Project 1: building with hand tools.

 Process.

The process began with modeling my idea in the fusion 360 software. I had never modeled a build design, however I was apart of the trinity animation club last semester and got experience with similar modeling software like blender. I overall found the process of modeling to be intuitive and fun, though when I deviated from the original protocol and attempted to add my own  design tweaks I defiantly  ran into some complications. Next I traced pieces I would need to cut for my project on an 8 foot board of wood, to do this I frequently referenced my schematics drawing and found the dimensions for my constituent parts. I then broke the parts down into simpler shapes (squares  and rectangles) and drew them in a way that would require the least cuts possible(usually right around the edges). I also ensured to not draw my pieces directly next to each other because I was informed the miter saw was roughly .8 inches in width. Next,  I cut out my pieces. I started by using the miter saw to break the wood into 3 major sections each of which contained a collection of pieces. I then used the bandsaw to cut out  the individual pieces. Finally I began to assemble my project. That involved first attaching the  2 pairs vertically upright rectangular pieces using screws and a screw driver, and then attaching a base to them (also using screws and a screw driver. I then attached the center vertically upright rectangle to the 2 half semi ellipsoid pieces and placed them on top of the base piece. After this I screwed 2 caster wheels to the bottom of the project, screwed 2 2 foot long skinny planks of wood to one of the sides and finally I found a black PVC  pipe  filed 2 square shaped holes to its bottom and super glued it to the wooden planks to create a handle.

Result:

 I feel very bittersweet about my final result. On one hand I feel very happy about the fact that I went through the process of developing an idea and physically actualizing it. On top of this My project accomplishes the purpose I designed it for very well( that purpose being making the transportation of tools much easier by allowing one to pull the tools instead of carrying them.) having remained successfully in tact all times I tested moving tools with it and being a blast to carry around. However, my project is plagued with numerous flaws. Many of the pieces I cut out were  uneven and did not fit well together. I had to force many of them together while screwing with brute force or recut out new pieces entire,( his occurred with 4 different pieces) my screw placement across the project was also very uneven.  From my experiences thus far, this has not contributed to any structural instability(though  I acknowledge I could be wrong about this)but the uneven screws ruin the aesthetic appeal of the project.

Reflection:

I knew I wanted to try and deviate from the standard and design and tried to think of something that would increase the efficiency of a tool tote. I reasoned that the main issues with a tool tote would be that they still require the user to expend a relatively large amount of energy to carry the tote, especially if someone is carrying really heavy tools. On top of this grabbing the handle of the tool tote increases risk of splintering unless the builder dedicates a great deal of time to sanding the handle. These seem like minor issues and they are but what is innovation if not improving something for the sake of improving something. I reasoned the best way to tackle these issues with the resources I had would be to make the means of transportation something that required less energy than carrying(pulling) and to replace the wooden handle of the original design with a plastic handle. I think overall I really liked how these changes came out though I think the addition of the plastic handle took way longer than it should of. To attach the handle I screwed 2 holes into the pipe and then filed them into square like shapes. I think it would have been better to used the sander to transform the rectangular poles into circular poles  that could fit in the holes(filing took a very long time.). Overall, the number one thing I would work on for next project is getting better at making straight cuts. I think my board drawings were very accurate ( as I frequently checked my measurements using principles of geometry.) but during the cutting stage I frequently cut unevenly which caused me a lot of pain down the line. I think the number thing I learned is that building is a difficult craft which will require lots of time, patience, and failure to get better at.