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Biology and biotech are exciting frontiers. As a makerspace I see it as our obligation to make exciting areas of technology more approachable by providing tools and experiences. For this reason our makerspace has been interested in becoming involved in the Community DIY Bio Movement.

In the middle of the middle east between two bordering countries which are Iraq and Saudi
Arabia in front of the Persian Gulf, Kuwait is located. Its named from the word Kut in Arabic
which means fort . It's a small country its slightly smaller than the state of New Jersey in terms
of land area as in with the population its estimated at 4.5 million total.

So today I departed from my neoprimitivism to see just how quickly I could bang out a bowl. I produced the a similarly goofy looking bowl as I did last time (this one has a sort of scandinavian boat motif) but this time I did it in 5 hours. Word of caution....the circular chainsaw grinder attachment I use for the fast rough-out behaves similarly to a chainsaw in that its very agressive and can pull one into a cut. This is not to be used in a careless way and should only be used with safety gear (face protection, hand protection and thick clothing.)

Last Winter I finally got time to layup and fabricate the Mizzen Mast and remake a better sliding cap for the cabin.  

The mast was made from Home Depote bought 2X3 by 8 wood that was scarfed on a 10 to 1 ratio and laided up into four 28 ft lengths using West Marine adhesive. The they were Glued together using PL premium The mast was then tapered and then cut in to 8s then 16s . The would had Grain denisty of  12 rings  or more per inch. The layup had to be done out side because of the shear size but the scarfs were cut and glued at Make Haven 

To be an inventor you have to believe you can make a difference. If you sit and look at it alone it can feel that there is nothing left to invent, or that all the technology is too advanced for a layman to contribute a significant innovation. Recently MakeHaven hosted an event that proves the people of New Haven are not deterred and can find lot of ways to innovate.

The melting pot is a great tool for taking 3D printed prototypes and turning them into finished products like game pieces or jewelry in a relatively quick process. I ended up making a small series of geometric, asymmetrical earrings, and the whole project, from printing my prototypes to buffing my final designs, only took a couple of days.

Making the Mold

               Ok, I am in love with sinamay. felt, feathers, leather, biais binding, petersham ribbon and many other ingredients that make the wonderful world of millinery. While I am stumbling in finding wood blocks - I need them in order to mold the hats -  through the years I have learned to be more patient and I truly enjoy the power of thinking outside the square. Still looking for those expensive commodities has been somewhat turned around last night, by my Australian Master Milliner Instructor Miss Elaine from The Hat Academy, bringing much hope. She is so clever.

3D printing is an amazing technique for prototyping, and with surface finishings like Smooth On's XTC-3D, you can turn those prototypes into even better finished products.

I chose to print a small planter I designed in Fusion 360 just with one extrude and one chamfer command.