Projects from 2019 to 2020
A chronological log of the projects, large and small I undertook and completed while still under instruction at SWCC. Hopefully I can have some insights along the way for everything I learned. I look back on 100% of the things I do and regret I didn't take enough pictures.
Garden Fork
4/9/2020
This was a small project requested by my father. He wanted a garden fork to turn up the soil in the backyard. 2x4s ripped lengthwise made the handles.
Some things I learned. Hardened steel cannot be easily drilled, the holes for the handle to bolt on had to be plasma cut because the scrap I had was hardened. Also the blade did not need the rebar reinforcement I added, it made the fork too thick and it didn't "slice" as my dad expected. He was still happy with the result.
I also included an image of the welder i was using at the time, another of my father's heirlooms". A 1930s-ish era Forney welder
Some Finished Projects
Its going to be a common theme where I neglect to take progress photos
A drill press I "restored". It was green, and after a thorough cleanup it works a treat. Still have plans to add a third pully to make the speed go even lower. I learned the cost of cleaning up older machines is not negligible, cannot say what I spent on rust remover or paint or other consumables but it was more than I expected at the time. Still cheaper than a new press however. 5/6/2020
A knife I made for a friend, Plasma cut the general shape then filed into final shape and sharpened. Made from some farm implement blade he gave me. I learned filing takes a while. 5/9/2020
Another Knife, this one a gift to my Father on his birthday/ Fathers day(they are almost the same day). Mahogany handle with brass caps, thru tang and peened over to hold everything. He was quite happy with it and still uses it often. First time I attempted to heat treat something and i was mildly successful. 6/18/2020
The Welding Cart, First draft
The first images I have of the cart, I made many sketches and this is the result in its first form. the frame is 2x2x1/4" Angle, except the bottom which is actually a piece of 5" channel I cut in half lengthwise. I had gotten the 221Est Everlast a few months ago and it had been on a dolly for a few months and this was the cart for it. We will see changes and I am still not completely done with the cart as of 9/26/2022.
8/26/2020
Welding Cart at Close of 2020
Paint, Some expanded metal for the bottom, and new wheels are the first changes I made. Also the middle shelf was added, however I really wanted a drawer...
Good view of the welder and Plasma cutter I have, both have treated me well and have worked as well as I can expect for their small size and limited power (more limited for the plasma).
11/15/2020