Random idea

Crankahead progress

It's really frustrating not being able to post pictures of my progress on this blog of the model I am making for the Crankahead competition, but it is coming together. I am frankly amazed that the mechanism is working as well as it is. I am using some of the green belt I bought for some pulleys which will drive the mechanism.

It is currently in its prototype phase and should be finished soon after a bit of tweaking. Then it's a case if making a nice looking model with some decent wood and a bit of trim and polish.

Onward and upward i go.

Uh-oh

A recent email from Sergio Pinese regarding the Crankahead competition mentions that some people have completed their models already. 

A cold sweat formed across my brow. This does not bode well for me.

I am having to remake some of the model as the movement is not that smooth. I made a "to-do" list for the model and realised how much more I have to do! I will be spending most of new years day in my freezing workshop (although the snow has melted).

On that note, I hope everyone has a great new years! Now I'm off to celebrate the new years like most of the British and get very drunk and have a fried breakfast in the morning to try and ease the pain.

Enjoy!

P.S. Never use power tools if you are inebriated.

Resolutions

1) Finish the Crankahead model
2) Finish the Turtle and the Hand model
3) Work on some cardboard models
4) Promote myself a bit more
5) Get a scroll saw
6) Get a heater for the workshop (still cold)

Sold!

I have sold my automaton model of Santa for nearly £70! This is without a doubt, the most profitable model I have made. 

For most of the auction I had the minimum bid from a guy who has bought a few of my models before and I was happy with that, but to leap up to the amount it sold for is fantastic!

Thank you very much for the purchase (if you read this blog)

I've taken a break from the workshop (too cold) but this week I'll be back in working on the Crankahead model. If I get that one sorted then I can move on with previous projects. Plus I've had ideas for new models.

Hopefully it will be a busy new year!

It is done

Well, after a lot of tweaking, I have completed the Christmas model.

After looking at the video, I kind of wish I'd slowed down the gears further as the action seems to go too quickly for my liking. Even so, I am happy with the fluidity of the piece. 

Ebay, here I come!

Cold weather problems

The weather here is so cold that it is making operations in my workshop impossible. My hands are too cold to be able to do any actual work. I have also found out that extreme cold temperatures don't allow PVA to bond properly. Also, instead of drying clear, the PVA glue is drying white which is leaving horrible streaks over my frame.

I have brought the model back to my home and will continue working on it. It is almost complete I think but there are a few teething problems and the joints on the Santa figure are not moving as smoothly as I would like. 

Time to do some tweaking. This time, with a cup of tea.