B.Light Design

Not that successful with my first pulls from my DIY vacuum former. I think I was using material that was too thick and not enough heat. My suction could be a little weak too. More to come.

Really love the look of laser etched powder coating. The letters are so crisp.

I’ve been experimenting with powder coating recently. It gives common parts such a slick finish.

Michale Colombo from Make Magazine posted a video demo of me making a mallet for Workshop Wednesdays.

I apologize for the beard, I’m in a contest.

Thanks to Mark Kleback for the video assist.

Full story here.

I built a CNC’d old-timey looking toolbox a little while back. It’s very straight forward, built from 1/2″ plywood, a 1 1/4″ diameter dowel, and some 1/4″ dowel pegs. It’s stackable so ii works out well if you want to have a couple of these for specific jobs or tasks.

If you have access to a CNC and would like to make your own, the files are here:
Side Panel
End Panel
Bottom Panel

Some incredible designers are involved with the enLIGHTen Project for the Kids of Kathmandu charity. Lighting design auction will be online soon. The event will be held on May 17th.

Brendan Ravenhill
Cerno
David Trubridge
David Weeks
Dino Sanchez
Jason Miller
Jeff Hartman/Meredith Clark
Lindsey Adelman
Matt Gagnon
Niche
Paul Loebach
Rich Brilliant Willing
Standard 41
Vica by Annabelle Selldorf
Workshop Design Build
Workstead

Make, one of my favorite magazines, is running a skill set on woodworking this month on their blog. I was lucky enough to be asked to contribute a piece. Of course, it was all about the lathe.

You can find the article here.

So I’ve played around some more with the Egg-Bot printer. The software it runs is open source (free) and very easy to use, but best of all are the sample print patterns that come with it. Checker boards, New York City skylines, loopy waving patterns, even a world globe.

Printing is very addictive. Now on to creating my own designs.

My friend Michelle Zatta and I are now proud owners of an Egg-Bot. We put it together last night — I can hardly wait to print something with it. Things are afoot people, things are afoot.

More to come.

I received some great lathe chisels for Christmas. I’ve practically worn my first set to the nub (an incredible set of hand-me-downs by the way, thanks Mr. Burke), the new guys are great replacements.

I’ve only used them for a short time, but I’m already in love.