This is a selection of photos of projects that I have been involved with, some were made on commission, others just for fun.
Click on the photos to go to the different sections, then click on the thumbnails to enlarge the picture.
I will be adding more photos and text as time allows.
Ornamental turning and curiosities
50mm brass sphere containing a free floating workmate, spiked cube, turned from solid bar no cutting machines or soldering/brazing was used.
Aluminium stand cut with a boring head and dividing head on the mill. Made for a retiring workmate.
Harmonograph
The Harmonograph reached the height of its popularity in the late 1800s. I designed and built this one for my sister as a wedding present, it was constructed in stainless steel and aluminium. The drawer underneath holds the coloured pens.
The device consists of two pendulums hanging from a platform or table and both able to swing in 360 degree arcs. Attached to one is a platform to fix the paper to and the other has an arm with a pen on one end and a counterweight at the other.
Both pendulums are set in motion, the pen is lowered onto the paper and will imediately start to trace out a line. As the pendulums gradually slow down, a fine pattern will emerge. The best results come from having the absolute minimum friction, the pendulums are sitting on sharp points for minimal contact and the good quality pen is weighted just enough to touch the paper. This means the pendulums take longer to slow down and the lines are closer together. Each pattern is unique and depends on how the pendulums were swung at the start.
W class tram model
In 2007 I was commissioned by Museum Victoria (Australia) to build a 1/48th scale model of the iconic "W class" Melbourne tram for an upcoming exhibition on the history of Melbourne. The main body was cut on a mill from 0.8mm brass sheet, the sheet was attached to a piece of MDF with strips of double sided tape,then clamped to the table and cut through with a 3mm slot drill.
The main sections of the body were silver soldered together and the fittings and fine details soft soldered in place.
MDF was used to make the formers for the roof and driving cabins, the brass sheet was annealed and bent around the formers to get the curved shapes.
The model is currently on display in the "Melbourne Story" exhibit at the Melbourne museum, click on the link below to view it online.
Electric Tram Model
Animation
I have been fascinated with stop motion animation since watching Ray Harryhausen movies as a kid in the 70s. In 2007-08 I was lucky enough to do some work on the Adam Elliott movie Mary and Max, making armature joints and various jobs for the camera department. I have tried a bit of filming with my robot figures and you certainly get an appreciation of how much unseen work and skill goes into a stop motion movie.
Click on the photos for more detailed pictures and some details of their construction
My Workshop
My workshop is a 4m x 8m shed, into which I have squeezed
2x Colchester Chipmaster lathes Cincinnati 0-8 mill
Burgmaster turret drill Arboga gear head drill
Pauer miniature cylindrical grinder Waldown high speed drill press
Steelfast vertical bandsaw Gambin 1m Universal mill
Kearns "S" type horizontal borer 2x Schaublin 13 universal mills
Wieler capstan lathe Oakland tool and cutter grinder
Myford ML7 lathe Thiel die filing machine
Sacia 14" shaper 3 bench grinders
Sherline lathe Hauser vertical mill
Horizontal bandsaw Band filing machine
Nichols Heavy Production horizontal mill
Not all the machines are inside.
Space is a bit limited, as you can imagine.