Hey LeChat, What Are You Working On?

LeChatNoir · Post by **LeChatNoir** » Wed Jun 13, 2007 7:59 am

Oh, you guys...

LeChatNoir wrote:
pinemom wrote:Le Chat... are you going to put any of that webbing, maybe box style, over the top of the flywheel, the "mommy in me" see's toes or fingers getting chopped off...as our innebriated friends climb aboard and get too close to it.

?? sorry not trying to take away from your master piece??
But I see that nice lil' gap that is just askin for a dumb drunk to (what couldnt possibly happen without trying) Happen.
Yes, fear not!!

Its easy to overlook a small detail in all my rambling on and on. There will indeed be a flywheel cover. I'm usually pretty good at anticipating potential hazards and heading them off before they ever happen. That flywheel, even though its running far below its max safe RPMs, still is carrying enough energy to tear your foot off and not think twice about it.

My goal is to make everything still viewable and dangerous looking, but not able to grab loose clothing or parts of one's body. I think of the opera singer (whose name escapes me at the moment) who met her untimely demise because of her love for extraordinarily long scarves.

Ranger Genius · Post by **Ranger Genius** » Wed Jun 13, 2007 8:06 am

I believe you mean Isadora Duncan.

MozyBonz · Post by **MozyBonz** » Wed Jun 13, 2007 9:12 am

Not really potential dangerous? What fun is there in that? Bring on the spinning knife blades.

I remember the first time I was on the back of a motorcycle. My uncle went so fast my boot heals rubbed on the spokes like a playing card on the spokes of a bicycle. (No rear foot pegs)

Dangerous Hazards got to love them.

LeChatNoir · Post by **LeChatNoir** » Wed Jun 13, 2007 9:27 am

Ranger Genius wrote:I believe you mean Isadora Duncan.

Yes, I think that would be her.

Good to see you aroud these parts, Ranger.

LeChatNoir · Post by **LeChatNoir** » Wed Jun 13, 2007 9:33 am

[quote="MozyBonz"]Not really potential dangerous? What fun is there in that? Bring on the spinning knife blades. [quote]

Oh man... I could put a sign on the deck with big arrows saying "Do Not Put Foot Here". That way some kuncklehead would siuck it in there for sure.

Or maybe "Acme Toenail Clipper"

gyre · Post by **gyre** » Wed Jun 13, 2007 9:39 am

Every art car needs a 'No Step' decal somewhere.

http://www.aircraftspruce.com/menus/search.php

unjonharley · Post by **unjonharley** » Wed Jun 13, 2007 9:41 am

MozyBonz wrote:Not really potential dangerous? What fun is there in that? Bring on the spinning knife blades.

I remember the first time I was on the back of a motorcycle. My uncle went so fast my boot heals rubbed on the spokes like a playing card on the spokes of a bicycle. (No rear foot pegs)

Dangerous Hazards got to love them.

\/
How was that little person on Wild Wild West.. He always had the most wounderful deadly machines.. Jug-a knots (spelling? fucking french)

Rider pegs?? who needs rider pegs??
Mom always wrapped her long legs around me and put her feet in my lap.. And those neck pillows,huh?.. I'd just lean back into those 38"Ds" for a nice pillow and neck warmer..All i had to do to keep her happy was change the vidration now and then.. She always thought I did that for her.. Truth is: The old Harley and Indian would set up vibration points.. So you had to change speed now and then..

MozyBonz · Post by **MozyBonz** » Wed Jun 13, 2007 1:36 pm

unjonharley wrote:
MozyBonz wrote:Not really potential dangerous? What fun is there in that? Bring on the spinning knife blades.

I remember the first time I was on the back of a motorcycle. My uncle went so fast my boot heals rubbed on the spokes like a playing card on the spokes of a bicycle. (No rear foot pegs)

Dangerous Hazards got to love them.
\/
How was that little person on Wild Wild West.. He always had the most wounderful deadly machines.. Jug-a knots (spelling? fucking french)

Rider pegs?? who needs rider pegs??
Mom always wrapped her long legs around me and put her feet in my lap.. And those neck pillows,huh?.. I'd just lean back into those 38"Ds" for a nice pillow and neck warmer..All i had to do to keep her happy was change the vidration now and then.. She always thought I did that for her.. Truth is: The old Harley and Indian would set up vibration points.. So you had to change speed now and then..

I was 7 at the time. He turned around and made a 2nd pass at it. I stuck my legs out as far as I could but it was too much for me. Really fucked up the boots.

That little person on Wild Wild West. Ya I loved that guy. set design was great.

LeChatNoir · Post by **LeChatNoir** » Mon Jun 18, 2007 8:57 pm

ITâ€™S ALIVE!!! ITâ€™S ALIVE!!!

I worked late into the evenings last week, and late Sunday night and tonight to get stuff done, butâ€¦

It moved under itâ€™s own power tonight!!

Over all those evenings, I finished up the brakes, then the drive train (belt, tension pulley, linkages). Tonight I got the flywheel revved up to a speed that might be normal, climbed into the driverâ€™s seat and pulled back on the clutch leverâ€¦

It took off smoothly and sure feeling. I then let off the clutch and hit the brakesâ€¦

It stopped sure and without great effort on the pedal. So mark it down:

Monday, June 18th was the first self-propelled movementâ€¦ total of 8 feet. Itâ€™d gone farther, but I didnâ€™t want to smash into the hydraulic press. That bit of travel did not exhaust the flywheel either, as it was still spinning a bit after I stopped.

I then backed up with the newly installed reverse lever, after which I engaged the clutch again and began to pump the flywheel, directly driving the rear wheels. I was able to start it rolling without too much problem at all. These are all good signs, I think. I'll post some pics of the brake assembly and then Iâ€™m gettin' into the shower.

Oh yeah... and for all those worried about foot maulings, I got the flywheel guard done too.

Zulegoona · Post by **Zulegoona** » Mon Jun 18, 2007 9:16 pm

Congratulation!
From this day forward Let June 18th be know as Mad Contraption Builderâ€™s Day!

Box Burner · Post by **Box Burner** » Mon Jun 18, 2007 9:18 pm

Yaaaayyyy!!!!!!

Awsome man!

Hey I really like the flywheel cover. Very cool looking.

Bin Noddin · Post by **Bin Noddin** » Mon Jun 18, 2007 9:23 pm

American CAT-TRAPTION Day!

LeChatNoir · Post by **LeChatNoir** » Mon Jun 18, 2007 9:24 pm

Mad Contraption Builders Day, huh?

I like it, I like it. So shall it be, then.

I think I'll lighten up that cover pic and repost it. It seems a little dark to me now.

Tiahaar · Post by **Tiahaar** » Mon Jun 18, 2007 9:44 pm

WOOO!!! Alright LeChat! Its like you're doing that first hop-flight of the Wright brothers way back when. Congrats on grinding through all the little detail parts (always the toughest at least for me when putting something together) especially on the brake linkages. Where's Karen these days? Outdoor taxi testing can't be too far off now : )

karine · Post by **karine** » Mon Jun 18, 2007 9:46 pm

A Toast to Cat-Traption Day!

And Dang! That fly wheel cover is GORGEOUS!

Love it! Love it! I am sooooo excited about the slef-propelling ! Nice!

Tiahaar · Post by **Tiahaar** » Mon Jun 18, 2007 9:55 pm

EEEK! There you are Karine, I was just coming back to edit 'cause I mispelled your name! ooops sorry!

Yeah Cat-Traption Day!

karine · Post by **karine** » Mon Jun 18, 2007 11:31 pm

Ahh- That's okay. I've been up in the northwoods of Wisconsin -
next week we take over Duluth ! ! !
Poor LCN has gotten SO MUCH MORE DONE since I left Kentucky.

I think it's a pretty good sign that I should go off camping more often !
;)wink

I am still amazed at the recent progress. It was going much more slowly before- but that WAS the base & planning...
I can't wait to get back in the shop and work on the contraption with the cat! I am thinking heavily on upholstery.

Any one else coming by to help with the contraption soon, Le Chat?

karine · Post by **karine** » Mon Jun 18, 2007 11:33 pm

... and I love that little twisted wire holding the brake line.
That just makes me laugh and laugh.

No seriously - Is that permanent?

Man, that makes me laugh. I love it.

spectabillis · Post by **spectabillis** » Tue Jun 19, 2007 1:06 am

congrats!

need to get off my ass to get mine along..

unjonharley · Post by **unjonharley** » Tue Jun 19, 2007 7:05 am

Karine. Whatya do'in in the north woods?? I thas been raining every day there for a week.. I have friends in Hayward..

Tiger Shredder just throw my tenny on his breakfast.. Trying to cover some of the oder I guess..

See! le cat can get something done without you prodding him every hour

scootert · Post by **scootert** » Wed Jun 20, 2007 3:06 pm

What fine, inventive art! The machine is so clever and well done, and the flywheel cover is truly artful. I sure hope I see it in person!

Inspirational!

LeChatNoir · Post by **LeChatNoir** » Thu Jun 21, 2007 8:14 pm

Thanks, guys!!

And thanks to you, scootert, for the compliments. I hope to see you out there on the playa too. And if you get in the way, there is now a way for the driver of The Contraption to warn you to look behind.

Today brought with it a package from Oregon. It must have been from Oregon, because it contained about a gallon of water which I promptly poured on my plants and watched it disappear instantly into the still dry, cracked earth.

Actually there was no water at all... that's only wishful thinking on my part. What was, however, in the package was a gift to top off the rusty metal pile that is taking up so much of my time.

Unjon sent a terrific brass horn that he found somewhere. Complete with squeeze bulb and everything!! He said he'd tarnished it a bit, I may want to do more to it, so I applied a wash of stuff I have to darken brass and copper. What do you think Unjon?

Now I've got to figure out where to mount the new UnHorn. So far the only thing left with nothing to do is the left foot (like today's automobiles... why did the ever take the dimmer switch off the floor anyways?). So I'm figuring that's how I'll rig it up to be actuated. This thing will be like a "One-Man Band" setup when it's done. Something for everything to keep busy.

unjonharley · Post by **unjonharley** » Thu Jun 21, 2007 10:45 pm

Dat unhorn is darkening nicely.. Two boards with a hinge for a foot peddle would honk that ting..

All the water is falling in northen Wisc.. Ask them to send some rust your way..

bigbluedoggy · Post by **bigbluedoggy** » Fri Jun 22, 2007 7:23 pm

I just read this entire thread and all I can think of to say is... wow! I had always figured a ton of effort went into some of those vehicles but to see it in its development is very inspirational!!! Thanks to everyone involved! I want a ride!!! hahaha!

Box Burner · Post by **Box Burner** » Sat Jun 23, 2007 6:06 am

karine wrote:... and I love that little twisted wire holding the brake line.
That just makes me laugh and laugh.

No seriously - Is that permanent?

Man, that makes me laugh. I love it.

Eddie Rickenbacker in his autobiography talked of working for the Ford Motor Company as a sales representative and running into farmers who had "old" Fords that were still running and held together with baling wire. This was just after World War 1.

unjonharley · Post by **unjonharley** » Sat Jun 23, 2007 9:23 am

Box Burner wrote:
karine wrote:... and I love that little twisted wire holding the brake line.
That just makes me laugh and laugh.

No seriously - Is that permanent?

Man, that makes me laugh. I love it.
Eddie Rickenbacker in his autobiography talked of working for the Ford Motor Company as a sales representative and running into farmers who had "old" Fords that were still running and held together with baling wire. This was just after World War 1.

\/
WE could always get a hunk of wire along the roadside.. Or while working in the feilds.. There were a lot of repairs you could do to farm machines and cars with just a little wire.. Snip one wire on a barbed wire fence.. Then slip the barbs along the other wire while untwisting the cut one.. I have a fencing tool in my tools to this day.. The other day I noticed my kid had one in his tool bag.. Never know how close a kid watches you..

Box Burner · Post by **Box Burner** » Sat Jun 23, 2007 11:39 pm

If a worker don't have some baling wire in his tool box he probly ain't worth a hoot.

unjonharley · Post by **unjonharley** » Sun Jun 24, 2007 6:22 am

Box Burner wrote:If a worker don't have some baling wire in his tool box he probly ain't worth a hoot.

\/
The new age of that is: If it moves and shouldn't (DUCT TAPE)..
If should move and don't (WD40)

dragonfly Jafe · Post by **dragonfly Jafe** » Sun Jun 24, 2007 7:00 am

unjonharley wrote:
Box Burner wrote:If a worker don't have some baling wire in his tool box he probly ain't worth a hoot.
\/
The new age of that is: If it moves and shouldn't (DUCT TAPE)..
If should move and don't (WD40)

The NEW age of that is;

If it moves and shouldn't (WalMart)
If it should move and doesn't (WalMart)

;(

Archantael · Post by **Archantael** » Sun Jun 24, 2007 7:37 am

Maybe I'm not caffeinated this morning but I don't get the Wal-Mart reference. But as for the bailing wire, WD-40 and duct tape, back in 2002 I wrecked a car while I was about 400 miles from home. I couldn't afford to tow it that far home and I didn't want to bother anyone to come get me so I used the wire and tape to keep my fenders on, rehang a mangled exhaust system, hold the hood down, etc, and basically limped the car home. On the way back I had a state trooper stop me and he did a full walk around the car and just shook his head. He couldn't believe I was driving the thing! The repairs got me home though....since then I always keep some in the back of the truck. You just never know when it's going to save your rear end.