Here are the winners of theCraftsman Workshop of the Future Contest! The grand prize of $20,000 in tools brought out lots of amazing entries. All sorts of fantastic creations came out of the woodwork and here at Instructables we were delighted to see what people came up with.
After all the entries came in there were three rounds of voting and judging. The first round of public voting selected 30 Round 2 finalists. The first round of judging then narrowed those down to 15 Round 3 finalists. Finally, Craftsman judged the Round 3 finalists and has selected the grand prize winner as well as the runners-up who will be receiving $500 worth of tools each.
These 11 Instructables are amazing and well worth checking out for inspiration for your next project. But don’t stop there. Be sure to check out the rest of the entries and get ready to show the world something fantastic all your own.
The Snail Car the Golden Mean Was one of the 10 Runner-ups
Posted Under: Snail Art Car the Golden Mean
This post was written by Form & Reform on January 29, 2009 Comments Off on Craftsman Workshop of the Future Contest Winners
Now that I’ve had a chance to think about a modern version of this I’ve come up with a few updates.
PTO to hydraulic pump, then use separate hydraulic motors left and right to drive the screws. This would allow much better feathering of the controls and eliminate the need for a clutch on each side and the jerkiness of the steering seen in the film. Did you notice in the Russian film full forward on one side and reverse on the other move the machine sideways!
Lower center of gravity and wider foot print. I’ll scale the vehicle to match modern trucks, so it can fit on normal dirt roads.
A cab for sure, and a utility bed on the rear for moving people and stuff. This will be a work of art as well, so think 20,000 leagues under the sea for style!
I like how aggressive the Russian spiral is. Should I go amphibious too, and could this run on pavement? Wondering if a rubber dock bumper would hold up to the street and dirt in place of the steel spiral.
Recently British adventurers Steven Brooks and Graham Stratford built a specialized vehicle which could cross the Bering Straights from Alaska to Russia, and could traverse water, ice, snow, and the tangled masses of ice ridges that can occur in that area.It could also climb out of the water onto the ice shelf.Their adventure is showcased at the team’s Ice Challenger site.The vehicle was a Bombardier snow grooming vehicle, driven by tracks, to which was added a screw propulsion system.
The crew that helped me build the snail car (god bless their souls) has a side bet as to when I’ll pop the new project on them for this year, well….. here it is.
I want to build a Playa-Motor based on this 1926 snowmobile and I have most of the parts in my shop, so crew are you ready?
In the 1920s the Armstead Snow Motor was developed. When this was used to convert a Fordson tractor into a screw propelled vehicle with a single pair of cylinders; the combination became known as the Fordson Snow Devil. A film was made to show the capabilities of the vehicle as well as a Chevrolet car fitted with an Armstead Snow Motor.[4] The film clearly shows that the vehicle copes well in snow. Steering was effected by having each cylinder receive power from a separate clutch which, depending on the position of the steering gear, engages and disengages; this results a vehicle that is relatively maneuverable. The promotional film shows the Armstead snow motor hauling 20 tones of logs.
In January 1926, Time magazine reported:
“Having used the motor car for almost every other conceivable purpose, leading Detroit automobile makers have now organized a company entitled “Snow Motors Inc.,” to put out a machine which will negotiate the deepest snowdrifts at six to eight miles an hour. The new car will consist of a Ford tractor power-plant mounted on two revolving cylinders instead of wheels—something on the order of a steam roller. The machine has already proved its usefulness in deep snow previously unnavigable. One such machine has done the work which formerly required three teams. In Oregon a stage line uses a snow motor in its two daily round trips over the Mackenzie Pass between Eugene and Bend. Orders are already in hand from Canada, Norway, Sweden, Alaska. The Hudson Bay Co. has ordered a supply to maintain communications with its most northern fur-trading stations. The Royal Northwest Mounted Police have also gone into the market for snow motors, and may cease to be horsemen and become chauffeurs, to the deep regret of cinema people. A number of prominent motor makers have also been interested in the proposition from the angle of adapting the snow motors equipment to their ordinary models. Hudson, Dodge and Chevrolet are mentioned especially as interested in practical possibilities along this line.[5]”
“An an extant example is in the collection of the Heidrick Ag History Center in Woodland, California. This particular vehicle is said to have been used to haul mail from Truckee to North Lake Tahoe.[6]“
“Despite this interest, the Armstead Snow Motor was not a long-term commercial success.”
A modern variation was done by our very own SRL and is called the Screw Machine. Our variation would sink quite nicely in any depth of snow, but works great on glass.
Paul is an amazing bike artist. Here is a Make show featuring some of the great work he’s done over the years. This will be a fun party and a great way to help out one of our own!
WHAT:Cyclecide is throwing a benefit party for Paul to help with medical bills.
Bingo, houses made of meat wrecked by dogs in godzilla suits, ‘flu shots’, bean bag toss, we’ll have it all. No cover but donations at door and for beer and silly entertainment will be accepted.
WHEN: Saturday January 31st starting at 7pm and going until 11pm.
WHERE:984 Folsom St, Second Floor — the MonkeyBrains office space.
WHY: Paul ‘da Plumber’ had major surgery on his right wrist, has it in traction, and will be out of work and unable to use it for several months. Paul — as you probably know — builds amazing bike powered rides and sculptures, and all sorts of silly devices.
YOUR MONEY: You can send donations to cash@paulsrides.com via paypal.
One inch of the ulna was removed, ground up and packed into the small bones in the back of the hand to reinforce the hand. A permanent metal sheathe was put into the wrist about the size of a butter knife and attached to the bones of hands and wrist with 7 surprising large full size bolts. They did a bunch of other things to his wrist that will hopefully minimize the constant pain he has experienced for years. Post Op photos:
Posted Under: Entertainment Announcements,Friends
This post was written by Form & Reform on January 29, 2009 Comments Off on Paul ‘da Plumber’ Benefit Party this Sat.
I designed these door pulls and won a commission for one of the designs for the new City Hall in Richmond. Someday, when they finish, I hope to install them. In the mean time I’m looking for work for the shop and thought someone out there might need something similar for their house or business. I can do door hardware in steel, stainless steel, or bronze. Contact me for prices, design, or questions about what else we make can make at our blacksmith shop in West Oakland.
Posted Under: Entertainment Announcements
This post was written by Form & Reform on January 26, 2009 Comments Off on Denzel and Holly Volitile perform at Baxtalo Drom
The Snail crew pulled off another wonderful night of fun, dress to the 9’s in our best Edwardian gear. We had so many talented and wonderful people stop by the Golden Mean for a song, a story or a nip. I so enjoyed the great costumes, dancing and the smell industry from the steam engines inside.
In 1987 I founded Form & Reform a hand-forged furniture and accessories blacksmith shop. Steel, fire, glass, wood, and a passion for craft and excellence infuse every item we make. From the heat of the forges to the cool precision of our artisans, we endeavor to produce furniture of a quality that you would be proud to bequest to your children, and will last long enough to make the journey.
The mythological god Pan, a playful and mischievous character, had the torso of a man and the legs of a goat. The graceful and playful lines of these table legs made us think of him immediately. We use hammer and anvil to forge steel into these life like leg shapes, combine them with textured bar, and top them with 3/8” glass. Why not bring a touch of myth and mischief into your life?
A little old-fashioned with plenty of style, the Vera tables and shelves serve as great display pieces in groups or individually. The solid 3/4″ thick, ecologically sustainable, plantation-raised hardwood tops are a natural Cherry color and coated with a durable polyurethane specially created for restaurant use. You can find two of our popular shelving units, the Oval Shelf and Stand, in the Vera line as well as tables.
Take a moment to explore our product line, custom metal work I have made, and lighting we have done for homes and restaurants. If your interested please contact me for a quote, or to purchase one of my products directly.
SF Beer Week Starts the first week of Feb. and we are bring out the the Boiler Bar, theater, dancing girls, and the snail art car, the Golden Mean, to the Lagunitas Beer Circus Feb 8th.
This is a free event, but you must RSVP directly to Lagunitas (707 769 4495) now to reserve a ticket. This will be sold out fast, so act soon if you plan to attend.
Yes the Snail car the Golden Mean has made it to round three. There are now only 15 contestants left in the game and one of us is going to win $20000 dollars worth of Craftsman tools!
Posted Under: Snail Art Car the Golden Mean
This post was written by Form & Reform on January 19, 2009 Comments Off on Craftsman Workshop of the Future Contest Round 3 Finalists
The Boiler Bar and Theater
