Mike

build something
Never built anything 4 years ago

I’ve found that since school craft projects, I’ve not actually made anything. I’ve built relationships, I’ve built software projects, I’ve built something like a career. But an actual “something”? Nope. Nada.

At an extreme stretch you could say I’ve helped other people build things, but nothing that I would get primary credit for.

So… to build something you need to start somewhere. And where to start?

I have two fall projects that fall into this:

1. Coffee Table Entertainment Center
This will replace our “blue box” entertainment center which is nice, but behind the couch so we have to point remotes backwards. And it will give us an eating surface in front of the couch. I’ll make a separate goal with details for it.

2. Bike
I saw these plans on fabricating a carbon fiber bicycle frame and have been facinated by it. I’m going to give it a shot. Either I learn lots and get a new bicycle, or I just learn lots. Either way is a win, I figure.
If it works, I need to train up for the Seattle-to-Portland or something. But no getting ahead of myself!

If I find I’m actually cabable of making something, I’ll have to start some of my crazy building projects that “I’ve always wanted to do”.

Sep 14, 2005, 07:08PM PDT


Comments:

DaveXB

These are good goals but start smaller.

These are good projects but they are not ideal projects to start with.
I recommend you start by making something with wood or clay before moving on to carbon fiber construction.

1. Work your way up to a coffee table entertainment center. How about making a wooden bin/magazine rack first. You will need 5 pieces of wood or MDF. (4 sides and the bottom. You will need to predrill and then screw the parts together. You could buy MDF shelving with a laminated surface and cut it into 5 parts. That way you will will have to do the minimum of cutting and the surfaces will already have a nice finish [no painting].
Other ideas are: a set of coasters, a CD bin, a pen holder, a mail holder, a spice rack, etc.

2. Bike.
This is not a beginners project but you can work your way up to this as well. Make a fiber glass [not carbon fiber – just ordinary fiber glass] model boat. Make a fiber glass pot plant holder. Make a fiber glass shoe rack. A bike has to support your weight and has moving parts. Carbon fiber is expensive and you need to learn how to work with fiber glass so start small with regular fiber glass to learn the basics. You will soon learn that you need to do lots of sanding unless you adopt more advanced molding techniques. You also need a ventalated space to work with epoxy resin. Sorry to pour cold water on this idea – I just think you will be happier by working your way up to something like this.

Oct 31, 2005, 02:20PM PST | Respond to this


 

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