Fall 2021

I started by scribing my design onto 16 gauge aluminum. I cut the metal into smaller pieces with a jump shear and a corner notcher. I experimented by bending the metal triangle on the finger brake. After realizing that it was difficult to bend the triangle structure in 90 degrees, I decided to cut the triangles separately.

To make a triangle, I punched a hole in a square piece with the bench punch. Then I used the corner notcher to cut the square into triangles. I made 24 triangles and 6 cross shaped slabs. 

I planned to connect the pieces with hinges. So the next step was to attach tin hinge holders to the aluminum pieces. I used the jump shear to cut small rectangles, measuring with a compass. I made sure to put the centerline on each rectangular strip of tin.

I cut 96 tin rectangles. I put those rectangles in a hinge jig to roll the tin plate steel. I placed tape on the hinge jig to determine the limit where to stop rolling the tin. 

I connected the aluminum and tin with aluminum rivets which had a gold finish. After assembling, I hammered the ends of the rivets to slightly deform the ends to prevent them from falling out of the holes.

Using a rod parter, I cut the wire into 1 inch pieces. Then using a vice and hammer, I do a preliminary bend. After setting the wire horizontally in the vice, I make the vice gap narrower. 

I initially used bronze wire. With and without annealing, the bronze wire would break during the bending procedure.

I switched to copper wire because the do not break when I bend them even without annealing them. 

There are 96 copper hinges, 96 rivets, and 96 tin plate steel hinge holders