TechShop

I recently started a membership at TechShop, a facility that provides a full machine shop including 3/4 Axis CMC Mill, a FlowJet, Sheetmetal, a full wood shop, 3 different 3d printers, and the list goes on and on.

I've been like a kid in a candy store...

I started with the complete MIG and
TIG welding courses. I'm pretty good
now but I'm not sure I'm ready to trust
my life with one of my jobs. Steel -
even pretty thin is pretty easy after
enough practice. Aluminum on
the other hand is always hard. 

Turning 7/8" 316 stainless steel
on a 14-40 Gearhead lathe.
After tapping each end for
1/4-20 cap screws, this became
a 135mm dummy axle used
 to align bicycle frames.

A scale replica of Obi-Wan Kenobi's lightsaber
from StarWars Ep 4 "A New Hope" Started as
a 2.5" 6061 Aluminum rod.

Jet Mills

Prototype pawns for a chess/
checkers set for Jax.

Prototype bishop and rook
(in background). 6061AL with
Single knurl at the top and double
at bottom. These were both too
large (over 5" tall). The Rook was
later turned down into 2 smaller
rooks that are probably keepers.

Turning 360 Brass -- this stuff rules.
Turning aluminum creates a concertina-wire
of hot, razor-sharp swarf. I nearly always
burn or cut some part of me while
working with it. 360 Brass
however, creates a nice, tidy little pile of
sand. I'm going to turn more brass.  

More 360 Brass. This became
4 grooved zipper pulls and
a set of cuff links.