Week #18 1/19 - 1/24

This week I started a new project that I will be using the lathe to create. The project I am working on is a sort of spice press. The piece will consist of a hollow tube with two threaded ends. Each end will have a cap. The bottom cap will just be a regular cap but the top cap features a hole for a turning handle to screw in. How the press works is you will put the spices or herbs inside and then a flat metal disk is pushed down when the handle is turned. The purpose of this part is to create little disks of spices that can be used in the kitchen; it also looked fun to design and make.

This is the drawing I created from my CAD file. What a drawing is is a print out your part that displays whatever dimensions you need to machine your piece.

These are some of the steps of the turning process I have completed so far. On the left that is my part once I faced it down to the proper diameter of 1.125 inches or an 1-1/8¨. The right image shows the start of the drilling process. I started with a small drill bit and gradually worked my way up to a 3/4¨ bit as that I how big I want my spice disks to be.

Additionally this week I cut out the cardboard decks for my skate board chair mock up. As I mentioned last week I cut out the frame so now I will be putting together the cardboard version of the chair so I can see the real life size when it is actually in front of me.

When coming up with the design for this skateboard chair I actually meditation in mind. What is often thought to be one of the best ways to sit while meditating is on a cousin with your legs crossed. This is a great way on its own but I was inspired by designs that I saw of chairs meant to allow this type of sitting that is why the design is low to the ground and very wide.