Mercury Class Astrobots – Skunkadelia https://skunkadelia.com Steel Sculptures of Friendly Robots Tue, 28 Nov 2023 23:13:22 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.6.2 https://skunkadelia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/cropped-skunkadelia-favicon-1-32x32.gif Mercury Class Astrobots – Skunkadelia https://skunkadelia.com 32 32 Houston M424 https://skunkadelia.com/works/houston/ Wed, 13 Sep 2023 21:28:40 +0000 https://skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=11604 What Makes an Astrobot an Astronaut? While I've never thought of my robots as 'not having clothes', I didn't think of them having clothes either. The idea of adding an additional layer without having the robot appear bulkier turned out to be one of those simple solutions to a problem that requires a greater share of soul searching - as well as steel parts searching - than even the most experienced and nuanced mind of a master junk metal sculptor could have anticipated. I found the answer in one of my metal ammo cans: [caption id="attachment_11664" align="alignnone" width="1900"]a collection of neatly arranged metal boxes, one of which is labelled 'spring' A noble use for surplus military ammo cans - metal boxes for metal parts.[/caption] I tend not to use springs in my work - not because they aren't a good aesthetic component to use, but because spring steel loses a good deal of it's strength when heated with a welding torch. My solution to this was to rely on the rods placed inside the springs for the strength needed to hold this heavy bot together. This worked out well since I was looking to have the spring be the outer protective layer to the arms and legs underneath.

Rethinking the robot joints for space travel

When crafting a robot from a limited collection of steel bits and bobs, limited choices can lead to a more impressionistic approach for the interfaces of critical joints such as hips and shoulders. A robot can have more loosely defined gaps, which give them their playful robotic feel. This tried-and-true technique wasn't holding up with this piece: A spacesuit is vacuum tight - which lead me to reimagining new ways to connect arms and legs to the torso. I needed to rethink my methods and push towards a more seamless interface between all parts so the suit looked space-worthy. Fortunately for me, a long-distance fan from St. Cloud, Minnesota has been sending me heavy packages filled with lots of amazing steel pieces: amongst the parts were a set of baoding balls - which happened to fit perfectly into the opening of the vintage bicycle hub used for the torso. As an added bonus, this means that when you shake the robot it chimes.

The robot torso

I used a very special bike hub for the torso: a Sears three-speed bicycle hub made in Austria in 1964 - complete with a port once used to for internal gear lubrication - something to add to the spacesuit vibe. It was the only 'torso' in my collection that looked right. It polished up very nicely except where the chrome has flaked off. These imperfections are what I love about old steel parts - they give the spaceman some 'mileage' - looks like he's had many adventures already!

Dropping the Shield and Striking the Arc

It was fun having lots of a-ha moments to formulate an overall plan, but after a while I needed to strike that welding arc and go from the planning stage and into the preparing stage, to the actual making part. The transition was not as cut and dry: I was constantly rethinking solutions to problems that I didn't feel were resolved, swapping some parts for others, and sometimes omitting things I once thought important to the piece. It was slow going, but good things take time and careful consideration, along with a fair share of refinement and rework now and then.

The Space Helmet

The helmet took some time and patience. Getting the robot's eyes as close to the head was very important in order the stainless tubing scrap end to fit on his head. This is the second piece of mine to have reimagined smaller eyes, which gives my newest robots a more human look. This makes it possible for me to be able to sleeve the stainless tube over the head after a bit of grinding the nut to become the cranium. I designed and built the helmet to use a disc shaped rare-earth magnet so it can firmly connect with the astronaut's head, firmly enough so that if you twist the helmet, the head twists with it. Having a magnet on the inside of the helmet also means the astronaut can hold it in either hand. While I'm reluctant to have my art be able to separate into pieces, I felt this one needed to be one of those rare exceptions. I carefully cut the visor hole using a drill press, hacksaw, and dremel tool, then cleaned the edges with a file and sandpaper. Welding the helmet pieces together gave the helmet a nice bit of color in the heat-affected zone - I used the same torch technique to soften the visor edge. I realized when the piece was completed that the helmet could be worn backwards to make the astronaut look like an alien.

The Space Pack

The backpack consists of three very solid blocks of tool steel of enough mass to have a significant shift in the center of gravity - so the Astronaut must lean forward to compensate. I calibrate my welding bench each time a make a robot, so all my pieces start of on level ground, and therefore are as stable as can be. All major parts must be connected before the balancing act takes place, and a solid steel pack causes a significant shift in center mass. I usually the feet get connected near the end of the construction process regardless, but I was concerned this astronaut would lose it's impression of near-weightlessness.

A heavy robot that's light on it's (low gravity) feet

Sculptures made from solid steel tend to be very heavy - an aspect that works well to give the figure a sense of real weight. Normally this works in my favor, but I wanted this piece to seem almost ready to float. I welded hidden 'heels' in the centers of his feet at a severe angle, then cut pieces of scrap 4130 tubing I had laying around from my latest bicycle tallbike project to cover the feet. I was very pleased with how the toe boxes covered gaps and gave a seamless look. I decided to continue the motif to fill in the small gaps between the springs used for the arms and legs. This method of cutting specific fill shapes out of tubing is a evolutionary breakthrough and will most likely be used in some future pieces.

The final touches - finihshing

I've been finishing metal since the year 1998. This astronaut was finished with multiple techniques using a polishing wheel, abrasive pads, emery, and even some semi-purposeful blemishing during construction to help add to the backstory, such as the dent on the top of the helmet made by my beloved antique vise.

Apollo, we have a problem…

As the piece slowly progressed towards completion a couple of names came to mind, but the one that felt right was Apollo - certainly a fitting name for an Astrobot astronaut. I stamped the boilerplate and delicately welded the thin-gauge copper sheet to the solid block of tool steel - not an easy feat for even the most experienced TIG welder. This trick acts a bit like my signature, but it doesn't always go smoothly as the copper absorbs heat quickly and can blow a hole very easily. The three copper boilerplates for this piece affixed without incident - however, when I opened my baby name book to log the serial number, I discovered that I haven't completely memorized all four-hundred plus names I've chosen. Apollo M323 was made back in 2017 - almost exactly 100 Skunkadelic robots ago, almost exactly six years apart from this new piece. A neat coincidence, but I felt this new one needs his own name. I knocked off the old boilerplate with a hammer and steel punch, and renamed the boy Houston. [caption id="attachment_11663" align="alignnone" width="1900"]A piece of copper labelled 'Apollo', bent and discolored The original name tag of Astrobot M424 after being knocked off the pack with a chisel and metalworking hammer[/caption] In the bicycle chopper gang I founded back in 1996, I chose the name Skunk, but I came very close to choosing the name 'Houston' for myself, as we're sci-fi themed and I thought it would be a fitting name for the founder and leader. In retrospect, that name may have been a wiser choice than 'Skunk'. This piece is very personal for me - as one who spends a great deal of time pretending I'm having space adventures with my friends. I find the connection poetic. My mantra for this piece was "If it's not perfect, it's not good enough". This makes for great art, and for some euphoric times, but also requires a lot of rethinking, a lot of time, and sometimes rework. In the end, I hope to have 'gone where no one has gone before', by making something unique in the universe.]]> Rebop m409 https://skunkadelia.com/works/rebop/ Tue, 04 Jan 2022 23:52:29 +0000 https://skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=11263 Hollis m408 https://skunkadelia.com/works/hollis/ Sun, 14 Nov 2021 17:34:38 +0000 https://skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=11129 Augusta m407 https://skunkadelia.com/works/augusta/ Tue, 02 Nov 2021 20:06:42 +0000 https://skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=11113 Janis m399 https://skunkadelia.com/works/janis/ Wed, 24 Feb 2021 17:54:21 +0000 https://skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=7871 Abbot J m394 https://skunkadelia.com/works/abbot-j/ Wed, 16 Dec 2020 16:37:05 +0000 https://skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=7307 The Story of Abbot J Read about the genesis of Abbot J in this post entitled The Golden Epaulets of Abbot J.]]> Ardea m390 https://skunkadelia.com/works/ardea/ Thu, 29 Oct 2020 16:20:28 +0000 https://skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=6815 Allen m388 https://skunkadelia.com/works/allen/ Thu, 16 Jul 2020 20:21:22 +0000 https://skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=6676 Nile m387 https://skunkadelia.com/works/nile/ Sat, 27 Jun 2020 01:17:09 +0000 https://skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=6636 Emma m385 https://skunkadelia.com/works/emma/ Thu, 12 Mar 2020 18:53:37 +0000 https://skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=6358 Zilpha m382 https://skunkadelia.com/works/zilpha/ Sun, 15 Dec 2019 01:12:02 +0000 https://skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=6297 Isabella m376 https://skunkadelia.com/works/isabella/ Fri, 06 Dec 2019 04:05:07 +0000 https://skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=6225 Johnny ∞ m367 https://skunkadelia.com/works/johnny-infinity/ Tue, 03 Dec 2019 06:41:28 +0000 https://skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=6199 Henry m370 https://skunkadelia.com/works/henry/ Tue, 29 Oct 2019 16:17:21 +0000 https://skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=6095 Maureen m363 https://skunkadelia.com/works/maureen/ Mon, 10 Dec 2018 17:26:34 +0000 https://skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=5711 Lyra m357 https://skunkadelia.com/works/lyra/ Wed, 17 Oct 2018 00:14:11 +0000 https://skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=5599 Scout m356 https://skunkadelia.com/works/scout/ Mon, 30 Jul 2018 20:52:53 +0000 https://skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=5573 Wilson m351 https://skunkadelia.com/works/wilson/ Wed, 25 Jul 2018 14:31:18 +0000 https://skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=5551 Valerie m350 https://skunkadelia.com/works/valerie/ Mon, 16 Jul 2018 16:05:24 +0000 https://skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=5533 Helen m346 https://skunkadelia.com/works/helen/ Wed, 16 May 2018 17:32:35 +0000 https://skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=5467 Newtron m180 https://skunkadelia.com/works/newtron/ Thu, 22 Feb 2018 17:14:33 +0000 https://skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=5374 Soliel m336 https://skunkadelia.com/works/soliel/ Fri, 26 Jan 2018 18:40:09 +0000 https://skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=5353 Mona m334 https://skunkadelia.com/works/mona-m334/ Wed, 10 Jan 2018 23:19:37 +0000 https://skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=5339 Dominic m330 https://skunkadelia.com/works/dominic/ Wed, 10 Jan 2018 22:46:05 +0000 https://skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=5335 Liz m338 https://skunkadelia.com/works/liz/ Mon, 04 Dec 2017 20:38:19 +0000 https://skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=5280 The Girl With the Purple Cane'.
While I normally don't do portraits, I was excited to give it a try with after watching Liz speak: she has a strong personality and I was excited to see what pieces of metal I could find that would fit together to give the impression and spirit of her. Finding the blue bicycle fork blades that became her jeans was a rare stroke of luck​ - I felt that was a great sign. The bracelet was inspired by her sweatband, and I smiled pretty hard when I welded the head at the right tilt - that's when I think she really came to life. Spare Parts Liz was also the first Astrobot to have glasses, and it took some iterations and even some bench grinding before I felt they were right. Probably the most challenging part was the hand holding the purple cane: to get metal to act as if it's holding a handle, resting some weight. I'm very happy how she seems to be slightly leaning on the cane, but not too heavily. It was also very gratifying to use a small sledgehammer to get her rivet-fingers to curl around.
I learned a lot from listening to the Girl with the Purple cane and it was an honor to make Spare Parts Liz.
]]> Jackie m328 https://skunkadelia.com/works/jackie/ Mon, 27 Nov 2017 17:03:42 +0000 https://skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=5249 Stormy m324 https://skunkadelia.com/works/stormy/ Fri, 22 Sep 2017 15:04:24 +0000 https://skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=5148 Apollo m323 https://skunkadelia.com/works/apollo/ Fri, 22 Sep 2017 00:59:29 +0000 https://skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=5129 Edison m216 https://skunkadelia.com/works/edison-m216/ Thu, 31 Aug 2017 16:06:28 +0000 https://skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=5121 Sonja m319 https://skunkadelia.com/works/sonja/ Thu, 24 Aug 2017 06:09:06 +0000 https://skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=5091 Gaia m316 https://skunkadelia.com/works/gaia/ Sat, 08 Jul 2017 18:12:13 +0000 https://skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=5066 Evelyn m310 https://skunkadelia.com/works/evelyn/ Thu, 25 May 2017 03:52:32 +0000 https://skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=5020 Adriana m307 https://skunkadelia.com/works/adriana/ Wed, 17 May 2017 15:46:22 +0000 https://skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=4994 6 lbs. 7 oz. 20 x 7 x 5"]]> Dot m305 https://skunkadelia.com/works/dot/ Mon, 17 Apr 2017 16:16:44 +0000 https://skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=4920 Work By Kelly Shpeley The painting that inspired the creation of "Dot", by artist Kelly Shpeley[/caption] Dot was inspired by this painting by Kelly Shpeley. As the client and I hand-picked parts from my metal collection, we kept referring to the painting as 'the photograph from the future.' While at first I has a difficult time imagining solutions to the glass dome, the bendy arms and legs and the heart, I thought we'd give it a shot and see what happens. I'm proud of Dot quite a lot. thirteen bicycle parts, machine block, two lathe chuck jaws, two valves, two springs, acme threaded rod, two ball bearings, gear, two reamer blades, copper, bronze, enamel 8 lbs. 6 oz. 12 x 5 x 6.5 in.]]> Kepler m254 https://skunkadelia.com/works/kepler/ Fri, 03 Feb 2017 17:29:36 +0000 http://skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=4806 Proteus Class. Essentially he stands around waving his arms at everyone, it gives him great story-telling body language. sixty bicycle parts, two milling blades, castle nut, balance scale bell, forged plant hanger, vegetable steamer louver, six nuts, three bolts, four washers, bronze, copper, steel, enamel 9 lbs. 6 oz. 23 x 14 x 4"]]> Klein m297 https://skunkadelia.com/works/klein/ Thu, 08 Dec 2016 00:26:16 +0000 http://skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=4740 Gloria m294 https://skunkadelia.com/works/gloria/ Sun, 13 Nov 2016 22:03:15 +0000 http://skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=4692 Kelton m167 https://skunkadelia.com/works/kelton/ Wed, 19 Oct 2016 04:36:07 +0000 http://skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=4687 Stever m187 and Q m188 https://skunkadelia.com/works/stever-and-q/ Wed, 19 Oct 2016 03:29:54 +0000 http://skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=4670 Q Twenty three bicycle parts, sixteen hole saws, fan motor, bike tool, two typewriter parts, eight nails, four recessed bolts, two steamer parts, bolt, Nemodymium magnet, bronze, steel.

Stever

Thirty-four bicycle parts, eight springs, three washers, machine screw, bolt, Nemodymium magnet, bronze, steel.  ]]> Odion m292 https://skunkadelia.com/works/odion/ Thu, 13 Oct 2016 03:23:25 +0000 http://skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=4662 Daniel m129 https://skunkadelia.com/works/daniel/ Tue, 04 Oct 2016 07:15:09 +0000 http://skunkadelia.com/works/robots/mercury-class-astrobots/daniel-m129/ contact me. born April 29th 2008]]> Luna m190 https://skunkadelia.com/works/luna/ Tue, 04 Oct 2016 07:10:22 +0000 http://skunkadelia.com/works/robots/mercury-class-astrobots/luna/ contact me. born June 17, 2001]]> Paulus m165 https://skunkadelia.com/works/paulus/ Tue, 04 Oct 2016 07:07:57 +0000 http://skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=4636 contact me. born November 26, 2009]]> Chester m119 https://skunkadelia.com/works/chester/ Tue, 04 Oct 2016 06:44:32 +0000 http://skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=4634 Charlie m186 https://skunkadelia.com/works/charlie/ Tue, 04 Oct 2016 05:48:24 +0000 http://skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=4627 Cassidy m192 https://skunkadelia.com/works/cassidy/ Tue, 04 Oct 2016 05:19:09 +0000 http://skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=4621 Nikolie m270 https://skunkadelia.com/works/nikolie/ Thu, 29 Sep 2016 15:37:37 +0000 http://skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=4571 Laura m276 https://skunkadelia.com/works/laura/ Thu, 29 Sep 2016 02:01:20 +0000 http://skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=4533 Lana m283 https://skunkadelia.com/works/lana/ Thu, 29 Sep 2016 01:13:07 +0000 http://skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=4519 Pokarok m289 https://skunkadelia.com/works/pokarok/ Thu, 22 Sep 2016 15:25:32 +0000 http://skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=4461 Custom Astrodroid made in collaboration with client. Nicknamed Podie. Podie is a she. 45 lbs. 3 oz. 11 x 10 x 7]]> Otto 316 m275 https://skunkadelia.com/works/otto-316-m275/ Thu, 22 Sep 2016 14:57:57 +0000 http://skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=4454 Ryan m291 https://skunkadelia.com/works/ryan/ Thu, 15 Sep 2016 05:33:05 +0000 http://skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=4412 Juanma m280 https://skunkadelia.com/works/juanma/ Fri, 12 Aug 2016 06:02:40 +0000 http://skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=4386 Cooper m287 https://skunkadelia.com/works/cooper/ Wed, 10 Aug 2016 21:41:25 +0000 http://skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=4356 Margot m279 https://skunkadelia.com/works/margot/ Thu, 19 May 2016 15:57:54 +0000 http://skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=4327 Bryce m286 https://skunkadelia.com/works/bryce/ Thu, 19 May 2016 15:42:33 +0000 http://skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=4319 Vanessa m277 https://skunkadelia.com/works/vanessa/ Fri, 11 Mar 2016 16:47:10 +0000 http://skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=4226 Roger m293 https://skunkadelia.com/works/roger/ Wed, 06 Jan 2016 18:22:55 +0000 http://skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=4057 Nero m267 https://skunkadelia.com/works/nero/ Tue, 22 Dec 2015 16:54:14 +0000 http://skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=4019 Janie m271 https://skunkadelia.com/works/janie/ Fri, 11 Dec 2015 15:52:34 +0000 http://skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=3955 6 lbs. 4 oz. 21 x 10 x 5"]]> Kendra m264 https://skunkadelia.com/works/kendra/ Thu, 12 Nov 2015 15:23:03 +0000 http://skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=3889 Nolan m260 https://skunkadelia.com/works/nolan/ Sun, 16 Aug 2015 19:34:41 +0000 http://skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=3781 13Forest Gallery.]]> Hope m246 https://skunkadelia.com/works/hope/ Fri, 12 Dec 2014 05:10:53 +0000 http://www.skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=2843 ]]> Griffin m245 https://skunkadelia.com/works/griffin/ Thu, 11 Dec 2014 15:42:54 +0000 http://www.skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=2812 forty-six bicycle parts, shears, two piano screws, nut, bolt, washer, copper, bronze, steel available for viewing at 13Forest Gallery.]]> Seldon m241 https://skunkadelia.com/works/seldon/ Thu, 11 Dec 2014 05:37:38 +0000 http://www.skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=2790 thirty-four bicycle parts, four drill bits, one torso of unknown origin, two espresso grinders, two wing nuts, one gear of unknown origin, copper, bronze, steel.]]> Lars m237 https://skunkadelia.com/works/lars/ https://skunkadelia.com/works/lars/#comments Thu, 11 Dec 2014 03:22:47 +0000 http://www.skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=2765 Cortney Leigh Cox. Last seen with Rabindra c282. Height: 21.5"]]> https://skunkadelia.com/works/lars/feed/ 1 Duston m242 https://skunkadelia.com/works/duston/ Sat, 29 Nov 2014 17:19:13 +0000 https://skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=4941 Emili m238 https://skunkadelia.com/works/emili/ Mon, 24 Nov 2014 19:56:54 +0000 http://www.skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=2718 twenty-three bicycle parts, twenty titanium nitride drill taps, four drill bits, a bicycle tool, wing nuts and miscellaneous hardware. Serial number: 141119 M238 Born: November 19, 2014 Height: 20 inches Weight: 5 lbs, 15 oz.]]> Jenkins m230 https://skunkadelia.com/works/jenkins/ Wed, 01 Oct 2014 16:29:13 +0000 http://www.skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=2697 Emaline m236 https://skunkadelia.com/works/emaline/ Tue, 30 Sep 2014 15:36:48 +0000 http://www.skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=2680 Mace m225 https://skunkadelia.com/works/mace/ Wed, 24 Sep 2014 05:42:52 +0000 http://www.skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=2524 Paul Carson's experiments: a set of bicycle fork legs. These leftovers were to become the mighty calves of Mace. Building around these pieces urged me to scale up to something larger than my comfort zone, which is perhaps why I see so much heroism in Mace; poised as if ready for anything; equipped, fingers outspread and ready, eyes on the horizon, and outfitted articulated wings, just in case. Bold and meticulous racing-stripe work by Cortney Leigh Cox. Mace's spirit calls for bold lines, reminiscent of TRON, meticulously hand-applied with durability in mind.]]> Marvel m226 https://skunkadelia.com/works/marvel/ https://skunkadelia.com/works/marvel/#comments Tue, 23 Sep 2014 15:13:09 +0000 http://www.skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=2513 https://skunkadelia.com/works/marvel/feed/ 1 Sunni m235 https://skunkadelia.com/works/sunni/ Tue, 23 Sep 2014 06:23:35 +0000 http://www.skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=2502 Opa m224 https://skunkadelia.com/works/opa/ Thu, 13 Mar 2014 05:46:07 +0000 http://www.skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=2453 Born from Two Toolboxes Once upon a time, a weld student brought a couple of toolboxes to class with him. While show-and-tell for projects that pupils have in mind are encouraged, these toolboxes were not a project for him, but rather for me. Turns out this student had a grandfather who was a precision machinist, and -- as you may guess, every precision machinist has accrued at least a couple of toolboxes worth of incredible tools. For me, opening these two boxes was like opening pair of treasure chests. Then the floor dropped as he asks me if I'd be up for making a robot out of some of these parts.

Daunt Loses Out

While I have only begun to dabble in the way of the milling machine, precision tooling has a quality that is impossible to ignore. Precision is a difficult word to expand upon: these little jewels as have extremely square edges, a katana-like shine, laser engraved serial numbers, and occasionally hand engraved notes. Most of the objects I chose were functional, which normally would be off my weld-diet. However, for this Astrobot and under these circumstances, the challenge of helping these parts evolve into an emoting homage to the craft seemed justified. I tried my best to build Opa to be a robot with synergy: the phrase 'more than the sum of his parts' seems closer to literal than ususal. Whenever I picked up a part out of the toolbox to study, I could almost feel my precision-machinist friends looming over me, asking "Do you even know what that is?" If I chose to use a part that had the potential to be useful for someone who practices such a high level of craft, I had to do that part some serious homage.

Parts and Weld Wire

There is one part that didn't come from the toolboxes, but rather from the Skunkadelic scrap collection: a choice vintage Sears three-speed bicycle hub. Building an Astrobot from such a limited palette was a great way for me to break a few tried-and-true habits. I couldn't rely on my usual choices, such as three-speed cog eyes and fingers made from pawls and rods. Welding these parts was a real treat: while scrap steel can be unpredictable, even messy, regardless of skill level and cleanliness, these parts joined together as if it was their purpose. I was able to show off with a couple of tricks: The left and right hamstrings are a brass threaded rod and a spring respectively. While these are two things that hate being melted and stuck to steel, they submitted to the right touch and a little silicon-bronze filler wire.

Milling Machine Judges, What's the Score?

Opa stands here; naked before all the old-timers with their basement Bridgeports and similar toolbox treasure chests. I earnestly hope he is found to be an honest attempt at a tip-of-the headband-magnifier.]]> Ada m222 https://skunkadelia.com/works/ada/ Thu, 20 Feb 2014 00:10:53 +0000 http://www.skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=2419 Totsi m223 https://skunkadelia.com/works/totsi/ Wed, 22 Jan 2014 14:21:22 +0000 http://www.skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=2433 Arnaud m219 https://skunkadelia.com/works/arnaud/ Tue, 03 Dec 2013 21:26:48 +0000 http://www.skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=2287 Maribelle m211 https://skunkadelia.com/works/maribelle/ Thu, 25 Jul 2013 13:18:17 +0000 http://www.skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=2054 13 Forest Gallery, 167a Massachusetts Avenue, Arlington MA]]> Mendel m204 https://skunkadelia.com/works/mendel/ Thu, 06 Jun 2013 16:50:45 +0000 http://www.skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=1950 Juniper m210 https://skunkadelia.com/works/juniper/ Wed, 05 Jun 2013 21:22:23 +0000 http://www.skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=1919 Lady of Elche The wings are made from retired veterinarian surgical tool. If you look at Juniper from the front, the handle looks like hoop earrings. I have been holding onto these for years, waiting until I felt my level of artistry was ready to use such a rare find. I was concerned about the weld-ablity; surgical steel is not necessarily known for it weld-ability. Nonetheless the metal behaved beautifully. The skirt however, was a more justified concern. Turns out taps don't weld to bicycle coaster hubs easily. It took a good amount of patience to get each tap attached securely. The black rivets are a first: normally I stick with the silicon-bronze wire for rivets, but I may explore other materials in future works. And she can sing, to boot! Last known whereabouts: Maine]]> Elmer m203 https://skunkadelia.com/works/elmer/ Tue, 04 Jun 2013 20:45:48 +0000 http://www.skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=1918 Niabi m205 https://skunkadelia.com/works/niabi/ Tue, 04 Jun 2013 20:42:27 +0000 http://www.skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=1916 I create each rivet by adding a single bead of silicon-bronze weld wire. Each time I welded the one dot, I would have to lift my weld helmet, re-position my torch, lower my helmet, and then weld again. I decided after fifteen years of welding I would try an auto-darkening helmet, which will save a lot of time in the future. This means more rivets for everyone! She is also the first Astrobot to have 'knuckles' and 'eyebrows'. Height: 13.5" Last known whereabouts: Lowell, Massachusetts]]> Dotti m207 https://skunkadelia.com/works/dotti/ Tue, 04 Jun 2013 20:38:21 +0000 http://www.skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=1914 Jerney m202 https://skunkadelia.com/works/jerney/ Thu, 09 May 2013 14:49:48 +0000 http://www.skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=1667 Chuki m206 https://skunkadelia.com/works/chuki/ Thu, 09 May 2013 14:46:55 +0000 http://www.skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=1648 Leigh m209 https://skunkadelia.com/works/leigh/ Wed, 08 May 2013 22:34:47 +0000 http://www.skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=1586 SCUL, but someone (*ahem*) abused it and broke a tip. I tried to weld as to keep the heat to a minimum, in order to keep as much of the original parts' paint.]]> Saywer m201 https://skunkadelia.com/works/saywer/ Sat, 10 Nov 2012 15:56:02 +0000 http://www.skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=1960 Babar m198 https://skunkadelia.com/works/babar/ Sat, 07 Jan 2012 14:03:12 +0000 http://www.skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=1968 Romer m196 https://skunkadelia.com/works/romer/ Fri, 06 Jan 2012 14:19:51 +0000 http://www.skunkadelia.com/product/romer/ Bob m197 https://skunkadelia.com/works/bob/ Sat, 23 Apr 2011 13:13:15 +0000 http://www.skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=1974 Sohil m168 https://skunkadelia.com/works/sohil/ Sun, 17 Jan 2010 17:34:50 +0000 https://skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=4943 Albert m107 https://skunkadelia.com/works/albert/ Wed, 28 Nov 2007 07:42:49 +0000 http://skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=4569 contact me. Born November 28, 2007]]>