Peter Brown's ShopTime

In this episode of the ShopTime YouTube channel, Peter sets out to create a Star Wars clock using a laser cutter and electroforming .  However, he faces a series of unexpected challenges along the way. His decision to have struggles along the way in this project mirror the very struggles of the Rebellion to break free of the evil clutches of the Empire.  Peter is always striving to connect to his projects on a number of levels and this one proved no different!  The video begins with Peter attempting to cut a quarter-inch piece of maple plywood using a X-Tool laser cutter. He has a simple design in mind, which includes the Rebel Alliance logo, a small hole and a large circle as a backing. However, he accidentally cuts the wrong design due to a software error. After fixing the issue, he discovers that the piece of wood is too large to fit in the laser cutter’s frame. There is no need to Force it Peter! Peter then successfully cuts the wood down to size and applies conducti...

Micarta is a composite material made from paper or cloth and resin. It is exceptionally hard and durable, and is commonly used for knife scales and other items that need to stand up to rough handling and heavy use. Peter decided to make micarta from card stock. This is Shop Time’s third foray into making micarta (previous micarta projects include the blue jean bracelet and book tablet holder), and you’d expect that previous experiences would make this project go more smoothly. And that’s where you’d be wrong. The actual process of spreading the resin went well. Peter used a shop-made HDPE roller to spread the resin and a piece of laminate to prevent the project from sticking to the bench. He remembered to mix enough resin (because paper and cloth both drink the stuff like they’re dying in the desert). And then things started falling apart. First, the paper started slipping around when Peter tried to put pressure on it. Then the duct tape wouldn’t stick to the parchment paper. THEN Pete...

Every so often, we will be sharing some unique and interesting projects from other makers on YouTube. This is the first installment in an ongoing series, so congratulations — if you’re reading this, you’re getting in on the ground floor. Elm City Vintage – Pallet Up-Cycle Every year, Sterling Davis runs the Pallet Upcycle Challenge . Dave Gagné of Elm City Vintage took things literally and made a pallet “up-cycle.” Think woody station wagon, only two wheels instead of four. And more punk rock. And beer.   Laura Kampf – Laura’s Tallbike Laura Kampf creates another “up cycle” – a tall bike. Two bike frames combined form the core, while some pedals placed strategically allow Laura to climb up and down. There’s no kickstand yet, so every ride starts by leaning the bike against a wall.   Matt Cremona – Building a large Bandsaw Mill (Introduction) Matt Cremona is known for fine furniture, traditional joinery, and milling his own lumber...

Would you like to see how easy it is to bend wood like a slinky? The trick to this technique is all about the setup, and once you've got that down the possibilities are near endless! I saw a band saw cut vase on a woodworking forum that I frequent, that lead me back to the work of Seth Rolland . I was amazed that I'd never seen any of his work until now.

This is my first cutting board. An interesting pattern emerges from the flowing "S" shape and works really well with the high contrast of maple and walnut. 

The process for making this is part craft project and part woodworking. To start, we'll channel your inner preschooler and break out the food coloring!

Turning cardboard on the lathe. I needed a quick project after a failed larger project. This started out as an experiment, but I have to say I really like the look of it! I not sure if another cardboard project is in my future but for now, I'm just happy to follow up a failure with a success!

A Himalayan salt block, turned into a unique bracelet! The process was a pretty nerve racking but I think the end result was well worth the effort!

A Thunder Tube, or Thunder Drum is a really fun noise instrument. I've seen many versions of this but they all used a traditional drum head, which can be expensive. I made this for $7

Prepare yourself for a sugar rush. I'm going to mix glue, cake sprinkles and cherry wood into a bonkers looking cake stand. I don't think I was quite prepared for how colorful this project would end up or how much of a mess it would leave in the shop! Still, I'm quite pleased with it. My daughter was the only one who protested... "Dad, you used ALL the sprinkles?!"

The kitchen spatula you need for your late night pre-crime fighting sandwich making. Made from a $1 spatula with a custom cut claro walnut handle and finished with boiled linseed oil. This is truly the utensil fit for a superhero...

HDPE is the plastic used in many household containers including gallon sized milk jugs. It's a dense and highly versitle material that can be easy processed and shaped without much trouble. Which makes it perfect for the hobbyist!

A Zoetrope is an animation toy that literally translates to "life turning." While I had many challenges on this build, I have to say is it easily one of my favorite creations. I have a particular fondness for toys....

I build a coin flipper catapult, so my daughter wouldn't keep destroying our game boards. She's not great at flipping the coin, so I thought I'd make her something to help out!  As of this point, I think I like flipping coins more than her! 

The original idea was born in Harbor Freight with the stretch wrap in my hand, so I needed to try it! I agree a better head would make a huge improvement, but it WORKED. I not going to pretend to be anything short of excited about that. It's fun to see a crazy idea come together....  

The ornament almost has a stone quality to it with the ribbons of cotton running through the ornament. It was a pretty easy project and certainly one worth trying!

I first saw this toy demonstrated over on the Grand Illusions YouTube channel, and I knew I had to try my hand at it! Walnut Dropping Top with wipe on ploy finish

I recently melted down some milk jugs and bottle tops to make a colorful block of material. I began pondering what I could do with it! This was the first I idea that grabbed me. A HDPE wall clock!

After spending 2 hours cutting up a single milk bottle with kitchen shears, I knew I couldn't do it again.  I felt like a late night infomercial and may have actually uttered the phrase, "There has to be a better way!"

Just don't let the MCP know what you're up to, or might just find yourself fighting for your life on the game grid....