I started early... a kid who desires to break things to see how they work quickly learns to fix them too... either to escape the wraith of siblings, or the loss of a favourite toy.
I guess I always just wanted to make stuff.
Most all my skills are self-taught, apart from the general teachings of the secondary school system.
Of course many people have shown me many things over the years, but most are picked up as the need arises and the deadline approches.
I tend to like to work quickly, accurately and with a minimum of fuss, either by myself given only pencil drawings and a vague concept, or as part of a crew working from drafted plans.
The following gives an indication of my present skill base.
This seems to be an ever expanding list and I feel that many of these skills can, if needed, be executed at quite a high level.
- propmaking and many of the associated tricks, bits and bobs
- cabinetmaking and joinery including stringed instrument repair and construction
- set construction, flats and special items (and the bump ins/outs)
- mechanical animation, articulation and applications
- welding using MIG, TIG and OXY equipment
- mild and stainless steel fabrication
- aluminium fabrication
- sheetmetal fabrication
- electrical and mechanical repair
- basic circuit design and construction
- construction using fibre optics and other lighting effects
- sculptural work in timber, clay, foams and other materials
- mouldmaking and slip casting techniques
- spray, brush and many other finishings
- vac forming
- leatherwork
and the use of such materials...
- timber and timber products including ply, mdf and other sheet material
- paints, laquers and varnish
- fibreglass
- epoxy, casting and fibreglass resins
- polystyrene, open and closed-cell foams
- acylics
- adhesive vinyls
- more more more....
and computer skills...
- word processing and spreadsheets (MS Word/Excell)
- digital manipulation and layout (Adobe Photohshop, Illistrator)
- html coding and web design
- hardware/software network configuration (esp Windows based)
- strong general knowledge and troubleshooting
