The explosion of new computer tools for anyone with a desire to work in mechanical design and manufacturing is impressive, and here is an opportunity to try out a real heavyweight from Autodesk. You can download Autodesk Inventor Fusion, which is offered as a technical preview, and use it free of charge until it expires, but that's quite a long time down the road, January 1st, … [Read more...]
TechShop Arrives in Detroit
On May 5th and 6th, TechShop will be opening its newest location in Detroit, a city where there are probably quite a few guys who would really appreciate it. Although we've mentioned TechShop on more than one occasion over the last several years, they haven't been expanding anywhere near as fast as many of us had hoped. The completely equipped membership workshop is such a … [Read more...]
Portfolio Projects Instead of a Resume
Are you are looking for work? With constant news of high unemployment it's easy to feel a bit frustrated and demoralized, especially if you've been out of work for a while, but maybe you're going about it the wrong way. If you're looking for technical hands on work, you are uniquely positioned to do something many other job seekers can't, you can literally show potential … [Read more...]
Igniting the Hands On Spark Building Model Kits
Were you ever a modeler? Do you remember yourself opening those boxes from Monogram or Revell containing all of the plastic makings of an airplane, a ship, a car or a truck? As you pulled off the lid that often had an action image of what you were going to build, you could see the assembly instructions folded neatly inside, a sheet or two of decals and all of the parts, large … [Read more...]
Renew Old Skills and Create Your Own Opportunities – A Very Personal Note from The Kneeslider
You might have noticed the many articles on old skills like casting metal I've been writing recently and other articles encouraging you to become more hands on, getting some tools and learning to work on your own motorcycle, whether a simple maintenance checkup or more involved mechanical or electrical repairs, and you may be wondering where I'm going with all of this. Well, … [Read more...]
Build Your Own Foundry
Those gorgeous wooden casting patterns Aniket made for the upcoming 1000cc Musket really bring back memories from the past. Way back in time, 1970 to be exact, I spent a few weeks in the summer, working in a brass foundry, that was about all of the time I was willing to devote to getting covered in black sand every day, but it was a fascinating place. You could see the entire … [Read more...]