Off Week Update... Number 2!

Hey Everyone! 

A little late to the draw on this one but I thought I would update anyway. The next video's project is wrapped up and edited. And it was WAY more than I thought I was getting myself into. Both mentally and financially. The "consumables" budget was through the roof on this one! And a visit (but not a long one) to the BOS. I'm still having a bit of fun teasing what it is though so I wont give that away but you can expect to see the video on here Thursday at 10am EDT.

In other news a fine gentleman and patron named Mike saw my last update here talking about an ID spindle for the toolpost grinder. Having one he was no longer in need of,  he generously donated it to the cause. It's a DuMore V3 spindle in immaculate condition and will be the subject of an upcoming video. Finally getting back to work on the "Hardinge" toolroom lathe restoration!

On the broader picture of things I've been on the lookout for a long time for a larger scale project that I can bounce back and forth on between restorations, making required tooling and this "something". I've considered lots of things like engines, telescopes, and some kinetic sculptures. All of which are cool but haven't quite struck my fancy. Then I stumbled upon a build by @madsencycles on instagram. It's a harmonograph type drawing machine using pendulums for the motion and creates line art sort of like those spirograph stencil kits you might have used as a kid (and I have always been fascinated by). I was IMMEDIATELY inspired to make something like this. But THEN! Then instagram did its thing and fed me @gandyworks. And I've never wanted to make something so much in my LIFE. It's an even more complex type of drawing machine that James Gandy designed and built himself (and is still experimenting with different mechanisms). I'm not even sure how to describe it other than being sort of like a Guilliche/Rose Engine... but for drawing. I'm completely enthralled by the idea of an entirely mechanical devise creating organic-esque geometric art. And the machine is a work of art itself. I simply can't get the idea out of my head!

Anyway, that's all for now. Video Thursday and I hope you all have a great week!