Make No Small Plans

Make No Small Plans - Burnham



Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Friday, September 10, 2010

Not a scene from War of the Worlds!

Though it does look almost alien!

Furnace shell is securely held by 3 pipe legs.

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Shiny copper plate hardware...

The new leg attachment hardware looks expensive, but they are called "split ring clamps" and I bought them at the local home improvement store for less than $1.50 each. The thick copper plate gives them good corrosion resistance. They are held onto the Stainless Tube shell with 3/8-16 stainless steel bolts, a stainless washer and nut.
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Thursday, September 9, 2010

Hot legs... You make me sweat...

At $15 each, the legs as a total will probably be the most expensive "part" of the furnace.

But to be fair, they are the only component that has a multiple of 3 .. Actually every thing else is a single component.

But it is clear that without a solid base, all else is futile.
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You can learn something everyday !

Despite using what I thought was adequately thick material for the legs, in reality they acted like giant springs> With heavy hand pressure I could make the tube bounce up and down by 4 inches.

It seemed crazy, but that' s what the geometry and material produced. I decided to go with 1/2 pipe fittings to try and get a good structural integrity... I think it will work!
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Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Sketch of the design

Often I'll use 3D modeling to create a model.

Truespace and Alibre are 2 I use now.

Truespace is now free and Alibre can be purchased for as little as $99.

But since I'm traveling, it's sometimes hard to beat a good sketchbook and colorful highlighters!

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Sunday, August 29, 2010

Friday, August 27, 2010

Procrastination

Avoidance of mowing the yard has really helped speed this project along.. But I have to get yard mowed before heading to San Fran.

Maybe some mowing elves will visit tonight :-)


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IMG00077.jpg

Here's the crucible mounted in the refractory too plate.

Getting exciting!


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IMG00076.jpg

Here you can see the burner lined up to shoot the flame straight up the tube!

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Not a rocket...

Here's the start of my attempt to make a miniature bottom fired crucible furnace.

The atmospheric burner is designed to pull in cool air from the venturi effect produced by the jet of propane fuel which it uses to produce the flame.

The flame will be directed into the bottom of the stainless tube body which will be lined with ceramic fiber refractory. The graphite crucible will be suspended by a refractory plate at the top of the tube.

I haven't a clue whether this arrangement will work or not... It seems plausible, but only finishing it and testing it will decide its design merit.

I'll have to give it a rest until next weekend, but I'll post as much as I can!

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Sunday, August 22, 2010

Taking it easy

If you don't hear from me from a while you'll know why.... I've got a sore throat and I can barely talk.

Waiting for the antibiotics to kick in.

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Saturday, August 21, 2010

Quita likes to ride!

She really wants to go clothes shopping.

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Thursday, August 19, 2010

Goofball(s)

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Blue ribbon winner(s)

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I stayed at the Algonquinn on my last trip to NYC..it's history is awesome!

Hotel traditions

The hotel has a tradition of keeping a cat that has the run of the hotel. The practice dates to the 1930s, when Frank Case took in a stray. Hotel lore says actor John Barrymore suggested the cat needed a theatrical name, so he was called Hamlet. Decades later, whenever the hotel has a male he carries on the name; females are named Matilda. The current Algonquin cat, a Matilda, is a Ragdoll that was named 2006 cat of the year at the Westchester (New York) Cat Show. Visitors can spot Matilda on her personal chaise longue in the lobby; she can also be found in her favorite places: behind the computer on the front desk, or lounging on a baggage cart. The doormen feed her and the general manager's executive assistant answers Matilda's e-mail.[11]

Although the Algonquin was "dry" even before Prohibition (Case closed the hotel bar in 1917[12] and had harsh words for those who ran speakeasies[13]), nevertheless the hotel does have an eponymous cocktail, composed of rye whiskey, Noilly Prat and pineapple juice.[14] More recently, a newer drink has hit the Algonquin's menu, the "Martini on the Rock," consisting of a martini of the buyer's choice with a single piece of "ice," a diamond, at the bottom of the glass.[15] Hoy Wong is a notable bartender at the hotel and is the oldest person to hold such a position in the state, still serving aged 90 in 2006.

In keeping with Frank Case's long-standing tradition of sending popovers and celery to the more impoverished members of the Round Table, the Algonquin offers lunch discounts to struggling writers.[8] Formerly, writers on tour could stay one night at the hotel free in exchange for an autographed copy of their book[16] although the practice has been amended to include a discount on standard room rates.

Saturday, August 14, 2010

Morgie!

Isn't she pretty!

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District Cabinet Meeting

VDG Linda, Dr. Frye, and I attended at the new Murfreesboro Medical Center.
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Friday, August 13, 2010

Binky wishes I'd turn off light!

Poor poor Binky.

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Hearing Screening now in full swing!

Tammy will be REALLY busy for next 2 weeks.

And I'll be busy too...

Tomorrow is Summer Cabinet meeting for District 12S .

And the audiometers I ordered shipped today... yea!!!

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Back again

I decided I really ought to be using this site more... Mainly to avoid Facebook.
I mean really... Email, 3 blogs, a cell phone, text, etc. Etc. Etc.

Oh... And I opened the comments so you can post. Make it right though or i'll delete it and block you!


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