I weld robots. But I also weld many other things. Some things I weld to help the robots, like my gallery space. Often I will create something just for myself. TIG welding is so instantaneously gratifying that it’s hard to resist modifying the ferrous things around you.
They say when you are a hammer, all the world is a nail: when you’re a welder, everything metal is a potential work-in-progress. However studio time is all too short and full of all manners of tempting distractions, so I try to stay focused on what I love to do – making the friendly robots.
A short story about the construction of Elysa, an adorable Ion Class Asrtobot.
For years off and on I had been asking weld shops for retired tanks, but without much luck; so when Derek from the Artisan’s Asylum donated four spent SCUBA tanks I was ready to build something I’ve been looking forward to for years: A Paul Bunyan Class Rocketship.
Living in New England means adapting your schedule to the weather. We’ve had a couple of back-to-back heavy-duty snow storms, and as a result my TIG welding class was postponed.
The story of MOBOT begins as a seed planted by a Gary Larsen cartoon: can you guess which one?
For several years I have had the honor of making the trophies for the winners of the Independent Film Festival. While I doubt anyone is shooting with film cameras anymore, I find that style of movie camera so iconic that I went with it anyway.
The SRS Starsucker is the largest of the Skunkadelic Starships to date. Constructed from a 50’s Kenmore vacuum cleaner graciously donated by greenGoat. Complete with original landing gear. Plasma cut fins made from spent circular saw blades. Height: 36″
A few years back my friend Sideshow helped me make a set of titanium chopsticks that separate like a pool cue. I used to carry them in my boots.
A few years ago I was lucky to get my hands on some leftover tubing samples from work. I made myself a bulletproof flask. I’m sure this thing is tough enough to survive being run over by an eighteen wheeler.
I love making indestructible trophies, especially for cyclists.
TIG welded Rocketship from recycled giant steel hole-saw, and bicycle parts. Bullet headlamp nosecone opens to hold action figure adventurers. Height: 25″ Custom-made for Google
As promised, here’s a look at the trophies commissioned for IFF Boston.
Somewhere in a dark garage, a metal man is being made.
One of the el drivers shorted. Must have been that battle with the sarlac on tatooine.
Last season the ole’s Disko-Deth-Stah mast suffered from severe radiation exposure, and froze to one solid hunk of iron. Alphamission is upon us, so it’s scramble time until Sunday!
Skunk creates a Missing Link, a fantastic creature made from old bicycle chain.
Available custom made to order. Welded stainless steel bicycle spokes. I made this triptych for a SCUL couple marrying Saturday. I can make yours at this scale and complexity for $60, less if you want something simpler. I have lots of ideas that are more complex.
The Iron Cog Award is the highest honor you can receive in SCUL. It is typically given to only one pilot once per season. Each Iron Cog trophy is different. I try to make each trophy suit the pilot. Sometimes they spin dangerously, and sometimes they are on fire.
There’s more to making art than the obvious moment of creation. You need to mine and collect what you make things from. Supply run to Broadway Bicycle School! Hungry robots need metal, and B-Way’s the place to get it.