Bandsaw beautification

Craft & Design
Bandsaw beautification
bandsawArt.jpg

The first time I saw a circuit board where the board designer had broken through the boundaries of a grid pattern and made traces that curved playfully and made decorative shapes, it was a revelation. You can make a PCB any damn shape you please! (So long as it takes into account the component shapes, circuit design requirements, and doesn’t get too confusing.) Too often we get stuck in rigid modes of thinking about the world. I love it when people tweak those tunnel realities a little. This painted saw, spotted on Dinosaurs and Robots, is a perfect example. I’ve seen a few shop tools maybe painted a non-factory-issued color, or with some bumper stickers and tool company logos, etc. on them, but have never seen one tricked-out painted just for fun and aesthetic pleasure. Why not? This saw was done by custom guitar painter Sarah Ryan, for Creston Lea’s bandsaw.

Okay, here’s one reason not to paint your shop tools. It apparently attracts snakes! (See story on the link.)

Creston Lea’s Bandsaw Painted by Sarah Ryan

6 thoughts on “Bandsaw beautification

  1. Simon says:

    “You can make a PCB any damn shape you please! (So long as it takes into account the component shapes and doesn’t get too confusing.)”

    Well, that’s not always true. Some circuits the layout is critical. Especially things like RF circuits or anything operating at very high frequencies. Even audio amplifiers with I guess.

  2. Gareth Branwyn says:

    Good point. I added “circuit design requirements” in the parens.

  3. Anonymous says:

    I’ve seen similarly painted tools in some shops, the most famous is the large pinstriped yoder hammer in west coast choppers.

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Gareth Branwyn is a freelance writer and the former Editorial Director of Maker Media. He is the author or editor of over a dozen books on technology, DIY, and geek culture. He is currently a contributor to Boing Boing, Wink Books, and Wink Fun. His free weekly-ish maker tips newsletter can be found at garstipsandtools.com.

View more articles by Gareth Branwyn

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