Trellis roof panel finished.

12/3/2008 By Leave a Comment

Its ALIVE!

Actually its not, but that’s much more impressive sounding than the other options.  At any rate, the roof section of the trellis is now complete.  The design is done and all of the welds have been finished and dressed.  All that is left on the roof panel is welding the brackets on to connect it to the other pieces, and that cannot be done quite yet as the other pieces arent finished yet.  Brackets are the last thing on the list before its all painted and installed.  Now I’m on to working on the front upright panels.  When I get some progress on those, I’ll post photos of those as well.

For now, I present the finished roof panel.

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What a grind, part 2.

11/8/2008 By Leave a Comment

In and amongst all of the other little projects, I’m still plugging away at the trellis.  Having been occupied with other things since we last posted, I decided it was time to get back out there and make some sparks.  The last time I was out working I managed to mangle the saw I was using to trim the steel to length, so late last week I stopped while I was out and picked up an inexpensive chop saw.  And while its not a highly precise saw, its alot more accurate than freehand with a jig saw.

So I made my way out to the barn and started on the large 2/3 of the roof section.  As I mentioned before, the design is inspired by the work of Frank Lloyd Wright.  This particular piece is roughly divided into thirds.  The panel I worked on last time is a self contained panel.  The remaining two thirds are grouped together into a larger panel, which is divide into offset quarters.  Which in plain english means ALOT of measuring and re-measuring.  After several hours out there today, this is where we stand.  I Have the lower 2 quadrants of the design done.  Which are visible on the left of this photo.  You can see the two upper sections are still empty.  The design in those is more dense as the sections are smaller.  All told they both have 3 more large sections of tube and 3 thin strips of flat stock to go.  That will be either later in the week or sometime next week, depending on schedules.  Once the design is finished then I get to move on to the front panels, which will hopefully work up a little faster.  They are smaller, so I’m hopeful.

Update on the trellis roof section.

Trellis progress, 11/8/08

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Hot Glue for Metal.

11/3/2008 By Leave a Comment

About a year ago I picked up a welder for the shop.  I figured it would be handy to have for the various automotive things that I seem to be doing more of.   Since I got it, it has been pretty handy for automotive related things.   I recently decided to see what I could do that was a little more artistic.  We are in need of a trellis in the back yard to support a rose bush that is getting out of hand, so I figured I could whip something up that would work and look decent in the process.  As these things tend to do, the project ended up balooning into a much larger undertaking than I had planned.  The trellis is going to have 3 main panels and plain posts in the back to support the roof.  I have 2 7′ x 3′ panels for the front for the rose to climb, and then the roof panel which is 6′ x 10′.  We elected to continue the front panel design over to the roof so it would be visible from the ground.  So the roof panel is decorative as well.  The design is loosely based on the Frank Lloyd Wright style.  Angular and squared panels, without obvious symmetry.
This is the first third of the roof panel.  I’ll add more photos here as I progress.  For my first major project like this, its coming along nicely.

Roof section - Trellis

Roof section - Trellis

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Off into the blue. Or something..

6/20/2008 By Leave a Comment

So I’ve been absent from the blog for a while now.� And its not for lack of trying.� Its mainly a lack of time.� A few months back, I came to a point where I had to decide where I wanted to go for the immediate future.� I could choose the responsible, and cautious route and find a 9-5 working for someone else that would be safe and reliable and a weekly paycheck.� OR, I could strike out on my own, and have no one to depend on for my success but myself.� I pondered, I researched, and I went as far as actually putting together a resume for a position that a friend of mine shared with me.� When it came right down to it I couldnt do it.� I could not click on the “Send” button.� It just didnt feel right.� And It wasnt making me happy.� So I went with Plan B.� I threw myself into researching the equipment and markets available for design and sign work.� (Which I’ve tinkered with on and off for almost 10 years now.)� And then I pulled the trigger.� I pulled some money out and purchased a brand new piece of equipment and all the software required to run it properly.� I put together new business cards, started making lists of potential clients.� And immersed myself into learning the new system.� (Which of course is totally different from what I’ve used for almsot 10 years.)� Which is where I sit today.� I’ve had the new machine for slightly over a month. I’ve gotten 2 jobs under my belt, and I’m ramping up to go out and actively solicit some business in the coming weeks. � Its a little scary not having a steady income right now, and its a little intimidating having this huge commercial machine staring at me every day when I come into the office.� But deep down I know this was the right choice.� I know that I can not only do this, but I can be successful at it.� And more importantly, it just feels right.� So I may not be around here too terribly much for the immediate future, as I have to make a living for myself now.� Which is not a 9-5 sort of proposition.� I will try to pop on and update here when time allows.� And if anyone out there needs graphic design or sign work done, feel free to shoot me some mail.� :) � I’m looking for a few good clients. :)

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Still alive… Barely.

4/13/2008 By Leave a Comment

Well, its been a while since I posted.  Typical start to the year.  Too much to do and not nearly enough time to get it all done in.  It looks like things are finally starting to wind down a little, so with any luck I can start posting here more regularly.  Can’t promise it will be interesting, but I’m going to try to post a bit more.

Stay tuned!

Filed Under: Personal and Family Rants.

"Emergency"

7/18/2007 By Leave a Comment

Last week I packed up the Ambulance and drove it to LA for a big car show.  And while I was out there, I took a side trip to visit the fire station where the “Emergency” TV show was filmed.  (LA County Fire Station 127.)  We took some photos of the ambulance in front of the station that was “Station 51″, and managed to get a tour of the station when the firefighters returned from the call they were on.  Would you believe that almost everything is still where it was on the show.  Even the basketball hoop is still on the back of the station.  The wood lockers are there, and you just expect to see Squad 51 sitting in the bay waiting for its next call when those doors roll up.   All in all a wonderful trip.  The Firefighters were amazingly kind, the station pretty much looks just like it did on the show, and I got some great photos.  While the show and the events surrounding the event were fun, I’d say that the visit to station 127 was the highlight of the trip.  The LA Country Firefighters of Station 127 are fantastically kind.  They showed off their station and its obvious that they are exceptionally proud of its history, and proud to be assigned there.  We very much appreciate the time they spent with us, and they are a tremendous asset to the LA County Fire Department in terms of positive PR and good will.  Thanks for letting us play for a few minutes!

Links to Photos below the cut.

[Read more...]

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Never is today.

4/25/2007 By Leave a Comment

For years now I’ve said “never”. Well, I’ve changed my mind. Its been a long and complicated decision, but I’ve come to a point where I need to move on to other things. I’ve had my fun, and now its time for someone else to enjoy the fruits of my labor. So I’ve come to a pretty major decision. More detailed info will follow over the coming weeks, but as of today it’s official.

Someone will have a once in a lifetime opportunity.

I am officially offering for sale my Ecto-1a Replica.

I do not have all of the details worked out, and I do not have the listing complete. That information will follow in the next few weeks as time allows. I will be taking new Photos of the car showing its current configuration. I’ll be listing accessories that will be included with the sale. And I’ll be shooting some video of the car that will be available for serious prospective buyers. I will also be listing a good amount of the work that was done to bring the car to its current configuration. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity. As far as we know, there is only ONE replica of this car anywhere that is built to this level of detail on the correct year, make and model of car. I have never seen another one for sale anywhere that is even close. And you are not likely to see one for sale again. Perfect for the serious collector or museum collection. This replica is not only good looking, but its safe and legal. Currently registered and street legal in Arizona. Clear title. It not just a Show car, no trailer is needed as it can be driven legally on public streets. But remember its not like ANY other car out there. Not for the shy or timid. This car demands attention.

Some older photos of the car can be seen at www.ecto1a.com. (Please note, the photos on the site do not show the new LED scrolling message signs. Nor do them show alot of the more recent work done to the car.)

Not to be too blunt, but if you have to ask what I want for it, you probably cannot afford it. :) Serious offers only. If anyone is seriously interested in the car, and would like to make an offer before I have all of the information updated, I can be reached either here or via the website listed above.

Someone is going to have a one of a kind toy in their collection. I hope they enjoy it as much as I have.

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New toys and other diversions.

2/16/2007 By Leave a Comment

In the interests of being a responsible citizen, I traded in my exceptionally fast car for something a little more responsible yet still exceptionally fast. :) My previous car was a 400HP V8 sedan that had a zero to 60 time that was fast enough, I could have made one pass at open run night at the dragstrip, and then they would have kicked me out for not having a roll cage, fire suppression system and helmet. Did I mention it could do those speeds with adults in the 4 seats AND the A/C on? It was fast, tons of fun, exceptionally comfortable, and fast. It was also an exercise in restraint everytime I got into it. It was SO easy to drive WAY too fast without even realizing it. (It had a chime that you could program to go off at a preset speed. I had mine set at 50. And I just about rang that chime every day on the way to work.) And while I really enjoyed the car, it was just a matter of time before I got in trouble with it. 100 mph felt no different in the car than going 60. Which can be a problem for the folks with badges and radar guns.

So I traded it in. Got me a more fuel efficient car to replace it. (Which just happens to be a sporty little coupe. Seating for 2. Still really fast. Its only .1 seconds slower to 60 than the car I traded in) And its alot easier to drive a little slower since its so low to the ground, everything feels alot faster. I also went from a really dark blue to a silver. Which was not really my first choice of color. But its growing on me. Throw a little window tint onto it and makes it a little more aggressive looking. One of the interesting things about the car is the attention that I get with it. There dont seem to be too many of them on the roads, so I tend to get alot of interested looks from people. Some are puzzled, some are confused, and I’m guessing a good number have never seen one before. Its a neat little car, and it handles like its on rails. There isnt any lean. Corners darn near flat. And it looks fast even standing still. Which is kinda cool as well.

So without further Ado, my new toy.

Front view Rear View

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What is this white stuff?

1/23/2007 By Leave a Comment

As I’m sure everyone is aware by now, it snowed here Sunday night and into Monday. As we live in a desert, this was a bit of a shock to the entire area and ended up making national news. Feel free to keep your snide comments to yourself. We know that it was only 2 inches of snow. But two inches of snow in an area that usually doesn’t get ANY does tend to much things up a bit. As a city, We are just totally unprepared for this sort of thing. The city doesn’t even OWN any snow removal equipment. Did I mention we were a desert? Just making sure. Anyways. Aside from the massive traffic snafus it caused. It really was pretty cool to see. The desert looks a bit different in white. Most of it was gone by Monday afternoon, and we were back to browns and tans by Tuesday morning. But it was pretty cool while it lasted. I wont subject you all to too many photos, as I know that there are a million and one on the web from local folks. So I’m posting 2 snow photos, and 1 photo of the worlds cutest dog. :)

Enjoy!

Worlds Cutest Dog.Snow 1snow 2

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This is odd.

8/22/2006 By Leave a Comment

Been a strange week so far.  Nothing has exploded at work so far this week.  Things have actually been coming together at work, although a little slower than I would have liked.  The kitchen counter project should be completed by the weekend, so I’ll have a kitchen again. (After almost 4 weeks without one)  I’ve got a nibble already on the Car that I’m looking to sell next.  (Which I havent even advertised anywhere yet.)  Which hopefully will work out after I send some more photos of the car.  I was able to do a little organizing out in the garage tonight.  And while It’s a long way from being done.  (And nowhere even close to being neat, organized, or tidy)  I have some room to work for the first time in a long while, and I’m actually getting things done out there that I’ve wanted to do for a while.  I’m more used to an endless series of disasters, this is new and strange and a little disconcerting at times.  I’m kinda hoping it will last a little while though.  Its kinda nice.  Who knew boring could be this nice.

Filed Under: Personal and Family Rants.
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