to see him "making his way" too; I'm so proud to be able to call him a friend. Now go check out his site and buy a cool hand-stictched wallet or sketchbook cover

gd display

The Graphic Design area came to me a couple weeks ago and asked me if I could design and create a display for their end of semester exhibition. I had limited time to complete this, but they assured me that there would be money to pay me for my labor. I really probably shouldn't have taken this on due to the short time frame, but I'm always looking for paying jobs this year, since I'm on sabbatical. I designed everything in Rhino and then made sure the GD area was good with the design. We made some minor changes and I ordered materials. I was able to get the uni-strut cut, all of the wood cut, and the hinges installed on the panels before leaving for Thanksgiving break. Yesterday, I bolted the uni-strut sections together, cut cables, attached cables, made table supports that slide into the uni-strut channel, embedded magnets on the four corners of each panel, and hung and leveled the entire display. Not too bad for a days worth of work. I got home late and was absolutely exhausted. The students are installing today and the show is tomorrow night. 

craftsman: m magazine

I have several people that I know who were featured in the new copy of M magazine. Matt Mabee is a current colleague and former student, Jared Kramer is a former student, and Christof Sander, a former student, designs and fabricates at Scathain, all of which who were featured in this craftsman issue. Good to see their talents getting some press. Congrats guys; well deserved!

mit architecture

Make sure to stay with this one; if you're impatient skip to 10:43 and watch from there to be blown away.

shipbuilding

machine shop

Daus sent the link for this video to me. They even drink my brand; my type of guys.

platform cnc router

Matt shared this link with me about the CNC router pictured above. This is a slick little router and there is even a build log over on the CNC Zone website. Very nice design. The guy had built a nice MDF router before this that is even worth checking out on his site.

kyle from IDEO

I love the internet. So many cool people to find and so many cool things to discover. Kyle Doerksen sent me an email today. He is a design engineer at IDEO. You have to check out the stuff that he's worked on or is working on. Maybe I can go visit IDEO sometime this year. Noah saw the images above and now he thinks he needs a onewheel. Anyway check out Kyle's stuff. Thanks for the email Kyle!

bcm

Kim Boyle at BCM just posted the images above and made the following post. I just love this! Such talent. Everything he touches turns to gold.

Respect!