Welcome to Jon’s Machine Shop!

April 21, 2023: Not a really big update this time, but quite a few relatively significant additions have been made to my capabilities.

You see to the right the latest glass creation. Український тризуб or in English, Ukrainian Trident. It can be seen about anywhere now and I thought it looked like it would make a good glass project. It has three pieces that are practically impossible to cut without a saw or waterjet machine. To that end, I now have a saw. I’ve been looking at them for a while now and this was a good excuse to get one. I’m really proud of the way this piece turned out. It’s my favorite one so far, especially since I’ve made so few ‘original’ pieces.

In addition to that piece, I’ve added a mirror that I made and a tulip panel. Also, a lot of small suncatcher type pieces have been added.

I’ve spent a good bit of time over the past winter learning Blender and Inkscape. I want to use Blender primarily for creating ‘organic’ models for 3D printing. I may also use it to create the occasional scene, but primarily it will be used for 3D sculpting and modelling. Inkscape will be useful for making SVG files for glass patterns. It will also probably be used occasionally for graphic design work. Blender work will appear on the 3D Design page while Inkscape work will go on the 2D/Graphic Design page.

The compressor blower wheel has been given its own page as it turned into a more involved project. Simply recreating it was not good enough. It required a little bit of redesigning to make it more durable.

One metal project has been added. In stretching lead for the trident, my pliers started to come apart. When I tightened them back up, the threads stripped out. I’ve made a new replacement pivot for them, hopefully from a better material.

The Upshur engine is still in process. No progress has been made since the last update though. Machine work has slowed while I worked on glass projects.

I’d highly recommend Carbide Tool Source for carbide end mills under 1/2 inch. Fast shipping and really good prices. Not to mention they’re made in the U.S. I’ve added them to the links page.

More to come.

As always, check back often for updates.