How to Cut, Bend, Grind and Weld an Art-car Sign
by Miss Cabbit in Workshop > Metalworking
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How to Cut, Bend, Grind and Weld an Art-car Sign
I did this at TechShop Menlo Park http://www.techshop.com and Burning Man 2012.
As a contribution to my Burning Man camp (Bojon) and our beautiful art car Sil-vi, I created a big sign. This is how I went about it:
As a contribution to my Burning Man camp (Bojon) and our beautiful art car Sil-vi, I created a big sign. This is how I went about it:
Vector Creation
I took our logo, and converted it to a vector in CorelDraw, exported it as a a DXF file and imported it into Torchmate generating a G code to cut with our CNC Plasma cutter at Techshop.
Set Up
I used 80 amp consumables to cut 1/4 inch steal plate and powered up all the elements of the plasma cutter shown in pictures.
Cutting
The plasma cutter did the job for me smoothly and easily.
Bending
Bending the sign with a step brake worked well but created lines across the metal which needed to be removed.
Grinding
Using an angle grinder for many hours.
Attachment
At this point I am at Burning man, working on the back of the sign to be welded onto the front of our art car.
Welding
Final installment is a bit unusual. I would instruct you to wear a welding jacket. Do as I say not as you see me do. He, he, he..
FUN!!!!
After hard work it's time to play. Long live Sil-Vi. We will continue to love her, make her better and enjoy her.